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I want more infoA day in the life
Meet D’Arcy, who shares a day in her life as a double degree justice and psychology student at QUT.
'Immerse yourself in university life and engage with as many activities as you can so it makes your time at university worthwhile.'
Real student experience
Victoria Harris talks about studying psychology at QUT and moving from a regional area.
Overseas experience
‘QUT has prepared me for the challenges of the real world by providing both a theoretical and practical foundation of learning. At QUT, it isn’t about sitting in the lecture hall and memorising information, it’s about real-life experiences. The Faculty of Law sponsored me to participate in a United Nations Youth conference at Harvard University. I was one of 20 students representing Australia.’
Accreditation
This course has full accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, giving you a highly recognised qualification. This course is part of a sequence that can lead to eligibility for registration as a psychologist. APAC is the only Australian entity with the authority to accredit courses that will be recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Overseas opportunities
As part of my degree I travelled to Vanuatu, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations in Thailand. Taking my degree overseas allowed me to contextualise my studies and deepened my knowledge of topics such as global security, human rights and international relations. These experiences opened my eyes to the diverse career opportunities available in the international sphere and gave me insight into the contribution that young leaders can make in the world.
A day in the life
Meet D’Arcy, who shares a day in her life as a double degree justice and psychology student at QUT.
'Immerse yourself in university life and engage with as many activities as you can so it makes your time at university worthwhile.'
Real student experience
Victoria Harris talks about studying psychology at QUT and moving from a regional area.
Overseas experience
‘QUT has prepared me for the challenges of the real world by providing both a theoretical and practical foundation of learning. At QUT, it isn’t about sitting in the lecture hall and memorising information, it’s about real-life experiences. The Faculty of Law sponsored me to participate in a United Nations Youth conference at Harvard University. I was one of 20 students representing Australia.’
Accreditation
This course has full accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, giving you a highly recognised qualification. This course is part of a sequence that can lead to eligibility for registration as a psychologist. APAC is the only Australian entity with the authority to accredit courses that will be recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Overseas opportunities
As part of my degree I travelled to Vanuatu, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations in Thailand. Taking my degree overseas allowed me to contextualise my studies and deepened my knowledge of topics such as global security, human rights and international relations. These experiences opened my eyes to the diverse career opportunities available in the international sphere and gave me insight into the contribution that young leaders can make in the world.
Highlights
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of behavioural science and justice and complete two separate degrees in 4 years full-time.
- Build real-world experience through opportunities to work on industry projects, tackle authentic challenges through projects developed with input from real clients, and undertake work placements through your justice degree.
- Learn how to understand human behaviours and apply your skills in situations where knowledge of the human response is essential.
Highlights
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of behavioural science and justice and complete two separate degrees in 4 years full-time.
- Build real-world experience through opportunities to work on industry projects, tackle authentic challenges through projects developed with input from real clients, and undertake work placements through your justice degree.
- Learn how to understand human behaviours and apply your skills in situations where knowledge of the human response is essential.
- QUT rank top 16 in Australia and top 200 in the world for psychology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)
Why choose this course?
This double degree integrates two highly sought-after areas. You will learn how to understand human behaviours and apply your skills in challenging situations. Combining a psychology degree with a justice degree will provide you with a deep understanding of human behaviour alongside a solid foundation in justice and injustice.
- Combine behavioural science with investigations and intelligence and be equipped with the tools to understand behaviour patterns in criminal and non-criminal matters, aiding in the development of offender profiles and predicting future actions, or learn how to assess the credibility of suspects, or build rapport with or witnesses.
- Combine behavioural science with criminology and violence prevention to analyse why individuals commit crimes, including sociological, psychological, and economic factors or learn evidence-based approaches to reduce violence, such as community intervention programs, restorative justice practices, and early intervention strategies targeting at-risk populations. Alternatively, design more compassionate and effective support systems for survivors of injustice, which are crucial for both prevention and rehabilitation.
- Combine behavioural science with policy, politics and social reform and gain the skills to design, evaluate, and advocate for policies that address the root causes of injustice, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and socially just. Be prepared to engage with stakeholders, influence public opinion, and advocate for reforms that promote safety, equity, and accountability in justice systems.
Explore this course
In the behavioural science degree, you can take the first step towards a career as a registered psychologist. In the justice degree, choose from three majors—criminology and violence prevention, intelligence and investigations, or policy, politics and social reform.
- The criminology and violence prevention major delves into the current state of the criminal justice system and other government systems, while also teaching how to prevent family violence and how to help protect children and work in a trauma-informed way.
- In the investigations and intelligence major, students will learn how to use intelligence to conduct ethical and culturally competent investigations.
- The policy, politics and social reform major offers you the opportunity to learn policy analysis and the intricacies of how government officers research, analyse, recommend and develop policies in the justice sphere.
Combine psychology with the above majors and obtain enhanced skills when conducting investigations or understand the reasons behind human behaviour, and how people can be supported.
As part of your practical experience, you MAY be required to undergo additional checks:
- Working with children check (Blue card)
- Queensland's Disability Worker Screening
- Police Check (Criminal History Check)
Careers and outcomes
You will have the unique ability to apply psychological principles to the field of justice. With an understanding of the most recent theory and practice of social justice, and skills in social, developmental, cognitive and abnormal psychology, you will have a pathway to careers in areas that make a real difference in our community.
Studying justice alongside behavioural science provides a richer understanding of the causes and consequences of crime which will lead you to unique career opportunities. Work in agencies like:
- Australian Federal Police, ASIC, or child protection,
- conduct investigations for government departments, the private sector, or regulatory bodies, or
- work with NGOs or international bodies on justice and equality issues.
