Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University

Overview

Use psychology skills to get ahead in business.

Combine psychology studies with a business specialisation to develop insights into people’s behaviour on an individual and organisational level.

This double degree will help you apply key psychology principles in the workplace, giving you the confidence and expertise to understand and manage a range of stakeholders from teammates and clients to customers and employers.

Through VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business, you’ll learn how to:

• establish employee development programs
• advise management on employee relations
• lead organisational change
• analyse consumer behaviour.

These skills will help you further your career opportunities within:

• community service organisations
• human resource departments
• marketing research agencies
• banking and financial institutions
• government departments.

Psychology field placement program

Psychology students complete a fieldwork unit, which gives you the opportunity to gain experience in a field related to your studies.

Students have completed placements within:

• the Department of Human Services (Child Protection)
• family and carer support services
• arts and cultural organisations
• refugee and asylum seeker support services
• public and private health services
• school settings.

Partnerships & placements

Our strong network within industry means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for sought-after industry-based experience through practical work placements.

If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic, providing discounted psychological services to the community.

Learning outcomes

• On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Elucidate and apply a broad knowledge of psychological theory and social research methods;
• Exhibit skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology and business fields;
• Analyse and reflect upon the application of psychological and business theory in addressing contemporary challenges at an individual, interpersonal and organisational level;
• Interpret and coherently communicate knowledge and ideas using a range of media;
• Employ advanced interpersonal and collaborative skills, consistent with professional, culturally appropriate and ethical practice when working with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Demonstrate independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits.

Careers in psychology and business

Graduates of VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business have the specialist knowledge and confidence to apply psychology principles within organisations.

This double degree leads to employment in several sectors from community services or marketing to finance or government.

Typical roles include:

• organisational development consultant
• financial analyst
• human resources manager
• marketing officer
• policy advisor.

Salaries

In Australia, the median starting salary of a bachelor degree psychology graduate aged under 25 and in their first full-time employment is $49,900 (GradStats(external link)). Typically, psychologists earn an average of $78,000 per year (Job Outlook(external link)).

The median starting salary of bachelor degree business graduates (aged under 25 and in their first full-time employment) is $50,000 (GradStats(external link)). The average annual earning of a business analyst is $95,212 (Job Outlook(external link)).