Psychology Schools and Programs in Singapore
Psychology Studies in Singapore
Psychology in Singapore is taught at university level as a four-year bachelor's degree, with professional training at master's or doctoral level for those who want to practise. The Ministry of Education lists six autonomous universities, which are the main providers of degrees. The school SpainExchange lists for this page, Insworld Institute, is not a university: it is a private pre-university school that prepares students for the A-level qualifications used to apply to universities in Singapore and abroad.
How psychology degrees are organised
Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) distinguishes two types of autonomous universities: research-intensive universities that teach across many fields, and universities offering applied degree programmes. The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), for example, is an applied university focused on the social sciences.
At Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology is a four-year programme of 128 academic units, run by the School of Social Sciences. NTU describes psychology as both a social science and a life science. Core courses include biological, developmental, social, cognitive and abnormal psychology, personality, and research design and data analysis. The degree includes a compulsory internship, and students with high grades complete a graduation project over their final two semesters, which is required for Honours with Highest Distinction or Distinction.
Becoming a psychologist
A bachelor's degree on its own does not make you a practising psychologist. According to the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), clinical psychologists usually start with a strong Honours degree followed by postgraduate training with coursework, research and supervised clinical practice, a path that typically takes six years or more. Counselling psychologists usually hold at least a master's in counselling psychology, and educational psychologists at least a master's in educational psychology, each with a period of supervised practice. Professional standards are set by the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP). NTU likewise advises students who want to work as professional psychologists to continue beyond the bachelor's level.
Admission, fees and the Student's Pass
Universities set their own entry rules. For UK A-level holders, NTU asks for good passes in at least four A-level subjects taken in the same sitting (three are considered case by case). Students whose schooling was not in English must show proficiency, for example IELTS with at least 6 overall.
Fees at NTU for the 2026-27 academic year depend on nationality. For most programmes, including psychology, international students outside ASEAN pay S$21,400 a year with an MOE Tuition Grant, or S$36,350 without it; fees stay fixed for the whole degree. Tuition Grant recipients who are international students must work in Singapore for three years after graduating (a bond).
International students accepted for full-time study need a Student's Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Part-time, evening and weekend courses do not qualify.
Insworld Institute: the pre-university route
Insworld Institute, founded in 2000, is a private school offering a British-based secondary curriculum. Its A-level and International A-level programme lasts 18 to 22 months in classes of 4 to 12 students, with main intakes in January and July. It is meant for students aged 16 to 18 with an International GCSE or equivalent and IELTS 5.0. Psychology is not among the A-level subjects it lists; students aiming at a psychology degree choose other subjects, such as Biology, Mathematics or English. The school states that it is regulated by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) through EduTrust.
Careers
NTU names the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Police among the government employers interested in psychology graduates. According to the SPS, clinical psychologists work in healthcare, community services, school and university clinics, government and private practice. The six autonomous universities publish a yearly Graduate Employment Survey with employment results by course.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a psychology degree in Singapore?
At NTU the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology takes four years (128 academic units). Practising as a clinical psychologist usually takes six years or more, including postgraduate training.
Do I need English to study psychology in Singapore?
Yes. NTU asks applicants whose schooling was not in English to prove their level, for example with IELTS 6 overall.
How much does a psychology degree cost for international students?
At NTU, in 2026-27, a non-ASEAN international student pays S$21,400 a year with the MOE Tuition Grant (and a three-year work bond) or S$36,350 without it.
Can I study psychology at Insworld Institute?
No. Insworld prepares students for A-levels and university entry; psychology is not among its listed A-level subjects.