3 credits in SPM/IGCSE O-Levels – What Can You Study in Malaysia?

Study Diploma in Malaysia
With 3 Credits in SPM/IGCSE O-Levels or UEC 3Bs you can join a Diploma Course in Malaysia
Written by EduSpiral Consultant Services For more information contact 01111408838
Now that you have received your SPM/IGCSE O-Levels or UEC results, you may be disappointed that you only obtained 3 credits. However, look on the bright side in that you can still continue to study at university by going for the diploma course. You should not give up your studies because without any university education, it will be difficult for you to find a job that is stable and will provide a good salary.
One of the aims of studying a course is to get a job. And the aim of getting a job is to obtain a salary so that you can take care of yourself, your future family and your parents. Therefore, keep in mind what kind of lifestyle you want and whether the course that you are choosing will give you the salary to sustain that lifestyle.
With at least 3 credits in your SPM/IGCSE O-Levels or 3 Bs in UEC, you can join the Diploma course for 2. Some colleges or universities which offer hotel management or design diploma courses may be 2.5 years in duration.
After SPM or IGCSE O-Levels , there are many different pathways for you to choose from and sometimes it can be confusing. Students may fill up our EduSpiral Career Assessment form for evaluation.
You might also be interested to read:
- Choosing the Right Course After SPM or O-Levels Increases Your Chances of Getting a Good Job & Salary in Malaysia
- Explore Your Study Choices After SPM
- Best Diploma Courses in Malaysia at Top Colleges & Universities
- Entry Requirements for Foundation, Diploma & Degree Courses in Malaysia
- How to Choose the Best Private University or College in Malaysia that Fits Me?
- Study Courses that has High Job Demand in Malaysia
- Top 20 Courses to Study in Malaysia that has High Job Demand & Stable Salary
- Malaysia’s 28 Top Jobs in Demand in Future with High Salaries
For more information on the top private universities and colleges in Malaysia, Whatsapp 01111408838
Please fill up the Form below and I will WhatsApp you and provide you with sound advise on how to choose the best private university or college in Malaysia to study at. If you do not give your mobile number or full name as in IC, your query will not be answered. Our knowledgeable & experienced counsellor will send you a message on WhatsApp & provide assistance from there.
Which Course Should I Choose to Study Diploma in Malaysia?

Fu Wei, Diploma in Culinary Arts Graduate from YTL International College of Hotel Management
The Diploma pathway is a good choice if you do not have enough money, you can at least graduate with a diploma as it is cheaper and a shorter duration. After working a few years to save money, you can continue to complete your degree. If you find it difficult to study and yet would like a certificate, maybe you should study a diploma as takes less time to complete. A degree may be too difficult and is longer hence you may not have the motivation to finish it.
If you are not sure what to study, do ask a trained counselor and always make decisions based on evidence and facts. The decisions that you make now, can change your life forever. You can contact us for a free career test to help you understand yourself better so that you are able to make the right decision.
At EduSpiral Consultant Services, we have counseled and helped thousands of students to choose the right course and private university to study in Malaysia.
How is the Diploma Course Assessed?

Jun Chung, Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Asia Pacific University
Diploma programmes in Malaysia tend to be more practical oriented while degree programmes are more theoretical.
The diploma course is more hands-on with some theory while a degree programme is more academic. In the diploma, there will be a mixture of Coursework, Assignments, Quizzes, Exams and Projects.
What is the Duration for the Diploma Course in Malaysia?

Nowadays, you can finish a diploma in 2 years, it used to be 2.5 years. Therefore, now you will complete a degree in 4 years after the diploma which is the same duration if you go for Foundation.
SPM – Diploma (2 years) – Degree (Enter into Year 2 of related degree and finish in 2 more years)
SPM – Foundation/Pre-U (1 year) – Degree (3 years, engineering is 4 years for some universities)
What are the Entry Requirements for the Diploma Course?

Erwin, Graduated from Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism
To join a diploma programme, you will need at least 3 credits in your SPM/IGCSE O-Levels or 3 Bs in UEC. SPM students must have a Pass in BM and Sejarah. A credit in SPM or IGCSE O-Levels are A, B or C. Passes are D and E.
For UEC, a credit is a B, while C’s are not considered for entry.
There are other specific entry requirements depending on which course you want to study. For example, Maths will be a required credit for Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology (IT), Finance and Accounting. While Engineering course, you must have at least a credit for Maths and Science (for Arts students) or 1 Pure Science subject (for Science students).
Most courses in Design, Hospitality and Business would just require at least 3 credits however some universities may have additional requirements like English.
You may contact EduSpiral for guidance for which course that your results would allow you to enter.
Can I Apply for the PTPTN Loan for the Diploma Course in Malaysia?

