Graduate Diploma in Psychology

What you will study

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 60 credit points including 18 credit points at 400-level.

Core units

Complete the following units:

• Introductory Psychology I
• Introductory Psychology II
• Social Psychology
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Biopsychology
• Individual Differences and Assessment
• Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

Entry requirements

This course is offered under two admission rules.

Rule A

You have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in any discipline.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A.

Rule B

You do not hold a bachelor's degree but have completed a qualification that is a minimum of AQF Level 8 (or overseas equivalent). Applications on this basis will be assessed by the Course Coordinator for eligibility.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your study within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of psychology, including: the history and philosophy of psychology, motivation and emotion, psychological health and wellbeing, social psychology, neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour, cognition, language and perception, individual differences in personality, intelligence and behaviour, learning and memory, lifespan development and psychopathology and evidence-based interventions and apply this knowledge in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
• Describe, apply and evaluate different research methods used by psychologists. Demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design, data analysis and report writing using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions.
• Critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from untested assumptions, recognise the link between theory and practical application of that theory in the world and communicate these in written and oral formats.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork.
• Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
• Demonstrate self-directed learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.

Career outcomes

The Graduate Careers Council of Australia reports a strong demand in Australia for people with psychology qualifications. Some of the wide-ranging career pathways that you could consider include:

• further fourth-year study in psychology
• family services and support work
• youth justice or youth support work
• learning support worker
• human resources
• management roles in health and social care

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $14,824 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $30,144 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $373

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study, as the cost of individual units varies. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 credit points in the first year of this course. For courses that require fewer than 48 credit points, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points needed for the completion of that course.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

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

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

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.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.