University of Adelaide

What you'll study

The Honours year combines advanced coursework with an independent research thesis. Coursework components typically cover advanced research methods and statistics, ethics in psychological research, and specialist topics chosen from cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, clinical and abnormal psychology, social and personality psychology, and psychometrics. The central element is a substantial supervised research project: you design and conduct an empirical study, analyse the results using appropriate quantitative (or where applicable qualitative) methods, and present the findings in a thesis.

Students develop competencies in experimental design, advanced data analysis (including multivariate techniques), critical appraisal of literature, and scientific communication. Many students also undertake training in psychological assessment, intervention principles or applied measurement depending on their coursework choices and supervisory expertise.

Entry requirements

Admission to the one‑year Honours programme requires completion of an accredited three‑year Bachelor degree in psychology or equivalent with substantial psychology content. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance in their prior studies and sufficient research training to undertake an independent project. Selection is competitive and may consider your academic transcript, research experience, referees and a statement of research interests. International applicants should hold an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution and meet the University's English language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates use the Honours year as a stepping stone to further professional training or research careers. For those aiming to become registered clinical, counselling or educational psychologists, Honours is generally a prerequisite for admission to accredited postgraduate professional programmes. The degree also prepares graduates for research roles in universities, government and industry; positions in mental health services; roles in human resources, organisational consulting and workplace assessment; and careers in data analysis, policy development, forensic services and community services. The research and quantitative skills gained are transferable to sectors that value evidence‑based practice and advanced analytical capability.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers research‑led teaching and access to experienced academic supervisors across a broad range of psychological subfields. Students benefit from established research laboratories, opportunities for collaborative projects with health services and industry partners, and a campus environment with support services for honours students, including research training workshops and statistical consulting. The programme aligns with pathways recognised by professional bodies, and the University’s emphasis on both theoretical depth and practical research skills helps graduates transition to postgraduate professional training or research careers.