Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
The University of Newcastle
Courses included
This course has been cancelled
About
For other Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program on offer at the University of Newcastle, please see Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined 483100.
The Law component of this program is offered from the Newcastle City campus, NUspace. The psychological science component of the program is offered from the Newcastle (Callaghan) campus. Starting this degree mid-year in July will extend the overall program duration by one semester.
Our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is your entry to a career as a lawyer, or a range of other professions where a passion for justice and attention to detail are key. This degree is offered as a combined program, which means you combine Laws with the Bachelor of Psychological Science and get two qualifications in only five years of study.
If you want to be a practising lawyer you can also complete the Diploma in Legal Practice which merges traditional legal education with skills training and practical legal experience. Students who complete the Diploma in Legal Practice will not have to complete postgraduate professional training or a period of practical legal experience before practising as a solicitor, as placement opportunities are available through the program.
Combining the scientific and social aspects of human behaviour, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of how people think, feel and act.
Areas of study
Clinical psychology and psychological disorders cognition and information processing, developmental psychology, law neuroscience, perceptual processes and learning theory, research methodology, social psychology and personality, statistics.
Career opportunities
Legal practice and employment in government, business, international organisations and management consultancy firms.
Even if you choose not to practise law, a strong legal understanding and the ability to apply logical reasoning means that law graduates are extremely competitive for employment opportunities across different career sectors.
Case worker, mediator, case manager, careers counsellor, market researcher, juvenile justice officer. A registered psychologist role (including clinical psychologist) requires additional study (an Honours plus relevant Masters degree).
Professional recognition
The School of Law and Justice is an accredited law school for the purpose of admission to practise law in NSW.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Practical experience
You will complete the first 105 hours of your required supervised clinical legal experience under the supervision of solicitors in the Legal Centre, which includes our "Law on the Beach” program. School staff also assist to arrange external placements to make up the remaining 180 professional training hours required to qualify to practise as a lawyer. Students will access psychology labs and equipment. They will undertake pre-professional courses each year, preparing for professional practice with guest lectures and problem-based workshops.
Honours
The School of Law and Justice has an embedded honours program that is available for students. The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) is available as an additional year (or part-time eqv) to students based on merit.
Fees and charges
Admission criteria
Applicants with recent secondary education
Assumed knowledge: Mathematics Advanced.
Recommended studies: Biology.
If you have not previously studied one or more of these subjects or have limited knowledge in them, we strongly encourage you to consider enrolling in bridging courses. NUPrep Bridging provides free academic preparation and support short courses, available both on campus and online, to complete before starting your degree.
Applicants with higher education study
If you completed higher education or partial higher education studies your grade point average can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
If you studied vocational education and training, the type of qualification, whether or not you completed it, and if it was graded or competency-based, will all be taken into consideration to assess your eligibility for admission.
Completion of studies at an AQF Level 4 (Cert IV) or higher Guarantees Entry into many of our undergraduate programs.
Review the Guaranteed Entry Admission Scheme.
Applicants with work and life experience
If you do not have an ATAR (or equivalent) or formal qualification, Newcastle University provides a range of pathways toward your preferred degree. Regardless of your age or experience, there is a place for you.
Advanced standing
If you have completed prior studies at another higher education institution or registered training organisation, you may be eligible to receive credit towards your undergraduate degree. Please note that you must apply for admission before applying for credit.
Further information
View all details of this course on the UON website.
University of Newcastle degrees
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review.
ATAR profile
ATAR-based offers only (semester 1, 2023)
Use all ATAR profile data as a guide only; it provides a broad overview of the ATARs and selection ranks of previous Year 12 students admitted into that course. ATARs and selection ranks required for entry in 2025 may be different. If you are unsure about including a course among your preferences, contact the relevant institution.
- This ATAR profile table is in line with Commonwealth Government transparency requirements. It is based on offers to recent school leavers (ie completed Year 12 in the last 2 years) who were selected solely or partly on their ATAR. Note that some institutions further differentiate this information on their websites.
- The ATAR values exclude any adjustment factors.
- The selection ranks include the ATAR and any adjustment factors.
Abbreviations
– = data is not available.<5 = less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
N/A = no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
NC = new course
NP = Not provided by institution
NR = No reportable profile
NS = No Semester 1 offers
NN = Unavailable (other)
NO = Entry on other criteria
Student profile
Course updates
Courses are added and cancelled throughout the admissions year and course details are subject to change. Check the UAC course search regularly.
Review of programs
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review. For up-to-date details, visit University of Newcastle degrees.
Honours
Applicants should note that under the revised Australian Qualifications Framework some programs are four-year programs available with direct entry. Other programs are three-year Bachelor degree programs. Meritorious students have the option to apply for an additional one-year end-on component after graduation. Check the course descriptions carefully.