Let’s explore the best options for postgraduate psychology studies. In terms of institutional choice, Australia offers top-tier programs at the University of Sydney, USQ, Deakin, ANU, and the University of Queensland. These unis excel in global rankings and/or student satisfaction.
Postgraduate options range from graduate certificates to doctorates. Courses are designed for those transitioning into psychology or seeking specialisation. They prepare students for careers as registered psychologists or specialists in clinical, educational, and organisational psychology.
Online study is widely available for graduate certificates and diplomas, such as from James Cook University and UTS Online. However, advanced degrees like master’s and doctorates have fewer online options due to required practical training.
Top 5 Universities for Psychology in Australia
The top universities for psychology in Australia, balancing both global ranking and student experience ratings, include:
- University of Sydney
- University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)
- Deakin University
- Australian National University (ANU)
- University of Queensland
These universities are highly rated globally for their research and academic reputation while also providing high levels of student satisfaction and good salary outcomes for graduates.
To produce this list, we combined the global psychology rankings tabulated at Learning Lab with the Australian university psychology rankings from Uni Reviews.
1. University of Sydney
- Global ranking: Times (56), US News (44), EduRank (31), QS (31)
- Experience rating: Satisfied (88.1%), Salary ($71,700), Sample (239)
- Prograduate programs: Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology/Doctor of Philosophy
2. University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)
- Global ranking: Times (401-500), US News (n/a), EduRank (955), QS (n/a)
- Experience rating: Satisfied (87.5%), Salary ($70,400), Sample (113)
- Prograduate programs: Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology (Advanced entry)
3. Deakin University
- Global ranking: Times (201-250), US News (78), EduRank (218), QS (151-200)
- Experience rating: Satisfied (88.0%), Salary ($60,900), Sample (1386)
- Prograduate programs: Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
4. Australian National University (ANU)
- Global ranking: Times (101-125), US News (148), EduRank (162), QS (85)
- Experience rating: Satisfied (80.8%), Salary ($76,000), Sample (281)
- Prograduate programs: Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)
5. University of Queensland (UQ)
- Global ranking: Times (30), US News (20), EduRank (43), QS (33)
- Experience rating: Satisfied (85.3%), Salary ($55,200), Sample (555)
- Prograduate programs: Master of Clinical Neuropsychology, Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Organisational Psychology, Master of Psychology (Counselling, Health, or Sport and Exercise), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology)
8 Types of Psychology Postgraduate Courses
Postgraduate courses in psychology are essential to become a psychologist. They also allow for formal specialisation, including in clinical psychology.
While the menu of courses and degrees has changed in recent years, Australia now has 8 types of courses for university graduates. They range from introductory graduates certificates through to doctorates. Refer to Lerna Courses for a detailed list of qualifications and universities that offer them.
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Certificates in Psychology are for graduates from other disciplines to gain foundational knowledge. These short courses typically involve studying core concepts such as behavioural neuroscience, social psychology, and cognitive processes. They are an excellent starting point to enhance your current career prospects or transition into the psychology field.
Entry requirements: Bachelor degree in any field.
Career options: Human resources, mental health services, education, marketing, social services.
Graduate Diploma
Graduate Diplomas in Psychology are equivalent to a three-year bachelor degree but shorter, typically consisting of 10 subjects. The curriculum covers various areas of psychology, including developmental, cognitive, and social psychology, preparing students for further study or diverse careers.
Entry requirements: Bachelor degree in any field.
Career options: Non-practitioner professional roles or further study to become a psychologist.
Advanced Graduate Diploma
Advanced Graduate Diplomas are equivalent to an honours year in psychology. They’re for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree or graduate diploma in psychology. These courses involve advanced coursework and significant research projects, focusing on psychological assessment, interventions, and professional practice.
Entry requirements: Bachelor’s degree or graduate diploma in psychology, with high grades.
Career options: Provisional psychologist, research assistant, clinical support roles, and preparation for master’s or doctoral studies.
Master of Professional Psychology
The Master of Professional Psychology is part of the 5+1 pathway to becoming a registered psychologist. This one-year program focuses on professional practice, including psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions. It prepares students for a one-year internship, which is required for general registration as a psychologist.
Entry requirements: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or equivalent.
Career options: Provisional psychologist, roles in mental health services, schools, and community organisations.
Masters of Psychology (with Specialisations)
These two-year programs allow students to specialise in areas such as clinical, educational, forensic, or organisational psychology. The courses involve both coursework and practical placements, providing training for specific fields of practice. Graduates are eligible for general registration and can pursue further endorsement in their specialisation.
Entry requirements: Honours degree or graduate diploma in psychology.
Career options: Clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, organisational psychologist, and other specialist roles.
Masters of Psychology (Advanced Entry)
Masters of Psychology (Advanced Entry) programs are for registered psychologists seeking to gain specialised qualifications in clinical practice, educational and developmental psychology, or neuropsychology. These one-year courses involve advanced coursework and practical placements, focusing on enhancing clinical skills and expertise in the area of specialisation.
Entry requirements: General registration as a psychologist.
Career options: Clinical psychologist, educational and developmental psychologist, neuropsychologist.
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)
A PhD in Psychology, particularly with a clinical focus, combines rigorous research training with practical clinical experience. These programs typically last three to four years and involve the completion of a substantial thesis, along with supervised clinical practice.
Entry requirements: Honours degree or master’s degree in psychology.
Career options: Clinical psychologist, academic researcher, university lecturer, senior research positions, and specialised roles in government or private sector.
Doctor of Psychology
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is a professional doctorate focusing on clinical practice and applied research. It involves coursework, practical placements, and a research project. This degree prepares students for advanced clinical roles and often leads to endorsement in a particular area of psychology.
Entry requirements: Honours degree or master’s degree in psychology.
Career options: Clinical psychologist, senior practitioner in healthcare settings, academic roles, and specialised consultancy positions.
Related: Psychology Careers After a Bachelor Degree
Can You Study Online?
Online postgraduate psychology courses are widely available in Australia, though options narrow at advanced levels. Graduate certificates and diplomas are offered by many universities. For example, James Cook University offers an online Graduate Certificate of Psychology and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging).
For advanced graduate diplomas, a smaller but still substantial number of institutions provide online options. UTS Online offers the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) (Online), which is informed by the APA Guidelines and is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
At the master’s level, particularly for specialisations like clinical psychology, online offerings are more limited. A few universities offer the Master of Professional Psychology online, often with some in-person components for practical training. Fully online options for degrees like the Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Psychology are rare.