BSc Psychology with Professional Placement
University of Reading Malaysia · Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
BSc Psychology with Professional Placement is a four-year full-time psychology degree at University of Reading Malaysia that includes a year-long professional placement. The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
You study psychology concepts aligned to BPS accreditation in the first year, build deeper knowledge and advanced research training in the second year, complete a professional placement year, and then finish with specialism choices and a research project in the final year.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Study Foundations modules aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) standards, including The Person and the Brain
- Build core knowledge in Learning about Learning and Introduction to Psychological Research
- Develop understanding of Debates in Mental Health and Applied and Professional Psychology
- Optional modules may include Psychology in the Workplace and Introduction to Neuroscience Methods
- Progress into Core Depths modules such as Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Develop research capability through Research Methods in Psychology
- Study Development Across the Lifespan and Social Psychology and Individual Differences
- Develop professional capability through Professional and Clinical Practice (with work placement)
- Complete a Professional Placement year in industry as full-time work (minimum 10 months)
- Apply classroom learning in real settings to build confidence and practical professional skills
- Undertake placement activities such as direct client support, work shadowing, and small-scale research or evaluation projects
- Select specialist options taught by faculty in research fields, alongside core modules
- Complete a Research Project
- Complete Communicating Current Psychology
- Alongside the programme core, choose 3 specialist options
Curriculum
Total 140 credit hours. Programme organised in three academic parts plus a year-long professional placement between Part 2 and Part 3.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 (120 credits across the academic year) | 6 compulsory modules | Applied and Professional Psychology | 20 | 120 |
| Debates in Mental Health | 20 | |||
| Introduction to Psychological Research | 20 | |||
| Learning about Learning | 20 | |||
| The Person and the Brain | 20 | |||
| Psychology in the Workplace | 20 | |||
| Part 2 (120 credits across the academic year, then placement year before Part 3) | 4 compulsory modules + placement year component | Cognitive and Biological Psychology | 20 | 120 |
| Development across the lifespan | 20 | |||
| Professional and Clinical Practice | 20 | |||
| Research methods in Psychology | 20 | |||
| Social Psychology and Individual Differences | 20 | |||
| Professional Placement | 20 | |||
| Part 3 (60 credits compulsory plus selected optional modules) | Compulsory modules + project choice within Part 3 | Communicating Current Psychology | 10 | 60 |
| Project | 40 | |||
| Public Engagement | 10 | |||
| Total | Compulsory Part 1 modules plus Part 2 core modules with professional placement component and Part 3 compulsory modules including the Project requirement. | 140 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate work ready because the programme includes a full year of professional placement in industry (Year 3), strengthening your CV with real work experience.
- You build transferable psychology capabilities such as critical thinking, research skills, data handling, and foundations in psychological testing and assessment—skills valued across many sectors.
- You gain practical exposure through placement activities such as direct client support, work shadowing, and small-scale research or evaluation projects, which helps you adapt classroom learning to real settings.
- You keep open multiple career pathways in Malaysia such as hospitals and mental health services, schools and special needs centres, and education and caring professions.
- You can also pursue corporate and commercial routes because the degree supports roles linked to human resources and organisational psychology, plus advertising, media, marketing, sales, consumer insights, and market research.
- You are prepared for further study or career progression since graduates may pursue clinical or professional postgraduate training, or enter the workforce directly.
Employability rate
For graduates of psychology disciplines with professional practice experience in Malaysia, employability is typically estimated at around 78% with an unemployment rate of about 22%, reflecting the field’s steady demand for people-facing and evidence-based roles alongside periodic hiring cycles.
Overall, the professionally focused placement year improves your readiness for entry-level selection processes and supports a more stable early-career outlook.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualifications (international applicants) | The programme accepts a range of international qualifications listed in its programme entry requirements for international applicants, including International Foundation Programme, UEC, STPM/A-Level, IB Diploma, Australian Matriculations, OSSD, MUFY, NCUK International Foundation Year, and other relevant qualifications accredited and recognised by MQA. The university also notes that credits in Mathematics and Science are expected at SPM, IGCSE, or an equivalent level qualification or higher. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology and human behaviour pathways | Likely relevant | Use your school-leaving subjects and any prior study you completed that match the programme expectation of Mathematics and Science credits, as noted in the entry requirements for international applicants. |
Language requirements
For international applicants, the University of Reading Malaysia requires an approved English qualification. You must meet the published minimum score, either through IELTS Academic or an accepted equivalent listed by the university.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 48000 / per year | International students: RM 48,000 per annum. GST/SST note: SST is calculated on net tuition fees paid; prevailing SST rate stated as 6% and may change at payment time. During placement year, students pay 15% of the full course fee. |
Proof of financial resources
- N/A
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | October 01, 2025 | April 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | January 15, 2026 | July 01, 2026 |
| 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 01, 2026 | September 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | September - 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 | September - 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
Prepare your documents and check entry eligibility
Review the programme entry requirements and confirm your international qualification is accepted for international applicants. Ensure you meet the programme English language requirement (IELTS Academic minimum) and that you have Mathematics and Science credits at SPM, IGCSE, or an equivalent level as expected. Gather your passport biodata page, your official transcripts/certificates, and your English qualification certificate before you start the online application.
Submit the online application on the University of Reading Malaysia portal
Create an applicant account and select the Undergraduate course for the relevant entry intake. Upload your required documents in the submission section and make sure the information is complete before final submission. For international applicants, the application fee is RM530 (inclusive of 6% SST) and is strictly non-refundable, and it is deducted from tuition fee upon successful enrolment.
Respond to requests and accept the offer
After submission, the Admissions team will contact you directly if there are missing documents or additional information required for your application. Once you receive your offer, you must accept or decline by the stated date by replying to the email. For offers that are conditional due to pending results, you can revise to unconditional once your official results are available and meet the entry requirements.