Why study the Graduate Diploma in Psychology with UTS Online?

Top 100 University Globally1

Informed by the latest APA Guidelines and the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project

APAC accreditation mark

Accredited with conditions* by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) to provide the necessary qualifications to advance towards becoming a registered psychologist


1QS World University Rankings, 2025

*A student who successfully graduates from a program of study that holds APAC accreditation (either with or without conditions)
at the time of their graduation is considered to have completed an APAC-accredited program of study.

Career outcomes

The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is suitable for professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology. 

$112k

The average annual salary for psychologists, according to Seek.

4.2 stars

Psychologists rate their role for job satisfaction, according to Seek.

The principles of psychology you will learn in this course can be applied to a range of disciplines, including business management, marketing and public relations, education and training, health care, environmental science, sports performance, public service and safety, military and emergency services, and information technology.

To learn more about how these learning outcomes can be applied in your field of work, get in touch with our Student Enrolment Advisors

Speak to an Enrolment Advisor

A young male student studying on a laptop smiling

Two female students studying

Are you ready to effect positive change?

With the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology, you will have the capability to use the power of psychology to make a difference, whatever your field of work.

  • Learn from experts at the leading edge of psychological science.
  • Keep up with the latest science and technology.
  • Study an internationally-relevant course aligned with the latest American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines.
  • Develop culturally-responsive skills in a curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP).
  • Have flexibility to learn when it suits you with a course that’s been developed for the online learning environment.

Learning outcomes

Human behaviour
Learn psychological approaches to the study of the mind and behaviour. Focus on core concepts and methods of psychological science, including theories related to biology, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion.

Social and biological influences
The mind is a complex system influenced by social and biological factors. Develop an understanding of the principles of learning and neuroscientific bases of behaviour, while exploring clinical case studies and experimenting with applied psychological techniques.

Historical perspectives and contemporary models
Critically evaluate historical perspectives and contemporary theoretical models of the development, classification, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Learn how various socio-cultural factors and scientific developments have shaped dominant models of practice and apply your knowledge and skills to case examples.

Research, theory and ethical practice
Compare and contrast specific research methods and various types of research design to develop an understanding of what distinguishes the scientific approach from pseudoscience. Engage with key ethical issues, questions and principles that guide the work of the scientist-practitioner in psychology.

A female student studying online on their laptop at a café whilst having a coffee

Who is this course for?

The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for professionals who want to effect positive change – whether it be in the lives of individuals, your workplace or the community.

Students of this course may come from various fields such as education, human resources, business management, accounting, communications, social work and counselling. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for professionals who are:

  • From a diverse range of backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology.
  • Have a passion for helping others and making a difference.
  • Ready for a new challenge.
  • Lead busy lives and are seeking work–life balance while studying online.

See entry requirements under course information for more eligibility information.


 

Flexible course options

The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology comprises only 10 subjects (60 credit points (CP) in total) and can be completed in as little as 20 months. Interested in becoming a registered psychologist? This course, followed by the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), can form part of your pathway.

Certificate icon

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE (exit only)
4 SUBJECTS

or, continue studying

Certificate icon

GRADUATE DIPLOMA
+6 SUBJECTS

earn your degree and consider further study

Certificate icon

GRADUATE DIPLOMA (ADVANCED)
+6 SUBJECTS

earn your degree

For more information, download your course guide or speak with an Enrolment Advisor.

Speak to an Enrolment Advisor Download a course guide


A female studying on a laptop smiling

What you will study

Complete the following subjects:

  • Introduction to Psychology Foundations​ – 6 CP
  • Introduction to Psychological Science​ – 6 CP
  • Brain and Behaviour* – 6 CP 
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions* – 6 CP
  • Development Across the Lifespan* – 6 CP ​ 
  • Research Methods and Theory in Psychology* – 6 CP
  • Research Design and Analysis in Psychology​ – 6 CP
  • Psychological Assessment, Ethics, and Professional Skills – 6 CP
  • Society, Psychological Health and Wellbeing​ – 6 CP
  • Cognitive Psychology​ – 6 CP

*Students who complete two of these subjects plus Introduction to Psychology Foundations and Introduction to Psychological Science will be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.


 

Want to learn more about our online psychology courses?

Not only do we have the right tools to help you in your studies, we also have a student support team who care about your success.

Speak to an Enrolment Advisor Download a course guide


Course information

Entry requirements

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

  • Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) ​ 
  • Bachelor's Degree​ 
  • Graduate Certificate​ 
  • Graduate Diploma ​ 
  • Doctorate or Master's (Research or Coursework)

 

Master of Advanced Nursing
All subjects from the Graduate Certificate + 8 subjects from the Master of Advanced Nursing

UTS Online’s Master of Advanced Nursing is designed for nurses who want to drive better outcomes for person-centred care in advanced clinical settings. This course is delivered part-time, 100% online and influenced by strong healthcare industry partners, making it one of the most contemporary and comprehensive courses of its kind.  
 

English language requirements

English language requirements apply to both international and domestic students. Please refer to the UTS English language requirements for further information on how to satisfy the requirements for the course/s.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.5. For applicants without an Academic IELTS score, refer to the UTS Register of English Language Requirements Proficiency for other methods of satisfying the English language requirements for the course/s.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

 

Graduate Diploma
All units from the Graduate Certificate + 4 Diploma units or continue studying

The Graduate Diploma focuses on giving you the foundational skills that industry demands plus the soft skills to influence business decisions at senior management levels. 

The fast-tracked model means you can graduate with a diploma in just over a year, plus it gives you a pathway to study the Master of Business Analytics. 

Accreditation

From the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) website, a program is determined as accredited with conditions when

  • It meets most of the Accreditation Standards, and those not met at the time of assessment are likely to be met within the time specified by APAC. Determining accreditation with conditions will be accompanied by a list of conditions to be addressed and a date by which those conditions must be addressed.
  • If a higher education provider (HEP) makes changes to its program and/or its supporting resources after the accreditation process such that the program no longer meets the Standards, and the Standards not met at the time of assessment are likely to be met within the time specified by APAC.

A status of accreditation with conditions is no different from accreditation without conditions regarding a student seeking provisional registration, completing further study and then seeking general registration.

If an APAC-accredited program of study is accredited without conditions and changes to accredited with conditions, there are no implications for students as accreditation is retained.

Therefore, a student who successfully graduates from a program of study that holds APAC accreditation (either with or without conditions) at the time of their graduation is considered to have completed an APAC-accredited program of study. Please take note that while UTS Online's Graduate Diploma in Psychology presently maintains conditional accreditation, it will progress to full accreditation, without any conditions, upon the graduation of its inaugural cohort next year.

Re-accreditation for most programs and providers occurs on a 5-year cycle.

FEE-HELP

To assist with all or some of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their tuition fees.

To check your eligibility, feel free to speak with an Enrolment Advisor today.

Request a call-back

 

Masters
All units from the Graduate Certificate + 4 Diploma units or continue studying

The Graduate Diploma focuses on giving you the foundational skills that industry demands plus the soft skills to influence business decisions at senior management levels. 

The fast-tracked model means you can graduate with a diploma in just over a year, plus it gives you a pathway to study the Master of Business Analytics. 

Upcoming intakes

UTS Online psychology courses have six intakes per year.
The diagram below shows all upcoming intakes, with the next intake highlighted in blue.