Study Master's in Psychology in Australia

There’s a rising interest amongst international students to pursue a master's in psychology in Australia. This stems from the glorious past of psychological research and innovation. Renowned psychologists like Prof. Michael W. Eysenck and Prof. David C. Funder hailing from Australia have some major contributions to it. Also, the contributions of Australian psychologist Michael Kyrios to this field are highly regarded, as he developed treatments based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and hoarding disorder.

Pursuing a master's in psychology in Australia provides students with a world-class education, experience in varied and rich cultures, and prospects for personal and professional growth.

The entry requirements of the course vary with university and specialisation, but here are a few common requirements of Australian institutions:

1. The aspiring student must have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology or a related field. Ideally, Australian universities prefer a 4-year degree.

2. An international student who has completed 3 years of bachelor’s in psychology must provide evidence that their qualification has been assessed by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) before placing an application.

3. International students also need to give English Language proficiency tests such as IELTS with a 6.5 band score overall and no band less than 6.0.

Did you know, according to QS World University Rankings 2022 by Subject, 8 of the top 100 universities for Psychology are in Australia? Here’s the list you can refer to:

• The University of Queensland

• The University of New South Wales

• Monash University

• The University of Sydney

• The University of Melbourne

• Australian National University (ANU)

• The University of Western Australia

• Macquarie University

These universities are recognised for their research and teaching excellence, providing students with high-quality and a deep understanding of the subject.

Depending on the institution and the programme, the individual course units taught in a master's in psychology degree provided by Australian institutions may vary. Listed below are a few of the common course units.

In addition to these core units, many programs may offer specialised elective units that allow students to focus on a specific area of psychology or explore related disciplines such as neuroscience, public health, or criminology.

Generally, the tuition fees for a Master's degree in Psychology in Australia vary based on the university and programme the student opts for. But the tuition fees for an international student could range between AUD 30,000 and AUD 50,000 per year on average. Australian universities offer scholarships which help students offset the costs.

For an international student who has earned a Master's in Psychology in Australia, there are a variety of professional choices. Popular job pathways include the following:

1. Registered Psychologist: Post course completion the student must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in order to practice as a registered psychologist in Australia (AHPRA). There are various job fields, including research facilities, hospitals, private clinics, and schools where a registered psychologist could seek employment.

2. Clinical Psychologist: Having a master's degree in clinical psychology equips one with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a clinical psychologist, specialising in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders. They identify and deal with mental illness. Workplaces for them include community health centres, private clinics and hospitals.

3. Organisational Psychologist: Organisational psychologists help businesses increase productivity and workplace culture. They are in charge of creating and executing training plans, carrying out employee evaluations, and giving staff coaching and support. For this position, a master's degree in organisational psychology is necessary.

4. Forensic Psychologist: In the legal system, forensic psychologists assist in the resolution of criminal cases. They perform psychological evaluations, review the evidence, and offer professional testimony in court. For this position, a master's in forensic psychology is required.

There are several employment opportunities available to international students pursuing a master's degree in psychology in Australia, and the examples mentioned above are just a few of them. School psychology, sports psychology, counselling psychology, and developmental psychology are further employment options that a student could opt for depending on their interest.

In Australia, a psychologist pays an average of AU$ 77,325 per annum. Also, psychologists with experience might earn up to AU$ 123,970 annually and a Clinical psychologist gets a pay of around AU$ 110,798 annually.

A master's in psychology in Australia is certainly a wise investment for students looking forward to building a gratifying career in psychology. Australia offers international students a strong academic foundation, practical experience, and exposure to diverse outlooks.

So, why wait? Take the first step towards your dream career and apply for a master's in psychology in Australia today! for more information, you can contact our international education experts at IDP. They will help you with the end-to-end admission process to study in Australia.