Choosing the Best Pre-University Course in Malaysia that Fits you

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Choosing the right Pre-University course after SPM can be confusing. There is no such thing as the “best” Pre-University or Pre-U programme. It is choosing the right Pre-U programme that fits you and your future goals.

 To choose the best Pre-University programme to study in Malaysia, you have to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you prefer exam-based or a mix of exams, assignments, course work, etc.? What is your learning style? Talk to the counselors at the private universities to find out in detail about the curriculum of the Pre-University programme to see which one best fits you.
2. What you want to study for your degree? If you know that you want to go for Business studies, then there is no need to take the Foundation in Science. Students wanting to go for medicine, law, pharmacy or dentistry are recommended to take the A-Levels.
3. What is your budget?A Foundation programme will cost from RM10,000 to RM25,000 while a degree at a private university will cost from RM50,000-RM100,000 for a business course to RM130,000 for a Pharmacy course. If this is out of your budget, then you should consider taking the STPM and going for Public University. If you do not have the finances to study at private universities, then just go for STPM. Note that STPM is extremely tough and takes 2 years of your time. You may not get the degree of your choice when entering into Public University.
4. Do you want to continue your studies in Malaysia or overseas? If you plan to go overseas, then go for the external Pre-University programme and choose based on which country you want to go to. If you plan to continue your degree course in Malaysia, you should just take the Foundation course as it is cheaper and generally easier than the external Pre-U. To study overseas will cost from RM150,000 to RM200,000 a year at least. So, if you do not have the finances to study overseas, there is no point to go for an external Pre-University Programme. A Foundation course at a top private university in Malaysia will be sufficient.

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Entry Requirements into Pre-University Programs in Malaysia

General entry requirements into Pre-University programs in Malaysia is  5 credits in SPM including Maths & English and a pass in BM & Sejarah

• IT programmes – includes credit in Maths
• Engineering programmes – includes credits in Maths and Physics or some universities accept Maths & Science.
• Chemical or Petroleum engineering – includs credits in Maths and Chemistry
• Medicine & Pharmacy programmes – at least 5Bs in SPM including Maths, Biology, Physics & Chemistry. Even if you enter into the Pre-U course without meeting these requirements, you will not be able to enter into the degree course.

Recommendations

• Students not planning to go for Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry or Law should just go for the one-year Pre-University Programmes as you can save on time and money.
• If you aim for scholarships for your degree studies or overseas, then you should go for the external Pre-U.
• Students who are not sure of what to study for their degree can go for Pre-University courses first and take the time to discover which one fits you. For wider options, you should choose the Foundation in Science unless you already know that you do not want to take up degree studies in the sciences.
• If you plan to study at a private university in Malaysia for your degree studies, you can just go for the

  

  Foundation as it is cheaper than the external Pre-University courses. Note that the Foundation in Science for one university may not be recognised for entry into Medicine or Pharmacy by another private university should you decide not to continue on at the original university where you took the Foundation. Therefore, choose carefully.

• Students who want to take up the Law degree must take the A-Levels as it is recognised by the Malaysian Bar to practice as a lawyer. If you go for Foundation, you cannot become a lawyer in Malaysia.
• Students planning to go for culinary arts, fashion design, multimedia design, graphic design, or interior design should just go for the Diploma first and then enter into Year 2 of the Degree should you be interested to go on to degree level. Some universities do not accept Pre-U or Foundation courses that are not Design-based.
• If you are not good at calculation subjects like maths and accounting, then you should go for diploma courses because the Foundation or Pre-U will contain subjects like Maths, Finance and Accounting.

