Why Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience)?
Understand the psychology and biology of the human brain.
The brain is a complex piece of machinery that connects us to the greater world. Its healthy functioning allows us to play, work and live fulfilling lives.
In this degree, you’ll explore why we think, feel and behave the way we do. Learn how our brains process information. Gain dual expertise in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
You’ll graduate ready to step into exciting careers supporting many industries’ most valuable asset – its human workforce. Or, you can continue down the pathway towards professional registration as a psychologist.
Overview
Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)(Cognitive Neuroscience) builds advanced professional and research skills.
You’ll learn all about psychological theories and concepts as they apply in industry. With a cognitive neuroscience focus, you’ll develop your understanding of human anatomy and how it shapes our brain development.
Put your skills into practice in our dedicated campus facilities. Get experience in our Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Clinic, and Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory. Here, you’ll see how different brains respond to the same stimuli. Develop your ethics and confidence working with real clients. Learn how to communicate complex concepts and engage with diverse populations.
Your honours year expands upon your studies with advanced research activities and professional development opportunities.
You’ll graduate with high-level insights into how the brain functions – and why people behave the way they do. You’ll be ready to apply your skills in the many roles working directly with people, from human resources and marketing to technology and advocacy. Or, continue your journey to becoming a registered clinical psychologist through further postgraduate study.
Key features
Use this degree as a pathway into becoming a registered psychologist.- Study specialised courses in human anatomy, biology, data science, language development and cognitive function.
- Benefit from our dedicated facilities including our cognitive neuroscience lab, psychology clinic and sleep and chronobiology lab.
- Get hands-on experience and industry connections through a placement in a community organisation.
- Gain advanced research and professional skills in psychology through your honours year.
- Be prepared to address Australia’s growing shortage of qualified mental health professionals.
What you'll learn
This four-year degree equips you with an advanced understanding of key psychological theories and practice. You’ll gain specialised knowledge of the biology and cognitive development of the brain.
Your first year introduces you to the key concepts, methodologies and applications of psychology. You’ll also explore how they apply in everyday contexts.
As your studies continue, you’ll refine your cognitive neuroscience knowledge with topics like:
- Human anatomy and biology
- Cognitive neuroscience and behaviour with laboratory-based practice
- Data science
- Language development
- Neuroscience across the lifespan.
Your final honours year provides a balance of research activities and pre-professional learning, setting you up to excel in advanced roles in the workforce. It will also support your progress down the pathway to registration as a clinical psychologist. You’ll undertake a research project, where you’ll write a major thesis. Engage with pre-professional training in interpersonal communication and interviewing. Advance your skills in project management and delivery.
You’ll also undertake a placement in a community organisation, where you’ll gain practical experience and valuable industry networks.
Throughout your studies, you’ll learn the skills in communication, teamwork and critical thinking that employers of all industries value.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 186 units for Core courses, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning
Complete 186 units comprising:
- 6 units from Common core, and
- 180 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Neuroscience Across the Lifespan
|
Course code
BIOL3024
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Anatomy and Physiology A
|
Course code
HBIO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Essentials of Neuroscience
|
Course code
HBIO1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy
|
Course code
MDST2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Science for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC3018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The Neuroscience of Language
|
Course code
PSYC3025
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychological Interventions and Applications
|
Course code
PSYC4000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Interviewing and Interpersonal Skills for Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC4001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills for Psychological Assessment
|
Course code
PSYC4002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology Research Project
|
Course code
PSYC4004
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
Psychological Research Evidence in Professional Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC4800
|
Units
6
|
Notes
1. To progress to the fourth year (Honours), students must complete all requirements for years 1 to 3 of the program and meet minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.5 for all APAC accredited Level 2 and Level 3 psychology courses plus Introductory Psychology Research Methods as well as an overall program GPA of 5.0. Students who do not meet the requirements to enter the Honours year will, on satisfactory completion of the third year, graduate with the Bachelor of Psychology.
2. Maximum credit limits apply to this program. No more than two years (2 EFTSL) of credit will be granted for studies undertaken at an institution other than Adelaide University.
3. Specialist Psychology Courses must be selected from the Electives list and are offered subject to student demand and staff availability.
4. Students may be required to obtain a police criminal history check or complete other workplace specific induction, training, or clearance procedures prior to the commencement of the course.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Human Anatomy and Physiology A
|
Course code
HBIO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Essentials of Neuroscience
|
Course code
HBIO1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy
|
Course code
MDST2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Neuroscience of Language
|
Course code
PSYC3025
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Science for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2015
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC3018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Neuroscience Across the Lifespan
|
Course code
BIOL3024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Interviewing and Interpersonal Skills for Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC4001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills for Psychological Assessment
|
Course code
PSYC4002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology Research Project
|
Course code
PSYC4004
|
Units
24
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Psychological Interventions and Applications
|
Course code
PSYC4000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychological Research Evidence in Professional Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC4800
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
Notes
1. To progress to the fourth year (Honours), students must complete all requirements for years 1 to 3 of the program and meet minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.5 for all APAC accredited Level 2 and Level 3 psychology courses plus Introductory Psychology Research Methods as well as an overall program GPA of 5.0. Students who do not meet the requirements to enter the Honours year will, on satisfactory completion of the third year, graduate with the Bachelor of Psychology.
2. Maximum credit limits apply to this program. No more than two years (2 EFTSL) of credit will be granted for studies undertaken at an institution other than Adelaide University.
3. Specialist Psychology Courses must be selected from the Electives list and are offered subject to student demand and staff availability.
4. Students may be required to obtain a police criminal history check or complete other workplace specific induction, training, or clearance procedures prior to the commencement of the course.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Human Anatomy and Physiology A
|
Course code
HBIO1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Essentials of Neuroscience
|
Course code
HBIO1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy
|
Course code
MDST2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Neuroscience of Language
|
Course code
PSYC3025
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Science for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2015
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cognitive Neuroscience
|
Course code
PSYC3018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Neuroscience Across the Lifespan
|
Course code
BIOL3024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Interviewing and Interpersonal Skills for Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC4001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills for Psychological Assessment
|
Course code
PSYC4002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology Research Project
|
Course code
PSYC4004
|
Units
24
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Psychological Interventions and Applications
|
Course code
PSYC4000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychological Research Evidence in Professional Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC4800
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Our global workforce is largely made up of humans. Professionals who understand how people work, how to support them and how to improve resilience are extremely valuable. You’ll be able to use your knowledge of human brains and behaviour in a variety of different industries, including:
- Education
- Business and human resources
- Government and not-for-profits
- Technology
- Social services and mental health
- Sports and performance
- Marketing and advertising
- Private coaching or consulting.
You might use your knowledge of the human mind to deliver impactful marketing campaigns. You could use psychological insights to help businesses with employee recruitment, training and development. Perhaps you’ll help research synaesthesia, cyborgs, dream engineering, or even cryonics and brain preservation.
You can also use this degree to progress towards professional registration as a psychologist through our Master of Psychology.
Industry trends
Humans are living longer lives, which means we have more time for neurological conditions to develop. These types of conditions – including brain cancers, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and multiple sclerosis – are complex and can have major impacts on quality of life (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2020).
By understanding both the psychology and biology of the human brain, you’ll be equipped to address the range of challenges impacting these growing populations. With Adelaide University’s future-focused curriculum, you’ll be able to find a career path matched to your interests. Whether you want to contribute to a greater quality-of-life for individuals or investigate potential treatments and cures – we’ll help you plan out and excel in your chosen field.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
