Study PhDs in the Social Sciences
in Malaysia.
Psychology, communication, media, sociology, international relations, public policy and development studies.
31 programmes across 15 partner campuses, with the published tuition where the university has given us one. We are an official partner of each institution listed.
- Programmes
- 31
- Campuses
- 15
- Award level
- PhD
- Tuition range
- RM 3,600 – RM 192,003
- Median tuition
- RM 40,630
Published total programme tuition, in ringgit. The median is quoted rather than an average because a handful of listed totals are outliers. 1 of these programmes has no usable published total in our data and shows "on application".
Every partner campus teaching social sciences at phd level, with how many programmes each runs and what they charge.
Lincoln University College
Petaling Jaya, Selangor · Private · QS #701–710
Multimedia University
Cyberjaya, Selangor · Private · QS #771–780
Open University Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur · Private
UCSI University
Kuala Lumpur · Private · QS #282
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur · Private · QS #1401+
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
Pahang · Public · QS #588
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
Tanjong Malim, Perak · Public · QS #851–900
Nilai University
Nilai, Negeri Sembilan · Private
IMU University
Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur · Private · QS #951–1000
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur
Kajang, Selangor · Private
International Islamic University Malaysia
Gombak, Selangor · Public · QS #691
Universiti Malaya
Kuala Lumpur · Public · QS #56
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Penang · Public · QS #128
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
Melaka · Public · QS #1201–1400
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak
Kuala Lumpur · Private
What you would need.
- Academic
- A recognised Master's degree in a related field, plus a research proposal and, for most programmes, a supervisor willing to take you on.
- English
- Around CEFR B2 to C1 — commonly IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, or our placement test at PEP Level 5.
Read this first. This is the usual route to a programme at this level in Malaysia, not this university's published rule. The university sets the actual requirement and can vary it by intake — a counsellor confirms yours before you apply, free.
Cheapest first within each level. Each row opens a page with the fee, the typical entry route and the English level you would need.
Doctor of Philosophy (Manufacturing)
Universiti Kuala Lumpur · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences)
Universiti Kuala Lumpur · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
Universiti Kuala Lumpur · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) (Healthcare Mgt / Medical & Health Sci / Health Professions Ed)
IMU University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy Generic (Arts)
Open University Malaysia · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Conventional) (Research Mode)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration / Education)
Open University Malaysia · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Fast track) (Research Mode)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Remote Supervision) (Research Mode)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy - Applied Physics, Information Systems, or Management (By Research)
Nilai University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Non Science & Technical)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy - Innovation, Data Science, Education, or Financial Technology (By Research)
Nilai University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Science & Technical)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology / Engineering / Science)
Open University Malaysia · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Business and Management)
UCSI University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Science Stream - Faculty of Science & Mathematic)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris · PhD · Social sciences
PhD Programme (Communication Technology - KICT)
International Islamic University Malaysia · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management
Lincoln University College · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
Lincoln University College · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality and Tourism
UCSI University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical / Neuropsychology)
Universiti Sains Malaysia · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Physiology
Lincoln University College · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
Lincoln University College · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences)
UCSI University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Multimedia / Communication) (Research)
Multimedia University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Management) (Research)
Multimedia University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering / Laws) (Research)
Multimedia University · PhD · Social sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Business, Medicine, Computer Science)
Universiti Malaya · PhD · Social sciences
Not sure which one fits?
Send a counsellor what you have studied and what you want to do with it. They come back with the programmes on this page you actually qualify for, the English level each needs, and the intakes still open — free.
Or reach us directly — inquiry@premium.edu.my · +603 2740 0711
How much does it cost to study social sciences in Malaysia?
Across the 30 of these 31 programmes with a published fee, total tuition runs from RM 3,600 to RM 192,003, with a median of RM 40,630. Those are the universities' programme fees and exclude the student visa, EMGS processing and medical, accommodation and living costs.
What do I need to get in?
A recognised Master's degree in a related field, plus a research proposal and, for most programmes, a supervisor willing to take you on. This is the usual route to a programme at this level in Malaysia, not this university's published rule. The university sets the actual requirement and can vary it by intake — a counsellor confirms yours before you apply, free.
What English level do I need?
Around CEFR B2 to C1 — commonly IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, or our placement test at PEP Level 5. Our free placement test establishes your CEFR level, and as an official English provider we can take you to the level the university asks for before you enrol.
Which universities teach social sciences?
15 of our partner institutions do, including Lincoln University College, Multimedia University, Open University Malaysia, UCSI University. Each is listed below with what it charges.
Can I apply to more than one?
Yes — and you should. Shortlist the programmes that fit and send the list to a counsellor, who comes back with the ones you actually qualify for and the intakes still open. There is no fee to enquire.