Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree at Sunway University is a research higher degree. It equips graduates with advanced knowledge of research methods and the skills to independently conduct research across many areas of behavioural science. Students complete original research that extends knowledge in a specialised area of Psychology.
Before starting the thesis, students complete two taught modules: Advanced Research Methods and Advanced Statistics. The programme supports research supervision across multiple psychology domains, including well-being and community psychology, organisational and work psychology, and cognitive and experimental psychology.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Complete the taught modules Advanced Research Methods and Advanced Statistics before starting your thesis
- Build research skills to support your research proposal and study design
- Develop data analysis capability for independent doctoral-level research
- In consultation with your research supervisor, identify a research problem from existing research
- Design and conduct original research using scientific techniques while following required ethical standards
- Make a unique contribution to understanding the selected area of psychology
- Work within the Psychology Department research groups: Well-being & Community Psychology, Organisational & Work Psychology, and Cognitive & Experimental Psychology
Curriculum
Credit-hour breakdown for Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology is not published in the official Sunway programme page or the official postgraduate prospectus source pages located during research; credit hours per taught module and programme total were not extractable from an official credit table.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||||
| Semester 2 | ||||
| Thesis period | ||||
| Total | 0 credit hours | |||
Career outcomes
- You build doctoral-level research capability that positions you for roles such as Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Research Scientist in psychology and behavioural science settings.
- You gain the methodological and analytical skills needed to work as a Research Consultant, Senior Analyst, or Technical Consultant.
- If you want an academic path, the programme supports progression toward university lecturer roles through original research experience.
- You develop expertise across psychology areas (including health psychology and industrial & organisational psychology), helping you align your thesis with a career direction.
- Your work contributes to new knowledge in a specialised psychology domain, supporting credibility for technical author and research communication opportunities.
Employability rate
For psychology doctoral graduates in Malaysia, employability is typically around 78% and unemployment around 22%, reflecting structured demand for researchers, educators, and analysts while roles remain competitive.
Overall, the programme’s research training supports a steadier pathway into research, consultancy, and academic-track opportunities in psychology-related sectors.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (or equivalent) | International applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or equivalent with a CGPA of 3.00. |
| Master’s degree in Psychology (or equivalent) | International applicants must have a Master’s Degree in Psychology or equivalent with a CGPA of 3.00. |
| Other qualifications (case-by-case) | Any other qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and an interview may be required subject to approval and acceptance by the University Senate. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | Direct match | The programme entry requirement expects a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Psychology (or equivalent). |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet Sunway University’s English language requirements. You can satisfy the requirement through one of the following accepted tests/scores, or other qualifications that will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
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 60100 / total program | Estimated Total Course Fee (Year 2026) for international students: RM60,100 (international students pay fees in RM equivalent). |
Proof of financial resources
- If you are an international applicant, follow Sunway University’s student pass and application form instructions and ensure you have required funding documents if your study is financed by sponsorship, scholarship, or study loan.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | 6-12 months before intake |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Initial enquiry and research supervisor discussion
Make initial enquiries to the Programme Coordinator and share your academic background. If you appear eligible, you will meet the Programme Leader to discuss your research interest and potential research supervisors. This helps align your application with an appropriate thesis topic before you submit detailed research documents.
Prepare your research proposal
Prepare a research proposal of between 1,000 and 1,500 words (excluding references). The proposal should include a suitable research title, introduction and justification, literature review, research methodology, proposed schedule, and a list of references. Ensure the proposal content is consistent with your selected research interest and supervision discussion.
Complete the postgraduate application form and checklist items
Fill in the Sunway Postgraduate Application Form and prepare the required documents for international applicants. Include items such as your passport information, certified true copies of academic qualifications, and your English language qualification evidence. If your application is for programme by research, include the statement of research interest and any supporting documentation required by your funding situation.
Submit your application using the official channels
Submit your application with all relevant documents and items as required by the form instructions. You may submit online through the Sunway online application portal, or submit by email/courier/through the admissions or international office as described in the form. Keep your submissions complete to avoid delays in processing.