University of Adelaide

What you'll study

This honours-level psychology programme combines foundational psychological theory and research methods with specialised units in counselling and interpersonal skills. You will cover core areas such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, personality and abnormal psychology, alongside advanced training in psychological assessment, research design and quantitative and qualitative statistics.

• Core psychological foundations: cognitive, developmental, social and abnormal psychology.
• Research and methods: research design, experimental methods, data analysis and an honours thesis or major research project that develops independent research skills.
• Counselling and interpersonal skills: counselling theory and practice, therapeutic communication, empathy and listening skills, brief intervention techniques and ethical practice in helping professions.
• Assessment and applied practice: psychological assessment methods, case formulation, risk assessment and planning interventions.
• Practicum and professional development: supervised placement or community-based experience, reflective practice and professional issues such as confidentiality and boundaries.

The course structure typically integrates compulsory core units with elective subjects that allow you to deepen applied counselling skills or pursue research interests; the honours component emphasises an independent research project under academic supervision.

Entry requirements

Admission to the honours stream normally requires completion of an accredited undergraduate psychology sequence or equivalent preparation, with a competitive academic record. Applicants who have completed a related bachelor degree may be eligible to apply for honours entry. Domestic applicants are considered on the basis of their secondary or tertiary results and any other criteria the University applies; international applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements and provide evidence of equivalent qualifications.

Where applicable, selection may also consider relevant practical experience, referees’ reports and a demonstrated commitment to the field. Specific prerequisites and the required level of academic performance are published by the University and should be checked on the official programme pages before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a combination of scientific understanding and applied interpersonal skills that are valued across health, community and organisational settings. Typical career pathways include:

• Entry-level counselling roles in community health, youth services and non-government organisations.
• Case management, mental health support and advocacy within public health and social services.
• Research assistant or project officer roles in academic, hospital or private research settings.
• Human resources, wellbeing and employee assistance programmes in corporate and industrial contexts.
• Further professional training: an honours degree is a common stepping stone to postgraduate clinical and counselling qualifications, registration pathways, or doctoral research in psychology.

Many graduates combine further postgraduate study with supervised practice to meet the requirements for professional registration in areas such as clinical or counselling psychology.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers a research-led environment with access to experienced academic supervisors and a range of teaching clinics, community partnerships and placement opportunities. Students benefit from the University’s connections with local health services, research institutes and multidisciplinary teams in Adelaide’s health precinct, which support applied learning and research collaborations.

Studying at the University of Adelaide also provides a balance of rigorous theoretical training and practical skill development in counselling and interpersonal practice, preparing graduates for both immediate employment in support roles and progression to postgraduate professional qualifications.