Depends. How low is your ''not too well" in terms of CGPA? 3.5? 3? 2 point something?

Generally, if your CGPA is 2.75 and above, it's still possible for you to get into public unis, as long as you're not picky. UMT, UMK, UMS, UNIMAS etc would still consider you. No harm trying.

If your CGPA is 3-3.5, it is possible for you to get into a better university, but less competitive courses (such as the social science and applied arts variety, maybe except stuff like econs, management, accounting etc which is usually filled with high scorers). If you apply and are accepted for interviews, put your best foot forward, as in interviews your academics isn't the only thing taken into account - your presentation skills, passion etc can give you an edge over that kid with a 3.8 CGPA but has no idea what he wants to do.

All else failing, then you can opt for private colleges and universities...

In either scenario, getting a low STPM score isn't the end of the world. Relax your choices (don't go for comptitive courses unless you absolutely will die studying them) and work hard in your first year of college or uni - it's not impossible for a meager 3 pointer in STPM to get a Dean's List (>3.5) result which then can be used to apply for scholarships (only applicable in your first two years though), or graduate with 1st class (3.75 and above) and convert your PTPTN loan into a scholarship.

Source: Personal experience as well as that of close friends. I scored a mere 3.25 in my STPM but am in a course that I love, in a reputable public uni, and am still a dean lister (as of today). Feel free to PM me if you need anymore help.


Generally in Malaysia it seems that job opportunities purely related to Psychology aren't many...psych graduates that I know of work in related fields such as education, human resources, etc. Where you study isn't as much an issue as where you're going to work. If you are working overseas, i.e Western nations then maybe there are more purely Psychology-related jobs there due to demand.

Interest in human behavior can also be learned via courses such as public relations, event management, business-related courses (marketing, econs), and mass communications, to name a few alternatives. Many of these courses do have a course in psychology or human behavior.

You're asking me about the CGPA for university entrance right?

There are minimal requirements (syarat khas) for most courses in public unis (you can find them in the respective uni's websites), where a minimal CGPA is stated for a course (some courses have a minimal MUET band as well). When I was doing my research, I haven't came across minimals below 2.75, but keep in mind that I only researched UM, UKM and USM. (Didn't apply to the other unis. My friends who went to those unis had CGPAs of around 2.75 or slightly higher).

The general 'passing CGPA' (syarat am) for most institutions is 2.0. As for the 'syarat khas' i mentioned earlier, it depends on the specific course you want to take.

Having said that, even if you did pass the minimal threshold of a course, your chances of getting in depends on the average of the others who are trying to get in as well. Give you a fictional case:

Course A lists 2.5 as its course requirement.
(a) Most people who apply for course A have an average nearer to 2.5 or a range not too far from it.
(b) Most people applying for course A are 3.0 and above.

You'd be more able to get into Course A under condition (a) than condition (b).

Long story short: choose your course wisely, don't choose a course that obviously demands high scorers (law, medicine...etc) if your CGPA is so-so. (story of my life too, haha.)