Frequently Asked Questions

They are similar programmes, with the Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (PCN) programme placing more emphasis on the link between brain function and psychology, as well as the research techniques, such as brain imaging, associated with understanding it. Both programmes are identical in the first year in order to give students a good grounding in psychology. All taught modules in the second year are identical except for the (experimental) practical module. In the third year, PCN students are required to complete at least 40 course credits of cognitive neuroscience related modules, while psychology students have the flexibility to choose from any of the available modules. For those interested a career or postgraduate programme in neuroscience, PCN is a suitable and strong degree that can help in their applications.

The Applied Psychology programme is for students interested in business management and psychology. They will learn about psychology as applied specifically to organisational and other social settings. Conversely, the Psychology programmes in the School of Psychology focus more on understanding the mind, brain and behaviour of humans (sometimes other animals) in a scientific manner, within the context of three broad areas of psychology: cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology. The Psychology programmes also provide students with knowledge and skills of statistics and research methods, with a greater emphasis on quantitative research practices.

You may pursue a future career in academic, corporate or clinical sectors. If you choose to take on an academic career, you will likely obtain a postgraduate qualification prior to being employed as a lecturer or in other research-based positions. You may enter straight into teaching at early-childhood, primary, secondary or tertiary education institutions. As for corporate jobs, you will find a wider range of career choices open to you, including but not limited to human resources, marketing, consultancy and media. You may also go on to become a counsellor, therapist or clinical psychologist. However, if you follow a clinical pathway, you will usually be required to undertake a related, and specific, postgraduate qualification.

Standard UNM undergraduate scholarships such as the High Achievers, Alumni and Dean's Excellence scholarships will apply to our programmes; please refer to our university prospectus for more information. In addition to these, you can also apply for the Tinggi Foundation scholarship.

We offer an internship programme as part of the Nottingham Advantage Awards (NAA). The NAA is a programme for students to get more out of their studies on top of their regular curriculum. As such, the internships are not mandatory within the School of Psychology, but all first- and second-year students may apply. The NAA internships run over the summer and are meant for psychology students who want to gain more work experience within the field of psychology in Malaysia (clinical, scientific, business, or science). Students will work full time for about 3 months during the summer and thus the internship will not clash with their regular studies. Work content depends on the Internship Partner that they are attached to. The internship will prepare students for the job market, giving them hands-on experience and an opportunity to expand their network. Students will receive a certificate and 10 NAA credits upon completing all duties that come with the internship.

In addition to that, we also offer a limited number of summer internships, mainly for second-year students, to work on research projects of our very own lecturers, which they can do either as part of the NAA internship programme or separate from the programme.

We offer you the possibility to study at the UK School of Psychology for one or two semesters in your second year, known as the ‘mobility exchange’. This is competitive and is dependent on your academic performance in the first year, with a minimum average of 55% for application. Usually two-thirds or three-fourths of our applicants are able to go on exchange. If the demand is too high and/or if the UK school has limited spaces, we will have to apply a cap. The main advantage of mobility exchange is that you get to study in the UK while paying the Malaysian tuition fee!

No; to become a psychiatrist you will have to undertake a clinical programme. However, after completing one of our programmes, you can become a psychologist. You are not legally able to prescribe medication, but you can offer and provide your clients with interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (this can also be done when you complete a clincal-based Master's programme). Do note that our programmes are science-based and not clinical. However, we can help you find a clinical internship that you can participate in during the summer breaks of your degree.

The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) is as good as a UK university, because we run the same programmes as our University of Nottingham UK campus. Both programmes in both campuses have been accredited by the British Psychological Society, the main regulatory body for teaching psychology in the UK. You can obtain a UK degree without having to pay UK tuition fees and living far from home. We also have a lovely, scenic campus here in Malaysia. The first two years’ worth of psychology modules are standardized across UK institutions, including UNM, and the main difference across these psychology courses are the third-year modules offered. You can find these modules listed in UNM’s undergraduate prospectus.

You will find it a challenging programme as psychology is a rigorous science involving analytical thinking, statistics, and careful evaluation of evidence. However, if you are willing to work hard, you will definitely find it manageable and enjoyable - it also helps that the subject matter is interesting and highly applicable to everyday life

Yes; you can apply for our programmes as long as you meet the entry requirements outlined in our prospectus. It is preferable, but not mandatory, to have taken Psychology, Biology and/or Mathematics as modules as part of your Foundation programme. You should demonstrate a suitable proficiency in English and you may be required to take an additional assessment for English proficiency and literacy.