Question 1

Why should I study psychology?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists have a unique insight into what drives human behaviour. Studying psychology will set you up to:

Help other people, no matter what psychological issues they’re facing.
Graduate with in-demand skills and join a profession that allows you to be constantly learning.
Gain skills that are transferable across industries, including advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, highly developed communication and writing skills, and the ability to conduct research.
Specialise in a field of psychology that matches your interests, such as sports and performance, clinical, forensic, or organisational psychology.

Question 2

What is the difference between psychology and counselling?

Accepted Answer

Like a psychologist, a counsellor works with a patient to resolve issues they are facing. However, a counsellor has a lot less professional training than a registered psychologist.

A counsellor may be helpful for people facing short-term life stress, such as that caused by a divorce, grief or job loss.

A psychologist may be helpful for someone who wants to explore past events and ongoing mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression.

To learn more about the key differences, read our blog about counselling vs psychology.

Question 3

What is the difference between psychology and psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists and psychiatrists are both mental health professionals—and sometimes work together with the same patient. But there are differences in the way they work, and the path they take to become professionals.

The key difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, which means that they can prescribe medication, and that their patients are referred to them by a GP. This means that they may work with patients who have more complex or serious conditions.

Question 4

Do I need a masters degree to become a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is: you will most likely complete a masters degree—such as a Master of Clinical Psychology—if you want to become a registered psychologist in Australia.

Psychology is a regulated profession in Australia, meaning there is a specific study pathway you need to complete before you can register as a psychologist. This involves a minimum of six years of education.

However, there are a few different ways you can get there. This can involve:

A three-year Bachelor of Psychology
An honours year
A two-year Master of Psychology (or a PhD)

Or you can opt for the 5+1 pathway, which looks like:

Five years of psychology study
A one-year internship
Completion of the National Psychology Exam

If you have already completed an undergraduate degree in another field, you may like to start your psychology education with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

For more information on the best pathway for you, book a call with a student adviser.

Question 5

What are the entry requirements for a psychology course?

Accepted Answer

Entry requirements vary depending on the online psychology course that you’re interested in. To be sure, have a look at the entry requirements section on each psychology course page for more information.

If you don’t have an ATAR or didn’t get the score you were hoping for, it may still be possible to enrol in a psychology course. Open Universities Australia can help you get into a psychology degree through an undergraduate certificate or single subject entry pathway.

Ask us how today.

Question 6

What career opportunities can I explore after studying psychology?

Accepted Answer

After studying psychology, you may go on to become a:

General psychologist or clinical psychologist
Sports psychologist
Counsellor
Social worker
Forensic psychologist
Organisational psychologist
Human resources professional
Academic or researcher

Question 7

What if I’m not sure psychology is right for me?

Accepted Answer

A great way to find out is to enrol in a single psychology subject. You can give the field a test run, without committing to a full qualification.

Otherwise, you might be interested in one of these closely related study areas, which also involve analysing behaviour, working with people, and supporting the community:

I want to...	We recommend exploring...
research behavioural trends at a community level	sociology courses
advocate for people who are experiencing hardship	social work courses
analyse criminal behaviour	criminal psychology courses
focus on community health more generally	public health courses
improve employee mental health and working conditions within organisations	human resources courses

Question 8

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Psychology courses

Introduction to Psychology