Bachelor of Psychological Science
at UNSW Sydney, New South Wales.
An APAC-accredited three-year psychology sequence. Forms the first half of the six-year pathway to registration as a psychologist with AHPRA.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Psychological Science. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official UAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
UNSW runs the BPsych Science as a three-year APAC accredited degree forming the first three years of an APAC-accredited sequence. Year one covers introduction to psychology (cognitive, social, biological, developmental), research methods, statistics for psychology, and electives across the faculty. Year two layers cognitive psychology, social and personality psychology, abnormal psychology, biological bases of behaviour, and advanced statistics and research methods. Year three runs developmental psychology, advanced cognition, advanced abnormal psychology, an applied psychology elective and a capstone research project. The BPsych Science is not a path to provisional registration on its own - APAC requires a fourth year (Honours, Master of Psychology or Bachelor of Psychology Honours) before any pathway to AHPRA-registered psychology practice. Class sizes are large in early years (200 plus in first-year lectures) with smaller tutorials of 15 to 25.
Example first-year subjects
- Introduction to Psychology 1
- Introduction to Psychology 2
- Statistics for Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- Social and Developmental Psychology
How you will be assessed
- Final exams of 40 to 60 percent in core APAC units
- Statistics and research-methods assignments with SPSS, R or JAMOVI
- Research report writing (APA 7th edition) of 1500 to 3000 words
- Group research project with data collection and analysis
- Tutorial participation and quizzes
- Final-year capstone empirical research paper
Career outcomes
- Graduates work in support roles in mental-health services, drug-and-alcohol clinics and community-services organisations.
- Common destinations include human-resources, market-research and user-experience research positions across the private sector.
- Most alumni continue into a fourth-year Honours programme and the Master of Psychology to register as a psychologist.
Professional accreditation
- APAC accredited (three-year sequence)
Typical first jobs
- Mental health support worker in community and NDIS-funded services
- Research assistant in university and health-research centres
- Behaviour support practitioner in disability services
- Human resources or organisational development graduate
- Youth or case worker in NGOs and government
- Market research analyst (with electives in business and analytics)
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Three pathways follow the BPsych Science. First, BPsych Honours (year four research thesis, competitive entry by GPA) leads to a Master of Professional Psychology then internship for AHPRA general registration. Second, the Master of Psychology (Clinical, Counselling, Forensic, Organisational, Educational and Developmental, Health, Sport and Exercise) is the standard postgraduate route to specialty endorsement. Third, the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical or Clinical Neuropsychology) for academic-clinical combined careers. Non-psychology pivots include the Master of Teaching, Master of Social Work, Master of Public Health and Juris Doctor.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students interested in evidence-based human behaviour research
- Those willing to take statistics and research methods through to third year
- People committed to four to seven years of postgraduate training to reach AHPRA registration
- Students happy to compete for limited Honours and Master of Psychology places
- Those willing to pivot to research, HR or policy if Honours entry doesnt happen
It is probably not for you if
- Students expecting clinical patient contact in the undergraduate years
- Those uncomfortable with statistics and research methods
- Anyone unwilling to commit to four to six years of postgraduate study to become a psychologist
Related courses at UNSW
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the UNSW Sydney handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/unsw/bachelor-of-psychological-science.