A Comparison of Top Pre-University Programmes in MalaysiaHow to Choose the Best Pre-University Course in Malaysia that Fits You

Pre-University Course	Brief introduction	Duration	Assessment	Subjects
Cambridge A-Levels             Awarded by Cambridge Advanced Level Certificate	The Cambridge GCE A Level is the general certificate of education qualification through examinations by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). The GCE A Level programme places emphasis on knowledge, understanding and reasoning abilities and skills.	Duration is 18 months                 Intakes in January, March and July                                                                                                 Exams in June & November           Some colleges may offer 12 month course with 2 subjects	Assessed totally through external examinations. The examination papers are set and marked by examiners from the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). You can now sit for the A-Level examination in two phases: at Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS) and at Advanced Two (A2) Level. Students unsatisfied with any of their individual units must re-sit the entire level, ie either AS or A2, and only the last score will automatically be taken into account.	No. of Subjects: 3-4                                                 Science Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Economics.Arts Law, Mathematics, Economics, History, Accounting, English Literature and Business Studies.
LONDON EXAMINATIONS, EDEXCEL INTERNATIONAL – A-Levels	The Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA) in the UK only recognises the London A-Levels. The London A-Levels is under the tight scrutiny of the QCA for all preparation, distribution and marking of the examination papers. For the London A-Levels, there is a centre in every region to facilitate communication with Edexcel UK, in addition to ensuring that the London A-Levels centres meet the standards set by the QCA.	Duration is 18 months     Intakes in January, April and July         Exams in January & May/June	100% external examination. n Modular A-levels, each A-Level subject is subdivided into SIX UNITS where each unit is separately assessed in stages. In the Staged assessment it is divided into stages and in each stage the candidates get to select any number of the six units to be assessed in each examination session. An assessment is done every six months and the number of units selected for each examination session is entirely up to the candidate. The best grades for all the 6 units will be added together for a full A-Level final grade.	No. of Subjects: 3-4                                           Mathematics Further Mathematics Biology Chemistry Physics Economics Accounting
South Australian Matriculation                                                                 Awarded by South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)	SAM offers                                                                                     – Proven learning techniques tailored to university study – A balanced choice of subjects leading to a variety of university degree courses – A mixture of school assessments and external examinations that assess students fairly – The flexibility for students to complete the program over an extended period – An opportunity for students to increase their tertiary entrance rank by repeating subjects without penalty.	Duration is 10 months with intakes for the January intake and 7 months for the March intake. Students taking the August intake will study for 18 months	Balance of continuous internal assessment and a final external examination. Students are provided with a university aggregate score (out of 90 marks) and a tertiary entrance rank (TER), a percentile ranking that is recognised without modification by all tertiary selection agencies in Australia. Students must complete 5 subjects, including 1 subject from List 1 and at least 1 subject from List 2. In addition, students must achieve a satisfactory score (10/20 or better) in either English as Second Language Studies, or English Studies.	No. of Subjects – 6                                                     List 1 – Economics, English as Second Language Studies, English Studies, Legal Studies List 2 – Accounting Studies, Biology, Chemistry, IT Studies, Mathematical Studies, Specialist Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)	Monash University Foundation Year   -offered at Sunway University and not at Monash University                               – A foundation programme for students interested to enter Monash University degree programmes	Duration is 10 months with Intakes in January, March and July       March intake is a 7 month condensed course (not recommended)	A student must pass a minimum of eight different units, including English, in order to complete the MUFY successfully. A minimum of six of the eight units must be derived from three completed subjects. Students are allowed to take on additional units limited to five per semester or ten in the duration of the program. Assessment comprises a mix of coursework (such as research projects, assignments, presentations, reports and class tests) and final examinations. The major component is the final examination which constitutes 30% – 60% of the total score depending on the unit(s) taken. Final examinations are conducted at the end of each semester.	English (compulsory) Accounting Economics Biology Chemistry Physics Fundamental Mathematics Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Information and Communication Technology Globalisation
Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)                           Awarded by Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)	The AUSMAT is the Year 12 curriculum of Western Australia. The Curriculum Council of Western Australia, on behalf of the Government of Western Australia, overseas the quality implementation of the curriculum.	Duration is 10 months with Intakes in January           Exam in November             March intake is a 7 month condensed course (not recommended)	50% internal continuous assessment (moderated by the Curriculum Council) and 50% external final examinations (TEE) Provides opportunities to use multiple assessment techniques to help students progress – continuous assessment may include topic tests, quizzes, assignments, investigations, research and exams. Flexibility of calculating a student’s score based on Best-4 or Best-5 subjects .	No. of Subjects – 5                                               Required to take English as an Additional Language (EAL/D) or English The remaining subjects must include one subject from each from List 1 and List 2: LIST 1 – German, English, Economics, LIST 2 – Accounting and Finance, Biological Sciences Chemistry, Computer Studies Mathematics, Mathematics : Specialist Physics
Canadian Pre-University (CPU) or Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)                                 Awarded by Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)	Offered according to the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education, students to graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) In the CIMP, they focus on your development in the following areas: – Effective communication; using English as the language   for international communication – Independent learning skills; learn how to learn – Effective transition from secondary to tertiary education – Talent and leadership development – Community outreach	Duration is 10 to 15 months.                 Intakes in January, March, July   & September                 Exam in June & December	Assessment will be 70% coursework and 30% final examinations. Coursework includes evaluations conducted throughout the programme; quizzes, assignments, projects and class tests. The final assessment will be in the form of an examination.In addition, to graduate, students must sit for an external literacy test administered in March, perform Ten (10) hours of recognised Community Involvement.	No. of Subjects – 6                                             Business, Computer Studies, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences & English Courses.       Students can choose from 27 subjects offered at Taylor’s College
Internal Foundation at Private Universities in Malaysia-Internal qualification	It is cheaper & easier than the external Pre-U programmes. Students intending to continue on in the particular university can choose to go for their internal foundation. Foundation is accredited by MQA & students can transfer to other private universities in Malaysia or overseas for related degree.	Duration is 12 mths or 3 semesters with intakes in Jan, April, July, August & October depending on which university	Assessments comprise coursework, class tests and examinations. Internally assessed.	No. of Subjects – 12

