International Student Applications

Am I an International Student?

You are an international fee-paying student if you are NOT an Australian citizen (including dual citizens), or a New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens), or a permanent resident of Australia.You are an international fee-paying student if you hold a permit for temporary entry to Australia. For example, if your status is: overseas student, permanent resident of New Zealand, diplomat, temporary resident who hold permits for work purposes, refugee or a dependent of any of the above. For more information contact the International Office.

As an International student, how do I apply for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc) program?

All information regarding the DCP/MSc program is available from the Clinical Psychology Unit website under Future Students. International students are to download application forms from the Clinical Psychology website under application forms. International students must then apply through the International Office for DCP/MSc. International students must submit their application forms together in one package to the International Office by the closing date. Please also see the International Office application guide.

What is the closing date?

The last Friday in October for admission in the March semester. Mid year entry is not available.

What is a four year honours degree in psychology?

View the Australian Psychological Society (APS) or Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) website for information on accredited courses in psychology.

Is my degree equivalent to a Australian four year honours degree in psychology?

It is a requirement for admission to the DCP/MSc and for provisional or full registration NSW Psychologists' Registration Board, that all non-Australian qualifications are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the national assessing authority in Australia for assessment of overseas academic qualifications in psychology. For a fee of $AUD 600, the APS determines the level at which an applicant’s qualifications are equivalent to an Australian program of study that has been accredited by the Society.

The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sets the standards for accreditation of Australasian psychology programs. APAC is a body that assesses and approves the minimum qualifications from recognised Schools of Psychology for the purposes of eligibility for registration as a psychologist in Australia and for membership of the Australian Psychological Society. APAC does not conduct assessments, however, you may wish to view their list of Australian accredited qualifications.

Contact the Australian Psychological Society (APS) telephone: 61-3-8662 3300 or 1800 333 497 or . Alternatively you may contact the International Office for questions regarding degree equivalency.

Can you tell me if my degree from overseas is the same as an Australian degree?

No, The Clinical Psychology Unit can not provide any information on overseas degree equivalency. You must contact the Australian Psychological Society (APS) for information regarding degree equivalency or Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for a list of all Australasian accredited courses . Alternatively, you may contact the International Office.

Do I need to have my degree assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS)?

It is a requirement for admission to the DCP/MSc program at the University of Sydney, that all non-Australian qualifications, including qualifications from New Zealand, are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

It is also a requirement of the NSW Psychologists' Registration Board that all non-Australian qualifications, including qualifications from New Zealand, are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Students must be eligible for provisional or full registration with the NSW Psychologists' Registration Board in order to commence the DCP/MSc program and supervised clinical internships.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the national assessing authority in Australia for assessment of overseas academic qualifications in psychology. For a fee of $AUD 600, the APS determines the level at which an applicant’s qualifications are equivalent to an Australian program of study that has been accredited by the Society.

The APS assessment processing time is approximately six to eight weeks. The APS assessment must be completed before applying for the DCP/MSc program. As the APS assessment is required for admission to the DCP/MSc program and for provisional or full registration with the NSW Psychologists’ Registration Board any applications submitted without evidence of the APS assessment will not be considered.

Does my degree meet requirements in terms of psychology coursework content?

Please provide details of all coursework undertaken in psychology. As your degree must be assessed to be deemed equivalent to an Australian four year honours degree in psychology.

Please note the Faculty of Science, International Office and Clinical Psychology Unit are unable to assess qualifications. It is a requirement for admission to the DCP/MSc that all non-Australian qualifications are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Does my degree meet the research requirements?

Please provide details of all research components of your degree eg. research thesis. As your degree must be assessed to be deemed equivalent to an Australian four year honours degree in psychology.

Please note the Faculty of Science, International Office and Clinical Psychology Unit are unable to assess qualifications. It is a requirement for admission to the DCP/MSc that all non-Australian qualifications are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Can I submit my application early, before the closing date?

Yes. However, your application will not evaluated early. Your application will be evaluated after the closing date with all other applications.

Do I need to submit all four application forms for the DCP/MSc?

