USA · Bachelor's
New York University
BA Psychology
New York University
Course Overview
NYU's BA in Psychology is offered through the College of Arts and Science out of the Washington Square campus in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The department is consistently top-10 in the US (US News Psychology rankings) with strong cognitive neuroscience, developmental, and social psychology tracks. Year 1-2 cover the survey core (cognition, perception, statistics, neuroscience); years 3-4 offer 30+ electives and capstone-style research labs. NYU also runs a sub-track in Applied Psychology (Steinhardt) which Sri Lankan applicants can switch into after year 1.
Sri Lankan demand for NYU Psychology is rising sharply — Manhattan placement access for internships at the Child Mind Institute, NYU Langone Health, and consulting/behavioural-design firms like IDEO and Behavioral Insights Team is unmatched. The BA is the standard pre-Master's pathway: ~60% of NYU psych grads go on to either an MSc in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, I/O Psychology, or a JD/MD.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: AAA-AAB typical for admits (no formal minimum).
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 As across any stream (Arts stream accepted).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 35+ points typical for admits.
- check_circle SAT 1450-1570 or ACT 33-35 (test-optional through 2026 cycle).
- check_circle Common App essay + NYU supplemental essay; two teacher recommendations + counsellor reference.
English Proficiency
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall.
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.5 Overall.
- check_circle Duolingo: 125 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your secondary qualification was completed in English at an accredited school for at least 4 years (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel/Cambridge International streams qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount ($) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | $67,000 | Rs. 21,440,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Manhattan) | $32,000 | Rs. 10,240,000 |
| Health Insurance & Fees | $5,800 | Rs. 1,856,000 |
| F-1 Visa, SEVIS, Travel & Setup | $2,500 | Rs. 800,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment (before financial aid) | $107,300 | Rs. 34,336,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for 12 months of F-1 OPT. Psychology is NOT STEM-listed at the BA level (some neuroscience and quantitative concentrations are). Standard track: pursue a Master's (MSc Clinical Psychology, MA Counselling, MSc I/O Psychology) — many in the US, qualifying for STEM OPT extensions. Graduates also place into behavioural strategy at McKinsey, Deloitte Behavioral Insights, IDEO, and tech UX research at Meta and Google.
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