Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Length	1 year full time taken over three consecutive trimesters.
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$43,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD
CRICOS code	099423C Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Level	Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Deakin course code	H603
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
International applicants who do not require a visa can apply to do this course in the fully online offering for Trimester 1.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) offers students who have already successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any other discipline from a recognised university but who wish to change career path the opportunity to complete a major sequence in psychology without having to undertake a full-three-year degree.

This one-year Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) is a 10-credit point course that is compliant with AQF level 8 standards of knowledge and skills will be subject to Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation assessment in 2019 and, if approved, will enable you to undertake additional study in pursuit of professional registration as a psychologist.

All 10 units are compulsory and there are no elective units. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) students can undertake the further study required to fully register as a psychologist, or enter a variety of professional areas that are demanding the skills of an undergraduate course in psychology.

All ten units of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science are compulsory units. International students are required to complete all ten units over three consecutive trimesters in a 12 month period, therefore Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This means that by completing this course you can:

apply for a fourth-year of study (e.g. honours equivalent) which will then enable you to apply to the Psychology Board of Australia for provisional registration as a psychologist once you meet their requirements
after completing your fourth-year of study, you can then apply for further study in an APAC-accredited master or doctoral level course that leads to general registration as a psychologist.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning. One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Career opportunities

As it is the equivalent of a three-year accredited psychology undergraduate degree, this course a pathway to a fourth-year of study (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)), which can then lead to an APAC-accredited master or doctoral-level course that enables general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:

clinical psychology (available at Deakin)
clinical neuropsychology
organisational psychology (available at Deakin)
sport and exercise psychology
forensic psychology
counselling psychology
community psychology

Working as a generalist psychologist might involve:

family therapy
rehabilitation counselling
psychological assessment

Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You will still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practice will equip you for roles in:

community welfare and case management
disability services
human resources
mental health rehabilitation
public health
youth support

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Achieve a deep conceptual understanding of the major ideas, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the core topics of psychology.
Communication	Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts including with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and within teams.
Digital literacy	Be able to use digital technologies to source appropriate materials, conduct research and disseminate findings.
Critical thinking	Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes. Understand and apply and evaluate basic research methods in psychology including research design, data analysis and interpretation to solve real world problems.
Problem solving	Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes.
Self-management	Understand and appreciate the core values of psychology (i.e. value empirical evidence; tolerate ambiguity during the search for a greater understanding of behaviour and knowledge structures ;act ethically and professionally; understand the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity and reflect other values that are the underpinning of psychology as a discipline).
Teamwork	Demonstrate understanding and sufficient responsibility for working in a team, including effective communication for task planning, co-ordination, decision-making and evaluation within the team situation.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate, report and apply ethical principles to understand how to work productively in the field of psychology within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science, you must pass 10 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 10-credit point Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
10 credit points of core units

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Trimester 1 Start

Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HPY711

Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour

HPY713

Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development

HPS773

Cognitive Psychology

HPS774

Social Psychology

Trimester 2

HPS771

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPS772

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

HPS788

Psychopathology

HPS791

Personality Psychology

Trimester 3

HPS775

Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)

HPS781

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

* Note for International Students, Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.

Trimester 2 Start

Trimester 2

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HPS791

Personality Psychology

HPS771

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPY713

Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development

HPY711

Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour

Trimester 3

HPS775

Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)

HPS788

Psychopathology

HPS772

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

Trimester 1

HPS773

Cognitive Psychology

HPS774

Social Psychology

HPS781

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

* Note for International Students, Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline other than Psychology

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to an APAC accredited fourth year Honours or Graduate Diploma of Psychology course and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

It is expected that students will spend approximately 150 hours per trimester, per credit point.

Work experience

Not applicable

Participation requirements

Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3 if they wish to complete this course in one year.

At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.

Mandatory student checks

There are no mandatory student checks for this course