Choosing the right Pre-University course after SPM or O-Levels can be confusing. There is no such thing as the “best” Pre-University or Pre-University programme. It is choosing the right Pre-U programme that fits you and your future goals.

 To choose the best Pre-University programme to study in Malaysia, you have to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you prefer exam-based or a mix of exams, assignments, course work, etc.? What is your learning style? Talk to the counselors at the private universities to find out in detail about the curriculum of the Pre-University programme to see which one best fits you.
2. What you want to study for your degree? If you know that you want to go for Business studies, then there is no need to take the Foundation in Science. Students wanting to go for medicine, law, pharmacy or dentistry are recommended to take the A-Levels.
3. What is your budget?A Foundation programme will cost from RM10,000 to RM25,000 while a degree at a private university will cost from RM50,000-RM100,000 for a business course to RM130,000 for a Pharmacy course. If this is out of your budget, then you should consider taking the STPM and going for Public University. If you do not have the finances to study at private universities, then just go for STPM. Note that STPM is extremely tough and takes 2 years of your time. You may not get the degree of your choice when entering into Public University.
4. Do you want to continue your studies in Malaysia or overseas? If you plan to go overseas, then go for the external Pre-University programme and choose based on which country you want to go to. If you plan to continue your degree course in Malaysia, you should just take the Foundation course as it is cheaper and generally easier than the external Pre-U. To study overseas will cost from RM150,000 to RM200,000 a year at least. So, if you do not have the finances to study overseas, there is no point to go for an external Pre-University Programme. A Foundation course at a top private university in Malaysia will be sufficient.

Sometimes students choose the Pre-University programme for the wrong reasons. Students must research

carefully the type of Pre-University and its assessment style. Some students don’t perform well in the Pre-University because the assessment of the Pre-University doesn’t fit them or their command of the English language is too weak to handle the written assignments.

Intakes are also important for students who want to perform the best in the exams. Taking the March intake is generally a mistake as it is compressed in duration therefore making the student having to complete the syllabus in a short amount of time.

Just because a Pre-University is free, doesn’t mean that it would be the best or “less burden” to your parents. Taking the STPM may be free but it is a very tough exam. If you have 9As and you take the STPM, which is tougher to score, you may not be able to get 4As to apply for scholarships for degree. But if you take the Foundation, even if you have to pay a bit, but you score because it is very much easier than STPM, you will be able to apply for partial or even full scholarship for your degree.

The Best Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

“Pre” means “before”, therefore, “Pre-University” means the course that you take before entering into a

university degree programme. Most students will enter into the Pre-U after completing SPM. There are many different Pre-University programmes available in Malaysia.

