Bachelor of Psychological Science
at University of Tasmania, Tasmania.
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 University of Tasmania 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 | VTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official VTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UTAS Bachelor of Psychological Science is APAC-accredited and delivered by the School of Psychological Sciences at Sandy Bay (Hobart) and Newnham (Launceston). Year one introduces Foundations of Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics, Biological Bases of Behaviour and Social and Developmental Psychology, alongside two electives. Year two layers Cognitive Psychology, Personality and Individual Differences, Abnormal Psychology, Advanced Research Methods (with R or SPSS) and Quantitative Methods in Psychology. Year three caps the APAC three-year sequence with capstone units in advanced research methods, applied psychology, clinical and health psychology, organisational psychology and a research-track project. UTAS researchers have particular strengths in regional mental health and dementia and ageing. Expect 12 to 16 contact hours a week with weekly statistics labs and tutorial discussions.
Example first-year subjects
- Foundations of Psychology
- Research Methods and Statistics for Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behaviour
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Critical Thinking for Psychology
- Introduction to Mental Health
How you will be assessed
- Closed-book final exams in core psychology units
- Statistics laboratory reports using R or SPSS
- Empirical research reports in APA 7 format
- Literature reviews and critical-analysis essays
- Group presentations on case studies
- Honours-track research project and thesis (in 4th year)
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 at THS or Anglicare Tasmania
- Behaviour support practitioner (NDIS providers)
- Research assistant in a UTAS or Menzies psychology lab
- Human-resources or recruitment officer
- Youth worker or case worker at Mission Australia or Colony 47
- Disability support coordinator (Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps)
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $68,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
After the APAC three-year sequence, students with strong marks (typically a credit average) apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) - a research-heavy fourth year with a 10,000 to 15,000 word empirical thesis. Honours is a prerequisite for AHPRA general registration via the Master of Psychology (Clinical), (Forensic), (Educational and Developmental) or (Organisational), or the 5+1 supervised pathway. Many graduates without Honours move into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) or change into Master of Counselling, Master of Social Work (Qualifying) or the UTAS Master of Mental Health Sciences.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You are interested in human behaviour, mental health and research methods
- You can manage statistics and quantitative research from year one
- You are committed to the long pathway to AHPRA registration
- You are comfortable with closed-book exams and APA-style research writing
- You enjoy independent reading of scientific journal articles
It is probably not for you if
- You expect to register as a psychologist after only three years
- You dislike statistics and quantitative methods
- You want a vocational degree with direct patient contact in year one
- You prefer a fully clinical degree like nursing or social work
Related courses at UTAS
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the University of Tasmania handbook and on VTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/utas/bachelor-of-psychological-science.