Top Design Diploma Programmes at First City UC for Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

Why Study a Diploma in Design at the Award-Winning First City University College after your SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels?

Creative students talented in design should go for a diploma in design course after completing their SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels as the course is more practical and focused towards your interest and passion. Those who are sure of pursuing their studies in interior design or graphic design may choose the diploma pathway as the subjects is more in-depth towards the course and provides practical know-how.

The Award-Winning First City University College is an excellent choice for students to pursue a design diploma course as they have more than 30 years of experience and provide top notch design facilities and equipment at a dedicated building. Rather than studying at a small design college with no campus, students are treated to a purpose-designed, fully equipped campus with sports and recreational facilities, and located on a 13-acre site within Bandar Utama. First City UC has everything an art & design student needs to equip him/her with the skill sets required of a professional designer in Malaysia.

First City University College frequently organizes design showcases, seminars and exhibitions which attract industry partners who often offer students employment on the spot. Final semester students enrolled in the Diploma design programmes have an opportunity to present their design projects in the annual Diploma Graduation Showcase. The showcase is a great platform for students to display their talents, capabilities and strengths to potential employers as their projects will be exhibited during the showcase.

Moreover, the Diploma in Graphic Desig and Diploma in Interior Design at First City UC are recognised and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and completed in 2 years 4 months. There is an internship during the Diploma to allow students to put into practice what they have learnt as well as expose them to the industry. This exposure will also open up employment opportunities after graduation. With more than 20 years of experience in offering design courses, First City UC is renown in the industry for their capable graduates who easily find employment locally and abroad.

Furthermore, students are entitled to a 50% Tuition Fee Waiver for the 1^st Year of the Diploma programme. Students may apply for PTPTN Loan for the diploma courses.

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The Best Reasons to Study a Design Diploma Programme at First City University College after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

Choosing the right design college is important as they will equip you with the necessary skills to succeed in your career. There are many design colleges out there however many do not offer what is best suited for a design student’s needs such as a lack of sports facilities, a full fledge campus, years of experience in teaching design courses, full time lecturers, accreditation, and other important matters.

First City UC meets all the criteria for a design student interested to pursue a Diploma course. Here are 10 of the Best Reasons to Study a Design Diploma Course at First City UC:

1. Established in 1990, First City UC has more than 30 years of experience in providing tertiary education.
2. A dedicated building block well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for Design students
3. Award-Winning University for Design. First City UC students have participated in numerous competitions throughout the years and have won top positions.
4. Students have access to a 13-acre purpose-designed, fully equipped campus with sports and recreational facilities such as a football field, futsal, basketball & badminton courts, multi-purpose hall, ping pong, volleyball and other sports facilities for enthusiasts
5. The Faculty of Design and Built Environment (FDBE) of First City UC has been constantly establishing partnerships and collaborations with many industry players for industry-based projects to be adopted. This is to ensure FDBE students are industry-ready before graduation.
6. Seminars, Showcases and Exhibitions to expose students to the industry and provide them with experience in presenting their works confidently
7. A safe campus environment. There’s CCTV security surveillance system and  24/7 security check, patrols by the Bandar Utama Auxilary Police Force
8. On-campus Accommodation with live-in wardens.
9. Affordable Diploma tuition fees with PTPTN Loan available. And a further 50% Tuition Fee Waiver for the 1^st Year of the Diploma programme
10. Strategically located. First City UC is located near the largest shopping mall in Malaysia, One Utama. Furthermore, just across the road is Centrepoint which is a small mall that has banks, atms, food court, laundromat, etc. Fulfilling all the needs of a university student. Furthermore, it is easily accessible with a bus shuttle to the nearby Bandar Utama MRT Station.

Why Study a Design Diploma Course at First City UC?

With more than 30 years of experience, First City UC is well established and connected with the design industry. Therefore, the university develops and updates its curriculum according to the needs of the industry as well as provide opportunities for graduates to enter into the industry easily.

The Design diploma programmes at First City UC are industry based preparing students to hit the ground running when they start their jobs.

Industry-based projects are embedded into the curriculum allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to actual industrial needs identified by the industry partners themselves.

Such projects create valuable experiences for the students and stand them in good stead to build a successful career in the future. The experiences gained from such an experience prepares students to be workplace-ready and able to adapt seamlessly to working life when they graduate.