Careers and outcomes
You will have the unique ability to apply psychological principles to the field of justice. With an understanding of the most recent theory and practice of social justice, and skills in social, developmental, cognitive and abnormal psychology, you will have a pathway to careers in public policy development, criminal justice institutions such as police, security and intelligence agencies, corrections, rehabilitation services, and family services.
Justice offers extensive career paths in areas that make a real difference in our community. Career pathways include policing, customs, community outreach, forensic investigation, mediation, outreach programs, social work, intelligence, defence, insurance and banking investigation, youth justice, Indigenous justice, community legal services, and policy and adviser roles within a range of state and federal government departments.
Past graduates have developed successful careers in state and federal law enforcement, correctional services, private security, defence services, foreign aid programs, and customs, and have worked on social and justice policies for government and non-government organisations. Others have become criminologists, contributed to women’s, youth and children’s advocacy, or worked in the areas of human rights and antidiscrimination.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). To pursue a career as a registered psychologist, you must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Currently this involves completing a fourth year of study in psychology, followed by further study and supervised work experience.
Please refer to Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website.
Possible careers
- Case manager
- Change manager
- Child and family counsellor
- Child protection officer
- Clinical psychologist
- Community corrections officer
- Community worker
- Corrective services officer
- Counsellor
- Criminologist
- Customs officer
- Developmental psychologist
- Family services officer
- Forensic psychologist
- Guidance officer
- Health psychologist
- Policy analyst
- Policy officer
- Psychologist
- School counsellor
- School psychologist
- Youth worker
Students must complete a total of 384 credit points consisting of three components:
Behavioural Science (Psychology) component requires a total of 180 credit points as follows:
168 credit points of core units
12 credit points of psychology electives*
*Students wishing to undertake the Psychology Honours course must complete PYB350 Advanced Statistical Analysis as one of their elective units. PYB350 is compulsory for entry to fourth year psychology programs.
Justice component requires a total of 180 credit points as follows:
Justice core units - 72 credit points
Justice capstone units: 24 credit points comprising one core unit (12 credit points) and a Justice capstone unit option (12 credit points)
A Justice major - 72 credit points from one of the following disciplines:
Criminology and Violence Prevention
Investigations and Intelligence
Policy, Politics and Social Reform
A Justice unit option - 12 credit points
QUT You component is comprised of 24 credit points of QUT You units.
QUT You units are apportioned as follows for advanced standing purposes: 12 credit points to Bachelor of Justice; 12 credit points to Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology).
First year comprises foundation units to give you a solid overview of each area. You will study introductory psychology, criminology and policing, interpersonal processes and skills, justice and society, and professional academic skills.
In second year you will expand your knowledge in social and organisational psychology, research analysis, social ethics, developmental psychology and counselling. You will also develop an understanding of the criminal justice system, and learn about forensic psychology and how it relates to law.
During the third year you will complete compulsory and elective psychology units, select your chosen justice major and complete the relevant justice major core units.
In fourth year combine four compulsory units with the other four units of your choice. Compulsory units include physiological psychology, psychopathology and Advanced Statistical Analysis . You will complete two core units from your Justice majors and select two major elective units.
Students must complete a total of 384 credit points consisting of three components:
Behavioural Science (Psychology) component requires a total of 180 credit points as follows:
- 168 credit points of core units
- 12 credit points of psychology electives*
*Students wishing to undertake the Psychology Honours course must complete PYB350 Advanced Statistical Analysis as one of their elective units. PYB350 is compulsory for entry to fourth year psychology programs.
Justice component requires a total of 180 credit points as follows:
- 84 credit points of core units
- 96 credit points of Study Area A (8 units = 96 credit points) (Select Criminology and Violence Prevention or Investigations and Intelligence or Policy, Politics and Social Reform Major)
QUT You component is comprised of 24 credit points of QUT You units.
First year comprises foundation units to give you a solid overview of each area. You will study introductory psychology, criminology and policing, interpersonal processes and skills, justice and society, and professional academic skills.
In second year you will expand your knowledge in social and organisational psychology, research analysis, social ethics, developmental psychology and counselling. You will also develop an understanding of the criminal justice system, and learn about forensic psychology and how it relates to law.
During the third year you will complete compulsory and elective psychology units, select your chosen justice major and complete the relevant justice major core units.
In fourth year combine four compulsory units with the other four units of your choice. Compulsory units include physiological psychology, psychopathology and Advanced Statistical Analysis . You will complete two core units from your Justice majors and select two major elective units.
- ATAR/selection rank threshold
- 70.00
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2026.
Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?
- Course code
- IX77
- QTAC code
- 409752
- CRICOS code
- 076302B
-
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Kelvin Grove
- 4 years full-time
- 4 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
Year 12 early offer scheme
If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 74.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the Semester 1 offer rounds, up to the main offer round in mid-January.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the Semester 1 offer rounds.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
More about deferring your offer
Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank
Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.
Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2025
The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.
| Excluding adjustments | Including adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
93.25
|
Selection rank
95.70
|
| Median ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
78.15
|
Selection rank
80.80
|
| Lowest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
61.50
|
Selection rank
70.05
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Other admission options
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
- ATAR/selection rank
- 70.00
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 74.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge C1 Advanced
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT Australia Test (120 scale) | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2027 fees
2027: Fee available from October
2027 fees
2027: Fee available from July
2026 fees
2026: CSP $12,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2026 fees
2026: $40,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Equity scholarships scheme
A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Struggling financially
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
International Talent Scholarship
A new scholarship for 2026 that covers tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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