Diploma in Psychology
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The APU Diploma in Psychology is designed to provide you with a rigorous grounding in the science of human behaviour, with a focus on contemporary psychological themes such as mental health, neurodiversity, and cross-cultural understanding in a global context.
The programme emphasises immersive and dynamic learning that builds communication clarity, ethical awareness, interpersonal competence, collaboration confidence, and strong digital and research literacy, with purposeful exposure to NGOs and inclusive organisations.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Academic Research Skills and Practical IT Skills to build academic and digital readiness for psychology studies.
- Introduction to Psychology and Historical Perspectives of Psychology to establish core concepts and the development of the discipline.
- People Management and Professional Communication to develop interpersonal competence and communication clarity.
- Developmental Psychology and Ethics in Psychology to ground learning in human development and ethical decision-making.
- Social Psychology and Cross Cultural Psychology to analyse how factors shape interactions across groups and communities.
- Psychological Research Methods 1 to learn systematic approaches to psychological research.
- Psychology of Relationships and Communication Theories to deepen understanding of relationship development and communication processes.
- Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Psychological Research Methods 2 to support practical problem-solving and evidence-based investigation design.
- Organisational Behaviour and Personality Psychology to study human behaviour in organisational and personality contexts.
- Biological Psychology and Psychology in Film and Television to connect biological systems with thought, emotion, behaviour, and media narratives.
- Cognitive Psychology and Abnormal Psychology to deepen understanding of mental processes and psychological disorders.
- Elective Module options: Special Educational Needs OR Expressive Arts Therapy.
Curriculum
Credit hours are not published in the official APU Diploma in Psychology programme page content available during research. Semester module names are published, but the table required for Credit hours (Credit hours and Semester total per semester) could not be verified from an official APU programme-structure or module-handbook source.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Modules | Academic Research Skills | ||
| Practical IT Skills | ||||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||||
| Historical Perspectives of Psychology | ||||
| Semester 2 | Modules | People Management | ||
| Professional Communication | ||||
| Developmental Psychology | ||||
| Ethics in Psychology | ||||
| Semester 3 | Modules | Social Psychology | ||
| Psychological Research Methods 1 | ||||
| Cross Cultural Psychology | ||||
| Semester 4 | Modules | Psychology of Relationships | ||
| Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | ||||
| Communication Theories | ||||
| Psychological Research Methods 2 | ||||
| Semester 5 | Modules | Organisational Behaviour | ||
| Personality Psychology | ||||
| Biological Psychology | ||||
| Psychology in Film and Television | ||||
| Semester 6 | Modules and elective module | Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||||
| Elective Module: Special Educational Needs OR Expressive Arts Therapy | ||||
| Total | Total programme curriculum (Credit hours not published in verified official source during research). | |||
Career outcomes
- You build practical psychology knowledge across research methods, ethics, and human behaviour topics that help you start pathway-aligned careers and further studies.
- You develop communication and interpersonal competence through Professional Communication and People Management, helping you work effectively in education, support services, and people-focused roles.
- You gain research-ready skills via Academic Research Skills, Psychological Research Methods 1, and Psychological Research Methods 2, which can strengthen your profile for psychology-related support and research roles.
- You prepare for evidence-based work with topics like Ethics in Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, supporting roles that require careful, responsible handling of sensitive human issues.
- You learn how psychological concepts connect to real settings through modules such as Organisational Behaviour and Psychology in Film and Television, improving your confidence in applied environments.
- You complete a final semester that consolidates core learning in cognitive processes and disorders, preparing you for progression into the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology pathway at APU with clearer foundations.
Employability rate
International Diploma in Psychology graduates typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22%, reflecting steady hiring for entry-level roles while competition remains for psychology-specific positions.
Together, this points to a practical career outlook in support, community, and people-focused settings, especially when you build experience and progress to further psychology credentials.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification or equivalent | International applicants must meet the Diploma entry requirement for admission into APU’s Diploma in Psychology, including the required credit in English at SPM/IGCSE/O-Level or its equivalent. Applicants should also meet APU’s stated general diploma admission criteria for the programme and provide the relevant transcripts/qualification certificates for credential verification. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology and social/health-related studies | Direct match | Plain text if published on the official page |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the published English language proficiency requirement to continue into the main programme of study. If you do not achieve the required English level before arrival, you may be allowed to apply on a conditional basis and enrol in an English Language Certification programme at APU upon arrival, and then take the required language tests in Malaysia. Students from English-speaking countries and applicants with qualifications taught in English may be exempted if they submit supporting documents for approval.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 54200 / total program | Total for International: RM54,200. Fees stated here exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees; exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government, applicable to all fees throughout the duration of the studies. |
| International Student pre-arrival application processing fee | MYR 3600 / one time | Pre-Arrival Application Processing Fee of RM3,600 is required immediately with the documents to enable the University to submit an application for Student Visa; it includes EMGS visa processing fees and APU/APIIT application and processing fees. This fee is non-refundable once the offer has been accepted. |
Proof of financial resources
International students are required to demonstrate that they can fund their tuition and study costs for the duration of the programme. APU’s published international fees for the Diploma in Psychology are for international students and exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government; you should ensure your funding covers tuition plus any applicable taxes and related study costs.
- Funding proof matching the published programme cost for international students (tuition/total for international, plus any applicable SST) as required by Malaysia student pass processing guidance
- Any additional proof of ability to pay deposits and other miscellaneous fees if applicable, as indicated in APU’s fee notes
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | April 27, 2026 | October 24, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Submit your application for the programme
Apply through APU’s official application process for international students during the published application window. Prepare your academic transcripts/certificates and your English language evidence for upload as required by the application form. Ensure your qualifications meet the programme’s Diploma entry requirement, including the required credit in English at SPM/IGCSE/O-Level or equivalent. Submit your application and keep proof of submission for your records.
Meet English requirement for main programme continuation
International applicants should review the published English language proficiency requirements for Diploma in Psychology before applying. If you do not meet the minimum English level, APU indicates you may be able to proceed on a conditional basis and enrol in an English Language Certification programme after arrival in Malaysia. APU also notes that applicants may be exempted if they have qualifications taught in English, provided they submit supporting documents for exemption approval. Plan your language test sitting schedule accordingly because you must meet the main programme continuation English requirement.
Pay required international processing fees after offer
If your application is successful, you will receive an offer and you will be asked to pay the published international processing fees for student pass processing stages. APU’s 2026 Fee Guide states that an amount is payable upon acceptance of offer and a second amount is payable after student pass approval. Keep receipts/payments as part of your student pass document preparation. Pay the fees within the timelines given in your offer instructions.
Prepare for student pass processing and arrival
Once your student pass is being processed, ensure you have the documents needed for Malaysia’s international student admission and visa procedures. APU’s fee notes mention services related to EMGS processing, medical check-up, insurance, and the international student card, which are part of the overall processing stages. Because APU notes international fees and taxes may apply throughout the study duration, confirm your funding plan before you travel. Follow APU instructions for next steps after student pass approval.