Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

All students must be able to prove that they can meet our English language requirements. Our English language requirements are divided into five bands – from Band A through to Band E. These Bands indicate the level of English required to undertake the course, with Band E representing the highest English skill level required.

You will be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have:

• completed an English language test such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL or Cambridge
  • Applicants who are unable to sit standard tests due to public health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic can complete an online English language test such as IELTS Indicator, OET@Home, TOEFL Special Home Edition.
• completed some types of university (tertiary) or high-school (secondary) studies
• completed an approved English subject in IB Diploma, Australian Year 12 or other high school qualifications
• lived and worked in an English speaking country for at least five years.

These requirements are different for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students. For the most up-to-date English language requirements, please visit the English Language Admission Criteria procedure.

Career outcomes

As it is the equivalent of a three-year accredited psychology undergraduate degree, this course a pathway to a fourth-year of study (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)), which can then lead to an APAC-accredited master or doctoral-level course that enables general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:

• clinical psychology (available at Deakin)
• clinical neuropsychology
• organisational psychology (available at Deakin)
• sport and exercise psychology
• forensic psychology
• counselling psychology
• community psychology

Working as a generalist psychologist might involve:

• family therapy
• rehabilitation counselling
• psychological assessment

Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You will still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practice will equip you for roles in:

• community welfare and case management
• disability services
• human resources
• mental health rehabilitation
• public health
• youth support

Choose your degree

Use our course finder to discover your ideal degree. On each course page you will find information on entry requirements, professional recognition, career opportunities, course structure, fees and more.

Also consider where you would like to study – we have four campuses in the state of Victoria, Australia, or you may like to study online.