Should I pursue Psychology or Psychiatry? - Excel Education | Study in Australia, Malaysia, the UK & Canada

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What is Psychology?

Psychology refers to the study and exploration of the mind and behaviour. The Psychology discipline encompasses all aspects of the human experience, from brain processes to acts, from child developments to aged care. The American Psychological Association (APA) remarks “the understanding of behaviour” as the endeavour of Psychologists in every conceivable scenario including scientific research centres to mental healthcare services.

A Psychologist is a qualified professional who supports people with appropriate coping strategies for their mental health. Psychologists work hard to understand their patients’ emotional and cognitive processes in order to aid them through various mental health difficulties. Psychologists often recognise emotional patterns, diagnose specific problems, refer patients, and decide the best treatment approaches.

Psychology is an important field in society consequent with the rise of the importance of mental health and well-being. The Psychology field offers new perspectives on human development through research and observation. It helps in answering questions relating to the human mind subsequently improving mental health standards for the community at large.

What is Psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a specialisation under the medical field centering on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioural conditions or disorders. The Psychiatry field has been one of the most significant branches of medicine with ongoing developments especially with the advent of neuroscience.

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor qualified to assess, diagnose, conduct medical tests, as well as form individualised treatment which include prescribing medicine, for mental, emotional, and behavioural conditions and disorders. Through performing medical or psychological tests combined with discussion on symptoms, medical and family history, Psychiatrists determine a diagnosis. Additionally, Psychiatrists refer to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) to diagnose these mental health conditions.

Psychiatry is a crucial field in society because Psychiatrists are the medical doctors responsible for helping patients with their debilitating psychological conditions. Psychiatrists help with providing treatments as well as reducing the stigma on mental illnesses. Although mental or behavioural disorders may not always be as obvious as physical ailments, such as a fractured bone, the reality is, mental and behavioural health issues should not be overlooked to properly heal patients.

Psychology vs Psychiatry

Both Psychology and Psychiatry are rewarding, respected, and vital professions that benefit the wider community in the long run. A simple way to distinguish Psychology and Psychiatry is that Psychiatrists are trained in both medicine and mental health, while Psychologists focus solely on mental health.

Psychology	Description	Psychiatry
Those pursuing Psychology have the chance to have careers including Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Education Mental Health Practitioner, Forensic Psychologist, Sport & Exercise Psychologist.	Career Options	Those pursuing Psychiatry have the chance to have careers including Addiction Psychiatrist, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Geriatric Psychiatrist, Emergency Psychiatrist, Organisational psychiatrist.
Psychology focuses on helping others improve their current situation. It investigates how and why the mind influences behaviour.	Career Scope	Psychiatry specialises with treating and assessing a patient’s psychological behavioural patterns. Practitioners are trained to fulfil the needs of those who have underlying neurological imbalances.
Registered Psychologists have completed at least six years of academic training and supervised practice. They may also have a Masters or Doctorate degree in Psychology. A Psychologist can use the title ‘Dr’ if they have a Doctorate (PhD), but they are not medical doctors.	Education & Training	Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed at least 11 years of training. They will need to pursue a medical degree then spend at least one or two years training as a general practitioner. Afterwards, they will train in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.
Psychologists assist clients in dealing with issues ranging from temporary difficulties to serious and continuing emotional and behavioural disorders.	Patient Care	Psychiatrists diagnose their patients, propose appropriate treatment approaches such as medication and therapy, and have authority to admit their patients if necessary.
Can specialise in a variety of issues and have received training in several styles of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).	Specialisations	Can specialise in a variety of areas, including child and adolescent Psychiatry, sleep medicine, or addiction medicine.

General Entry Requirements to study Psychology in Australia

Academic Entry

Academic entry	Minimum Score
STPM	5
Matriculation	CGPA 3.50
A-Levels	5
UEC	1
IB Diploma	24
Australian Matriculation (ATAR)	70
Canadian Pre-University (CPU)	60

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

English Language Entry Requirements

Entry Level	Minimum Score
IELTS	6.5
TOEFL	79
Pearson Test of English (PTE)	58

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

General Entry Requirements to study Psychiatry in Australia

Academic Entry

Academic entry	Minimum Score
STPM	CGPA 3.33
Matriculation	CGPA 3.33
A-Levels	13
UEC	1
IB Diploma	34
Australian Matriculation (ATAR)	90
Canadian Pre-University (CPU)	85

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

English Language Entry Requirements

Entry Level	Minimum Score
IELTS	7.0
TOEFL	94
Pearson Test of English (PTE)	65

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

How to become a Registered Psychologist in Australia

After completion of relevant examinations and programmes, such as SPM, O-Levels or Equivalent and pre-university, you can enrol in a Bachelor of Psychology for a provisional registration, which is necessary for continuing with a supervised practice. Alternatively, you can also work after completion of a Bachelor in Psychology, though not as a registered psychologist in Australia.

With a provisional registration, you can choose to either continue with a 5+1 pathway programme, where you complete a five-year accredited education sequence with a one-year internship, or a higher degree pathway, where you would continue with an accredited postgraduate degree after a four-year undergraduate degree in Psychology.Then, you can apply for the general registration, which allows psychologists to work in any area of specialised Psychology and earn the ‘Psychologist’ title. These pathways and options have been simplified. For more detailed and further information, reach out to us!

How to become a Psychiatrist

After completion of relevant examinations, such as SPM, O-Levels, or equivalent and a pre-university programme, you study medicine and enrol in a medical degree for up to 4-6 years. You should also note that some programmes may require additional entry requirements including admission tests and interviews. For further information, reach out to us!

After completing your medical degree, you need to do job training in a hospital for a year. Then, you can enrol and complete specialist training in psychiatry with Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). The training with RANZCP takes a minimum of five years, requires rotations in different areas of practice including child and adolescent, addiction, adult, forensic, Indigenous, old age and consultation Psychiatry, with supervision by a senior psychiatrist. The qualification from RANZCP allows for independent practice as a psychiatrist in Australia.

Universities to Study Psychology in Australia

1. University of New South Wales (UNSW)

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney was established in 1949 with four campus locations and seven faculties offering a broad range of programmes aimed to contribute to the advancement of society through academic excellence, social justice, and global engagement.

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) programme offered by UNSW is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The programme has the options of choosing from a range of specialised electives. Enrolled students will also experience a supervised research project and the chance to participate in the UNSW Psychology Society (PsychSoc).

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Duration	4 Years
Intake	February
Indicative Fees (2024)	AU$ 218,880