Duration & Entry Requirements of Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

The duration of the Pre-University Programme vary from programme to programme and takes about 8 months to 24 months to complete.

General Entry Requirements for all Pre-University Programmes: SPM or ‘O’ Level or equivalent – 5 credits including English and Mathematics/Science. Note that you will need to take into account the degree requirements for certain courses for SPM subjects.

Medical & Pharmacy degree programmes will require at least 5Bs in SPM including the Science subjects while Engineering would require credits in Physics & Maths.

Subjects for Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

The number of subjects for the Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia vary from 3 to 12. When choosing the subjects, it is important to take those that would be relevant to the intended degree course. It is important to choose the right combination of subjects which would be related to your degree programme.

For example, if you take up Arts subjects, you will not be able to continue into a Biotechnology degree course.

Acceptance & Recognition of the Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

As long as the Pre-University Programme has been accredited by MQA, it will be accepted into any private university in Malaysia and the external Pre-University programmes such as A-Levels, AUSMAT, SAM, UNSW Foundation Year, etc are accepted into universities overseas. The Internal Foundation Programmes of Private Universities in Malaysia are generally not accepted for entry by universities overseas therefore you have to take this into consideration when making your decision.

The Different Types of Pre-University Programmes for SPM/O-Level School Leavers

Below is a list of pre-university programmes offered in Malaysia:

• Foundation programmes by private universities in Malaysia
• Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) Malaysia
• Matriculation Certificate, Ministry of Education Malaysia
• University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) UK
• Edexcel International Advanced Level UK
• South Australian Matriculation (SAM) Australia
• Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
• Canadian Pre-University (CPU) or Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) Canada
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

There are many different Pre-University programmes available in Malaysia. I will list some of the most popular ones.

Malaysian Private University Internal Foundation Programme

Students after SPM or O-Levels can consider taking the Foundation Programmes at top private universities in Malaysia. The Foundation Programmes are 1 year and is cheaper compared to the external Pre-University Programmes.

Many private higher educational institutions in Malaysia, have developed their own internal university foundation programmes.

These courses are accredited by the Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA) and recognised by the respective foreign partner universities.

Unlike the external qualifications which focus on more general Science and Art-based subjects, the internal qualifications provide specialisation in precise areas of study such as the fields of business, computer & IT, and engineering, and hence, cater to the specific needs of different students.

Students who know what they want to study can just go for the Foundation at the university offering the degree of interest. It is cheaper, easier and a faster way to continue to completing the degree.

Foundation Programmes at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Malaysian private universities have been preparing students for study in top universities worldwide since the 1970s therefore they have the necessary experience to ensure quality for the Foundation programmes are adhered to.

Students after SPM or O-Levels should choose the foundation programme in Malaysia that best fits their career goals and needs. Students should choose Foundation programmes from prominent and established universities such as Heriot-Watt University Malaysia,  Asia Pacific University, Taylor’s University, KDU University College Utropolis Glenmarie, UCSI University, First City University College, HELP University, Curtin University Sarawak, KDU University College Penang, others.

Students will take about 10-12 subjects in 3 semesters (1 year) for the Foundation programme at private universities in Malaysia.

If you are still not sure of what to study for your degree, the Foundation programme is a good choice and is shorter in duration than the STPM and less difficult.

• Duration: 1 year
• Entry Requirements: Min. 5 credits, inclusive of Maths and 2 pure Science subjects for Foundation in Science or Engineering. For IT, you must have a credit in Maths. Other courses just require 5 credits. For Medicine and Pharmacy, Min. 5B in Maths, Additional Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics but will vary from university to university.
• Recognition: Mostly in Malaysia and some overseas. As long as the Foundation course is accredited by MQA, it will be accepted by another private university for entry into the relevant degree programme.
• Cost: Generally cheaper than overseas Pre-University courses and A-Levels

Assessment for Foundation programmes in Malaysia will vary from university to university. It will contain a mix of coursework, assignments, quizzes and exams.

The coursework could cover different assessment tasks such as projects, assignments, laboratory work,

Strategically locate in Kuala Lumpur, UCSI University is ranked in the top 300 universities in Asia by QS and Rated Excellent or Tier 5 in the SETARA 2013 by MQA

presentations, tests, and others as assigned throughout each semester. The final examination is conducted at the end of each semester. The assessments are subject to quality assurance procedures to maintain high standards and ensuring fair assessment.

