Psychological Science

Major overview

Explore human behaviour and build a career in psychology

The Psychological Science major within our Bachelor of Psychology focuses on understanding how people think, feel and behave, and how this knowledge can be applied in real-world settings. It provides a strong scientific foundation for further study in psychology or careers where understanding human behaviour is essential.

Throughout your psychology studies, you’ll examine the key areas of psychology, including human development across the lifespan, cognition, learning, emotion, language and neuroscience. You’ll also explore personality, individual differences, psychological health and wellbeing, and psychological disorders, building a broad understanding of human behaviour in different contexts.

Learn from experienced academics as you develop practical skills in research design, data analysis and evidence-based problem solving, and discover how psychologists investigate behaviour and apply insights to real-world challenges. From your first year, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to research, with opportunities to participate in ongoing studies and earn course credit.

As part of your flexible psychology degree, you can combine the Psychological Science major with another area of study to deepen your expertise and tailor your learning to your interests and career goals.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be well prepared for further study in psychology, including Honours and postgraduate pathways required for registration, or a wide range of careers where psychological insight and analytical skills are valued.

Student viewing a brain scan on a laptop during a psychology lecture

3 reasons to study psychological science at Murdoch University

Build a strong foundation for a psychology career, with a major that supports progression to Honours and postgraduate study required to become a registered psychologist.
Tailor your studies to your interests, combining your Psychological Science major with another discipline to expand your career options.
Study at the university with a five star rating and #1 university in WA for overall educational experience, learning resources and teaching quality for Psychology by the Good Universities Guide 2026.

What you’ll learn

Understand how people think, plan, remember and make decisions.
Explore how individuals grow and change across the lifespan.
Examine psychological disorders, their causes, and mental health and wellbeing.
Analyse how biological, social and cultural factors influence behaviour and relationships.
Understand individual differences in personality, abilities and talents.
Apply research methods to investigate people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Analyse and communicate findings using evidence-based approaches.

What I am enjoying the most about the course is the varied experience and expertise I am able to draw upon in my time here, both in the area of psychological research as well as clinical practice.

Veena Singh, Psychology

Murdoch University psychology student in office

Students studying together in a campus library or study space

Your future career in psychology

Our Psychological Science major provides a pathway to further study in psychology, including Honours and postgraduate qualifications required to become a registered psychologist.

It also prepares you for a wide range of careers where understanding human behaviour is valuable. You could pursue roles in areas such as mental health support, education, human resources, marketing, community services and research.

Your analytical, research and communication skills are also highly valued in business, government and not-for-profit sectors.

Potential roles include:

Psychologist (with further study)
Behavioural support worker
Human resources officer
Research assistant
Community services worker
Marketing or consumer insights analyst
Youth or case worker

Start dates

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Semester 1, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 1, 2028	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2028	Murdoch	Yes	No	No

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Semester 1, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 1, 2028	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2028	Murdoch	Yes	No	No

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Start dates (Transnational)

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Trimester 1, 2027	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 1, 2027	Singapore	No	No	Yes
Trimester 2, 2027	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 2, 2027	Singapore	No	No	Yes
Trimester 3, 2027	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 3, 2027	Singapore	No	No	Yes
Trimester 1, 2028	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 1, 2028	Singapore	No	No	Yes
Trimester 2, 2028	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 2, 2028	Singapore	No	No	Yes
Trimester 3, 2028	Dubai	Yes	No	No
Trimester 3, 2028	Singapore	No	No	Yes

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Major Structure

Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

How to Apply

Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Psychology

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Selection rank: 70

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Laws

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Selection rank: 90

Honours Course

Bachelor of Laws Honours

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