Why study the Graduate Diploma in Psychology with UTS Online?
Top 100 University globally1
Australia’s leading young university2
Informed by current APA Guidelines and the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project
Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), supporting progression towards psychologist registration
1QS World University Rankings, 2027 2Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, 2026.
A faster way to build your psychology foundation
Understanding why people think, behave and respond the way they do can change how you approach almost any people-focused role. Psychology gives you a scientific framework for understanding behaviour, cognition, development, wellbeing and the factors that influence how people experience the world.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) Level 1 accredited course designed for people from any professional background, with no previous psychology study required. Across ten dedicated psychology subjects, you’ll build foundational capability in psychological science, research, behaviour, cognition, development, psychological disorders, assessment, ethics and wellbeing, while establishing the academic foundation for further accredited psychology study.
Who is this course for?
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed for people who want to build a recognised foundation in psychological science, whether to strengthen an existing career, move into a more people-focused field or begin the academic pathway towards psychology registration.
With no previous psychology study required, the course can suit professionals from a wide range of backgrounds who want to better understand behaviour and apply psychological thinking across health, business, education, community services and other settings.
This course may suit professionals looking to:
- Build foundational knowledge across psychological science
- Understand human behaviour, cognition, development and wellbeing
- Strengthen research, analytical and evidence-informed thinking
- Apply psychology across people-focused professional settings
- Begin the APAC-accredited pathway towards further psychology study
See entry requirements under course information for more eligibility information.
What you will study
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology comprises ten online subjects totalling 60 credit points, building foundational capability across psychological science, human behaviour, cognition, development, psychological disorders, research methods, assessment, ethics and wellbeing.
Complete all ten subjects:
- Introduction to Psychology Foundations (6CP)
- Introduction to Psychological Science (6CP)
- Brain and Behaviour (6CP)
- Psychological Disorders and Interventions (6CP)
- Development Across the Lifespan (6CP)
- Research Methods and Theory in Psychology (6CP)
- Research Design and Analysis in Psychology (6CP)
- Psychological Assessment, Ethics and Professional Skills (6CP)
- Society, Psychological Health and Wellbeing (6CP)
- Cognitive Psychology (6CP)
*Students who complete Introduction to Psychology Foundations, Introduction to Psychological Science and any two additional subjects will be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.
Important: To be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), students must complete both Introduction to Psychology Foundations and Introduction to Psychological Science—these are the only subjects that can be credited through RPL. Both must be successfully completed before students can progress to any other subjects in the course.
CP = credit points. Subject descriptions and learning outcomes are available via the subject links on this page. Subject availability, sequencing and course structures are subject to change.
Your psychology pathway
Psychology registration requires a sequence of accredited study and professional training. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides the APAC Level 1 foundation, equivalent to the foundational psychology study completed through an accredited undergraduate psychology sequence.
After completing the course, you may qualify to apply for the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), an APAC Level 2 course equivalent to a fourth-year psychology qualification. Further accredited postgraduate study and professional requirements are then required before you can apply for general registration as a psychologist in Australia.
Flexible course options
Whether you’re ready to take the next step or prefer to start with a shorter qualification, begin with the Graduate Diploma in Psychology and continue into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) when you’re ready.
Learning outcomes
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology helps you understand psychological science, analyse human behaviour and build the research and ethical capability that underpins further psychology study.
Understand 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.
Career outcomes
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology builds psychological knowledge that can be applied across wellbeing, behavioural insights, community services, organisational development, research and other people-focused fields.
Depending on your previous qualifications and experience, graduates may explore opportunities such as:
- Behavioural Insights Officer
- Wellbeing Program Coordinator
- Organisational Development Coordinator
- Research Assistant
- Community Services Officer
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology does not qualify you for registration as a psychologist. If your goal is psychology registration, it provides the APAC Level 1 foundation for progression into further accredited psychology study.
Course information
Applicants must have the following:
- Completed Australian advanced diploma (AQF 6) or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Want to check your eligibility?
Not only do we have the right tools and support teams to help you – we have people who care about your success.
$114,608 median annual earnings
Full-time Psychologists and Psychotherapists in Australia earn an average annual salary of $106,459, reflecting the strong financial rewards in the field.
(Indeed)
88%
Increase in service demand
Over the past three years, 88% of psychologists in Australia have reported increased demand for their services, highlighting the growing need for qualified professionals.
(Australian Psychological Society)
49%
Part-time employment
Around 49% of clinical psychologists in Australia work part-time, offering flexibility and diverse career opportunities.
(Jobs and Skills Australia)
Upcoming intakes
UTS Online courses have 6 intakes per year. The diagram below shows all upcoming intakes. Our next intake is highlighted below.
