Fast Track Your Psychology Degree in Australia

Andrew Lancaster

By studying year-round, including the summer months, you can fast track your Australian psychology degree. For uni graduates moving into psychology, you can also accelerate study by going for a graduate diploma instead of a bachelor's.

Let's explore the different ways Australian psych students can accelerate their studies. We'll also examine how you can compress the timeframe to become a psychologist.

What Is a Fast-Track Degree?

A fast-track psychology degree in Australia allows students to complete their program of study in a shorter period of time than a traditional program. This accelerated mode is achieved by studying almost year-round rather than taking extended breaks.

Typically, a flexible fast-track course can be completed in two-thirds of the normal time. For example, a bachelor degree can be finished in 2 years instead of the usual 3 years. A master's degree can take only 12 months. Fast-tracking is an efficient way to reduce the time spent in university, allowing students to enter the workforce sooner.

2-Year Psychology Bachelor Degree

The standard duration for a Bachelor of Psychology is three years. However, with a fast-track option, students can complete this degree in just two years. By reducing the length of breaks between semesters and over the summer, universities can effectively add an additional semester to the calendar year.

This intensive study schedule means students engage in continuous learning, significantly reducing the time needed to graduate. This approach is ideal for those who are committed to their studies and eager to begin their professional careers as quickly as possible.

Graduate Diploma vs Bachelor Degree

A Graduate Diploma in Psychology is equivalent to a three-year bachelor degree but can be completed in a shorter time. It typically consists of 10 subjects instead of 24. The graduate diploma covers areas the study field broadly, including developmental, cognitive, and social psychology.

While a bachelor degree provides a general education, a graduate diploma focuses intensively on psychology. This makes the graduate diploma a suitable option for those who already hold a degree in another field and want to switch. You can finish the grad dip in 20 months of part-time study!

Minimum Time to Become a Psychologist

Becoming a registered psychologist in Australia generally takes at least six years of education and training. This includes completing a bachelor degree (or equivalent) and an honours year, followed by either a two-year master's program or a one-year master's combined with a one-year internship.

Fast-tracking can reduce the time spent on the initial degree and honours year to about three years total. Thus, the minimum time to become a psychologist can be around five years, with work effectively starting after four years via the Master of Professional Psychology pathway.

Example Pathway

Bachelor of Psychology (2 years, fast-tracked)
Honours Year (1 year)
Master of Professional Psychology (1 year)
One-year internship

For a uni graduate, the timeframe is as short as three years to start working as an intern and four years to achieve registration. By doing a graduate diploma instead of a bachelor degree, the initial step takes one year full-time or 20 months part-time.

Using fast-track options, dedicated students can significantly shorten the time required to enter the profession. This allows them to start their careers much sooner than through traditional study pathways.