Postgraduate Course

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

If you’ve already completed an accredited three-year undergraduate degree in psychology, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology will meet the fourth-year accreditation component required to register as a provisional psychologist in Australia.

What type of student are you?

Domestic International

Murdoch code: G1058
Study mode: Full Time or Part Time
Duration: 1
Selection rank
CRICOS code: 052860C
First year fee (domestic): $23,160
First year fee (international): $35,640
Full course fee (domestic): $23,160
Full course fee (international): $35,640

Apply

The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Apply

Overview

If you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist and have already completed an accredited three-year undergraduate psychology degree or equivalent, this course provides you with an alternative option to an honours year to satisfy the educational requirements needed to register and work as a provisional psychologist or further your studies with an application into a relevant master’s course.

If you're in your last semester of your undergraduate psychology degree, you can apply for an early conditional offer based on your results to date. You will need a GPA of at least 2.0 in all psychology units.

Students in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology must complete coursework at an advanced level as well as a group-based research project written up as an individual thesis. Hear how Katie's keen interest in psychology led her to pursue her thesis topics in pain research.

On completion of this course, you can apply for a masters program in Psychology like the Master of Applied Psychology (Professional) or Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical).

3 reasons to study a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Murdoch

Complete a research project in an area of psychology that is of interest to you. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, and develop high-level writing skills by preparing an individual thesis.
Take advantage of our scholarships such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award.
Start your first step to become a registered psychologist throughout the coursework units, which are specifically designed to enhance practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for psychologists.

What you'll learn

Analytics and problem solving
Research and information sourcing
Critical thinking, judgment and decision making
The appreciation of mental health issues and how this impacts at an individual, family and community level
Interpersonal, oral and written communication

Your future career

After obtaining the Graduate Diploma in Psychology degree, you can explore working in diverse areas both in public and private sectors because the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the Graduate Diploma in Psychology are highly versatile and applicable to many fields. You can be involved in policymaking, police and correction services, counselling services, market and consumer research, career guidance, and more. Graduate Careers Australia outlines some areas you might work in after graduating with a Psychology degree.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited as a Level 2 course by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for offerings delivered at both South Street and Singapore campuses.

Professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. To be eligible for registration as a psychologist, graduates will need to complete a minimum of either one additional year of study in an APAC-accredited 5th year psychology program and one year of supervised practice (internship), or two additional years of study in APAC-accredited 5th and 6th year psychology programs.

Study areas

Psychology

Apply to start

View the dates for our teaching periods

Sign up to hear from us

Stay informed about upcoming events, news, courses, and much more. Your journey begins here.

Progress to structure

Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code	Unit name	Credit points

Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

You have completed university study in Australia, including a bridging or enabling course.

Recent Secondary Education

You are finishing high school this year or have done so in the last two years.

Vocational Education & Training

You have completed an apprenticeship or a VET course at TAFE or another private training provider.

Work & Life Experience

You have completed an aptitude test or spent time away from study for work.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses	Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject MUPC (1 Trimester) Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.	Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course Introduction to Academic Communication unit Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
University study	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).

Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject MUPC (1 Trimester) Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of one of the following: Murdoch University Preparation Course Introduction to Academic Communication unit Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.

University study
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)	Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.	Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
GCE A Levels	Aggregate of 6 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)	A Levels: D in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry.
VET course studied at school	Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following: English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Overseas Year 12	Please refer to the information under the country of study.	Please refer to the information under the country of study.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Total score of 24 or higher.	Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)	70	Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)	CPS 54 or higher.	50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
Extenuating circumstances	We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.	Case-by-case assessment.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement Aggregate of 6 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
Minimum English requirement A Levels: D in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry.

VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following: English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement 70
Minimum English requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement 50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).

Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Minimum English requirement Case-by-case assessment.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Certificate IV AQF level 4	Successful completion of a Certificate IV.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).

Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)	Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)	MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.

A three-year Bachelor's degree in Psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council or Australian Psychological Society-approved alternative, completed within the last 10 years. Some students may be required to complete additional units to satisfy specified unit prerequisites.The Academic Chair will consider applications and recommend students for admission based on an assessment of the student's preparedness to cope with the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and on current teaching resources available to the school. Normally only students with a credit average or better in their undergraduate psychology units will be considered. In some cases, the Academic Chair may recommend a student for admission, but require the student to complete additional designated Murdoch units offered in earlier years than the fourth year.Quota: The number of students accepted into the course will be determined on a semester-by-semester basis, and will depend upon available resources.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

View Fee Calculator

Progress to how to apply

How to apply

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Course specific documents

A letter from the Australian Psychological Society showing that your Bachelor of Psychology degree is comparable to an Australian 3-year Bachelor of Psychology degree if your qualifications were obtained overseas

Recommended documents (if applicable)

Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
Change of name documentation
Marriage certificate
Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
- GTE Form 2
- Personal Statement (SOP)
- Up to date Curriculum Vitae
A copy of your Passport

Course specific documents

A letter from the Australian Psychological Society showing that your Bachelor of Psychology degree is comparable to an Australian 3-year Bachelor of Psychology degree

Recommended documents

Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
A copy of your visa documents (if available)
A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Live Chat

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

What type of student are you?

Overview

Study areas

Apply to start

Sign up to hear from us

Structure

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

Recent Secondary Education

Vocational Education & Training

Work & Life Experience

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

English Requirements

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing

Fees and scholarships

Scholarships

How much will it cost?

How much will it cost?

Scholarships

How to apply

How to apply