You can get into a psychology degree without an ATAR through several alternative entry pathways, such as completing a TAFE/VET qualification, an enabling course, or single university subjects. These options help you build the necessary academic skills and gain a selection rank to apply for a Bachelor's degree.
Can I study psychology if I don't meet the ATAR for the Bachelor of Psychology? Yes.
Yes, you can absolutely go to university without an ATAR by using various alternative pathways like TAFE diplomas, foundation courses, bridging programs, experience-based entry, or STAT tests, as most universities offer multiple routes to entry beyond just high school results, recognizing skills from work, vocational training, or life experience.
To become a psychologist, you'll need to:
The minimum ATAR for Psychology programs in Australia is highly competitive, typically requiring scores from 75 to 99 for admission into top universities. Securing a place in a high-demand psychology degree often necessitates aiming for an ATAR above 85, reflecting the field's popularity and excellent career prospects.
Tips for Quickly Becoming a Psychologist
Many students choose to go back to school to earn their degree in their 20s and 30s. This means that 25 is not too old to get a psychology degree. Psychology degrees can lead to a wide range of in-demand careers, making getting a psychology degree at 25 a good choice for many students.
Undergraduate psychology programs typically include math requirements, reflecting the field's reliance on data analysis and research methods. Graduate-level studies may demand more advanced math skills, especially for those pursuing specializations like neuropsychology or quantitative psychology.
For most universities, you'll need to have studied at least one science or maths-based subject at A-level (this includes psychology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geography, economics, statistics and computing). Typically, general studies or critical thinking subjects are not accepted.
Becoming a psychologist requires extensive education and training, so it can be challenging, but many find it rewarding.
10 Careers You Don't Need An ATAR For
While the ATAR is a rank from 0.00 to 99.95, the lowest automatically reported ATAR is 30.00, with scores below that reported as 'less than 30', meaning a true '0' isn't a standard outcome, but extremely low scores (near zero) are possible and still lead to university pathways via foundation courses, single subjects, or STAT tests.
Yes, 60% at a UK university is generally the start of a 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours), though some universities might classify 60-69% as a 2:1 and 50-59% as a 2:2, meaning a 60% average falls right at the boundary, sometimes considered a strong 2:2 or a low 2:1, depending on specific university rules and rounding.
While there are many branches, the 7 major modern perspectives in psychology are Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic, Biological, Evolutionary, and Cross-Cultural, each offering a different lens to understand human behavior, from unconscious drives (Psychodynamic) to brain chemistry (Biological) and societal influences (Cross-Cultural).
Yes, you can absolutely go to university without an ATAR by using various alternative pathways like TAFE diplomas, foundation courses, bridging programs, experience-based entry, or STAT tests, as most universities offer multiple routes to entry beyond just high school results, recognizing skills from work, vocational training, or life experience.
For top-ranked psychology programs in Australia, the University of Melbourne, University of Queensland (UQ), University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Sydney, and Monash University consistently appear at the top across major rankings, offering strong research, industry links, and various specializations like clinical, cognitive, and neuroscience. Deakin University and Macquarie University are also highly regarded, with Deakin known for flexibility and Macquarie for brain/behavioural sciences.
While there are no prerequisites to be eligible for a psychology course, some subjects can be beneficial for developing the skills you will need throughout your degree. The ATAR required for entry into psychology programs varies by university, but a strong ATAR between 75 and 90 is generally needed.
With the right resources and a bit of effort, you can succeed in psychology even if math isn't your strong suit. So, if you're passionate about understanding the human mind and helping others, don't let math be a barrier—psychology is still very much within your reach.
Psychology Degree Levels
6 Hardest Courses in Psychology
Both BSc Psychology and MSci Psychology with Innovation require an A in a science-related subject, including:
You don't have to be an extrovert or a social butterfly to be successful in the field of psychology. But you must have a desire or interest to understand, connect with, and learn from other people. Being empathetic and able to relate to experiences outside of your own is crucial for a career as a psychologist.
At age five, Dafne Almazán was described as a child genius who could solve complex algebra equations. By the time she was ten, she had graduated from high school. Dafne became the youngest certified psychologist in the world by the age of 13.
The fastest path to becoming a licensed clinical psychologist is through entering a 5-year doctoral program in psychology after the 4-year bachelor's program; after the doctoral program the graduate will still have at least one year of postdoctorally to accrue hours of supervised experience to sit for licensure.
In addition to being in demand, psychiatrist positions are by far the highest-paying jobs for psychology majors. When you work where a majority of psychiatrists are employed — within an outpatient care center or within a physician's office — the BLS reports 2022 mean salaries of $299,470 or $280,600, respectively.