Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

What you will study

Complete 48 units comprising:

48 units for all Core courses

• Professional and Interpersonal Skills
• Understanding & Synthesising Psychological Evidence
• Applied Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
• Psychological Applications and Interventions
• Psychological Measurement and Assessment
• Research Project Planning, Managing and Analysing Data
• Research Project A
• Research Project B

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible for admission, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and fulfil any essential criteria for admission.

Option 1:

• A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) degree or equivalent from an Australian higher education institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or higher, that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) three-year sequence in psychology.
• A minimum average mark of 65% in Level 2 and Level 3 psychology courses taken as part of that degree.

Option 2:

• A completed APAC-accredited Graduate Diploma of Psychology with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or higher.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants:

Alternative entry pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be able to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality or complete a statutory declaration.
• Have completed an APAC-accredited qualification that achieves foundational competencies. The program could be a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, or a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline that includes an APAC-accredited sequence in Psychology (e.g., Graduate Diploma in Psychology).
• Achieve at least a GPA of 4.5 over the course of their undergraduate study, inclusive of courses in Psychology.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

• Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
• Academically sound.
• Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

• Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
• Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
• Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) is a part-time degree preparing you to work in psychological fields. Balance your work and life commitments with study that can take you into a variety of different industry areas including private industry, the public sector, research or academia.

You’ll expand your capabilities in professional practice and learn how to conduct valuable research. Use critical thinking, communication and advocacy to help people work at their best.

For topics on professional practice, you’ll learn skills in areas like:

• Interpersonal communication and interviewing skills, including how to become an empathetic and clear communicator.
• How to measure and assess individuals and how to meet peoples’ psychological needs in a modern age – including ethical and culturally responsive practice and using emerging technologies like telehealth.
• How to apply these skills into health, legal and organisational settings, including translating psychological knowledge into real-world practice.

For topics on research, you’ll learn skills in:

• Making sense of evidence-based practice, including how to comprehend and synthesise data and research into everyday situations.
• Quality use of data and data analysis, using qualitative and quantitative sources and mixed methodologies.
• How to plan and deliver high-quality, ethical and informed research.

These combined knowledges culminate in delivering a research project of your choice. Investigate a research question, then present your findings to industry standard.

Upon graduating, you’ll have an advanced understanding of the human brain and behaviours.

Students interested in becoming a registered psychologist can use this diploma to progress into a master’s program.

Career outcomes

You may apply your skills into different industries including:

• Business
• Community services and counselling
• Education and academia
• Forensic psychology and protective services
• Government, policy and research
• Health
• Human resources and marketing

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative total fee in 2026: $33,792 (domestic full-fee paying place).

Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. The total cost of the program is displayed.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.