CRICOS Code: 028481C

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

For Commencement date Year 2018 to 2021 - please refer to 1796.3 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

For Commencement Year 2017 - please refer to 1796.2 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

For Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - please refer to 1796.1 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is an accredited fourth year program for students who have completed an accredited three-year sequence of Psychology at an institution other than Western Sydney University in the past 10 years. This program is equivalent to the WSU Honours year in Psychology.

This program is designed for those seeking to; pursue training pathways that lead to registration as a psychologist; and progression into Higher Degree Research.

This one-year, 80 credit point, fee-paying program includes a 30 credit point research thesis and 50 credit points of coursework.

Study Mode

One year full-time or two years part-time.

Program Advice

Program advice

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Bankstown City Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Bankstown City Campus	Part Time	Internal	See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Full Time	Internal	See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Part TIme	Internal	See above
Penrith Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Penrith Campus	Part TIme	Internal	See above

Accreditation

This Program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as an accredited fourth year of study in Psychology (APAC Accreditation Standards 2019). 

Admission

Admission 2024 and prior

Entry into the School’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology is limited to students who have completed an approved accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology in the last 10 years at an institution other than Western Sydney University. In addition, students must have obtained an average mark of 70+ in psychology subjects equivalent to Level 2 and 3.

Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is restricted by supervisory capacity. Limited places are available in this program and meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee entry. Applicants with irregular studies will be required to provide relevant documentation to evidence completion of an accredited three-year psychology sequence.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) at the following link:

http://www.uac.edu.au

Please see the UAC website for further information. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional requirements for Domestic applicants with international qualifications:

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 3 year accredited sequence in psychology;
• Applicants who have undertaken studies in other countries may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of the minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website. See also the additional English proficiency requirements for this program, as listed at the end of these admission requirements.

International Applicants

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

Places will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit according to the following admission criteria.

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 3 year accredited sequence in psychology;
• International qualifications will be assessed by the International Office at Western Sydney University;
• Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the international office website.

International Office

Admission from 2025

Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is limited to students who have completed an approved accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology in the last 10 years at an institution other than Western Sydney University.

In addition, students must have obtained an average mark of 75+ in core accredited Level 2 and 3 psychology subjects (or equivalent).

Important Note: Entry is restricted by supervisory capacity. Western Sydney University cannot guarantee that places will be available, and meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee entry. No deferrals will be accepted for this program.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) at the following link:

 http://www.uac.edu.au.

Please see the UAC website for further information. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional requirements for Domestic applicants with international qualifications:  

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 3 year accredited sequence in psychology; 
• Applicants who have undertaken studies in other countries may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of the minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website: http://www.uac.edu.au/. See also the additional English proficiency requirements for this Program, as listed at the end of these admission requirements. 

International Applicants  

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international

Places will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit according to the following admission criteria. 

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 3 year accredited sequence in psychology; 
• International qualifications will be assessed by the International Office at Western Sydney University; 

• Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the international office website.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including

• a 20 credit point research methods subject,
• a 30 credit point thesis, and
• three 10 credit point subjects.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
BEHV 4009	Advanced Topics in Contemporary Psychology	10
WELF 4002	Counselling and Consultation	10
BEHV 4006	Research Methods Seminar	10
BEHV 4004	Psychology Research Thesis	15
	Credit Points	45
Spring session
BEHV 4005	Theory and Practice of Psychological Assessment and Intervention	10
BEHV 4006	Research Methods Seminar	10
BEHV 4004	Psychology Research Thesis	15
	Credit Points	35
	Total Credit Points	80

Part-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
WELF 4002	Counselling and Consultation	10
BEHV 4006	Research Methods Seminar	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
BEHV 4005	Theory and Practice of Psychological Assessment and Intervention	10
BEHV 4006	Research Methods Seminar	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 2
Autumn session
BEHV 4009	Advanced Topics in Contemporary Psychology	10
BEHV 4004	Psychology Research Thesis	15
	Credit Points	25
Spring session
BEHV 4004	Psychology Research Thesis	15
	Credit Points	15
	Total Credit Points	80