Why study with us
The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreWe are ranked 27th in the world for psychology by the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2020.
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There are several ways you can study Psychology at the University of Sydney. For more information on the various ways you can study Psychology, please visit the Faculty of Science website.
For graduates brand new to psychology, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology opens the doors to the discipline. Whether you want to gain registration as a practising professional or continue on to higher studies beyond, this postgraduate course will get you started on the path to becoming a psychologist.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GDP) is open to anybody holding a bachelor’s degree. Even if you have never studied psychology, the GDP lets you complete the psychology program, which then opens the doors to many other pathways in the discipline.
The GDP has been fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is recognised as the equivalent of a three-year major in psychology (referred to as the psychology program), so you can apply to do a fourth year in Psychology (Honours) after undertaking the required units of study.
After the Honours year, you have what it takes to get provisional registration as a professional psychologist in Australia, and you can choose to access a range of higher degrees such as the Master of Clinical Psychology; or Master of Clinical Psychology and PhD.
Currently not available
The GDP is comprised of 60 credit points in total:
Part-time study plan - commencing in semester 2, 2020
Pre-GDP |
Study load |
||
Semester 2 or January intensive |
PSYC1002 |
Part-time |
|
Semester 1 |
PSYC1001 |
Part-time |
|
Year 1 |
Study load |
||
Semester 2 |
PSYC2016 |
PSYC2017 |
Part-time |
Semester 1 |
PSYC2012 |
PSYC2X15 |
Part-time |
Year 2 |
Study load |
||
Semester 2 |
PSYC3010 |
PSYC3XXX |
Part-time |
| Semester 1 | PSYC3XXX | PSYC3XXX | Part-time |
Year 3 |
Study load | ||
| Semester 2 | PSYC4XXX | PSYC39XX | Part-time |
Fastest progression study plan - commencing in semester 2, 2020
Pre-GDP |
Study load |
||||
Semester 2 |
PSYC1002 |
Part-time |
|||
January intensive |
PSYC1001 |
Part-time |
|||
Year 1 |
Study load |
||||
Semester 1 |
PSYC2012 |
PSYC2X15 |
Part-time |
||
Semester 2 |
PSYC2016 |
PSYC2017 |
PSYC3010 |
PSYC3XXX |
Full-time |
Year 2 |
Study load |
||||
Semester 1 |
PSYC3XXX |
PSYC3XXX |
PSYC4XXX |
PSYC39XX |
Full-time |
Variations on this example study plan are possible, subject to Unit of Study prerequisites.
Please note this course is not available to international students.
For admission to this course:
You are required to submit evidence (e.g. academic transcript and unit/subject descriptions unit of study outlines) of successful completion of Psychology 1001 and 1002 or equivalent with your application.
If you have not yet completed Psychology 1001 or 1002, you can apply to undertake these units through Science Undergraduate Non-Degree Study at the University of Sydney in the regular semester or in the January Intensive.
Credit for previous study
You can apply for up to 30 credit points of credit (five Psychology units of study) if you have already completed units of study that the faculty deems equivalent to those to be undertaken in the GDP. You must have completed these units of study within an APAC accredited degree program within the last 10 years. Equivalent study at an international university may be acceptable. If you are seeking credit, you should complete the relevant online credit application form at the same time as your admission application.
Pathway to Psychology Honours
On successful completion of the GDP, graduates may be eligible to apply for entry to a fourth year of honours study in psychology through the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours).
If you plan to use your study of psychology to become professionally qualified, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology fully meets accreditation requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as an undergraduate major sequence of study in psychology. The GDP provides a pathway to a fourth year of study in psychology and for meeting the requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia.
Full registration as a professional psychologist in Australia is overseen by the Psychology Board of Australia and also requires a fifth and sixth year of graduate study in professional psychology; or one year of graduate study in professional psychology plus one year of a Board approved internship; or two years of a Board approved internship.
Fifth and sixth year programs offered by the University of Sydney:
There are other opportunities in psychology research via a PhD or other postgraduate courses, for example in coaching psychology (after work experience).
For more information about higher program studies in psychology at the University of Sydney visit the school’s website.
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
