ATAR for Psychology in Australia

What ATAR do you need for psychology?

Psychology cut-offs usually run from about 70 to 90. Where a course sits depends on the type of degree and the university.

A dedicated Bachelor of Psychology, especially an honours-track version, tends to sit at the higher end. That often means 85 or above at Group of Eight universities. Studying psychology as a major inside a general arts or science degree usually has a lower cut-off.

This gives you a useful option. If a dedicated psychology degree is out of range, there is another option. A general degree with a psychology major often reaches the same place, at a lower entry point.

The long path to becoming a psychologist

It is important to understand that a psychology degree is the first step, not the whole journey. Becoming a registered psychologist takes several more years.

The usual path is a three-year degree, then a fourth honours year. After that comes a master's degree, or an equivalent supervised pathway, before you can register. In total it is around six years.

This matters for planning. Your ATAR gets you into the first degree, and strong university marks are what carry you into the competitive honours and postgraduate stages. So the degree you enter matters less than how you perform once you are there.

Getting in with a lower ATAR

If your ATAR falls short of a dedicated psychology degree, there are clear ways in. The most common is to enter a general arts or science degree that offers a psychology major, which usually has a lower cut-off.

Enabling or foundation programs run by universities are another route, and lead into a psychology-capable degree. Transferring after a strong first year is also possible, judged on your university marks.

Adjustment factors, such as a regional or equity scheme, also lift your selection rank toward the cut-off.

Choosing the right psychology degree

Because registration requires an accredited sequence, it is worth checking that your degree and major are accredited for the pathway you want. Most university psychology majors are. But it is worth confirming.

You apply through your state admissions centre. And your ATAR is calculated the same way wherever you sit Year 12. Use the calculator above as a guide, then confirm the current cut-off for the specific degrees on your list.