Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (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 organisation at Diploma 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

South Australia’s only cognitive neuroscience honours degree integrates biology and psychology, offering a unique opportunity for you to explore the neural underpinnings of human cognition and behaviour.

State-of-the-art learning facilities, such as on-campus laboratories, offer the opportunity for you to learn in a real-world environment. This practical learning environment will see you graduate will the skills and confidence needed to work in a clinical or research setting.

With further study you could also become a registered psychologist or research psychologist. To follow this career path, you must complete additional postgraduate studies in psychology.

What you'll learn

Explore brain function and how it is impacted by social and developmental factors with this unique degree that combines biology and psychology. Core psychology courses, along with courses in cognitive neuroscience, anatomy and physiology, will make up the content during your first three years of study.

Many of these courses include a practical component. Research studies are also a key focus. During your third year you will also select from a number of psychology-specific professional development courses, which will complement the degree’s core content. These courses include:

Health Psychology
Work and Organisational Psychology
Language, Context and Social Behaviour
Conservation Psychology
Psychophysiology of Sleep
Psychological Assessment

During your final year you will undertake advanced coursework and a supervised research project.

Your career

The ability to listen and analyse, plus the possession of critical thinking skills and an interest in human behaviour and biology, are key attributes of students considering a career in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Careers to consider:

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 and record results
research assistant: assist with academic research; research assistants are often employed by universities or research institutes
laboratory manager (clinical or research): coordinate and organise ongoing activity in a laboratory environment related to the field of psychology and/or neuroscience
clinical neuropsychologist (with further study): use scientific study of human behaviour and how it relates to brain function to assess patients and offer treatment; neuropsychologists often work as researchers or teachers, or are employed by hospitals or healthcare facilities
researcher in psychology or neuroscience (with further study): collect and analyse data, conduct tests and experiments, and observe behaviour relating to a specific area of research
registered psychologist or research psychologist (with further study*): work with patients to identify and diagnose emotional, mental and behavioural issues