A University Education Equips Students with Skills for Financial Security & Achieving Your Dreams

The Best Education Pathways after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels at First City University College Leading You to Highly Employable Diploma & Degree Programmes
The Best Education Pathways after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels at First City University College Leading You to Highly Employable Diploma & Degree Programmes
The completion of a university programme can help ensure that you are able to find a job. Once you have a job, chances are that you will remain in it for a while and continue to build a career in the particular field or industry. Throughout the years, possessing a degree has proven that education provides stability and financial security. With the current high cost of living, inflation and economic uncertainty, these are top reasons for Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels to pursue a university course that has future high job demand and salary.
Education provides stability in life, and it’s something that no one can ever take away from you. By being well-educated and holding a university degree from a reputable university, you increase your chances for better career opportunities and open up new doors for yourself.
On top of stability, education also provides financial security, especially in today’s current living conditions. A good education tends to lead to a higher paying job, as well as provide you with the skills needed to get there. Furthermore, educated and well-informed individuals also know how to use money-saving tactics to make wise purchases and investments.
In addition, a university eduction will equip students with important skills such as team work, critical thinking, confidence, communication, time management, creativity, negotiation, networking, leadership and organisation. These skills are able to help you achieve your dreams whatever they may be.
Malaysian students completing their IGCSE/O-Levels or obtaining their SPM results have the opportunity to go for an affordable Foundation or Diploma programme leading to degree programmes with highly employable careers at First City University College .
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Which are the the Best Education Pathways after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels?

Hou Tung, Diploma in IT at First City University College
A university education is the most powerful weapon you can possibly have, and with it, you can make your dreams come true. The knowledge and skills you acquire at university will take you as far as you’re willing to go.
Many companies and organisations require a university education to even consider an applicant for a job. Pursuing a diploma or degree right after secondary school puts you ahead of the game when it comes to landing your dream job. The benefits of pursuing a university education can help you get hired in a well-paying job and put you on track for long-term career success and stable life.
The first step after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels is to go for a Pre-University programme. The top 2 education pathways for Malaysia’s high school graduates are Foundation and Diploma.
First, for students who have just completed their secondary school education is to take the Foundation Programme. These students will need at least 5 credits in their results to enter this 1-year course. The Foundation programme is a Pre-University Programme designed by a particular private university intending to equip their students to familiarise and handle the degree programme offered.
Another pathway for students who have just completed their IGCSE/O-Levels or SPM with 3 to 4 credits may not be able to take Pre-University (Pre-U) Programmes. However, they are still able to continue their studies by choosing a Diploma Programme. The Diploma pathway is often misunderstood as a lesser quality programme because of its lower entry requirements. But this is not so as it is just another pathway and different type of programme for students after IGCSE/O-Levels and SPM.
What’s a Foundation Programme?

Zhi Yih & Chin Xien, Foundation in Design at First City University College
Foundation courses can be seen as preparatory courses that assist secondary school students to transition from SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels in Malaysia to specific bachelor’s degree programmes at private universities.
In addition, the Foundation Programme in Malaysia is a pre-university programme designed to help students meet the requirements for first-year university and prepare them to handle the rigours of undergraduate studies.
The Foundation programme also equips students with creative, intellectual and critical skills before progressing to the degree programmes as it provides personal diagnostic appraisal which will aid students in a specific design discipline in the degree programmes. Students will seamlessly move on to the degree course upon completion.
During the Foundation course, students gain a solid grounding in academic and communication skills, with a focus on developing their Critical Thinking and English language skills.
What’s a Diploma Programme?

