Psychology is one of the fastest-growing study choices for international students in Malaysia. Students can choose from Malaysian public universities, private universities and international branch campuses from the UK and Australia. Options include general Psychology, Counselling, Business Psychology, Cyberpsychology and Psychology with Neuroscience.
But choosing a Psychology degree is about more than tuition fees. In this guide, we compare Psychology fees across Malaysian universities, look at QS Psychology subject rankings, explain the main specialisations and show the path from a bachelor’s degree to becoming a counsellor or clinical psychologist.
Summary
A Psychology bachelor’s degree in Malaysia usually takes 3 years. Total tuition fees range from approximately RM51,250 to RM174,000 for on-campus study, and online options start from approximately RM56,604.
Students can choose from 48 Psychology and Counselling programmes across 24 Malaysian universities, with specialisations in Counselling, Business and Organisational Psychology, Cyberpsychology, Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology with Management or Marketing.
QS-Ranked Universities for Psychology
Students in Malaysia can study at universities represented in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Psychology.
| University | QS Psychology Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monash University | #45 |
| University of Nottingham | #94 |
| Curtin University | #101–150 |
Related QS subject rankings 2026, Social Sciences & Management: Monash University #34, Universiti Malaya #72, University of Nottingham #122, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia #146.
Rankings for Monash University, University of Nottingham and Curtin University are for the parent university. Students at the Malaysian campus receive the same degree.
Psychology Fees in Malaysia
Tuition is one of the biggest differences between Psychology programmes in Malaysia. Students can find programmes at very different price points across public universities, private universities and international branch campuses.
Here are examples of Psychology programmes and their approximate total tuition fees:
| University | Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNIRAZAK | Bachelor of Psychology | 3 years | RM51,250 |
| Lincoln University College | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 3.5 years | RM56,604 |
| City University Malaysia | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM60,500 |
| UTAR | Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) Psychology | 3 years | RM61,960 |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | Bachelor of Psychology with Human Resource Development with Honours | 4 years | RM63,000 |
| University of Cyberjaya | Bachelor of Psychology with Honours | 3 years | RM66,200 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Bachelor of Counselling | 4 years | RM69,600 |
| Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) | Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM70,500 |
| UNITAR International University | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM72,830 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology with Honours | 3.5 years | RM73,600 |
| TAR UMT | Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Psychology | 3 years | RM73,900 |
| UCSI University | BA (Hons) Psychology | 3 years | RM75,590 |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Bachelor in Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM87,540 |
| INTI International University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 4+0 (with Southern New Hampshire University, USA) | 4 years | RM90,578 |
| SEGi University | BSc (Hons) Psychology (3+0) (Subang Jaya) | 3 years | RM91,552 |
| Sunway University | Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology | 3 years | RM97,600 |
| HELP University | Bachelor in Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM105,000 |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology | 3 years | RM108,500 |
| Taylor’s University | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 3 years | RM112,740 |
| IMU University | Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | RM119,700 |
| University of Reading Malaysia | BSc Psychology | 3 years | RM144,000 |
| Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | Psychology | 3 years | RM144,360 |
| Monash University Malaysia | Bachelor of Psychology | 3 years | RM149,760 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | BSc (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | RM174,000 |
Good to know: Most Psychology degrees in Malaysia take 3 years, so the fee difference mainly comes from the type of university. International branch campuses (Reading, Heriot-Watt, Monash and Nottingham) cost from approximately RM144,000 to RM174,000, while many Malaysian private universities cost under RM80,000.
Psychology Specialisations in Malaysia
General Psychology
What you learn: developmental, social, cognitive and abnormal psychology, plus research methods and statistics.
Where to study it: Offered at most universities in the table above, from UNIRAZAK (RM51,250) to University of Nottingham Malaysia (RM174,000).
Counselling & Guidance
What you learn: counselling theories and skills, career guidance, group counselling and supervised practice.
Where to study it: UTAR (Guidance and Counselling, 4 years, RM57,530), Universiti Malaya (Bachelor of Counselling, 4 years, RM69,600) and MSU (Counseling and Guidance, 4 years, RM72,540).
Business & Organisational Psychology
What you learn: workplace behaviour, leadership, HR, motivation and organisational culture.
Where to study it: UTM (Psychology with Human Resource Development, RM63,000), HELP University (Business Psychology, RM91,500), APU (Psychology with People and Culture, RM108,500), Heriot-Watt (Psychology with Management or Marketing, RM144,360), Monash (Psychology and Business, RM155,520) and University of Nottingham Malaysia (Applied Psychology and Management, RM165,000).
Cyberpsychology
What you learn: how people think and behave online, digital wellbeing and human–technology interaction.
Where to study it: Asia Pacific University (Psychology with a specialism in Cyberpsychology, RM108,500).
Psychology & Cognitive Neuroscience
What you learn: the brain, cognition, perception and the biological basis of behaviour.
Where to study it: University of Nottingham Malaysia (BSc Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, RM174,000).
Psychology with Placement
Where to study it: University of Reading Malaysia (BSc Psychology with Professional Placement, 4 years, RM151,200).
