MAJORING IN PSYCHOLOGY IN THE BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF
LIBERAL STUDIES
Psychology, a discipline within the Faculty of Science, is often taken as part of a Bachelor
of Arts or Bachelor of Liberal Studies. It can be taken as a major within either of these
programs. Students should note that in the Bachelor of Arts degree, Psychology may only
be taken as a second major, and students must also take a major from one of the subject
areas listed under Part A of the Table of units of study for the BA (refer to chapter 5 of this
Handbook). Different rules apply to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Under these rules,
students may take a major in Psychology as their major in Science and will also take their
major in Arts from one of the subject areas listed under Part A of the Table of units of
study for the BA.
A Psychology major requires at least 48 credit points of Senior Psychology units of study,
consisting of 16 credit points at PSYC2000 level (Science Intermediate units of study) plus
at least 32 credit points at PSYC3000 level (Science Senior units of study). The Psychology
units of study are outlined in Part B of the Table of Units of Study in this Handbook, and
further details of all Psychology units of study can be found in the Faculty of Science
Handbook. For progression to a fourth year in Psychology at the University of Sydney,
please see below for requirements for entry into Psychology 4 Honours, and see the
Faculty of Science Handbook for requirements for entry into the Graduate Diploma in
Science (Psychology).
Students who first enrolled in Psychology within an Arts degree at the University of
Sydney prior to 2002 may, upon application to the Faculty of Arts, be permitted to
graduate with a major in Psychology with 32 credit points of Senior Psychology as
normally required for a Part A major. However, this does not qualify students for entry to
a fourth year of Psychology study and does not meet the minimum requirements for
professional recognition of a Psychology major.
Psychology 4 Honours:
Prerequisite for entry: Average of Credit or better in 16 credit points of PSYC2000 level
units of study, and also in at least 32 credit points of PSYC3000 level units of study which
must include PSYC3201 and 3202. Permission of the School of Psychology is required.
Due to restricted resources for research supervision, the intake to Psychology 4 Honours is
limited to approximately 55 students and is determined by academic merit in PSYC2000
and 3000 level units of study.