Monash or Deakin for Psychology?

[Sabrina19]

Hey everyone! I'm thinking of studying psychology next year! Would you recommenced Deakin or Monash for Bachelor of Psychology?
I'm debating over the two university’s, I’m leaning towards deakin as they offer off-campus units as I'm more of a home-learner and would save me heaps of time because would have to travel +1 hour to get there, and also because the cut off for Honours (4th year) is less than Monash and many deakin students have told me that the uni is a lot friendly than Monash.
But Monash also has its positives for me- alot closer to me (Clayton campus), would save me heaps of time and would be able to drive there and has bigger reputation than deakin.

If anyone here has been to Monash clayton or done psychology please let me know!

Thank you!

[Tomw2]

I would advise you consider studying psychology as part of a BSc or BA rather than a Bachelor of Psychology. There is far more flexibility in BA or BSc and there is no advantage for BPsych students getting into 4th year programs or beyond. Frankly I think people with broader studies in multiple arts and science disciplines are better candidates for further psychology training than those that have pursued psych-only programs.

Also, it doesn't matter much where you studied undergrad psych, you can still apply for honours at any other university (students often apply for multiple 4th year places).

Personally I would choose the university that is closest.

Also, there is a widespread but somewhat unsubstantiated opinion that Monash psychology is quite tough marks-wise. Personally I found they were quite strict and it was challenging to get top marks - having never attended Deakin I couldn't say how it compares though.

[Sabrina19]

I would advise you consider studying psychology as part of a BSc or BA rather than a Bachelor of Psychology. There is far more flexibility in BA or BSc and there is no advantage for BPsych students getting into 4th year programs or beyond. Frankly I think people with broader studies in multiple arts and science disciplines are better candidates for further psychology training than those that have pursued psych-only programs.

Also, it doesn't matter much where you studied undergrad psych, you can still apply for honours at any other university (students often apply for multiple 4th year places).

Personally I would choose the university that is closest.

Also, there is a widespread but somewhat unsubstantiated opinion that Monash psychology is quite tough marks-wise. Personally I found they were quite strict and it was challenging to get top marks - having never attended Deakin I couldn't say how it compares though.

Thank you for your reply! I didnt know that BS or BA can apply to honours psy.!

[MJRomeo81]

La Trobe also has a very reputable psychological science program.

[alondouek]

Thank you for your reply! I didnt know that BS or BA can apply to honours psy.!

With a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts, you can major in Psychology. From there, you can apply for Hons in Psych.

I'd agree with Tom, these options are probably better than the BPsych (Hons) degree simply because they allow you to explore more areas and discover other areas you might be interested in (You could even do BSc/BA double and experience both while still majoring in Psych).

However, if your set on a straight psych degree, I'd recommend Monash's BPsych (Hons) course. It's very intensive and also gives you the opportunity to take non-psych electives. Monash is also ranked ~27-29th in the world for psychology, so it can't be too bad

[kiraxxx]

I'm doing Commerce and Arts at Monash Clayton, majoring in Marketing and Psych.
Although I don't know much about the psych program at Deakin, I can definitely shed some light into the Monash one. So feel free to PM me if you have more Qs.

Firstly, if you want to be a actual psychologist, you need to do the accredited program which is 10 units + Honours etc... Usually a major is 8 units, but for Psychology you need to do 10.  Some of the stuff you learn are Abnormal Psych (Depression, Anxiety disorders, Schizophrenia, Aging etc...). Then there's the more Social and Cognitive aspect, where you learn about classical conditioning and group behavior. There's also some biological aspects, where they teach you important neurotransmitters and brain areas implicated with certain disorders.

Overall, I found studying Psych interesting, though the reading can be heavy at times. Also, if you did Psych during VCE, you will find most of first yr pretty easy. The only step up from that is learning to write proper Lab Reports and more RDA and SPSS stuff.

[j-awad11]

Monash has off-campus as well fyi.

[ninwa]

Also fyi (according to my friend) you can't become a psychologist until you've done a masters. So make sure you're ready to be in this for the long haul!

Don't know about being tough at Monash marks-wise but I know it's highly competitive - e.g. my friend who had a low 80s average didn't get into honours and had to do a postgrad diploma instead

[Sabrina19]

With a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts, you can major in Psychology. From there, you can apply for Hons in Psych.

I'd agree with Tom, these options are probably better than the BPsych (Hons) degree simply because they allow you to explore more areas and discover other areas you might be interested in (You could even do BSc/BA double and experience both while still majoring in Psych).

However, if your set on a straight psych degree, I'd recommend Monash's BPsych (Hons) course. It's very intensive and also gives you the opportunity to take non-psych electives. Monash is also ranked ~27-29th in the world for psychology, so it can't be too bad

Thank you! I'm also really interested in Health, Always wanted to do a double degree of Bachelor Health Science and Psychology but didnt find a uni that offers it. So it is possible if I apply for Health Science but major in Psychology?

[alondouek]

Thank you! I'm also really interested in Health, Always wanted to do a double degree of Bachelor Health Science and Psychology but didnt find a uni that offers it. So it is possible if I apply for Health Science but major in Psychology?

I don't think the BHSc has majors (it works under a core/elective system, like Biomedical Science). If you're interested in Health and Public Health, I definitely recommend the BHSc. I've been lectured by a couple of the teaching through Biomed and they're brilliant.

You can read more about the BHSc here, and I'd recommend you get in contact with the course coordinator to discuss whether you could potentially take psych electives.

[Sabrina19]

I don't think the BHSc has majors (it works under a core/elective system, like Biomedical Science). If you're interested in Health and Public Health, I definitely recommend the BHSc. I've been lectured by a couple of the teaching through Biomed and they're brilliant.

You can read more about the BHSc here, and I'd recommend you get in contact with the course coordinator to discuss whether you could potentially take psych electives.

Thank you for that! i did abit of research into deakin they offer Health sciences and allow you to major in psychology: "course is structured around students completing two core units of study and selecting at least two health majors", only need to find out if this can get me into honours psy.

[alondouek]

Thank you for that! i did abit of research into deakin they offer Health sciences and allow you to major in psychology: "course is structured around students completing two core units of study and selecting at least two health majors", only need to find out if this can get me into honours psy.

Sounds like a pretty good option! Just as an aside, I strongly advise you to ignore any talk of "Monash being more prestigious than Deakin" - fact is, you go to university to study what suits you best. If Deakin offers something you want that Monash doesn't, go for it

[Sabrina19]

Sounds like a pretty good option! Just as an aside, I strongly advise you to ignore any talk of "Monash being more prestigious than Deakin" - fact is, you go to university to study what suits you best. If Deakin offers something you want that Monash doesn't, go for it

Yes i agree with you! Thank you so much for your help!