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Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions


These questions relate to prospective undergraduate students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. International students should refer to Programs, fees and entry requirements for international students.
 

 

What were the TER cut-off scores for 2006 entry?
Bachelor of Psychology - 56.3
Master of Psychology (Specialisation) -
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - applicants are ranked on performance in Level 2 and Level 3 undergraduate Psychology courses, and require a GPA of 5.5 plus.
Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychology double degree - 55.35
 


What is the full-time duration of the program?
Bachelor of Psychology - 3 years
Master of Psychology (Specialisation) - 6 years
(with exit points at 3rd year level and 4th year level)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - 1 year
Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychology double degree - 4 years


Are any courses offered externally?
The only courses offered externally are: BEHL 1003 Psychology 1A and BEHL 1004 Psychology 1B.


At which campus will I be studying?
At present the undergraduate programs [including the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and the first four years of the Master of Psychology (Specialisation)] are run at Magill.  Postgraduate programs are conducted at City East.


What are the career opportunities?
To register as a psychologist in South Australia, you must first complete an undergraduate psychology program which has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, followed by a 4th year (Honours), and finally a two-year Masters program.  Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychology will apply for Honours at the end of their four year double degree.  At the University of South Australia, students choose an area of specialisation at the Masters level - either Forensic Psychology, Work and Organisational Psychology or Clinical Psychology.  On completion, graduates will have met the academic requirements for membership of the Australian Psychological Society. 

Graduates of our three year and four year programs find employment in a variety of roles and industries.  Our graduates have skills that are highly attractive to employers including research skills, data analysis, critical thinking, report writing and excellent communication skills.  They obtain employment in the business sector, community organisations, government departments, local government and the private sector in a variety of occupations including project officers, counsellors, administrators, human resource professionals, welfare and community workers, youth and disability workers, policy development and planning roles and trainee managers. 

Graduates of the double degree will typically find work in a range of challenging human service careers in both the public and private sectors, and will be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers (AIWCW).

You will find information on career opportunities at the following web address:
www.unisa.edu.au/student/career/


How can I gain entry to the program?

Bachelor of Psychology  and
Master of Psychology (Specialisation)  and
Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services),  Bachelor of Psychology
• Directly from year 12 or the equivalent  - you've obtained a competitive TER or qualified for the International Baccalaureate
• If you have completed one semester or more of study at university level, entry  is based on your grade point average (GPA) during your tertiary study. If you have completed one year or less of tertiary study, selection will be by whichever is higher - your school leaver score or university grade point average.
• Mature age entry – selection is based on the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• If you have completed at least four Open Learning Australia (OLA) subjects at the appropriate level.
• If you have completed a recognised diploma, associate diploma or Certificate Level IV from TAFE.
• Special entry (if you left high school prior to completing year 12, or your former high school scores were not sufficient to gain entry) – consult the SATAC Guide for specific criteria for special entry students. Entry is on the basis of results of sitting the STAT.

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Selection is on the basis of academic merit. Applicants need to have achieved a grade of a credit or better in the Level 2 and 3 Psychology courses of their undergraduate degree in an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accredited program to be eligible to apply.   Because entry is very competitive, applicants will generally need to have performed substantially better than the minimum requirement to be offered a place.


How do I apply?

Bachelor of Psychology  and
Master of Psychology (Specialisation)  and
Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services),  Bachelor of Psychology
All applications are processed by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).  The SATAC Guide is distributed each year in schools and is also available at newsagents or from SATAC. Visit the SATAC website for further information and details of the application process.

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Applications for the one year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) are made online at  www.unisa.edu.au/applyonline/.  Completed applications must be received by 30th November. University of South Australia applicants will have their academic transcripts automatically accessed for the selection process, but students from other universities must provide a copy of their academic transcript as soon as it's available.



What can I do if I don’t get offered a place?
• If you are a school leaver you could do a year 13 to improve your SACE score, or enter another university program and then re-apply for entry to your preferred Psychology degree program the next year.  You will receive some credit for studies already completed.  However, you should choose an alternative program that you would be happy to continue with should you be unsuccessful when you re-apply.
• If you are currently studying at tertiary level, you can aim to achieve a higher grade point average in your current program.
• Mature aged applicants may wish to consider the Foundations Studies programs as a pathway to study at university.

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
There is no guarantee that the level of performance required to earn you an offer will be exactly the same from one year to the next.   If you are an unsuccessful applicant, you may wish to consider 4th year or postgraduate studies in another discipline.  Alternatively, you may reapply in later years or consider the Honours programs at other universities.  The Australian Psychological Society has details of all accredited 4th year programs on its website at www.psychology.org.au


Can I defer once I have been accepted?

Bachelor of Psychology  and
Master of Psychology (Specialisation)  and
Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services),  Bachelor of Psychology
Yes, you can apply to defer your entry for one year only. If you do not take up the offer the following year you will lose your place and be required to reapply for entry through SATAC again.

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
If you do not take up the offer when it is made, you will lose your place and will need to reapply.


How much does it cost once I am in the program?
Australian citizens or residents pay the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).  You can access information at http://www.unisa.edu.au/future/fees/commonwealthsupported.asp   A university standard fee structure applies for international students.

Please note that some programs may have additional expenses depending on the courses selected and there are miscellaneous costs for textbooks, notes etc.


Can I get credit for prior tertiary study?
You may apply to receive credit. It is granted at the discretion of the Program Director. To obtain credit see the Program Director at enrolment or early in the semester, taking with you your completed application form and academic transcripts which provide details of your prior study. Application forms are available at Campus Central or on the UniSA website.
Note:
(1) Because of the nature of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), it is uncommon for students to have completed prior tertiary study that would qualify for credit.
(2) International students who have completed an approved program of study in Psychology at their home institution will be granted credit under agreed arrangements between their home institution and the School.


 

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