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Meet our faculty
“The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (online) prepares students for diverse career pathways in the workforce of the future. Our online psychology courses offer a modern curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project and the latest American Psychological Association Guidelines.
In the next 10 years, employers will increasingly demand technological, social, emotional and advanced cognitive skills – all of which are key outcomes of our graduate diploma courses.”
Dr Catherine O’Gorman
Senior Lecturer and Course Director for Psychology
Dr Catherine O’Gorman is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director for Psychology (Level 1) at UTS. She has extensive experience in online and face-to-face teaching, coordination and content design across a range of undergraduate psychology subjects. Catherine supports students to build contemporary, transferable psychology skills.
Dr Phoebe Bailey
Professor of Psychology and Director of Studies (Psychology)
Professor Phoebe Bailey is Director of Studies (Psychology) at UTS, where she leads the design and delivery of the university’s psychology programs, including UTS’s first online graduate diploma and undergraduate psychology offerings. With a PhD in Psychology and clinical psychology expertise, she combines extensive experience in psychology education and academic leadership with an active research profile focused on ageing, decision-making, trust and financial vulnerability.
Download a course guide
Download a course guide to explore detailed subject descriptions, entry requirements, pathway options and fee information.
“I thought completing one subject at a time would be much easier for me to juggle with my work. Everything was in one place. The broad coverage of what I studied has been really helpful, because I’m opening my progression up to those new paths.”
Audrey B, UTS Online Graduate
“I continued some friendships from fellow students and also continued the relationship with UTS.”
Ben G, UTS Online Graduate
Frequently asked questions
A Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a postgraduate qualification that provides foundational study in psychological science for people who already hold a recognised tertiary qualification in another discipline.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is an APAC-accredited Level 1 course covering human behaviour, brain and behaviour, psychological disorders, lifespan development, research methods, psychological assessment, ethics, wellbeing and cognitive psychology.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed for graduates from a wide range of disciplines who want to build a foundation in psychological science, apply psychology in people-focused roles or begin the academic pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist in Australia.
Students may come from areas such as education, human resources, business, marketing, communications, social work and counselling.
No. A prior qualification in psychology is not required.
The course is specifically designed as a psychology bridging qualification for people who have completed a recognised tertiary qualification in another discipline and want to build an accredited foundation in psychological science.
Current entry requirements include a completed Australian advanced diploma or higher qualification, or an overseas equivalent.
Your previous qualification does not need to be in psychology. Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place, and English language requirements may also apply.
You’ll build foundational knowledge of psychological science and human behaviour, including biological, cognitive, developmental and social influences on behaviour.
You’ll also develop capability in psychological research methods, research design and analysis, psychological disorders and interventions, assessment, ethics and professional practice.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology comprises 10 subjects totalling 60 credit points:
• Introduction to Psychology Foundations
• Introduction to Psychological Science
• Brain and Behaviour
• Psychological Disorders and Interventions
• Development Across the Lifespan
• Research Methods and Theory in Psychology
• Research Design and Analysis in Psychology
• Psychological Assessment, Ethics and Professional Skills
• Society, Psychological Health and Wellbeing
• Cognitive Psychology
APAC Level 1 refers to the Foundational Competencies in psychology recognised by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
It is broadly equivalent to the accredited three-year psychology sequence completed through an undergraduate psychology degree. Completing an APAC Level 1 course can provide the academic foundation required to apply for APAC Level 2, or fourth-year-equivalent, psychology study.
For a more detailed breakdown of the psychology study pathway, read our guide to the difference between APAC Level 1 and Level 2 psychology.
Yes. The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is currently accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a Level 1 psychology program.
APAC accreditation means the course forms part of the recognised academic pathway for further accredited psychology study in Australia. Accreditation status should be checked at the time of application or publication, as accreditation details can change.
Yes. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology can form the first academic stage of the pathway towards psychologist registration in Australia.
It provides APAC Level 1 study. After completing the course, eligible graduates can apply for an APAC Level 2 fourth-year-equivalent course such as the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), followed by further accredited psychology education and training.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology alone does not make you eligible for general registration as a psychologist.
No. Completing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology does not make you a registered psychologist.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides the APAC Level 1 academic foundation. To continue towards psychologist registration, you need further accredited psychology study and training after Level 1, beginning with an APAC Level 2 or fourth-year-equivalent program.
After completing an APAC Level 1 program such as the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology, the next academic stage is APAC Level 2 study, which is equivalent to a fourth year in psychology.
Eligible UTS graduates can apply for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced). After Level 2, further accredited postgraduate psychology study and supervised training are required before general registration, subject to the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia.
