Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science

View the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science - Program Structure and Sequencing

The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science comprises seven (7) subjects, as follows:

Foundation subjects (4)

• Principles of Psychological Assessment (PSYC71-403)
• Multivariate Research Methods (PSYC71-409)
• Human Experimental Psychology (PSYC71-410)
• Professional Psychology (PSYC71-413)

Electives (1)

And any one (1) of the following psychology subjects:

• Clinical Psychology (PSYC71-404)
• Community and Health Psychology (PSYC71-405)
• Forensic Psychology (PSYC71-407)
• Neuropsychology (PSYC71-408)
• Psychology at Work (PSYC71-411)

Thesis (2)

• Diploma Thesis 1: Research Seminar and Ethics (PSYC71-400)
• Diploma Thesis 2 (PSYC72-420) (20 credit points)

International students

To fulfil your student visa requirements, you will need to enrol in 40 credit points per semester.

Domestic students

Full time study is 40 credit points per semester. Students enrolling part-time can undertake the degree over four semesters. Part-time students should complete the coursework aspects in the first two semesters of their enrolment and undertake the thesis in the third and fourth semesters of enrolment.

The below fees are based on the total estimated program fee divided by the number of standard full-time semesters required to complete the program. Fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester.

Semester program fee:

• Students commencing study in 2021: $19,495* per semester average

Total program fee:

• Students commencing study in 2021: $38,990

When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than most other universities.

This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.

Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.

* The fees listed are average costs displayed to provide an indicative program cost only, they may differ to the indicative fee included in the Bond University offer letter due to differences in individual and exact study schedules.

Tuition fees are subject to change on an annual basis and will be charged at the appropriate fee for the year of enrolment.

* Note: for students commencing January 2021 the University has held the 2020 tuition fee amount in recognition of the current circumstances, with 2021 fees effective only from the University’s May 2021 semester.

Entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science include completion of an accredited three-year sequence of study in psychology in Australia, or equivalent.  Applicants are assessed on academic merit and must have achieved a minimum GPA of 2.0 on the Bond University 4-point scale for all second and third level psychology subjects in their undergraduate studies. 

Please review the Board’s Policy for applicants for general registration who hold overseas qualifications http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Codes-and-Guidelines.aspx 

It is advisable to have your qualifications assessed in the way required by the Board prior to commencing your 4th year program (i.e. before applying for the program).

Once enrolled, there is no mechanism to change between the 4th Year Programs.

Key dates

Bond University calendar

How to apply

In order to apply for study at Bond University, you will need to complete the Online Application Form. To find out more about the application process please refer to How to Apply.

The Graduate Diploma is a stepping stone to further studies leading to registration as a practising Psychologist. Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology can also be applied to a wide range of careers that call for exceptional critical thinking, communication and analytical skills. These can be in private enterprise, government and community settings, in fields such as:  

• Education – Counselling, Behaviour Management 
• Business – Change Management, Organisational Psychology 
• Human Resources and Career Guidance 
• Policy Making 
• Criminal Investigations and Profiling 
• Sport and Exercise – Sports Psychology, Athlete Performance 
• Rehabilitation – Counselling 
• Not-for-Profit Organisations 
• Community Action 
• Marketing / Advertising / Communications 
• NDIS services including Mental Health Support 
• Research 

Once fully registered as a practicing Psychologist, graduates can specialise and be endorsed in nine areas of practice, namely:  

• Clinical Neuropsychology   
• Clinical Psychology   
• Community Psychology   
• Counselling Psychology   
• Educational and Developmental Psychology   
• Forensic Psychology   
• Health Psychology   
• Organisational Psychology 
• Sport and Exercise Psychology 

After completing this Fourth Year program, the options for the final two years of Psychology studies are: 

• Master of Psychology (Clinical) – a two-year program (Years 5 and 6) for graduates with a Distinction average GPA; 
• Master of Professional Psychology – a one-year program (Year 5) for graduates with a Credit average GPA. Graduates will need to complete a further 12 months of self-sourced supervised practice (Year 6) to be eligible for registration as a general Psychologist. 

