Bachelor of Psychology

Bachelor of Psychology

The study of psychology is a quest to understand behaviour, relationships and the workings of the human mind. In the Bachelor of Psychology at Murdoch University in Australia, students will develop an appreciation of the foundations of psychological knowledge and how modern scientific research methods are used to further this understanding of our differences and similarities. Psychology teaches both research and practical application in the clinical, cognitive, developmental, organisational and social areas.

Murdoch's four-year Bachelor of Psychology course is a fully professionally accredited degree which covers all relevant parts of the psychology curriculum to provide a balanced and comprehensive appreciation of psychology from all major perspectives. Especially strong components of the course at Murdoch are represented through minors in developmental, health, organisational and social psychology. Applied psychology is included in the curriculum through organisational, clinical and human factors studies. A practical placement is offered as an elective in the fourth year.

This Bachelor of Psychology degree also provides broad skills in teamwork, communication and problem solving necessary in social and workplace settings. In addition to studying specific content areas, psychology students learn how to conduct quantitative and qualitative research and how to apply basic practical research, reporting, and writing skills to psychological issues. The psychology degree also allows great flexibility in combining the study of psychology with study in other areas, either through double majors or through minors. Some popular courses for double majors or minors with psychology include criminology, legal studies, management, media studies, sociology and so on.

All Psychology students enrol in the four-year Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) at the commencement of their first year of study. Students may elect to take out the three-year Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) qualification at the end of the third-year of study. There is no need to apply at the end of the third year for admission into a separate fourth-year, as is often the case at other universities, although the honours course does require an application at the end of third year.

Step 1. How to apply
Complete the Application Form and submit your application through one of the University's Representatives (agents) in your home country. If no representative is available, or you are already studying in Australia, please submit your application to Murdoch International at:

Murdoch International
Murdoch University
South Street
Murdoch 6150
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 3 9627 4809
Facsimile: +61 8 9310 5090
email: internat@murdoch.edu.au

Your application should be submitted as early as possible before the beginning of the semester in which you wish to commence. The closing dates are 01 December for Semester I entry and 01 June for Semester II entry, although late applications may be accepted.

Forward your completed application to Murdoch International together with:
- Certified copies of all certificates, diplomas and degrees received
- Academic transcripts giving your grades. A Certified English transcript is required if originals are not in English.
- Your English Language Test Score (for example TOEFL, IELTS) If you are applying for advanced standing please attach detailed syllabi of subjects you have successfully completed. Murdoch University's TOEFL institutional code is 9841.
It is important that you attach certified copies of all your completed qualifications and transcripts of results to enable the University to properly assess your application.

Step 2. Receiving an Offer
Successful applicants will receive an Offer of Admission which will give advice on course start dates, course fees and date of payment for the semester tuition fees.

Step 3. Accepting an Offer
To accept your place at Murdoch University, you must return your completed acceptance letter with one semester's fees and the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) fee for the duration of your visa.

The University will then issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) Form through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; your COE will be registered electronically at the Australian Diplomatic Post through which you applied. You will receive a paper copy of this at the Post. This enables you to apply for a student visa for study in Australia.

Step 4. Visa Application
Students need to lodge an application for a student visa to an Australian Embassy or High Commission. In order to make an application for a visa, students will need the following:
- Copy of Offer of Enrolment letter
- Copy of Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) letter
- Evidence of OSHC payment
- Passport
- Passport photographs
- Medical clearance

Step 5. Pre - Departure
Upon acceptance of an Offer of Enrolment the University will send a pre-departure kit containing information to assist you in preparation for your departure and to help make your arrival as smooth as possible.

5 ***** Graduate Satisfaction Rating
The Good Universities Guide has awarded Murdoch University the highest graduate satisfaction rating for ten out of eleven years, an achievement unmatched by any other Australian university.

Top Teaching Rating
Murdoch University is consistently rated as one of the top teaching universities in Government student surveys and was recently rated the top teaching campus in Western Australia. Murdoch University also boasts having the Australian Teacher of the Year for 2001 in Dr Duane Varan.

Research Excellence
Murdoch University has been consistently ranked in the top third of Australian universities in terms of:
- Research income per academic staff member
- Australian Federal Government competitive research grants
- Higher degree completion rates per staff member
- Research student load as a proportion of total student load
- In recognition of its many research strengths, Murdoch has been chosen to host many significant research centres and institutes.

Highly Qualified Academic Staff
Almost 70% of academic staff hold a PhD qualification as compared with the Australian average of 50%. Murdoch University's academic staff have established a reputation for their commitment and dedication to students. The University prides itself on the caring attitude of its staff, who give students the extra support and attention they need to succeed.

Extensive International Links
Murdoch has links with over 65 universities from around the world and is continually expanding its international links. More than 15% of Murdoch's students are International students, which adds to an already culturally enriched study environment for local and International students alike.

Internationally relevant degrees are a feature of the University's degree programs. Specific areas such as Asian Studies, International Business and Electronic Commerce reflect this international flavour. Murdoch also offers offshore programs, which allow students to spend two years in the country in which the program is taught, and one year at Murdoch.

Murdoch International runs a Study Abroad/Exchange Program, which allows students to spend a semester or a year studying at one of many overseas institutions as an exchange student. International students are encouraged to participate in an Exchange Program.

High Quality Student Services and Facilities
Murdoch University provides excellent student services for International students. Among these services are an intensive Orientation program, International Student Liaison Officers who are on call 24 hours a days 7 days a week, social functions, accommodation assistance and access to English language skills and support. Murdoch University provides many services for all students, including a Worship Centre for all religious denominations, catering facilities that attend to special dietary needs, a University Health Service, a Child Care Centre, computing facilities, sport and recreation facilities, banking and an extensive library.

Psychology students. The facility is open to the public and sees a variety of cases. It is a wonderful opportunity for  students to gain real life practical experience in a university setting.

On graduation, our students have acquired a broad set of knowledge and skills that makes them highly employable across a wide range of fields. Our graduates are employed in hospitals, schools, prisons, community groups, government health and welfare departments, and a host of other areas. Many of our students also go on to further education in Psychology or related areas.

National course evaluations indicate that Murdoch Psychology has the highest level of good teaching and overall student satisfaction in Western Australia and shares this position jointly with only one other institution on a national level.
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology are guaranteed access to a fourth year of study. Unlike some other Psychology courses, you won't have to re-apply after three years of study unless you want to change over to the Psychology Honours course.

Murdoch's Bachelor of Psychology course enables students to combine another major or additional minor so that they can tailor the course to suit their needs and interests.

Bachelor of Psychology

Tuition/Program cost;
AUD 17,000 per year