Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging)

Bond University

Australia, Gold Coast

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Bond University

Australia , Gold Coast

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Gold Coast

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 semester(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 60,600 / total(s)

Next Intake January-2026

Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging)

About

Psychology is the science of human behaviour. Delving deep into the processes of the mind, it helps us explain why we act the way we do as individuals and how we operate collectively as a society.

Bond University’s School of Psychology has earned a reputation as a leader in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research. It offers the full suite of psychology qualifications required to gain registration as a practising psychologist; all of which are accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) is the first step on that pathway for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than psychology (non-cognate). It is also an alternative for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology but have not met the entry criteria for Fourth Year programs (cognate).

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) is equivalent of the first three years of the six-year psychology training pathway. With Bond’s accelerated three-semesters-per-year timetable, you can complete the cognate option in just eight months (eight subjects taken over two semesters) and the non-cognate option in one year (10 subjects over three semesters).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Recognised 4 year Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree

4 year Bachelor degree - 4 point grading scale

Admission to this program is based on either the successful completion of a recognised Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in an unrelated discipline (non-cognate option), OR successful completion of a three-year APAC accredited undergraduate sequence (or equivalent), whereupon assessment for the fourth-year program, the GPA has not met the minimum entry requirements for entry (cognate option),

Recognised 4 year Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree

4 year Bachelor degree - 5 point grading scale

English Program Requirements

English language proficiency requirements

Bond's programs are taught and assessed in English, so depending on your educational background and citizenship, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. This may include submitting results from an approved English Language Test taken in the past two years - you can see the required results for the most common approved tests below. There are other ways to demonstrate English language proficiency and gain entry into this program, including demonstrating prior study in English, or other qualifications. If your qualification does not meet the English language requirements then you will need to provide an English proficiency test for admission.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Overall score 6.5 with no sub score less than 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Overall score 58 with no Communicative Scores below 50
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT): Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) Overall score 79 (no scores below 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking, and 16 in Reading and Listening)

Career

What can you do with your degree?

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers where you can make a real difference in the lives of others: Careers based on helping people suffering from trauma, mental health issues and physical disabilities; or where you can predict and change behaviours or improve performance – on the sporting field, in the workplace and in dealing with everyday life.

With a strong emphasis on critical thinking, communication and analytical skills, undergraduate qualifications in psychology can be applied to careers in private enterprise, government, and community settings. Some of the many possibilities include education (counselling, behaviour management), business (change management and organisational psychology), human resources and career guidance, criminal justice and child protection, sport, exercise and athlete performance, rehabilitation (counselling) and research to name a few.

Once fully registered as a practicing Psychologist, graduates can specialise and be endorsed in nine areas of practice, including:

Clinical neuropsychology
Clinical psychology
Community psychology
Counselling psychology
Educational and developmental psychology
Forensic psychology
Health psychology
Organisational psychology
Sport and exercise psychology

Outcomes

Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a mental health specialist who provides psychological services and support to people with varying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and drug or alcohol abuse. Seek (2021) projects a 22.8 per cent job growth in the next five years, with a median salary of $90-$120k.

General psychologist

A general psychologist can find employment in a range of industries such as public administration, support services and human resources, as well as research institutes. Seek (2021) projects a 22.8 per cent job growth in the next five years, with a median salary of $80-$110k.