COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at Flinders University is structured across three years to progressively build students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in the discipline while preparing them for future study or diverse career pathways. In the first year, students are introduced to the foundations of psychology through topics such as psychology, research methods, psychology of surviving and thriving, and mental health and wellbeing. These are complemented by three option topics, which may include areas like supporting mental health and wellbeing or understanding victims and crime, allowing students to begin tailoring their learning to their interests. The second year develops more advanced knowledge and applied skills, with core topics including research methods, social and organisational psychology, cognition and learning, psychological assessment, and psychology for children and adolescents. Students also select three elective topics, giving them the flexibility to explore complementary fields or deepen their focus in areas of psychology most relevant to their career goals. By the third year, the program shifts towards integrating and applying psychological knowledge in more specialised contexts. Core topics include research methods, applications of psychological science, and clinical psychology, ensuring that students can conduct research, apply evidence-based approaches, and understand the complexities of clinical practice. Alongside these, students complete three electives and choose three option topics from areas such as forensic psychology, applied cognitive psychology, or advanced neuroscience, which enable them to gain deeper insight into specialist fields. Across all three years, the program emphasises research, critical thinking, and applied learning, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for honours-level psychology study or for careers in mental health, counselling, education, human resources, marketing, research, and more. By the end of the degree, students have developed not only a strong theoretical foundation but also the practical skills and flexibility to contribute meaningfully in diverse professional and academic settings.