Unlike the external pre-university programmes in Malaysia which focus on more general Science and Art-based subjects, the Foundation programmes for private universities provide specialisation in specific areas of study such as business, computer & IT, or engineering, and hence, cater to the specific needs of different students.

However, there are also general Foundation programmes such as Foundation in Arts and Foundation in Science offered by the private universities.

Foundation in Science programmes can lead to engineering, pharmacy, medicine, applied sciences, health sciences and other arts related degree programmes. The Foundation in Arts programme can lead to accounting, business, computing, architecture, design, and other arts related courses. After completing the Foundation in Science students have the choice to choose sciences or arts related degree programmes.

The Foundation programmes at HELP University, Taylor’s University and UCSI University are recognised by some top universities in Australia, UK and New Zealand for entry into their degree programmes. Asia Pacific University is the only private university in Malaysia where all students will study the same subjects for the first semester and then when they figure out which course suits them, they choose the stream for their second and final semester.

The Best Universities Offering Top Rated Foundation Programmes in Malaysia

• Heriot-Watt University Malaysia 
  • Foundation in Business & Design
  • Foundation in Science
• Curtin University Sarawak
  • Foundation in Commerce
  • Foundation in Media Studies
  • Foundation in Engineering & Technology
• Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus
  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
  • Taylor’s Business Foundation
  • Foundation in Communication
  • Foundation in Computing
  • Foundation in Design
  • Foundation in Engineering
  • Foundation in Natural & Built Environments
• Asia Pacific University 
  • Foundation that streams into Engineering, IT, Accounting, Business & Design
• KDU University College Utropolis Glenmarie
  • Foundation in Arts & Technology
  • Foundation in Engineering & Technology
• HELP University
  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
• UCSI University
  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
• First City University College
  • Foundation in Business Administration
  • Foundation in Design
  • Foundation in Engineering, Science & Technology
• Berjaya University College of Hospitality
  • Foundation in Commerce
  • Foundation in Hospitality
• KDU Penang University College 
  • Foundation in Business

The Best A-Level Programmes in Malaysia

The A-Levels is quite popular however it is quite tough and not for those who do not have the discipline or motivation to complete it. It is recommended for those intending to pursue medicine, law or pharmacy to take up this programme.

What’s the difference between the Cambridge A-Levels and the Edexcel A-Levels in Malaysia?

Academic system: The Cambridge A-Level programme follows a staged assessment route to A Level by taking the AS Level

in one examination session and completing the final A Level assessments at a subsequent session. Some papers are actually practical papers, in which you have to do experiments and answer related questions.

The Edexcel A- Level programme follows a modular system. Most Edexcel A-Level students would sit for 1-2 papers per subject at the end of every 5 to 6-month period.

Examination board: Edexcel and CIE are both examples of UK examination boards which provide a range of exams and qualifications. All exam boards operate under the guidelines produced by the JCQ (Joint Committee for Qualifications).

There is no difference in the level or degree of difficulty between the examination offered by Edexcel and CIE. The specifications of syllabuses might differ but both of them are recognized by colleges, universities and employers all around the world.

The Edexcel International Advanced Levels A-Levels modular system aims to test you on the application of each unit, and hence a student can choose to repeat a single unit on its own, without having to repeat an entire level.

Only the highest mark scored in any attempt will automatically be taken into account. The Cambridge Board, on the other hand, is linear-based. Students attempt to take the examinations in two stages, AS & A2 Level. Students unsatisfied with any of their individual units must re-sit the entire level, i.e. either AS or A2, and only the last score will automatically be taken into account.

Advantage of the Cambridge A-Level programme

• Examination fees for Cambridge A-Level are lower than its Edexcel counterpart.
• Fewer modules per subject (max five) than Edexcel (max six).
• The CIE is internationally recognised by universities around the world including all UK universities and over 450 US universities including Harvard, Yale, MIT and Stanford.

