How to Apply to Psychology at Adelaide University: Three-Year Bachelor of Psychology or Four-Year Honours, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

For 2027 entry, undergraduate psychology in Adelaide is offered by Adelaide University. The university’s glossary defines its Foundation Universities as the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, and degree pages, applications and scholarships are now published under the Adelaide University name. Psychology is taught at the Adelaide City Campus and Magill. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on the university’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Choosing between two degrees

• Bachelor of Psychology (BPSYC): three years full time, with February and July intakes. It includes twelve core psychology courses common to all specialisations, covering health and developmental psychology, Indigenous and cross-cultural psychology and research methods, and a final-year industry placement in a mental health or community organisation. The program is accredited by APAC.
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (HPSYC): four years full time, February intake only, with a major independent research project in the final year and up to 100 hours of industry or research placement.
• Becoming a psychologist: the university notes that registration in Australia requires at least six years of study. The four-year honours degree is the first step; graduates of the three-year degree apply for the one-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (HBPSY), followed by a Master of Psychology (Clinical, Health, or Organisational and Human Factors).
• Part-time study is not available to international students.

2. Requirements: high schools in China

• The Gaokao is accepted for direct entry:
  • Bachelor of Psychology: Gaokao 70% (ATAR 80 for Australian applicants);
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours): Gaokao 85% (ATAR 95).
• Prerequisites: none for either degree.
• Selection: when eligible applicants exceed places, admission is competitive and ranked on entry criteria.

3. Requirements: Canadian high schools

• Listed Canadian standard: the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) at 75% for the three-year degree and 90% for honours.
• BC: the country table does not list BC separately; the general requirement is a secondary qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). BC students should confirm the conversion with the university before applying.
• Other curricula: IB 28 (three-year degree); SAT 1170 or ACT 24 (three-year degree).

4. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading, listening, speaking and writing, for both degrees.
• Results must be from the two years before admission. Applicants who studied or worked in English must provide certified documentation of the language of instruction or employment. Other accepted tests are listed on the university’s English requirements page.

5. Transfer students

• Entry: besides Year 12, applicants are eligible with at least six months of full-time study in a higher education award, or a VET Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Credit: the university recognises formal, informal and non-formal prior learning; an online Credit Assessor gives an estimate of possible credit.

6. Timeline for 2027 entry

• Intakes: February or July for the three-year degree; February only for honours.
• Deadlines: the university says closing dates vary by degree and should be checked on the degree page; the psychology pages do not list a specific 2027 closing date, so apply early.
• Fee: a non-refundable AUD 150 application fee.
• After an offer: accept by the deadline and pay the first tuition payment to enrol; sponsored students attach a financial guarantee letter.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition: the indicative 2027 annual fee is AUD 48,600 for both degrees for international students, based on a full-time load and subject to annual change; non-tuition fees also apply.
• Adelaide Merit Scholarship: 15% off tuition for the standard duration, awarded automatically at offer to international students with a credit average; Australian Year 12 applicants need an ATAR of 75.
• Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship: 50% off tuition, highly competitive with limited places; undergraduates need an ATAR of 99 or equivalent.
• Other scholarships for specific countries, alumni families and siblings can be found with the university’s scholarship search tool.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 70% for the three-year degree or 85% for honours; no prerequisites
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band)
• Pay the AUD 150 fee; honours starts only in February

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• The listed OSSD standard is 75% (three-year) or 90% (honours); BC students should confirm the conversion
• Automatic consideration for the 15% merit scholarship at offer

Transfer students:

• At least six months of full-time degree study, or a Certificate IV or higher
• Use the online Credit Assessor to estimate credit

Sources: Adelaide University, Bachelor of Psychology (international, 2027 entry); Bachelor of Psychology (Honours); How to apply as an international student; University glossary (Foundation Universities); Adelaide Merit Scholarship (15%); Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship (50%). Information is for 2027 entry; fees are indicative annual fees. Check Adelaide University for the latest details.