Entry to these programs will also be based on an interview process.  

Graduates of the GradDip program will need to apply for provisional registration with the Australian Psychological Society in preparation for the practicum placements in Years 5 and 6. 

Bond University’s Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the equivalent of the Fourth Year on the pathway to becoming a registered Psychologist in Australia. 

Graduates will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a Psychologist, in preparation for the practicum placements required in the final two years (Years 5 and 6) of the training pathway. 

According to the annual Employer Satisfaction Survey published by the Australian Government Department of Education, employer satisfaction with Bond graduates has been rated highest in Australia for three years in a row. 

We believe this is due to Bond’s uniquely personalized approach to teaching, combined with the application of case-based learning that encourages the development of increased analytical reasoning, critical thinking and a range of broader employability skills.  

Our Fourth Year Psychology program is based on a scientist-practitioner model, giving students the knowledge and applied skills required to practise as a Psychologist.  

This focus on practical skills, combined with Bond’s employability initiatives such as the Career Development Centre, on and off-campus industry and work experience opportunities, means you will enter the workforce with the skills, experience and employability to stand out. 

January Semester 2020 (201)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

May Semester 2020 (202)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

September Semester 2020 (203)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

*Allows time for applicants to relocate and be present at the Mandatory Orientation

January Semester 2021 (211)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

May Semester 2021 (21)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

September Semester 2021 (213)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

*Allows time for applicants to relocate and be present at the Mandatory Orientation

January Semester 2022 (221)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

May Semester 2022 (222)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

September Semester 2021 (213)

Deadline to submit completed Transcript for final GPA if conditional offer has been made previously:

*Allows time for applicants to relocate and be present at the Mandatory Orientation

Upon completion of 4th year training (e.g., the Graduate Diploma or the Honours program) many students apply for provisional registration as a psychologist. Provisional registration permits the professional practice of psychology and can be achieved either through a Board approved Supervised Practice Program (two years of supervised practice), or through Postgraduate studies in Psychology. Students who intend to apply for provisional registration following their 4^th Year studies should be aware of the registration requirements as administered by the Psychology Board of Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009.  Information on Psychology Board of Australia registration requirements can be obtained from http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au

Students who obtain their undergraduate qualifications outside of an ‘approved qualification’ in Australia must have them assessed as being equivalent to an accredited three year sequence of study in psychology in Australia, prior to being granted provisional registration. Undergraduate transcripts of students wishing to undertake their 4th year studies at Bond from non-Australian institutions are carefully checked by the 4th Year Coordinator to determine equivalence with an APAC accredited 3-year sequence of study in Australia. Transcripts are checked to ensure that subject matter undertaken in the undergraduate sequence matches core areas within the discipline (e.g., perception, memory, learning, motivation and emotion, psychobiology, personality, emotion, developmental psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology), and includes statistics and research methods. When assessing suitability for entry into 4th year programs, Bond University makes every effort to ensure that core topics covered in undergraduate degrees obtained outside of Australia are equivalent to those required in an accredited three-year sequence of study in psychology in Australia, however we do not guarantee the equivalence of these degrees.

Students who obtained their three year undergraduate qualifications outside of Australia should be aware that successful completion of the 4th year program might not be sufficient for registration as a psychologist and/or the membership requirements of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).  Equivalency assessments may be required by the Psychology Board of Australia.  For more information on equivalency assessments please visit www.psychology.org.au

Please review the Board’s Policy for applicants for general registration who hold overseas qualifications http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Codes-and-Guidelines.aspx

It is advisable to have your qualifications assessed in the way required by the Board prior to commencing your 4th year program.

Further studies offered through the Bond University School of Psychology:​

• Master of Psychology (Clinical)