Advantage of the Edexcel International Advanced Levels programme

• This modular system aims to test you on the application of each unit, and hence a student can choose to repeat a single unit on its own, without having to repeat an entire level. Only the highest mark scored in any attempt will automatically be taken into account.
• The Cambridge Board, on the other hand, is linear-based. Students attempt to take the examinations in two stages, AS & A2 Level. Students unsatisfied with any of their individual units must re-sit the entire level, i.e. either AS or A2, and only the last score will automatically be taken into account.

The Best Colleges and Universities in Malaysia for the A-Level Programme

1. Taylor’s College
2. HELP Academy
3. KDU College Damansara Jaya
4. KDU University College Penang
5. UCSI Academy
6. Disted College Penang

South Australia Matriculation (SAM) in Malaysia

SAM is an internationally-recognised Australian pre-university matriculation programme which is set and administered by the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia (SSABSA). SAM has been offered to students outside of Australia since 1984 and is accepted by many renowned universities in Australia, the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, India, and private universities in Malaysia as an admission criterion into their undergraduate programmes.

SAM is a 10-month matriculation programme with a unique assessment pattern – 50% of the final mark is derived from the final public examination (usually in the month of October/November) while the remaining 50% is awarded internally through continuous assessment of coursework and tests. It offers students the flexibility to complete the programme over an extended period although the normal duration of study is one year.

Students taking the SAM programme must complete five subjects, including one subject from List 1 and at least one subject from List 2. In addition, students must achieve a satisfactory score (10/20 or better) in either English as Second Language Studies, or English Studies. Students can also repeat subjects without a penalty.

The usual intake for the 10-month SAM programme is in January and the minimum qualification for

admission is the SPM/O-level certificate or equivalent, with at least five credits totalling not more than 30 points, including credits in English and Mathematics / Science.

The SAM programme gives students an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR, which is a percentile ranking that is utilised as a selection criterion of students for bachelor’s degree courses by universities in Australia and different parts of the world. Students will be awarded the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

The best private colleges in Malaysia for South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/SACE International Pre-University programme are Taylors College Lakeside Campus and Disted College Penang.

 

Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) in Malaysia

The Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) is the final year (Year 12) of the secondary school programme offered by the government of Western Australia to enable entry into year one Bachelor’s degree programmes of most universities around the world, such as Australia, the UK, New Zealand, the US, Canada, and private universities in Malaysia.

The entry requirement into AUSMAT is SPM, ‘O’ Levels or other equivalent qualifications, with a minimum of 5 credits in subjects of Science and Mathematics. The student intakes are in January and March. The course duration is between 8 to 10 months and students are required to take up five subjects including either English or ESL.

I would not advise students to go for the March intake as it is an intensive programme which is shorter in duration where the exam is in November. Many students with good SPM results have not done well after taking the March intake for AUSMAT.

The AUSMAT is an internationally-recognised pre-university programme administered by the Curriculum Council of Western Australia on behalf of the Western Australian government. Students are graded based on their performance throughout the year, i.e. 50% course and project work and 50% final examination.

Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE). The student’s score (based on best four subjects) is ranked for the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for university application at undergraduate level. This arrangement not only helps to remove pressure from the single year-end assessment, but also provides opportunities for the usage of a variety of assessment techniques in determining the students’ standard of achievement.

Students are required to take five subjects including English as an Additional Language (EAL/D) or English. The remaining four subjects can be a combination of these subjects: Applicable Mathematics, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Accounting, Information Systems, German, and others.

Top rated private universities in Malaysia for the AUSMAT pre-university course is First City University College. First City University College has a unique programme that allows for students to enter into German Universities for engineering degree programmes.

Matriculation Certificate by the Ministry of Education in Malaysia

Program Matrikulasi Malaysia) is a one-year pre-university preparatory programme offered by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. Starting 2005, the selection process for the programme is done through a race-based quota system, where 90% of the places are reserved for bumiputeras students while the remaining 10% are open for non-bumiputeras.

Students must study at least six subjects over two semesters (one year). There is one intake a year, usually in March or April. All grades are internally assessed. The matriculation qualifications is accepted as the entry requirement for public as well as private universities in Malaysia.