Wei Siong, Diploma in Interior Design at First City University College
Students can apply for the PTPTN Loan for the Diploma course while there is no PTPTN loan for Foundation or Pre-University courses.
The Diploma course must be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) then you can apply for the PTPTN Loan.
Most universities and colleges will have a special department and staff to help you to make all the necessary arrangements for the loan so you do not need to worry about it. They will brief you about it during Orientation
Please note that generally, you have to pay the First Semester Fees first and then apply for the loan, which would take 2-3 months to process. The loan should be given out in time for the second semester but if it doesn’t happen in time, you have to prepare the fees for the Second Semester.
Students whose parents are under Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) may get the full PTPTN Loan amount RM14,030 (Science-related Diploma) or RM 13,600 (Arts-related Diploma). This is the total loan amount for the whole course.
Students whose parents’ combined income is not more than RM8,000 but not under BR1M will get RM10,520 (Science-related Diploma) or RM 10,200 (Arts-related Diploma).
Finally, students whose parents’ combined income is more than RM8,000 will get RM7,010 (Science-related Diploma) or RM 6,800 (Arts-related Diploma).
The details of the loan level are as below:
PTPTN Loan Amount
PERINGKAT PENGAJIAN UNTUK IPTS | JUMLAH PEMBIAYAAN SETAHUNMENGIKUT PERINGKAT* | ||
MAKSIMUM(RM) | 75%(RM) | 50%(RM) | |
Foundation | 6,800 | 5,100 | 3,400 |
Diploma | 6,800 | 5,100 | 3,400 |
Diploma (Farmasi, Pergigian & Sains Kesihatan) | 12,750 | 9,560 | 6,380 |
Ijazah Sarjana Muda (Sains) | 14,030 | 10,520 | 7,010 |
Ijazah Sarjana Muda (Sastera) | 13,600 | 10,200 | 6,800 |
Ijazah Sarjana Muda (Farmasi, Pergigian & Sains Kesihatan) | 17,000 | 12,750 | 8,500 |
Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perubatan (MBBS) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
Peringkat jumlah pembiayaan ditentukan berdasarkan kelayakan di bawah:-
PERINGKAT PEMBIAYAAN |
KELAYAKAN |
Maksimum |
Sekiranya pelajar atau penjaga pelajar disenaraikan sebagai penerima Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) |
75% daripada pembiayaan maksimum |
Pendapatan keluarga tidak melebihi RM8,000 (tiada dalam data BR1M) |
50% daripada pembiayaan maksimum |
Pendapatan keluarga melebihi RM8,000 (tiada dalam data BR1M) |
Can I Transfer the Credits from my Diploma Course to the Degree?

Vickey, Diploma in IT at Multimedia University (MMU)
After the Diploma course, you can continue on to a degree and generally enter into the 2nd Year for another 2 years of study. If you enter engineering, it could be another 2 or 3 years depending on which course.
It depends on the exemptions from the particular institution. Generally you will enter into Year 2 of the similar programme at the same university but if you choose to transfer to another university, you may not get enough exemptions and may only enter into the Final semester of Year 1.
What are the Diploma Courses that you can Study in Malaysia?

Dora, Diploma in Hotel Management at YTL International College of Hotel Management
I have prepare a list of the best diploma courses to study in Malaysia that has high job demand to help students choose the right career for a successful future. They are not in any particular order.
- Diploma in Accounting
- Diploma in Business Administration
- Diploma in Business with Information Technology (IT)
- Diploma in Logistics Management
- Diploma in Computer Studies
- Diploma in Information Technology (IT)
- Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Diploma in Interior Design or Diploma in Interior Architecture
- Diploma in Fashion Design & Marketing
- Diploma in Multimedia Design
- Diploma in 3D Animation
- Diploma in Hotel Management
- Diploma in Event Management
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Physiotherapy
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
- Diploma in Medical Imaging (Radiography)
- Diploma in Nursing
- Diploma in Mass Communication
- Diploma In English Language Teaching