Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. The course includes a balanced mix of theory and practical experiences, incorporating technology to enhance your digital capabilities. You will develop professional agility and high-level communication skills along with critical thinking and robust research skills. You will engage in self-reflection to better understand your impact on the world around you, and develop your capabilities in partnership with your peers, individuals, communities, and other professionals.

You will have the option to gain experience in the workplace before you graduate and complete a placement in a professional environment that aligns with your career goals. Placement opportunities are available across a range of different organisational sectors.

To become a registered psychologist you will need to complete further study. Registered psychologists use scientific knowledge of human behaviour to assist individuals who are experiencing mental disorders, relationship problems, learning difficulties, addiction and eating disorders, among other things. Psychologists may work in a specific area of psychology such as cognition, neuroscience, or social and developmental behaviour.

Double degrees

Combine two bachelor degrees into a single course of study. A double degree allows you to specialise in two fields and pursue different interest areas, gaining a broader range of skills and knowledge, and giving you a competitive advantage and greater career flexibility.

Consider the following double degrees with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology):

• Business: gain knowledge and skills to add business acumen to roles as a market researcher, human resources manager or training and development consultant.
• Law: pursue a career as a lawyer or psychologist in legal, corporate, government, mental health or clinical health environments, or in the development of mental health legal policies, or in research in the legal-psychological domain.
• Justice:  your psychology and justice qualifications will position you for a career in policy development, criminal justice institutions, rehabilitation, and family services.
• Social Work: combine psychology and social work to work in community services, counselling and family-centred intervention, mental health services, drug and alcohol intervention, or disability services.
• Nursing: use your skills to work as a nurse in a range of areas including emergency, mental health, palliative care, or cancer departments.
• Creative Arts: engage in the real world as a creative practitioner, backed with an understanding of human behaviour.
• Design (Visual Communication): combine an understanding of human behaviour with design thinking to create demand, inspire confidence and loyalty in products, places, and experiences in people’s lives.

Careers and outcomes

Graduates of this course have skills that can be applied to a variety of professional areas.

Behavioural scientists use scientific knowledge of human behaviour to assist individuals who are experiencing mental disorders, relationship problems, learning difficulties, addiction and eating disorders, among other things.

Psychologists may work in a specific area of psychology such as cognition, neuroscience, or social and developmental behaviour. Behavioural science graduates have many career choices, using their knowledge of human behaviour to work in a range of fields, including health promotion, marketing, human resources, coaching, policy, and community services.

Graduates also work as researchers to provide greater understanding about how people think, feel and react to situations, and to develop new strategies to improve psychological functioning.

To pursue a career as a registered psychologist, you must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Currently this involves completing a fourth year of study in psychology, followed by further study and supervised work experience. Please refer to Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website.

Careers and outcomes

Graduates of this course have skills that can be applied to a variety of professional areas.

The analytical, interpersonal and research skills are ideal for careers in health, education, human resources, market research, organisational development, policing, public health, human services, and counselling.

To pursue a career as a registered psychologist, you must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Currently this involves completing a fourth year of study in psychology, followed by further study and supervised work experience. QUT offers the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology) which provides an APAC-accredited fourth year of training. Please refer to Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council as providing a three-year undergraduate level of training in psychology.