There are a total of 17 learning institutions in Malaysia that offer the Matriculation Programme. They include ten matriculation colleges located in various states of Malaysia, two MARA colleges, and three technical matriculation colleges, that are managed by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. In addition, there are two local universities that offer similar programme in their respective Centre of Foundation Studies (Pusat Asasi in Malay).

Prior to 2006, only one-year programmes are being conducted. Since then, four different programmes are offered. They are One Year Programme (PST, short for Program Satu Tahun in Malay), Two Year Programme (PDT, short for Program Dua Tahun in Malay), Technical Programme and Accounting Programme. Mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and informatics science subjects are conducted in English. Other compulsory subjects are English, Dynamics Skills (Kemahiran Dinamika), Islamic/Moral Study and Information Technology. Students are also required to take up a co-curricular activity of their choice (sports/games, societies/clubs or marching band) during the programme.

The matriculation programme in Malaysia offers three streams – science, accountancy and technical streams and is conducted at matriculation colleges under the Ministry of Education.

One Year Programme (PST)

PST is a one-year, two-semester programme. Students from science, technical and accounting background can register for this programme. Particularly, for students from science background, there are three different modules to choose from. The subjects offered in the three modules are:[3]

Module I: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.(sem 1:dinamika)
Module II: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science.(sem 1:dinamika)
Module III: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science.(sem 1:kokurikulum)

Accounting Programme

This is a one-year, two-semester programme. The four subjects taught in the accounting module are Mathematics, Accounting, Business Study and Economy.

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) is Malaysia’s version of the UK’s GCE A-Levels and is a Pre-University course

recognised for entry into public universities (IPTA) in Malaysia. The STPM is also accepted for entry into private universities in Malaysia and overseas universities.

The STPM is acknowledged as one of the toughest exams in the world.

The other way to enter public university (IPTA) is the Matriculation course where only 10% of the seats are set aside for Non-bumis therefore the competition will be extremely high for the spots.

The STPM is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council since 1982, which also runs the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) since 1999.

All students who have passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) are eligible to enter into Form 6 to take the STPM, and will be automatically assigned a place in a government secondary school after the release of the SPM results.

The examination body, Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia (www.mpm.edu.my), allows students to enroll for the examination with a minimum of one (1) subject and a maximum of five (5) subjects (including General Studies). The intake for Form 6 is in May of each year.

Most students take STPM after attending two years of Form 6 (Lower 6 and Upper 6) at a government or private secondary school.

Should I study Form Six and take the STPM In Malaysia?

In order to consider studying Form 6, students should take the time to understand the system and how Form 6 works.

Let’s look at the statistics below to help you decide whether you should take Form 6 or not.

There were 58,355 students who took STPM in 2013 and in 2014 it dropped to 48,615 students. It is a drop of 16.69% (9,740 candidates)

48,615 candidates registered for the STPM examinations in 2014 but only 42,854 sat for it. Only 390 out of 48,615 STPM 2014 obtained a 4.0 CGPA. 57 candidates failed the exam.

The national CGPA was 2.62 but for non-bumis to get their courses of choice, you will need higher CGPA. Ten students scored 5As, and a total of 398 students scored 4As. To obtain scholarships from private universities or overseas, you need to score 4As or 5As, so based on this, you can calculate the chances of you scoring in the STPM and obtaining a scholarship.

27,342 (63.80%), passed in four subjects, 7,130 in three subjects, 3,563 in two subjects and 2,410 passed just one subject. Pass here includes D and E. You need at least 2 Cs to join a degree course in private universities.

The number of candidates achieving 4 Principals (C) in STPM 2014 is 60.14 per cent. You need at least 2 Principals to join a degree course in private universities.

If you had scored high is SPM, you are eligible for scholarships for Foundation programmes at top private universities. The Foundation programmes are easier and so if you score for Foundation, you can get more scholarships to cover part or all of your degree studies.

Problem is if you take the STPM which is so much tougher than the Foundation course, although Form 6 is free, but if you don’t score in STPM, you have no scholarship for your degree studies and in the end have to pay all of the fees for your degree studies in private university. Are you willing to take that risk?

Advantages of the STPM

With School Based Assessment, teaching and learning are integrated with assessment.

SBA humanises assessment making schooling a cooperative enterprise between teachers and students.