Wei Siong, Diploma in Interior Design at First City University College
The Diploma is an excellent education pathway for students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels who are sure of entering into the field of study. In the diploma, the course will be more practical than the Foundation.
Furthermore, the Diploma course at Malaysia’s top private universities is designed to provide fundamental theoretical knowledge and practical skills to individuals who are eager to join the industry at an earlier stage.
The 2-year or 2.5-year Diploma programme will equip students with the relevant academic and “hands-on” experience to enable them to adapt quickly to their jobs after graduation, and provides flexibility, motivation and the essential knowledge and skills as a solid foundation for furthering into their undergraduate studies.
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.
Foundation Programmes at First City University College Leading to Degree Courses with Excellent Career Opportunities

Top private universities such as First City University College have tailored their own internal university foundation programmes to the degree courses offered. You will get the chance to study a variety of subject areas in the Foundation Programme.
This will not only give you an idea of what subject you may like to progress on to, but also to develop the valuable learning skills necessary for pursue a degree.
First City UC offers 3 popular Foundations courses leading to degree programmes that has a high future ob demand and salary. Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels with at least 5 credits in the relevant subjects may join the Foundation in Business Administration, Foundation in Design or Foundation in Engineering, Science & Technology.
The curriculum and examination of the Foundation programmes are set by First City UC following the quality criteria set by the Ministry of Higher Education and quality assurance agency, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
The Foundation Programmes at First City University College are specially designed for students after SPM and IGCSE/O-Levels who have a clear idea of their degree focus and want to be fully equipped to handle the degree programmes.
Diploma Programmes at First City University College

Eric Ng, Diploma in Information Technology (IT) at First City University College
The Diploma is more practical and can be used to find a job upon completion. The subjects are more focused to the course and students will need to know which career pathway they want to pursue.
Choosing the right course that has future job demand and salary is important for every high school student and in light of this, First City University College is ideal as they offer diploma programmes with excellent employability after graduation.
In addition, the Diploma programmes lead to top rated degree programmes that’s recognised and accredited.
Students can be assured that their future is secure when they choose to study at First City UC because all their courses have high job demand in the future. The curriculum is developed to equip students with knowledge and skills
Below is the list of the highly employable courses at First City UC:
- Diploma in Business Administration
- Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Diploma in Mass Communication
- Diploma in Graphic Design
- Diploma in Interior Design
- Diploma in Electronic Engineering
- Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- Diploma in Information Technology (IT)
Are the Courses at First City UC Recognised and Accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)?

Eric Lau, Graduated from Graphic Design at First City University College
Yes, all the Foundation, Diploma and Degree programmes at First City UC are accredited by MQA.
The Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA) is an official body that is governed by the Ministry of Higher Education and is the only body that controls universities’ accreditation status, regulate curriculum and set operational standards for both public and private universities and other higher learning institutions in Malaysia.
MQA also accredit individual courses and programmes at each university. MQA’s operation is important because it works to ensure that higher learning in the country is up to global standards and is fit for the future of the nation.
What are the Degree Programmes that I can Study after Foundation at First City UC?
Foundation in Business Administration

Yen Yong, Business at First City University College
The Foundation in Business Administration programme at First City UC is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in business and management.
It will enable students to develop communication, critical thinking, writing, presentation and problem-solving skills
Furthermore, the Foundation programme is designed to instil students with self-confidence and ethical values.
The business degree programmes are dual awards by First City UC & Anglia Ruskin University.
- Pathway to Business Degree Programmes
- Pathway to Hospitality Degree Programme
- Pathway to Communication Degree Programme
Foundation in Art & Design

Tan, Design graduate from First City University College
Students who have just completed their SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels and plan to study design for their degree can go for the Foundation in Art & Design course.
It is ideal for students who want to study design but unsure of which major. The Foundation gives you options to choose the right design course after exploring the fundamentals of design.
The one-year Foundation in Art & Design programme at First City University College provides a general art & design education to enable students to gain experience in practical studio work, 2D and 3D designs, research and writing. It develops student’s skills on visual analysis, fundamental drawing, colour studies, research and critical writing skills.
- Pathway to Top Design Degree Programmes
Foundation in Engineering, Science and Technology

First City UC students can expect to master the basic principles of engineering, science and technology by the end of this one-year programme (three semesters).
During Foundation classes they will also be educated on the social and ethical implications in the field of science, engineering and technology.
This programme equips students with strong fundamentals and skills for either Engineering or Computing.
Students study modules that are focused to ensure their progression towards obtaining a professional qualification in Engineering or Computing.
They will also be trained to use relevant industrial hardware and software necessary for their progression to our bachelor’s degree programmes in Engineering or Computing.
- Pathway to Recognised & Accredited Engineering Courses
- Pathway to Top Information Technology Courses