Yes. International students must submit to the International Office 'Postgraduate coursework application form (international)' + 'DCP/MSc application form ' + 'Referee Report Academic' + 'Referee Report Experience' + supporting documentation.It's the applicant's responsibility to ensure ALL FOUR application forms (below) are submitted by the closing date. Incomplete applications can not be evaluated nor proceed to Interview.

• INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION form and supporting documentation
• DCP/MSc APPLICATION form
• REFEREE REPORT Academic
• REFEREE REPORT Relevant experience

What sort of supporting documentation do I need to submit for application to the DCP/MSc?

Supporting documentation inlcudes original or certified copies of: APS assessment of qualification for non-Australian qualifications, passport, Australian visa, official change of name document, academic transcript with results and complete list of all subjects studied, official school leaving diploma or certificate, detailed course outlines if applying for credit, translation of any document not in english, details of exclusion if applicable, evidence of english proficiency (IELTS) if your studies were not conducted in english, evidence of scholarships awarded if any, details of any disability if applicable). Please note for the IELTS a minimum overall score of 7, and a minimum score of 7 in each band is required for admission to the DCP or DCN. The TOEFL +TWE is not accepted for admission to the DCP or DCN. It's the applicant's responsibility to ensure ALL FOUR application forms (below) are submitted by the closing date. Incomplete applications can not be evaluated nor proceed to Interview.

Do I need to submit original or certified copies of my documents?

It is suggested to send certified copies of your original documents directly to the International Office. You can have copies of your original transcripts certified by one of our university agents or by another party according to our certification policy. The links for both of these are:

http://www.usyd.edu.au/internationaloffice/agents/

http://www.usyd.edu.au/fstudent/international/undergrad/apply/certification.shtml

Are there any english language requirements for application to the DCP/MSc?

Yes. Contact the International Office for information regarding language requirements. For the DCP/MSc, the english language requirement can only be met by the IELTS. For the IELTS, a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each band is required. Other english language tests are not accepted for admission to the DCP (eg. TOEFL).

Do I need to demonstrate english language proficiency?

You only need to demonstrate english language proficiency if you have NOT completed your tertiary qualification in Australia and your qualifications were obtained from a university or other institution where the language of instruction was NOT English. If your tertiary qualification was conducted in English you are not required to provide evidence of english language proficiency.

Generally what are the english language requirements for application to OTHER postgraduate programs?

English requirement for most Postgraduate programs requires ONE of the following:
IELTS - score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0
TOEFL - score of 577, with a TWE (Test of Written English) score of 4.5
CBT - 233 with an Essay Rating of 4.5
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B
GCSE English Language grade A or B
CULT - 70

What is the selection process for the DCP/MSc?

Local and international applications are considered equally. Selection is by application evaluation and interview. Local and International applications are treated equally in the selection process. First round offers will be made from December and second round offers often continue into February. Each around 100 applications are received, 50 applicants interviewed and 15-20 offered places. Further information

What are the fees for the DCP/MSc?

Contact the International Office for information regarding fees. International students (ie. temporary permit holders for entry to Australia: overseas students, permanent residents of New Zealand, diplomats, temporary residents, refugees, or dependents of any of the these) are required to pay full international student fees upfront. International students are also required to pay for health insurance in Australia. Information regarding living costs in Australia and accomodation may be provided by the International Office. Alternatively, contact the Financial Assistance Office. As the DCP is a very demanding full time program, students are not encouraged to work. However, some students manage to work approximately one day per week. Students often find casual work independently or as tutors in the School of Psychology or research assistants for Clinical Psychology staff.

Are there any scholarships or financial assistance available for international students?

Contact the International Office for information regarding financial assistance and scholarships.

How are international students interviewed?

All International students are asked to arrange access to a computer with webcam and SKYPE access during the interview period. International students are to advise at the time of application on the application form, their SKYPE address, in order to have a web cam based interview. If at the time of interview, technical difficulties are experienced with SKYPE, a telephone interview may be offered. Therefore International students are asked to nominate on clearly on their application form, the SKYPE address and the landline telephone number that will be contactable on during the interview period. It is however, in the applicant's best interests to have a web cam interview.