By now you now know all the facts and stats about the Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni. If you don’t, have a quick look here before reading on.
But, are you still curious about how people feel about this degree? Wonder no more! We chatted with Olivia, a Psychology student at Macquarie Uni, about what this degree is really like to study.
Have a look!
Why should you study a Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni?
Top 3 Pros of a Psychology Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Psychology Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting a Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying a Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni?
There are so many different reasons to study a Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie Uni and we will get into them soon, but here’s what our interviewee Olivia has to say:
“I personally think that Macquarie is quite hands-on with the way that they teach. It is said that they provide the most ‘real world’ experiences with this degree, and they are quite well known for their Psychology offering,” says Olivia.
In your third year, you’ll actually have the opportunity to undertake a placement through the PACE unit, Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice! Through this subject, students will gain a more holistic understanding of the psychology profession and complete 32 hours of work experience.
Top 3 Pros of a Psychology degree
#1: Campus Culture
Macquarie Uni’s culture is full of fun and friends! You can check out lots of societies and clubs based on your degree or even your hobbies and interests.
MacPsych is the Macquarie University Psychology Society! If you want to get to know other Psych students in your cohort, this is the best way to socialise and make friends.
#2: The Teachers and Tutors
You’ll find that with the Bachelor of Psychology at MQ, the teachers and tutors are just as passionate as you with achieving good grades. They are always willing to have a chat and discuss anything you need — just reach out and they’ll be there for you!
“Feedback is really valuable, I recommend even going to your teachers and seeking out extra feedback if you need it. They are there to help and they are there to help you achieve your best,” Olivia says.
#3: The Teaching Styles
“I love learning things, so being able to learn from other people’s experiences has always been so interesting for me,” Olivia says,
Psych at Macquarie is renowned for its innovative and immersive teaching style. Students are taught by industry knowledgeable and experienced teachers through real case studies, and they are also given the opportunity to undertake internship placements with university guidance.
Top 3 Cons of a Psychology degree
#1: Mathematics is still involved in this degree!
Did you think studying a Bachelor of Psychology would get you away from numbers and figures? This degree wants you to embrace numbers in a different way to how you did in high school!
“Statistics has to be my least favourite part of the degree, but we are all in the same boat and level when starting out,” Olivia reveals.
Psych students will have to take quite a number of Statistics courses when studying this degree, but don’t be disheartened! Everyone starts at the same level and some classes will teach you how to use the relevant computer programs to complete analyses.
#2: Exams at the end of semester have large weightings
“The end of semester exams are worth quite a bit — most are 40-50% in weighting. They are multiple choice though! They are challenging, but you get lots of practice leading up to the exam. You are provided with resources to do well,” Olivia says.
There is no escaping final exams, so you will need to knuckle down and revise what you’ve learnt throughout the semester — at least they’re multiple choice (if that’s any consolation).
#3: You need a high WAM for entry into the Honours program
The Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni has an Honours program for people who wish to continue their studies. However, it should be noted that students do not automatically gain entry into this program!
“It’s so tough to get into Honours — in the third year you have to maintain a weighted average mark of 75 or over,” Olivia says.
Any regrets?
“I wish I looked into the pathways of Psych more and I wish I knew that getting into Honours wasn’t as easy as signing up! There is a lot more work that needs to be done to get in,” Olivia says.
In order to actually practice as an accredited psychologist or work towards becoming a psychiatrist, students must continue their studies and complete a Masters degree.
What do you wish you had known before starting this degree?
This degree and many other uni degrees are starkly different from the classes you would’ve taken in high school —the teaching and learning styles are completely different! This may be shocking at first but once you get into the swing of things, you will begin to thrive.
“I think that everything that you expect gets thrown out the window as soon as you walk in. I know for me personally, that it was such a shock going into uni — I wasn’t used to the way Psych was structured. It is very different from high school,” Olivia tells us.
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
At Macquarie, all degrees require students to undertake a Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) program which provides them with practical experience throughout their studies. A Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni isn’t exempt to this — students take on the unit Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice.
The compulsory PACE program is extremely beneficial for students, as they’ll graduate with at least 32 hours of professional working experience under their belts!
What inspired you to choose a Bachelor of Psychology at MQ Uni?
You might pursue a Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie for its teaching style, the campus life or the university experiences it has to offer. Olivia tells us about why she chose Macquarie:
“Personally, I’ve met a lot of great people and my lecturers and tutors have all been really helpful. Obviously, I haven’t been to another uni, so I can’t say what it’s like there, but if I were to do it again I would always pick Macquarie,” Olivia says.
What are the possible career paths?
Career Paths for this course are extremely broad! With minor limitations, this degree can take you on many different paths which could include:
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- Health and community program manager
- Health researcher
- Human resources consultant
- Market researcher
- Research assistant
- Social program coordinator or policymaker
- Trainer and educator
- Counsellor
With further study, students can go on to become Psychologists or even Psychiatrists!
Matilda Elliott is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and a Communication graduate with a major in Journalism at Western Sydney University. You can find some of her published work in a range of platforms including SBS World News, The Music Network and within her own creative exploits with her twin sister. Matilda is a lover of listening, helping people to tell their stories, making genuine connections, clowning around in her circus troupe and dancing like no one is watching at live music shows!
