What to Study with SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels 3 Credits? – Top Diploma Courses

Students with at Least 3 Credits in SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels May Enter a Diploma Programme

A diploma course at a private university in Malaysia is more practical while a Foundation, external Pre-University programme and degree courses are more academic. Students after SPM or IGCSE O-Levels who obtained at least 3Cs and are sure of what they want to study can go for a Diploma course. the entry requirements will vary depending on which course you plan to study. Health Science diploma programmes will require at least 5Cs.

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.

The assessments for a diploma programme at private universities and colleges in Malaysia 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.

You might also be interested to read:

• 25 Top Diploma Courses to Study in Malaysia
• Best Course to Study in Malaysia with 3 credits in SPM, IGCSE/O-Levels or UEC
• Malaysia’s Private Universities Entry Requirements for Diploma Programmes
• Choosing the Right Course After SPM or O-Levels Increases Your Chances of Getting a Good Job & Salary in Malaysia
• Study Options 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

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.

Choosing the Right Diploma Programme that’s Best for You

One of the aims of education is to get a job. One of the aims of getting a job is to obtain a salary that 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.

Look for statistics and research to support whether there is a job demand for your future career in Malaysia. Here at EduSpiral Consultant Services, we do our research on the job demand for the careers in Malaysia, Salary Reports, and universities so that we can advise our students based on facts and evidence.

In order to choose the right Diploma course, you have to figure out what you want to study in your degree. There are many degree courses that you can choose to study in Malaysia. If you plan to work in Malaysia, then you should choose degree courses that would be in demand in Malaysia and have high salary so that you can support your family.

Diploma programmes at private universities in Malaysia are  specific niche areas such as Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Mass Communication, Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and so forth.

Therefore, students have to be sure that they want to specialise in that field for their degree studies as you cannot change to another course for your degree. For example, if you have studied a Diploma in Accounting, you cannot go for a degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

When choosing a diploma programme, students will need to ensure that the course is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and that the institution is recognised by the Ministry of Education. Students should be wary of colleges or academies offering “diploma” courses awarded by unknown UK, USA or Australian universities that’s not accredited by MQA. Upon completion of these diploma programmes, you will not be able to continue on to degree programmes at Malaysia’s universities.

What are the Entry Requirements for Diploma Programmes in Malaysia?

Entry requirements for Diploma programmes are lower than for Pre-University. You need at least 5 credits to enter a Pre-University (Pre-U) or Foundation programme while diploma programmes require only 3 credits except for Health Sciences.

Generally, arts students will never be able to take science-related degree programmes. However, it is possible for arts stream  students to enter into engineering courses with the relevant results.

Each course will have its specific requirements such as the Diploma in Electronic Engineering will require a credit in Maths and Science, while the Diploma in Information Technology (IT) will need a credit in Maths.

Students from the Arts Stream who are interested to join a Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering or Electrical & Electronic Engineering course will be able to join certain universities with SPM/IGCSE/O-Levels 3 credits including Maths & General Science.

There will be other subject requirements depending on the course & university. Some universities may require a Credit in English.

The requirements vary from course to course so you should check with the university or an experienced education counselor for advise.

For example, entry requirements for Diploma in Engineering courses need at least 3Cs including Maths & Science, Diploma in IT require 3Cs including Maths, Diploma in Business need 3Cs in any subjects, etc.

Top 10 of the Best Diploma Programmes in Malaysia’s Private Universities

Part of finding the right career in Malaysia for you will be looking at the future job demand in Malaysia and globally. You don’t want to have completed a degree course and then not be able to find a job or realise that the job pays very low salary.

Therefore, it is important for students after high school or Pre-University to choose the right course to study – you don’t want to waste your time and money on a course you don’t want to do

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.

No. 1 – Business

• Diploma in Accounting
• Diploma in Business Administration or Management
• Diploma in Business with Information Technology (IT)
• Diploma in Finance
• Diploma in Logistics Management

No. 2 – Computing 

• Diploma in Computer Studies
• Diploma in Information Technology (IT)

No. 3 – Engineering

• Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

No. 4 – Communication

• Diploma in Mass Communication

No. 5 – Design

• Diploma in Interior Design or Diploma in Interior Architecture
• Diploma in Fashion Design & Marketing
• Diploma in Multimedia Design
• Diploma in 3D Animation
• Diploma in Digital Animation and Visual Effects

No. 6 – Hospitality & Tourism

• Diploma in Hotel Management or Hospitality Management
• Diploma in Event Management
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Baking or Pastry

No. 7 – Health Sciences

• Diploma in Nursing
• Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
• Diploma in Medical Imaging (Radiography)

No. 8 – Education

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education
• Diploma in English Language Teaching

No. 9 – Law Enforcement

• Diploma in Law Enforcement Administration

No. 10 – Psychology

• Diploma in Psychology

Studying the Diploma Course at a Private University in Malaysia

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.

Some diploma courses will have an internship such as the Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Culinary Arts, Diploma in Information Technology (IT), etc.

The assessments for a diploma programme at private universities and colleges in Malaysia 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.

After completing your diploma, you can go find a job or continue on to Year 2 of the degree if your college or university offers the degree or you can transfer credits into another university. If you transfer to another university, you may not be able to get the full exemptions to enter into Year 2 of the degree.

What is the Education Pathway after Completing Diploma?

Most diplomas can be transferred to another college or university into the Year 2 of the relevant programme. If you have taken the Diploma in Accounting, it is highly likely that you can enter into Year 2 of the degree in Accounting or Accounting & Finance. For the Diploma in Business Administration, you can enter into Year 2 of the degree in Business Administration depending on the exemptions.

However, if you go from the Diploma in Business Administration into the Degree in Accounting, then you may not get the optimum amount of exemptions because the subjects in your diploma are not similar with the degree course of the university that you want to transfer to.

To transfer your credits into another university, you will need to submit the following documents for exemptions:

1. Transcripts from your current college or university
2. Course outline for all the subjects taken
3. Letter of completion or Diploma Certificate
4. Copy of SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels Certificate

Top Reasons to Study a Diploma Course after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

• The diploma course is more practical with mixed assessment.
• You have at least 3 credits in SPM, IGCSE O-Levels or UEC to enter the Diploma programme
• Students may apply for the PTPTN Loan for Diploma courses. There is no PTPTN Loan for  Foundation  & External Pre-University programmes
• You will study the subjects that you are interested in. The subjects are specific to your field of interest.
• Upon completion of the Diploma, you may choose to start work or continue on to Year 2 of the related degree
• Some diploma courses have internships which provides an opportunity for you to work for the company when you graduate.
• If you are considering going for Form 6, the STPM will take about 2 years, if you calculate the time after your SPM until you enter into Public University. The time you take for STPM, you would have completed the diploma course. Furthermore, the STPM exam is very tough and there is a chance that you might not do well.
• A diploma course is generally cheaper.