Entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

• Admission criteria
• English language requirements
• About selection
• Additional information

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70%, or equivalent, within the last 10 years.
  
  Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: An Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year bachelor degree (AQF7) with a major in psychology.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic English: Minimum score of 6.5 overall (writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 81 (writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16)
• Pearson: Minimum score of 64 (writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 169 (writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163)
• LanguageCert: Minimum score of 67 (writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57)
• MET: Minimum score of 58 (writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56)

^{*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.}

About selection

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance
• Relevance of previous study
• Relevance of professional qualifications and registrations

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Weighted Average Marks (WAM)

In computing the weighted average, the average of the third year Psychology subjects is assigned twice the weight of the average of the second year Psychology subjects.

Entry score adjustments

For applicants with results from the University of Melbourne for subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020 see MSPS Entry Score Adjustments.

General advice for fourth year Psychology selection

• The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) is considered equivalent to the fourth year in a Bachelor (Honours) degree in Psychology.
• The course subjects and structure is the same across all Psychology fourth year programs.
• Approximately 100 fourth year program places are available each year. Entry is highly competitive and both the total available places in our fourth year programs and the cut-off mark will vary each year depending on the availability of supervisors and resources in suitable project areas.
• We recommend that prospective students look at the research profiles of our academics to gauge the full breadth of research areas within which a project could be undertaken. Academics may also have listed on their profiles areas they are interested in supervising.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).