Bachelor of Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education:

Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent and

Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or

Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

or

Higher education study

Complete or partly complete a recognized higher education program at a recognized higher education institution

or

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organization at Certificate IV or above

or

Work and life experience

Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

English language requirements:

IELTS score of 6.0; TOEFL iBT score of 60 with Reading and Writing not less than 18; TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) score of 550 with TWE of 4.5; Cambridge CAE/CPE score of 169; Pearson's test of English (Academic) (PTE) score of 50 with Reading and Writing communicative scores not less than 50; CELUSA score of AE4.

Course Details

Investigate the interaction between brain function and human behaviour when you study South Australia’s only cognitive neuroscience degree.

This exciting degree integrates psychology and biology, preparing you for a rewarding and stimulating career in neuropsychology. You will learn the information needed for a career in this specialisation, as well as gain practical experience in our on-campus facilities and dedicated laboratories.

If you finish your degree with a distinction Grade Point Average (GPA), you may be eligible for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). With further study you could also become a registered psychologist or research psychologist. To follow this career path at UniSA, you will need to go on to complete a one-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), followed by additional postgraduate studies in psychology.

What you'll learn

At the completion of this degree you will have a sound knowledge of psychology, combined with specialist knowledge and research skills in cognitive neuroscience. You will also study a combination of specialist psychology courses, electives and courses from the Cognitive Neuroscience major.

Your career

Clear and critical thinking skills and an interest in human behaviour and biology are key attributes of students considering a career in cognitive neuroscience.

Careers to consider include:

cognitive neuroscientist: research the relationship between the brain and mind to understand how thoughts, memories, languages and actions are processed
behavioural scientist: develop and test behavioural interactions and cognitive processes
clinical laboratory manager: coordinate and organise ongoing activity in a laboratory environment related to the field of psychology and/or neuroscience
data analyst: collect and analyse data to understand cognitive processing
assistant neuropsychologist: assist a neuropsychologist; neuropsychologists often work as researchers or teachers, or are employed by hospitals or healthcare facilities
research assistant: assist with academic research; you may gain employment with a university or research institute
clinical neurophysiological technician: record electrical activity of the brain and nervous system; daily tasks may involve reviewing patient history, gathering data and preparing patients for testing
laboratory technician (clinical or research): collect samples, perform tests on body specimens and record results

This degree can also be used as a pathway to further study in areas such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, or other areas of health science.