On this page we have answered the questions which prospective students most commonly ask us. If you have a question please read this page carefully. If your question is not listed here then please Ask a Question – we will be happy to help.

What is a psychologist?

Psychology is concerned with the scientific and systematic study of the human mind and behaviour, in a wide variety of areas. Psychologists study people’s thoughts, and emotions, and motivational processes that underlie behaviour; including people’s actions, reactions and interactions with others. Psychology encompasses the study of cognitive, social, developmental, behavioural and physiological processes.

Psychologists employ a research-oriented approach in their practice, by formulating hypotheses, and testing hypotheses through the collection of data. Psychologists assist in improving people’s functioning through the application of a wide set of skills and knowledge, in conjunction with scientifically established findings. Psychologists conduct assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems at an individual, group, organisational and community level.

Some of the functions that are performed by psychologists include:

Where do psychologists work?

Psychologists work in a range of organisations and settings within both the public and private sector. These include clinical and health settings such as clinics and hospitals, a diverse collection of commercial and non-profit organisations, and forensic settings such as prisons and law courts. Settings range from the army to schools, from the Roads and Traffic Authority to the Department of Health.

What is the difference between psychiatry and psychology?

Psychology is concerned with the scientific and systematic study of the human mind and behaviour, in a wide variety of areas. Psychologists study people’s thoughts, and emotions, and motivational processes that underlie behaviour; including people’s actions, reactions and interactions with others. Psychology encompasses the study of cognitive, social, developmental, behavioural and physiological processes.

Psychologists employ a research-oriented approach in their practice, by formulating hypotheses, and testing hypotheses through the collection of data. Psychologists assist in improving people’s functioning through the application of a wide set of skills and knowledge, in conjunction with scientifically established findings. Psychologists conduct assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems at an individual, group, organisational and community level.

Psychologists do not prescribe medication, as they do not have the necessary pharmacological training in this area. Rather, psychologists treat disorders from a variety of other perspectives that encompass environmental, social, cognitive and behavioural factors.
Psychiatrists work from a medical background. They need to complete a medicine degree, followed by postgraduate study in psychiatry. Psychiatrists engage in the inspection of medical history, examination, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.

Psychiatrists work from a bio-chemical perspective. This provided them with the necessary skills in the pharmacological area. This training and knowledge allows them to prescribe pharmacological medication to clients for the treatment of disorders.

For information concerning Psychiatry course requirements, go to UNSW Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry.

What is the difference between social work and psychology?

Psychology is concerned with the scientific and systematic study of the human mind and behaviour, in a wide variety of areas. Psychologists study people’s thoughts, and emotions, and motivational processes that underlie behaviour; including people’s actions, reactions and interactions with others. Psychology encompasses the study of cognitive, social, developmental, behavioural and physiological processes.

Psychologists employ a research-oriented approach in their practice, by formulating hypotheses, and testing hypotheses through the collection of data. Psychologists assist in improving people’s functioning through the application of a wide set of skills and knowledge, in conjunction with scientifically established findings. Psychologists conduct assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems at an individual, group, organisational and community level.

Psychologists must become registered with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board to be able to practice under the title ‘Psychologist’. Moreover, Psychologists have extensive training in psychometric techniques and principles, allowing for them to conduct measurement and assessment administration.

Social workers help people deal with a variety of personal and social problems, on an individual or community level. Social workers provide individual and group counselling, develop and implement social policy and programmes, and assist various community groups.

To become a social worker, you need to complete a Bachelor of Social Work (4 year degree), or a combined Social Work degree, which is offered at UNSW.

Social workers do not need legal registration in any Australian State or Territory. However, many jobs as a social worker may require membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). In order to be eligible for membership, you need to complete an AASW-approved Bachelor of Social Work degree.

For information concerning Social Work course requirements, see UNSW Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Social Work, go to: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au

What other careers does psychology contribute to?

Education in the basic discipline of psychology provides a sound basis for a variety of different occupations. Psychology graduates are valued particularly for their competencies such as problem-solving skills, oral and written communication skills and statistical and research methodological knowledge. Therefore, an undergraduate degree in Psychology provides you with a broad range of transferable or generic skills and knowledge that can add value to a wide range of occupations, within areas such as social policy, business, health promotion, marketing and management.

What are the requirements for becoming a registered psychologist in NSW?

The Psychologists Registration Board was established to provide a method of protecting the public from unqualified persons, and to provide an opportunity for clients to complain against registered practitioners. Board membership allows for the legal use of the title ‘Psychologist’.

In order to become a registered psychologist, you need to complete a university bachelor degree that includes four years of approved training in psychology.

You then have two options:

You may either complete an accredited postgraduate course in psychology. At UNSW this includes

OR:

You may complete two years of supervised experience in professional practice.

For more information concerning undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses go to: http://www.psy.unsw.edu.au

For more information concerning registration go to: http://www.psychreg.health.nsw.gov.au

How do I become a member of the Australian Psychological Society?

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the professional society for psychologists, which represents the interests of the profession and science of psychology at a national level. It serves as a body for ongoing professional development for psychologists, through the advancement of fostering community well-being and scientific knowledge.