The Path to Becoming a Counsellor or Clinical Psychologist
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology is the first step. To work as a clinical psychologist or professional counsellor, graduates usually go on to a specialised Master’s degree with supervised clinical or counselling practice.
| University | Master’s Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Master in Counseling | 1 year | RM23,850 |
| UTAR | Master in Industrial and Organisational Psychology | 1.6 years | RM25,662 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Master of Professional Counselling | 2 years | RM35,900 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Joint Degree | 2 years | RM38,500 |
| UCSI University | Master of Clinical Psychology | 2 years | RM54,750 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Master (Coursework) Clinical Psychology | 2 years | RM58,800 |
| Taylor’s University | Master of Clinical Psychology | 3 years | RM65,184 |
| IMU University | Master of Clinical Psychology | 2 years | RM87,000 |
| Monash University Malaysia | Master of Clinical Psychology | 2 years | RM89,000 |
In total, students can choose from 39 Psychology and Counselling Master’s programmes across 17 Malaysian universities, from approximately RM18,000 to RM89,000.
Flexible Routes & Intakes
International degrees in Malaysia:
- UK degrees: University of Nottingham Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, and SEGi University‘s 3+0 and 2+0 UK partner degrees
- Australian degree: Monash University Malaysia
- US degree: INTI with Southern New Hampshire University (BA in Psychology, 4 years, from RM90,578)
- Year 2 entry for diploma holders: SEGi University
- Online learning: Online Psychology degrees are available at Lincoln University College (RM56,604), UNITAR (RM58,937) and SEGi University (RM63,105).
Intakes:
- Public universities: usually March and October (UTM: February and September)
- Private universities often have 3–5 intakes a year. Examples: HELP University (Jan, Feb, Jun, Aug, Oct), IMU (Feb, Apr, Jul, Sep), University of Cyberjaya (Mar, Jul, Oct)
What Does a Psychology Degree Look Like?
Psychology programmes in Malaysia usually take 3 years. They move from the foundations of human behaviour to research, specialisation and practical experience.
The exact curriculum varies by university, but a typical journey may look like this:
Year 1: Foundations of Psychology
Students learn how the mind and behaviour work. Subjects may include Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Biological Psychology and Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics.
Year 2: Core Areas & Research Skills
Students study the main branches of psychology. Subjects may include Cognitive Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Personality, Psychological Testing and Assessment, Counselling Skills and Advanced Research Methods.
Year 3: Applied Psychology & Research Project
Students apply psychology to real settings, such as health, education, the workplace or counselling. Most programmes include a final-year research project, and many include an internship or practicum in schools, hospitals, NGOs or HR departments.
This is a general example of how a Psychology degree may be structured. Subjects, practicum arrangements and the timing of each component vary by university.
Entry Routes: How to Get Into Psychology in Malaysia
Most international students enter a Psychology degree in one of three ways:
- Foundation in Arts or Science (1 year) → Bachelor’s degree. Foundation programmes range from approximately RM12,000 (Multimedia University) to RM37,868 (SEGi University, Kota Damansara).
- Diploma in Psychology or Counselling → Bachelor’s degree. There are 13 psychology and counselling diplomas across 8 universities, from approximately RM31,750 (UNIRAZAK) to RM60,068 (SEGi University, Kota Damansara). Some universities offer Year 2 entry for diploma holders.
- Direct entry. Students with A-Levels, STPM, a recognised foundation or an equivalent pre-university qualification may enter Year 1 directly.
General entry requirements: Most universities ask for a recognised pre-university qualification and proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or an equivalent test. Exact grades and English scores vary by university and programme. A TJS StudySteps counsellor can check your high school certificate (for example, from Saudi Arabia or Qatar) against each university’s requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Psychology in Malaysia
How much does it cost to study Psychology in Malaysia?
Total tuition for a Psychology bachelor’s degree in Malaysia ranges from approximately RM51,250 (UNIRAZAK) to RM174,000 (University of Nottingham Malaysia). Many Malaysian private universities charge under RM80,000.
How long is a Psychology degree in Malaysia?
Which universities in Malaysia are QS-ranked for Psychology?
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Psychology: Monash University (#45), University of Nottingham (#94) and Curtin University (#101–150).
Can I become a clinical psychologist after studying in Malaysia?
A Psychology bachelor’s degree is the first step. To become a clinical psychologist, graduates usually complete a Master of Clinical Psychology. These are offered at UKM, USM, UCSI, HELP, MSU, University of Cyberjaya, Taylor’s, IMU and Monash University Malaysia, from approximately RM38,500 to RM89,000.
Where can I study Counselling in Malaysia?
What is the cheapest Psychology degree in Malaysia?
UNIRAZAK‘s Bachelor of Psychology (approximately RM51,250) and Lincoln University College‘s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (approximately RM56,604) are among the lowest.
Can international students study Psychology in Malaysia?
Yes. Public universities, private universities and international branch campuses all accept international students into Psychology programmes.
What are the entry requirements for Psychology in Malaysia?
Usually a recognised pre-university qualification (Foundation in Arts or Science, A-Levels, STPM or equivalent) or a psychology diploma, plus proof of English proficiency. Requirements vary by university.