Yes, subject to meeting the Advanced course entry requirements.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides the APAC Level 1 sequence. The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) is APAC Level 2 and is equivalent to a fourth-year psychology program.
Current entry to the Advanced course requires completion of APAC Level 1 psychology study within the relevant timeframe and a minimum GPA requirement.
Yes. Current course information states that students who complete Introduction to Psychology Foundations, Introduction to Psychological Science and any two additional subjects may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.
The Graduate Certificate exit option does not replace the full APAC Level 1 sequence required for progression to APAC Level 2 psychology study.
Yes, but RPL is limited because of APAC accreditation requirements.
Current UTS information states that RPL may be granted for equivalent subjects completed within an APAC-accredited Level 1 psychology program in the previous 10 years. A maximum of two subject exemptions, or 12 credit points, can be granted.
Applicants must provide subject outlines so UTS can assess whether the previous study is equivalent to the relevant Graduate Diploma subjects.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology can be completed in a minimum of 20 months.
The course comprises 10 online subjects totalling 60 credit points.
Yes. The course is designed for people who want to complete postgraduate study alongside existing work and personal commitments.
You’ll study online through structured weekly modules and focus on psychology subjects without unrelated electives.
How you balance work, study and personal commitments will depend on your individual circumstances, so it is important to plan for the weekly study requirements of each subject.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology can add psychological science capability to roles across health, education, human resources, business, community services, research and other people-focused fields.
Career directions identified by UTS Online include:
• Human Resources Specialist
• Behavioural Insights Officer
• Market Research Analyst
• Community Support Worker
• Organisational Development Coordinator
The course does not qualify you to work as a registered psychologist. Registration requires further accredited psychology study and training.
The course develops psychological science literacy, research capability and a stronger understanding of human behaviour that can complement existing professional expertise.
These capabilities can be applied in people-focused areas such as human resources, organisational development, marketing and research, education, community services and health-related settings.
For students pursuing psychology itself, the course also provides the APAC Level 1 academic foundation needed to apply for further accredited psychology study.
Whether the course is worthwhile depends on your goals and where you are starting.
For graduates without previous psychology study, it can provide an accredited way to build the Level 1 psychology sequence without completing another full undergraduate degree. It can also add psychological science capability to careers that involve people, behaviour, research or decision-making.
If your goal is psychologist registration, the Graduate Diploma is only the first academic stage and further accredited study and training are required.
The current indicative tuition fee for the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is $45,013 in total, with an indicative fee of $4,501 per subject.
Fees are indicative and subject to change. Your total course fee may vary depending on your study plan, Recognition of Prior Learning and the fees applicable at the time of enrolment, so refer to the UTS Online fees page for the latest information.
Yes. FEE-HELP is available to eligible students studying the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that can help eligible full-fee-paying students cover some or all of their tuition fees.
Eligibility requirements apply, so check the current FEE-HELP information before enrolling.
UTS Online offers six intakes per year, giving you multiple opportunities to commence the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
Intake dates can change from year to year, so refer to the course page for the next available intake and current application dates.
For a standard six-credit-point UTS Online subject, you should typically allow around 15–20 hours per week for study.
This can include working through weekly learning materials, completing readings and activities, participating in online discussions and preparing assessments. Your actual study time may vary depending on the subject, your previous experience and assessment deadlines.
UTS Online students generally study one subject at a time, helping you focus your study around your professional and personal commitments.
For more information, read our guide to study resources with an example study schedule.
Assessment in the UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology varies by subject and is designed to develop psychological science, research and applied analysis skills.
Depending on the subject, assessments may include written assignments, case analyses, research or data-analysis tasks, online quizzes, posters, proposals, podcasts, recorded presentations, oral assessments and professional portfolios. Current course information states that there are no exams.
Group or collaborative assessment requirements may vary by subject, so refer to the individual subject information in the UTS Handbook for current details.
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is delivered online through Canvas, with students studying through structured weekly modules. You’ll engage with psychological theory, research methods, practical activities, multimedia learning, peer discussions and assessments designed to build your understanding of human behaviour and psychological science.
Throughout the course, you’ll also have access to support including:
• A dedicated Student Success Advisor
• Academic and assignment support
• UTS Career Hub resources and networking opportunities
• Peer learning and presentation support
• Confidential health and wellbeing services
Here’s a video example showcasing key features of our online learning platform, including tools designed to enhance your study experience.
Or read our tips for balancing postgraduate study with work and life: https://studyonline.uts.edu.au/blog/balancing-postgraduate-study-and-life-commitments-practical-tips-success
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