This has become my new response when people ask me what I’m studying at uni, since “awesome, can you read my mind???” is the #1 question I get after telling someone I do psych. And now I can totally trip people out before they’ve even asked...
So what’s the Bachelor of Psychology all about?
Sorry to burst the bubble before you’re already here, but the B. Psych is not about mind-reading...it's a science degree!
In first year we do exactly the same subjects as a science student - Junior maths, Junior science subjects, and 2 free spots for electives. In second year we continue on the same way as anyone intending on completing a Psych major, and in third year we are required to do a minimum of 36 credit points of Senior Psych, as opposed to 24 if you are doing a major in psych through another degree. (Generally, 6cp = 1 subject; 24 cp = full load for 1 semester.)
There is one perk however. As long as we get a Credit average for Psyc1001 and Psyc1002 (first year), and then a Distinction average in 2nd and 3rd year psychology subjects, we are guaranteed a place in honours. If you want to do psych honours through another degree, you have to compete with everyone since there are limited places, and you don’t know the exact mark you need to get in (I’ve heard that usually it is a distinction)
Any other good news? If you have your heart absolutely set on B. Psych and don’t get in, you can get the exact same qualifications in a B. Science, B. Arts, B. Economics and Social Sciences, B. Liberal studies or any of the combined degrees with science or arts. This is great if you’re not totally a science person and don’t feel comfortable doing maths or other sciences, or if you’re not totally sure if you want to commit to psych.
A new degree for 2007 is the Arts (Psychology) degree. This works in the same way as an Arts degree - you need a major in an arts subject and psych will be your second major, but you need the same criteria as a B. Psych student to get into honours.
Check out the School of Psychology website for more info.
Lastly, if you have any questions, shoot away! The best person to ask is someone who’s been there...!
*NB In Arts and Economics & Social Sciences you also need another major from then home faculty, and in Liberal Studies you get a major from Arts as well.
Comments
hi~
thanks for all ur info on psych @ sydney uni... just one query tho
i'm aware that i won't be able to get a definitive answer till UAIs are posted etc. but do you have any idea to what kind of UAI is needed for the new arts (psychology) degree at sydney next year?
thanks
-tori
Posted by: tori ingram | December 19, 2006 08:38 AM
Hi Tori,
Thanks for the comment. You;re right, it is not possible to get a definitive answer for the UAIs, especially for a new course. B Pyschology, which is run through the Science faculty was 96.8 last year but we just don't know about Arts (Psychology).
If you are interested in psych through arts make sure you put down B Arts as well because you can do the same thing through that degree! You do, however, have to be careful about your majors and grade point average because if you want to be a psychologist you will have to undertake some graduate study to be registered.
If you want some advice the University runs a Helpline at this time of year especially for people wanting to start uni in 2007 but need advice. The number is 1300 362 006.
Good luck!
Posted by: asako | December 19, 2006 07:38 PM
Hi, i'm planning to do commerce liberal studies which has a compulsory science component and i wanted to do pyschology - it said i needed 24 credit points from the science faculty so would this mean i would have to do something else apart from psych? also is psych maths based? i'm hopeless at maths...
thanks
mel
Posted by: mel | December 21, 2006 05:10 PM
hi mel,
my very first first preference was commerce liberal studies too! i changed my mind a couple of times, though.
if you need to do 24 cp in the science faculty you can do them all in psych.
most of psych is not math based, but there is one topic in first year psych that is called statistics. you only have about 6 lectures in total, the lecturer goes REALLY slowly, and you dont even need to do many calculations either.
im sure youll be able to do it.
good luck, psych is a lot of fun!
Posted by: asako | December 21, 2006 11:35 PM
also dont forget, if you want to do psych in second year you have to have done psych1001 and 1002 so make sure you do them otherwise youll have to do some other science subjects.
:)
Posted by: asako | December 21, 2006 11:36 PM
hi asako
i m in year 12 and am doing 4 unit maths(nerd!) and the only science subject i m doing is bio. i never really liked physics and chem. i m interested in psychology but i feel it might be too sciece-y! do u think it would b good for some1 like me 2 do psycho???
Posted by: vasu | March 23, 2007 10:38 PM
hi vasu,
thanks for the comment.
you can actually do psych though a ton of degrees at sydney uni.
the psychology subject itself isnt actually that sciency - there is a bit of maths involved, more so in 2nd & 3rd year, but the 4u maths should help with that!!
if you are interested in psychology maybe you could consider doing it through an arts(psychology) degree, or the economics & social sciences degree, or or b. arts degree. for a full list of degrees you can major in psych through, check out this website:
http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/info/psychDegrees.html
remember, as long as you get the major in psychology and complete honours, you have exactly the same qualifications as a b. psych graduate!
Good luck with year 12 and choosing a course!!
asako
Posted by: asako | March 23, 2007 11:27 PM
So, what's psychology like as a degree? What do you like or dislike about it?
Posted by: Andrew | August 10, 2007 08:19 PM
im doing B.psych11 at UWC in the health science faculty.i just want to say even though it is very difficult to be admitted for B.psych you still can be a psychologist its just very beneficial when you study B.psych because it is mainstream.So i'll rather encourage you to apply for B.psych, you will get a job soon enough if you're interested in psych.
Posted by: kenny | August 15, 2007 02:05 AM
Hello!!
Well, I am doing the IB diploma right now. I chose: English, Chinese, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Psychology. Would this be enough for the Bachelor of Psychology degree? And also, is it mainly science based?
Thanks sooo much!!
Posted by: Cathy | July 16, 2008 05:45 PM
hey cathy, thanks for the comment!
you will definitely be fine doing the B.Psych with those subjects. There are no pre-requisites and all the science electives you have to take are also run at a beginner level (but it doesnt look like you'd need that!) You do have to do first year maths though, so you might want to check to see the equivilance of IB maths but worst case scenario you will do a bridging course or just have to slog it out in first year.
Psych itself appeals to people who love science and people who love arts - its not hard core science like chemistry or biology. However in the Psych degree itself you will need to do some other science units in first and second year.
If youre not comfortable with that, or you are sick of science, it might be best to check out one of the other degrees that offers psych as a major.
I listed some above, Arts is very popular as well as liberal studies. For a full list check out the website
http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/info/psychDegrees.html
Posted by: asako | July 18, 2008 09:19 AM
hello,
I just wanted to inquire the importance of gettin a place in honours program. If I did not get a place in honours. . is that mean I can not practice as a psychologists or would I be discriminated against, on the basis that I do not have an honour but somebody else does?
What exactly do you do in honours and how does that put you ahead of someone who wasnt selected to be in honours program?
Posted by: unai | January 3, 2009 08:37 PM
Hi. I am currently doing my final year in B.Psych at uwc. What are the possible job opportunities for me on the completion of my degree?
Posted by: Joey | February 19, 2009 12:25 AM