Unlike other colleges, design students have access to a full fledge campus with state-of-the-art design facilities and lecturers who are there full time. The full time lecturers are able to give personal attention to guide students in acquiring the technical design skills that are much needed to succeed in the competitive career.

What is a Diploma Programme?

The Diploma is another education pathway for students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels. It is not higher or lower level compared to other Pre-University programmes. It is just another education pathway.

Students who are sure of what they want to study can go for a Diploma course.

The diploma generally is more practical while a degree course is more theoretical and academic.

It may require more hands on learning experience in the field of its study so that you are well trained and have specific knowledge the particular field.

What is the Duration of a Design Diploma Course?

Design diploma programmes will take 2 years and 4 months to complete. It is 7 semesters in total including internship.

What’s the Entry Requirements for a Design Diploma Course?

With at least 3 credits in your SPM or IGCSE O-Levels or 3 Bs in UEC, you can join the Diploma course. Students after SPM must have a pass in BM & Sejarah.

How many Subjects are there in the Design Diploma Programme?

Students will take  30-35 subjects in the diploma and it is a mix of Assignments, Coursework, and written examination percentage.

Generally, students will take about 5-7 subjects including MPU subjects a semester.

Students are required by the government to take about 3-4 MPU subjects during their diploma studies. You will need a Minimum of 90 Credits or 30 subjects to Graduate.

How is the Assessment for the Design Diploma Programmes at First City UC?

A diploma course is more practical while a Foundation, external Pre-University programme and degree courses are more academic.

The assessments for tbe design diploma programmes at First City UC is a mix of Assignments, Coursework, and written examination percentage. The diploma programme provides students with relevant, interesting, stimulating and practical experience via a variety of teaching and practical techniques.

Students will experience different dynamic learning processes are employed in the delivery of a diploma programme, such as lectures, tutorials, computer lab work, team-based project, real life system development, presentations, independent projects supervised by supervisors from university lecturers or industry experts. The learning is very much practical oriented.

Methods of Delivery

• Lectures
• Studio work
• Tutorials
• Field visits
• Seminars, exhibitions and show case
• Scenario-based learning
• Guest lecture series (prominent speakers from the industry)
• Interactive learning

When are the Intakes for the Design Diploma Programmes at First City UC?

The Diploma programmes at First City University College has intakes in January, April and May of each year and its duration is 2 1/3 Years.

What are the Design Facilities available to Design Students at First City UC?

The enhancement of technology has resulted in a shift in design technology. It is rapidly evolving and changing, moving away from conventional design approaches.

The Faculty keeps up with this rapid pace by offering modern equipment such as laser cutters, vacuum forming machines, and a 3D printer, which is located at the 3D printing studio.

Other state-of-the-art facilities offered at the University College’s urban campus include a wood workshop, white canvas gallery, a drawing studio, a photography studio and, a Macintosh and PC lab.

Industry-Based Approach Produced Many Design Award-Winners throughout the Years

Partnering with the industry has helped First City UC design students to understand its needs and through their innovation won them hundreds of awards throughout the years.

For example, Frankie Ong – BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design – won the Silver Award in the 15th Annual International Design Awards 2020, Los Angeles, USA while Reven Oh Gein Heir & Beh Wei Herng – BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design – won the Gold Award in the International Furniture Design Innovation (IFDI) 2020.

In the International Design Awards 2019 (IDA), Teh Wei Jie – BA (Hons) Interior Architecture degree won the GOLD AWARD for the Interior Design Student Category.

Other notable awards include:

• 24th Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition 2018 – Champion
• Asia Young Designer Award 2017 – Best Green Innovation And Honorary Mention
• Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) Reka Awards 2017
• MIJF Jewellery Design Awards 2017 Ring Catergory – Top 5 Finalist
• ASPaC 2017 Merit Award – Charmaine Wong and Sharon Chai of BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• ASIA PACIFIC INTERIOR DESIGNER AWARD 2016 Silver Winner
• National Outstanding Educator Award 2015 (Design Education – College Level) Ms Chua Huwi Huwi
• Nippon Paint Young Designer Awards 2014:
  • Gold Winner for Interior Design is Lim Yong An
  • Lim Yong An also won the “Best Green Innovation Award”.
  • Ernest Loh Yin-Sen won Silver
  • Soo Mei Lian won “Best Colour Choice”
  • Yii Sii Lin won an Honorary Mention
  • Best College for Interior Design also went to KBU International College
  • Best Lecturer for Interior Design went to KBU’s Chua Huwi Huwi.
• RSA Genovasi Malaysian Awards 2014
  • Social Entrepreneurship Category Winners – Mandy Choong Mun Yee, Lee Man Kit, Kim Eunkyung, Goh Pei Hua and Yong Lee Chee
  • Digital Age Category Winner – Daniel Chua Yong Ho
• MIFF 2014 Awards– MIFF 2014 Young Designers Category
• Father’s Day – VIVA Drawing Competition 2014
• Conqueror Happy Design Contest 2013/14
• Lee Hui Ying, clinched second prize for the MIFF Furniture Design Competition 2014
• Nippon Paint Young Designer 2012 competition, KBU staff and students made a sweep of the awards with:
  • Regional Winner – Lim Meng Yeu – Platinum/Malaysia beating Gold winners from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore & China
  • Gold/Malaysia – Lim Meng Yeu
  • Silver/Malaysia – Chu Sze Yong
  • Honorary Mention/Malaysia – Ee Wil Ken and Lee Xuan Xuan
  • Best College/University – KBU International College
  • Best Lecturer – Chua Huwi Huwi
• Wil Ken bagging a notable award, 2012 Emerging Designer of the Year – Student category of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers’ (MIID) Malaysian Interior Design Awards (MIDA) 2012
• Lim Meng Yeu, 23, a graduate from KBU International College emerged as the Gold winner of the Student category of MIID’s MIDA Awards 2012
• Lee Jian Ru received the Silver Prize winner of the Student category of 2013 MIID’s MIDA Awards and Foh Vui Siang won the Best Green Innovation Award and also received Honorary Mention

What will you Study in the Diploma in Graphic Design at First City UC?

Students with a keen interest in computers and design will find the Diploma in Graphic Design Programme as being the best of both worlds.

The highly practical programme aims to introduce students to basic research and analysis of information and equip them with the ability to evaluate ideas and deliver critical judgement.

Students are encouraged to develop personal visual skills and vision through exciting and challenging hands-on practical multimedia projects such as producing designs for corporate identity, packaging, publication, social media, web, video, mobile app, motion graphic, animation, illustration, photography, and, advertising and branding. using a collection of essential computer software.

The 7-semester programme strives to deliver industry-ready graduates and future trendsetters in the design industry as they are equipped with creative, technical and vocational skills.

Upon completion of the diploma, students may find work or continue on into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design.

Learning Outcomes for the Diploma in Graphic Design

On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be expected to be able to:

1. Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills for graphic design practices
2. Communicate design concepts effectively by using visual and verbal skills
3. Execute and produce creative design solutions that reflect appropriate application of graphic elements, materials, details and finishes for a specific purpose
4. Work in a team and demonstrate multi-tasking skills
5. Have obtained knowledge of project management, contract documentation, financial implications, ethical responsibilities, environmental and ergonomics issues that relate to graphic design practices

What will you Study in the Diploma in Interior Design at First City UC?

Meanwhile, students with passion in designing specific and focused spaces would find the Diploma in Interior Design programme especially enticing.

The 2.5-year programme emphasizes the fusion of conceptual thinking and practical interior design skills. It provides students with a better understanding of the structure of a building interior as well as its mechanics. Students will navigate their studies through various modern computer applications and design software.

Students enrolled in the programme will develop problem-solving skills as the programme incorporates a variety of disciplines from psychology, sociology, history, management and business practices. Students will graduate from this programme industry-ready and become future game changers.

Upon completion of the diploma, students may find work or continue on to the degree programmes below :

• BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
• BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design

Learning Outcomes for the Diploma in Interior Design

On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be expected to be able to:

• Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills for interior design practices
• Communicate design concepts effectively by using visual and verbal skills
• Execute and produce creative design solutions that reflect appropriate application of interior elements, materials, details and finishes for a specific purpose
• Work in a team and demonstrate multi-tasking skills
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of interior design elements such as building studies, material application and furniture design
• Have obtained knowledge of project management, contract documentation, financial implications, ethical responsibilities, environmental and ergonomics issues that relate to interior design

Design Studios & Workshops at First City UC