Student essentials

There are four core psychology courses to complete in first year.

During your first year, you will also complete four elective courses (8 units) not from psychology. Year one elective courses must not be offered through the School of Psychology.

We recommend you only undertake two out of three core first-year psychology courses in your first semester of study:

Semester 1: Choose two elective courses and two of the following core courses:

• NEUR1020: The Brain and Behavioural Sciences
• PSYC1030: Introduction to Psychology: Developmental, Social & Clinical Psychology
• PSYC1040: Psychological Research Methodology I.

Semester 2: Choose two elective courses, enrol in the core course PSYC1100 The Psychology of Communication and enrol in the remaining core course from NEUR1020, PSYC1030, or PSYC1040 (listed above).

What electives should I choose?

During your first year, you have to choose elective courses that are not offered by the School of Psychology. We encourage you to pick elective courses from any area you are interested in. 

From the second year of the program, you will have only one non-psychology elective course to study, so first year is an opportunity to study courses you are passionate about.

In Semester 1 of your first year, pick any two of the three core first-year psychology courses. This will help you arrange your timetable around elective courses you are interested in.

For example, if you pick an elective that is scheduled at the same time as PSYC1040, you can take PSYC1040 in Semester 2.

Finding elective courses

The best way to find elective courses is to look in the course catalogue for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or other bachelor's programs that spark your interest.

If you're considering a career as a health practitioner, you may want to undertake the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science common course HLTH1000—Professions, People and Healthcare.

In the Bachelor of Arts you can undertake first-year courses in areas such as criminology, communication, international relations, peace and conflict studies, sports studies, or political science – just to name a few.

In the Bachelor of Science you may want to look at first-year courses in biology, chemistry, or anatomy or even courses in science degrees such as environmental management.

If you have an interest in neuroscience, neuropsychology or evolutionary psychology, the course BIOL1100—Evolutionary Perspectives on Modern Society (Semester 2) has been specifically designed for interested students who have a limited science background.

Please check if there are any prerequisites or restrictions.

If you have an interest in business, human resources, economics or marketing then you can look at a first-year courses offered in the Bachelor of Business Management, Bachelor of Economics or Bachelor of Commerce.

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Global experiences allows you to study overseas for up to one year on exchange while gaining credit towards your program.

UQ has agreements with more than 120 universities in 40 countries around the world, so why not combine study and travel, discover a new culture, and establish a worldwide network of friends?

You can apply to undertake a global experience to commence from your second year of study.

If you're interested, we recommend watching a global experiences information session in Semester 1, and then contacting the School of Psychology to make an appointment to discuss your Semester 2 course enrolments.

Use the credit precedents database to see what courses have been previously accredited. You will need to submit an application to the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences (HABS).

Visit the Study at UQ website for more information about transferring credit, including a credit application form.

If you have transferred into the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) from the UQ Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, and you have completed all first-year psychology courses and electives, you should lodge a credit application and enrol in second-year Bachelor of Psychological (Honours) courses.

Students transferring from other UQ degrees or who are seeking credit from other studies should lodge a credit application as soon as possible and can seek advice on courses to be completed from the HABS faculty.

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