Through the new examination system, students will also have more opportunities to obtain better results. Students are allowed to improve on their first term and second term results by retaking these term examinations at the end of the third term. Students who do not obtain satisfactory results for the third term may also re-sit it.

Disadvantages of the STPM

Lower 6 used to be called the honeymoon year, but now, as soon as you enter Lower 6 you will have to hit the books because

your first exam will be in December and you will have not much time to study and the teachers do no have enough time to cover the material as well. There is no rest as you will need to keep studying  the exams every 6 months.

To enter into most private universities, students must achieve at least a CGPA of 2.00 or at least 2 Principal Cs in the relevant subjects. A C- is not a principal and some universities do not accept the Pengajian Am as entry into the university.

STPM requires you to take in too much information in 1.5 years. That in itself shows the inadequacies of a system which doesn’t give enough time for students to consume the information required. Furthermore, STPM needs a lot of study time in order to score well. If you are not ready to commit the time and effort, you should consider other options.

From the time you enter Form 6 till the exam and getting into IPTA would be 2 years. If you had taken a diploma, you would have already completed it. There are 180,000 graduates each year and competition for jobs are high therefore the faster you graduate, the faster you get a job and start your savings.

English is very important to secure a job as well as getting a higher salary and faster promotions. This is

reported in the Star and from research conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia.

The medium of instruction in IPTA is in BM and most of the Chinese there communicate in Mandarin. In 2011, 70,000 IPTA graduates were unemployed.

Personally, I only recommend the STPM if students do not have the finances to study in private universities but with the PTPN Loan, studying in the private colleges or universities are more accessible.

A lot students and parents want to save money by going for the STPM but do not realise that for some, in the end, they are wasting time and eventually have to spend more money.

The STPM is extremely tough and if you do not do well, you would have wasted 2 years of your life and time is money. The earlier you graduate and join the work force, the more work experience you can gain and add this to your resume where it translates into higher salary.

If you take a diploma at a private university in Malaysia, you would have finished it at the same time you would have taken to complete Form 6.

You can choose an easier way through the 1-year Foundation offered at the Private Universities.

You need a lot of discipline and good teachers in order to do well in the STPM. If you have alright results for your SPM, don’t expect a miracle in the STPM as it is 20 times tougher than the SPM.

Advantage	Disadvantage
Free	The toughest Pre-University course around
Modular system	Take 1.5 years but if you include the 6 months taken to enter Form 6 and the 6 months waiting to enter Public university, it will be 2.5 years
	If you fail, then you would have wasted 2.5 years
	English language not emphasized so you do not gain the all important language and communication skills needed to succeed in the workforce
	You do not get to choose the course you want to enter Public University

Modular System for the STPM

The new modular STPM format began in 2012, will combine two forms of assessments, and will be similar to the A levels format

except that it will be in BM.

Students will go through a school-based assessment with a weighting of 20-40% of the final score and a centralised examination with a weighting of 60-80% of the final score (The weighting varies according to subjects).

Nevertheless, School Based Assessment (SBA) cannot be repeated and repeaters are required to sit for an alternative written paper in place with SBA.

The curriculum is divided into three parts based on topic areas. Each part will be taught and studied in either the first, second or third term.

You will take the examinations at the end of each term (3 in total). One term is 6 months. Students who are not satisfied with their

results for the first two terms can retake the examinations at the end of the third term.

Students’ assessment will be carried out each term with the results being released at the end of each respective term. The overall STPM results will be based on the best combined results of the three terms.

Soft skill such as communication skills, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem solving,information management and ethics are included in the new curriculum.

School-Based Assessment (SBA) for the STPM

The introduction of SBA in this system is in line with the aspiration of the Education

Ministry to develop human capital who embrace intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical values in line with the National Educational Philosophy.

The SBA consists of project work, field study and practical work. The coursework question/task is prepared by the Council and will be conducted either over three terms or as determined by the individual subject requirements.

Examination

A centralised written examination is administered at the end of each term. Question

types consist of multiple choice, structed and essay questions. Question papers are prepared and provided by the Council, and the marking of answer scripts will be carried out by Council-appointed examiners.

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