Continue psychology studies with an honours degree or advanced graduate diploma.
Overview
A pivotal period in the six-year journey to becoming a psychologist in Australia is the fourth year. Traditionally, this is an honours year for the best undergraduate students. However, an alternative option is a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced). Both course types are available online.
What is the fourth year? It is a research-intensive year of preparation for postgraduate psychology programs. Those with high grades in their undergraduate studies undertake half a year of research-focused coursework, followed by half a year of individual, supervised research. A strong performance qualifies you for further study and provisional registration.
Related: How to Become a Psychologist in Australia
Online Courses
Fourth-year psychology courses build on the foundations of your Bachelor's degree or Graduate Diploma. They provide a bridge between foundational studies and the advanced programs, masters or doctorates, needed to become a registered psychologist. You can study from anywhere in Australia with these accredited online programs.
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
A flexible alternative to an honours year is the online Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced). It provides the same education as honours while being more supportive of part-time study. The fully online course has been purpose-built to be compatible with work and other commitments.
UTS Online - Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) UTS Online offers a pathway to a psychologist career. The 100% online courses emphasises practical training and real-world value. It requires 16 months of part-time study, covering subjects such as advanced psychological assessment, ethics, and research projects. The key entry requirement is a bachelor degree or graduate diploma in psychology, with a minimum GPA of 5.0 out of 7.0. This course prepares graduates for further study and provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
What can this qualification do for you? It readies you for a psychology career. It builds on your bachelor degree or graduate diploma. This advanced diploma preps you for postgraduate training and a psychology career. The next step is to apply for a masters or doctorate program, along with provisional registration as a psychologist.
Accredited Honours Degrees
Here's a list of every provider in Australia offering 4th year psychology honours online that is approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Refer to our Psychology Honours page for a longer list of courses, including on-campus programs.
New South Wales
Australian College of Applied Professions
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 87.1%
Charles Sturt University
Online
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 84.2%
Southern Cross University
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours
Graduate satisfaction: 93.1%
University of New England
Online
Bachelor of Psychology with Honours
Graduate satisfaction: 88.6%
Victoria
Cairnmillar Institute
Online
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: N/A
Federation University Australia
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 85.7%
La Trobe University
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours
Graduate satisfaction: 83.1%
Queensland
CQUniversity
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 84.8%
James Cook University
Online
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 64.8%
University of Southern Queensland
Online
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology)
Graduate satisfaction: N/A
Western Australia
Edith Cowan University
Online
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Graduate satisfaction: 88.2%
Notes
These APAC accredited degrees are designed for graduates of Bachelor of Psychological Science, Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and similar degrees with a Psychology major. Entry requirements vary. However, the standard threshold is a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5, especially towards the end of your qualifying degree, corresponding to a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75%.
Course satisfaction ratings are the latest approval scores by recent graduates of undergraduate psychology programs at the provider. They capture the overall assessment of individuals who completed their degree around four months earlier.