Why study psychology with UTS online?

why study pscychology
why study pscychology
PSYCHOLOGY

Many people will benefit from seeing a psychologist at some point in their lives. Psychologists can help people respond to a range of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, trauma and more.

By applying their understanding of human behaviour, psychologists can support individuals to maintain their wellbeing, as well as manage stressful life circumstances.

If you’re interested in a rich career in psychology, studying a postgraduate degree can form an important part of your pathway.

What careers can you pursue with a psychology degree?

Within the field of mental health, a psychology degree can open many doors.

Depending on what domain of psychology you focus on, your psychology degree may help you on your pathway to careers such as:

  • Practising psychologist
  • Clinical psychologist
  • Aged care support worker
  • Counsellor
  • Community services and development officer
  • Healthcare worker

Outside the mental health care sector, a psychology degree can make you more effective in a range of business, creative, public service and human-centred roles. These roles might include:

  • Human resources
  • Researcher
  • Urban planning
  • Career counsellor
  • Public service
  • Behavioural insights
  • Marketing and media

These are just some of the career paths that you can gain with a psychology degree.

What are the benefits of studying psychology with UTS Online?

The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) can help you gain a knowledge of psychology that can make a difference in many fields.

You’ll gain contemporary knowledge and practical skills that you can apply in a range of disciplines, including healthcare, education, business management, HR, marketing, sport, public service and more.

  • Learn from experts: UTS Online’s psychology courses are developed by experienced practitioners and academics at the leading edge of research, technology and innovation in psychological science.
  • A world-class university: UTS Online is ranked Australia’s #1 Young University and in the top 10 Australian universities for graduate employability, according to QS World University Rankings. UTS also took out the ninth spot in the international 2023 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, making it Australia’s leading institution represented in this prestigious list.
  • APAC accredited: The Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) courses are accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) to provide the necessary qualifications to advance towards becoming a registered psychologist. APAC accreditation demonstrates that our courses provide high education and training standards and start your pathway to practise as a registered psychologist in Australia after graduating. (Note that completion of the Graduate Diploma is a pathway to registration - it does not qualify you to practise as a registered psychologist by itself.)
  • Impressive industry connections: Immerse yourself in contemporary course content informed by strong industry partnerships and designed to equip you with practical skills that allow you to harness your knowledge of psychology in your workplace to respond to current and future challenges. Coursework has been developed in line with American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, which aim to connect graduate learning with employer needs.
  • Contemporary content: You’ll learn from experts at the forefront of contemporary mental health programs and initiatives who offer impressive knowledge and experience in the discipline of clinical psychology within the University of Technology Sydney’s interdisciplinary Graduate School of Health. UTS Online’s course content reflects the latest evidence-based practice, allowing you to gain transferable skills and progress your career with confidence.  
  • Aligned with social justice values: A curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) gives students the knowledge and skills to work effectively with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as part of an emerging mental health workforce.
  • Flexible study options: Online learning allows you to study when and where it suits you, as well as work on a range of devices. Our 100% online courses are structured so you study one unit at a time over a seven week period and fit your study around full-time or part-time work or other commitments.  

Which UTS Online psychology course is right for me?

UTS Online offers two psychology qualifications – a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced).

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Our Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for students seeking to apply psychological science to make a difference in their workplace. It’s suitable for professionals from a range of backgrounds, and no psychological qualification is required to enrol.

Students study 10 subjects across a period of 20 months, with the course structure focusing on:

  • Human behaviour in context: Developing an understanding of how our lives are profoundly shaped by our connections to others, and how the complex dynamics of biological, psychological, social and cultural influences impact behaviour, health and wellbeing.
  • Science in practice: Deepening your understanding of what distinguishes the scientific approach from pseudoscience, exploring research methods and design, and evaluating evidence-based treatments and intervention strategies to support informed decision making.
  • Human diversity and contemporary mental health: Exploring various perspectives on the nature of individual differences and learning how to assess these in the evolving field of mental health while developing an understanding of approaches and techniques used in interpersonal and intercultural communication.
  • Frameworks for effecting positive change: Investigating the how and why of human activity to inform frameworks that foster values of diversity, equity and inclusion and positively impact lives, organisations and communities.

Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

Our Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) is for students seeking to build a rewarding career in psychology. The course can form part of your pathway to becoming a registered psychologist or researcher.

Students will study ten subjects, with the course structure focusing on:

  • Advanced analytical and interpretive skills: Gaining hands-on experience in research design, including the ability to critically examine and interpret data and communicate findings.
  • Culturally responsive, ethical and reflective practice: Designing evidence-based and culturally responsive intervention strategies grounded in industry standards of ethical thinking and reflective practice.
  • Innovation and social justice values: Contextualising your psychology skills and learning for social impact and innovation across diverse professional, social and cultural settings.

Do I need a psychology qualification to study a Graduate Diploma in Psychology?

No. The students studying a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UTS Online come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and many don’t hold psychology qualifications. Our learners are from fields including education, accounting, human resources, marketing and communications, social work and counselling.

Our Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) is suitable for professionals who want to apply psychological science in their professional setting, those working through the psychology registration pathway, and learners seeking to pursue a career in research. This course can help you take the first step on your pathway to becoming a psychologist, clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, counsellor and researcher.    

Entry requirements for studying psychology with UTS Online

The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) are courses for people wanting to learn how to use psychology to change lives. Our courses are designed with industry leaders, ensuring you gain contemporary knowledge and practical skills that align with current and future employer needs.

Graduate Diploma in Psychology entry requirements

You must have completed one of the following UTS-recognised qualifications or overseas equivalent (in any discipline):

  • Advanced Diploma (AQF 6)
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Graduate certificate
  • Graduate diploma
  • Doctorate or master (Research or coursework)

You may be eligible to receive credit points for the Graduate Diploma subjects Introduction to Psychology Foundations and Introduction to Psychological Science in recognition of your previous studies.

The English language requirement for this course is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a writing score of 6.5.

Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) entry requirements

You must have completed one of the following UTS-recognised qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Graduate diploma

Applicants must have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited Level 1 program in psychology (or equivalent) with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 within the last 10 years.

International students or those with qualifications from overseas must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as holding equivalent to an APAC-accredited Level 1 program in Psychology.

The English language requirement for this course is an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 7 in each of the four bands.

For further information about studying a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), contact our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 477 423.