How to Prepare for a Psychology Degree: Tips for Beginners

Choosing what to study for your higher education is a significant decision, especially when you’re considering your long-term career and personal growth. If you’ve been considering a psychology degree, you might be wondering what makes it such a popular and meaningful choice today.

Beyond its reputation as a subject about the mind, psychology offers something deeper: practical skills, real-world relevance, and the opportunity to understand people in ways that truly matter.

Why Study a Psychology Degree?

In addition to its academic appeal, a psychology degree holds social and professional significance, especially in Malaysia.

Across the country, conversations around mental health, stress, burnout, and emotional well-being have become more visible than ever. Studies in Malaysia have shown a steady rise in mental health concerns among adults and young people alike, due to academic pressure, workplace stress, and rapid social change. Yet access to support and trained professionals still lags behind demand.

For students considering a BSc in Psychology, this context is important. Psychology involves more than just understanding theories; it’s about addressing genuine human needs in society. Doing psychology studies means you’ll learn to:

• Understand why people think, feel, and behave the way they do, individually and in groups
• Analyse behaviour using scientific methods
• Develop empathy alongside critical thinking and data literacy
• Apply psychological insight in real-world settings

Moreover, pursuing a psychology degree also builds transferable skills such as

• Academic reading and writing
• Research and statistics
• Ethical reasoning
• Communication and problem-solving

What Can You Do with a Psychology Degree?

Although psychology is often linked to clinical practice and therapy, the discipline extends far beyond these areas. It is a broad and dynamic field that opens up a wide range of career opportunities, all connected in some way to understanding the human mind and behaviour.

With your psychology degree, you can explore career opportunities in industries such as:

• Human resources and organisational development
• Education and student support services
• Marketing, consumer behaviour, and user research
• Social services and community programmes
• Further study in psychology or related disciplines

This broad scope is why the BSc Psychology is often chosen by students seeking flexibility.

What Are the Core Areas (Modules) of Study in Psychology?

While modules may vary, a bachelor’s degree in psychology typically covers:

• Biological Psychology – how the brain and nervous system influence behaviour
• Cognitive Psychology – memory, learning, perception, and thinking
• Developmental Psychology – psychological growth across the lifespan
• Social Psychology – how people interact and influence one another
• Research Methods & Statistics – how psychological knowledge is produced
• Psychological Ethics & Professional Practice

Tips to Prepare for Studying Psychology

You don’t need to “pre-study” psychology textbooks. But these practical steps can give you a head start for your psychology studies.

1. Get Comfy with Statistics
   Psychology is a science, which means data and statistics matter. You’ll use statistics to analyse behaviour patterns and research results. So, start simple: understand averages, graphs, and basic data interpretation.
2. Practice Academic Reading
   Psychology involves reading research papers, journal articles, and case studies.
   Get used to:
   a.) Reading critically (not just memorising)
   b.) Spotting arguments, evidence, and conclusions
3. Build Solid Study Habits
   Consistency beats cramming. Develop habits like:
   a.) Weekly revision
   b.) Note-taking in your own words
   c.) Breaking big topics into manageable chunks
4. Learn Basic Research Methods
   You’ll study how experiments, surveys, and observations work. Familiarising yourself with terms like hypothesis, variables, and ethics will help you feel more confident early on.
5. Strengthen Your Writing Skills
   Psychology assessments often involve essays and research reports. Focus on:
   a.) Clear structure
   b.) Evidence-based arguments
   c.) Referencing sources properly
6. Keep a Curious but Critical Mindset
   Psychology isn’t about “quick answers.” You’ll learn to question assumptions and evaluate evidence—even when it challenges popular beliefs.
7. Take Care of Your Mental Health
   Studying psychology can be personally reflective. Good programmes emphasise ethical awareness and self-care, but it’s important to maintain balance, rest, and support systems.
8. Explore Your Interests Early
   Are you drawn to mental health, child development, organisational behaviour, or social psychology? Exploring early helps you connect theory to real-world goals.

Broaden Your Mind with Our BSc Psychology Degree

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology at LSBF Malaysia, offered in collaboration with the established UK University of Suffolk, is designed for students who want:

• A globally recognised qualification
• Progress from foundational concepts to advanced psychological theories
• Gradually introduce research, statistics, and applied learning
• Ensure students build skills step by step—ideal for those without a prior psychology background
• Supportive teaching for students transitioning from school or diploma studies

If you’re curious about people, motivated by impact, and ready to grow intellectually and personally, this programme offers a powerful starting point.

Get in touch with us to learn more about the BSc (Hons) in Psychology in Collaboration with the University of Suffolk.

A blog written by Serin Thankam Sam

FAQs

Is a psychology degree hard for beginners?

Yes. Like any academic bachelor degree, studying psychology requires effort. But it isn’t designed to be intimidating, especially for beginners who are curious about human behaviour and committed to learning.

At London School of Business and Finance Malaysia (LSBF Malaysia), the BSc (Hons) Psychology in collaboration with the University of Suffolk, UK, is structured to help beginners learn psychology from the ground up. Here’s how LSBF Malaysia makes pursuing a psychology degree manageable:

• Structured Modules Build You Up Gradually: The programme begins with foundational concepts, including introductions to psychological science and human behaviour, before moving into deeper topics. This progression helps students strengthen their understanding step by step, rather than jumping into complex ideas too quickly.
• Supportive Academic Environment: LSBF Malaysia emphasises student support, including access to faculty who guide you through research, theory, and academic skills.
• Research and Critical Thinking Skills Built In: Psychology teaches you how to think like a scientist. LSBF Malaysia teaches research methods and statistics in a way that’s accessible for beginners, helping you build confidence with data rather than fear it.

Can I prepare for a psychology degree without prior psychology classes?

Absolutely. You don’t need any prior psychology background to start a Bachelor of Psychology in Malaysia. Many students have no prior exposure to psychology.

Preparation is less about memorising what a “psychologist” does, and more about building skills that will support your long-term career advancement.

How long does it take to complete a psychology degree?

Most Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology programmes take three years full-time.

Is a BSc in psychology a good degree for future careers?

Absolutely. It develops transferable skills valued across multiple sectors and supports further study.

Are online psychology degrees valid?

They can be, depending on accreditation. However, many students prefer on-campus learning for discussion, research guidance, and academic support—especially at the undergraduate level.