Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and mental processes, giving people the tools to improve their decision-making, stress management, performance and self-confidence. The modern-day Psychologist works across a range of environments from health, business, sport, marketing, human resources, education and more. Psychologists deal with more than just mental health, applying their knowledge to relationships, workplace stress and financial challenges.

As Psychologists branch out into diverse industries, the number of available jobs is increasing. Within the next five years, job openings are expected to increase by 30%, which means that each year, 7,600 new jobs will be generated.

Careers in Psychology

As a Psychologist, you might be responsible for facilitating organisational change, exploring new ways of thinking or influencing marketing campaigns. A degree in Psychology will set you on track to register with the Psychology Board of Australia, and a career as a professional psychologist.

Relevant Roles

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychologist
  • Counsellor Teacher
  • Social Worker
  • Youth Worker
  • Sales Representative
  • Advertising Agent
  • Market Researcher

*Job Outlook

Career Paths at UNSW

Psychology is an ideal career path for people who enjoy working with and caring for others. At UNSW Science, our graduates demonstrate skills in assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems at an individual and organisational level.

Our School of Psychology is one of the best performing Schools in Australia and has attracted the highest star rating (5 – well above world standard) for its submission to all four of the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessments.

School of Psychology research

Undergraduate Degrees
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A minimum six-year sequence of education and training in Psychology is required to become eligible for general registration as a Psychologist in Australia. To become eligible for provisional registration and be on your way to becoming a registered Psychologist in Australia, you'll need to complete a Psychology undergraduate degree (or approved pathway) and a one-year honours degree.

If your career interests lie in a field that utilises Psychology, such as Human Resources, Marketing, Management, Philosophy, Criminology or Linguistics, or you're interested in learning the fundamentals of Psychology paired with other Science areas, these degrees will suit you:

TIP: You also have the opportunity to apply for a one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) program upon completion of this degree if pursuing a career as a registered psychologist is what you're after.

Postgraduate Degrees
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To obtain general registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), you'll need to complete a two-year postgraduate degree in one of the following areas (or undertake approved supervised practice):

 Where Our Graduates Work

Sucheta Gorolay unsw science alumni

“Studying the Bachelor of Psychology at UNSW opened my eyes to the breadth and depth with which psychology actually applies to every aspect of working life – be that in a clinical, academic or corporate setting. Having an understanding of human behaviour and why people do what they do at a neurological and psycho-social level has undoubtedly helped me to better work with colleagues, work with clients, lead teams and influence change.”

Sucheta Gorolay - Manager & Organisational Psychologist at Bendalta
UNSW Bachelor of Psychology alumni