If you’re interested to enroll into a psychology degree, applying into the Bachelor of Psychology Science at James Cook University Singapore might have crossed your mind.
Even if you’re just curious about the undergraduate degree at the moment, here are the most FAQs that people in your shoes have been asking with regards to the psychology degree at JCU Singapore.
What’s the difference between the JCU Bachelor of Psychological Science and the JCU Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)?
The reason JCU Singapore offers these two options is due to the Australian education system. Australian degrees are pass degrees and the Honours are an additional year of research (separate 1 year course!) that top performing students undertake.
In most cases, those that enter the Honours programme are handpicked, or in the case at James Cook University, are selected based on academic excellence in general, with an emphasis on certain subjects, especially statistics.
This is in contrast to the local Singaporean universities where the Honours is an indication of academic acheivement.
Aspiring psychologists with ‘A’ Level, polytechnic diplomas or IB diplomas will have to first enroll into the Bachelor of Psychological Science at James Cook University. They may enroll into the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) after graduating from the undergraduate programme with a distinction average.
What’s the difference between the JCU Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Psychology) and JCU Bachelor of Psychological Science?
The Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Psychology) at JCU Singapore focuses more on social psychology and drops the statistics module in the Psychological Science programme.
However, the biggest difference is that the Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) while the Bachelor of Arts is not.
This is a critical difference because you won’t be able to progress to the Honours programme and subsequently the Masters of Psychology (Clinical) which will help with registering as a Psychologist in the Singapore Register of Psychologist.
How is it possible for JCU Singapore to squeeze a 3 year degree into 24 months or 2 years?
Unlike the local universities, James Cook University works on a trimester system. This means that there are 3 trimesters a year as compared to the 2 semesters a year.
The classroom teaching hours and number of modules are still the same as a 3 year degree, but your holidays are shorter to improve a graduate’s speed to market. This allows them to start working earlier and generating income.
However, that is not to say that you are forced to complete the programme within 2 years. JCU Singapore allows students the flexibility to register for fewer subjects and take more than 2 years to graduate.
Can I take up any major or minor in this programme?
No. There are no majors or minors in the Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Are the fees listed on the JCU Singapore website the annual fees payable or the full course fee?
The fees listed on the JCU website are for the entire degree programme.
Are the tuition fee payment by trimester or annually?
Fees are collected before each trimester begins.
Can mature students apply?
Definitely! The programme can also be offered on a part-time basis where you attend evening classes. Alternatively, you could sign up as a part-load student attending classes during the day but taking on a partial load (fewer subjects) each trimester.
Course information
Bachelor of Psychological Science
To speak to the actual university representative responsible for this programme instead of a random corporate drone, contact Nurin Farah directly at nurin.farah@jcu.edu.au or call 6709 3670.
