The Cairnmillar Institute
Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3.0F/P
Campus
Hawthorn East (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
A$29,339 (2027-28)
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling at The Cairnmillar Institute in Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Psychology graduates pursue professional training as clinical, educational, forensic or occupational psychologists (requiring a further postgraduate qualification), or enter careers in HR, UX research, market research, mental health support and social care.
Student life (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
The University at a Glance
Staff Ratio
18.0:1
Career Prospects
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Current Year 12 graduates Bridging and enabling courses Applicants who are under 21 and do not meet ATAR requirements may be considered on the basis of other life and work experience, including successful completion of a bridging or enabling course e.g.
- Foundation course or equivalent.
- Resume Some applicants may be required to provide a current copy of their resume or CV to support their application.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Cairnmillar Institute Equity schemes information and the Cairnmillar Institute website Recent Year 12 graduates Bridging and enabling courses Applicants who are under 21 and do not meet ATAR requirements may be considered on the basis of other life and work experience, including successful completion of a bridging or enabling course e.g.
- Foundation course or equivalent.
- Resume Some applicants may be required to provide a current copy of their resume or CV to support their application.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Cairnmillar Institute Equity schemes information and the Cairnmillar Institute website Applicants with Higher Education study Bridging and enabling courses Applicants who are under 21 and do not meet ATAR requirements may be considered on the basis of other life and work experience, including successful completion of a bridging or enabling course e.g.
- Foundation course or equivalent.
- Resume Some applicants may be required to provide a current copy of their resume or CV to support their application.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Cairnmillar Institute Equity schemes information and the Cairnmillar Institute website Applicants with VET study Bridging and enabling courses Applicants who are under 21 and do not meet ATAR requirements may be considered on the basis of other life and work experience, including successful completion of a bridging or enabling course e.g.
- Foundation course or equivalent.
- Resume Some applicants may be required to provide a current copy of their resume or CV to support their application.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Cairnmillar Institute Equity schemes information and the Cairnmillar Institute website Applicants with work and life experience Bridging and enabling courses Applicants who are under 21 and do not meet ATAR requirements may be considered on the basis of other life and work experience, including successful completion of a bridging or enabling course e.g.
- Foundation course or equivalent.
- Resume Some applicants may be required to provide a current copy of their resume or CV to support their application.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Cairnmillar Institute Equity schemes information and the Cairnmillar Institute website
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Staff Ratio
18:1
Students per staff
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle
Student Life & City (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
- Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
What Students Love
- Rich arts & cultural scene
- Great café culture
- Diverse international food scene
- Active music scene
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Psychology graduates pursue professional training as clinical, educational, forensic or occupational psychologists (requiring a further postgraduate qualification), or enter careers in HR, UX research, market research, mental health support and social care.
- Psychology graduates pursue professional training as clinical, educational, forensic or occupational psychologists (requiring a further postgraduate qualification), or enter careers in HR, UX research, market research, mental health support and social care.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Healthcare
- Business
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Total Programme Cost
A$88,017
For full 3.0F/P
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.
- Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
- Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.