Study Guide: Psychology in Malaysia

Do you think one needs to be in good physical and mental health in order to be truly healthy? Do you have knowledge of or a desire to learn more about mental illness? Have you always wished that your chosen career would allow you to help others? If so, psychology might be a good option for you to consider.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychologists are actively involved in the study and understanding of mental processes, brain functions, and behaviour. A psychology course entails studying human behaviour, looking into how people think, learn, and develop emotionally and socially. They employ a variety of approaches to perform study on huge groups, specific populations, and individuals. Controlling lab research, assessing clients on-site, or evaluating school assessments for learning difficulties are all part of psychology. It also dives into issues such as assisting persons suffering from trauma, mental problems, or substance abuse.

Psychology is a vast field that includes a variety of industries and applications. It can be challenging for students to decide amongst the different psychology fields and courses available. The major branches of psychology are listed below.

Branches of Psychology

Addiction Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Educational Psychology

Media Psychology

Counselling Psychology

Experimental Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Entry Requirements to Study Psychology

These are the general entry requirements to pursue a psychology degree. Entry requirements for some universities may be higher, so do make sure you check the details carefully.

requirements

SPM/O-Level

A pass with minimum 5 credits including Mathematics and Science and a pass in English (applicable to STPM/Government Matriculation and Pre-U programmes)
A pass with minimum 3 credits including Mathematics and Science and a pass in English (applicable to diploma qualification)

pathways

Pathway to Study Psychology

This is the general pathway to study psychology after completing your SPM or IGCSE.

Step 1: Complete STPM/UEC/Pre-university programme for 1-2 years. You can also opt to be enrolled in Diploma in Psychology for 2.5 years.

Step 2: Once you graduate with a diploma, you can choose to go straight to the workforce.

Step 3: If you want to pursue a psychology degree, enrol in a 3-year degree programme.

Step 4: Once you've completed your degree, pursue a Master of Psychology to be a psychologist

subjects

Subjects in Psychology Degree

Psychology courses in Malaysia adhere to professional standards. This is essential if you wish to work as a chartered psychologist in the field of psychology. Scientific research and/or applied psychology might be the focus of courses. Depending on your field of study, the subjects you encounter will differ.

Intercultural Communication
Trends and Visual Thinking
Principles of Public Relations
Developmental Psychology
Ethics in Psychology
Historical Perspectives in Psychology
Social Psychology
Managing Creativity & Innovation
Psychological Disorders
Biological Psychology

Personality Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Counselling Principles and Philosophy
Psychological Testing & Measurement
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Conceptual Issues and Critical Debates in Psychology
Health Psychology
Cyberpsychology
Educational Psychology
Human Factors Psychology

Job Prospects with A Psychology Degree

In Malaysia, you can discover a variety of psychological employment, as well as counselling positions. Salaries and prospects for future employment growth are determined by your psychology degree and specialisation. Keep in mind that some of these jobs demand at least a Master's degree in Psychology, and many require a doctorate.