In order to become a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), you need to complete a university bachelor degree that includes four years of approved training in psychology.

You then need complete an accredited postgraduate course in psychology. At UNSW this includes:

For more information concerning the APS go to: http://www.psychology.org.au

Please click here and select the relevant links for more information concerning postgraduate psychology courses.

What is the best place to find more information about UNSW?

Following sites contains a wealth of information that's useful for future students:

UNSW site for future students: http://www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/futurestudents.html

UNSW International site for overseas students: http://www.international.unsw.edu.au/future/futurehome.html

What is the UAI for getting into the Bachelor of Psychology degree?

The University Admissions Index (UAI) for getting into Bachelor of Psychology was 95.00 (for HECS paying students in 2000) and 90.00 (for local fee paying students in 2000). For more information concerning UIA, go to:http://www.uac.edu.au and search for B Psychology.

What is the assumed knowledge for getting into the Bachelor of Psychology degree?

Assumed knowledge includes 2u mathematics plus any two units of science. However, if you do not have the level of recommended assumed knowledge you are advised to undertake a bridging course or other appropriate preparation. For information on available bridging courses call the UNSW Admissions Office on 1300 36 8679.

For more information concerning assumed knowledge, go to: http://www.uac.edu.au and search for B Psychology.

Which other degrees major in Psychology?

Other degrees at UNSW that major in Psychology include

For more information, go to: Faculties at www.unsw.edu.au and http://www.uac.edu.au

What are the course descriptions for the Psychology degree?

In order to be awarded a Bachelor of Psychology, you must major in psychology. Minor studies include biology, mathematics and subjects from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Areas of psychology that are studied include measurement and assessment, cognition, developmental psychology, learning, perception, physiological psychology, psychopathology, research methods, social psychology, history and ethics. You will find detailed information on courses from the School of Psychology website.

Do I need to do any statistics in the Psychology degree?

Yes. If you possess skills from doing mathematics at school, then these may come in handy. Statistics is known as a “Research Methods” course, and is a compulsory course that is done throughout the B Psychology degree. Research Methods provides students with a theoretical and practical knowledge base for designing, analysing and interpreting research studies and designs.

What post-graduate programs are offered in Psychology?

UNSW offers three different Masters programs, a PhD program, and a combined Masters and PhD program. These include:

For detailed information on each of these programs, go to the UNSW School of Psychology homepage and select the relevant links.

What are the requirements for entry into a post-graduate program?

Generally, to be eligible for direct admission to any postgraduate program, you must hold a good Honours degree in Psychology (a minimum Honours Class 2 Division 1 degree from UNSW or a qualification considered equivalent is normally required). Selection is therefore based on academic qualifications. Entry in to the combined PhD/MPsychol program requires a 4-year Honours degree at the high Honours Class 1 level. Admission into research degree is also subject to the availability of supervision.

Applicants who do not satisfy these entrance requirements may in exceptional circumstances be admitted, at the discretion of the School of Psychology, depending upon the applicant's experience, occupation and the nature of their undergraduate training.

Do I need to do related undergraduate courses and thesis topic in order to do a particular Masters program?

You do not need to do an Honours thesis in a related area to the Masters degree that you are interested in entering. Admission to each of the Masters degrees depends on your marks, which are combined and weighted differentially from your undergraduate degree and your Honours year.

Generally, to be eligible for direct admission to any Masters degree, you must hold a good Honours degree in Psychology (a minimum Honours Class 2 Division 1 degree from UNSW or a qualification considered equivalent is normally required). Selection is therefore based on academic qualifications for the Masters Program.

Applicants who do not satisfy these entrance requirements may in exceptional circumstances be admitted, at the discretion of the School of Psychology, depending upon their knowledge, experience, occupation and the nature of their undergraduate training.

Students applying under these provisions will generally be required to complete a qualifying program before they are admitted.

Is it better to do a combined degree or an undergraduate Psychology degree, followed by a Masters in Psychology?

This depends on what you would like to focus on. Doing an undergraduate psychology degree provides you with good overall knowledge of the discipline of psychology. Doing a Masters in Psychology allows for you to specialise in that area, and allows for you to become a registered psychologist in NSW, and a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Doing a combined degree provides you with broader qualifications in both disciplines. If you are unsure about doing psychology, then you may prefer to do a combined degree.

For example, you could do:

• Four-year undergraduate degree in Psychology;
  
• Then: Masters in Organisational Psychology (two years)
  

Alternatively, you could do:

• Science/Commerce degree

Or

• An undergraduate Psychology Degree
  
• Then a Master of Business Administration
  
• Or a Master of Commerce

Is there a student Psychological Society that is related to the School of Psychology?

If you are a Psychology student who is interested in participating in a psychological student body, then you can become a member of PsychSoc. PsychSoc is a student Psychological Society for all Psychology students at the University, regardless of year of study or age. It holds a variety of functions and provides services for Psychology students and their friends. These have included BBQs, semi-formals, a masquerade ball, combined harbour cruises with other University Psychology Societies, trivia quizes and the first year Psychology camp. PsychSoc also runs a tutoring program, a second-hand book exchange and also has student representatives at the staff meetings with the School of Psychology.

Visit their website: www.psychsoc.unsw.edu.au