What can I study with 3 credits in SPM or IGCSE O-Levels?
You have just received your SPM/IGCSE or UEC results and you may be disappointed that you only got 3 credits.
Looking on the bright side, if you have at least 3Cs in SPM/IGCSE or UEC 3Bs, you can still continue your tertiary studies by joining a diploma programme at a private university or college in Malaysia.
Joining the diploma course would not make you lose any time after SPM/O-Levels as it will take the same amount of time to complete a degree compared with taking a Foundation course.
There are many advantages to taking a diploma course and continuing your studies instead of finding a job after secondary school.
What is a Credit in SPM or IGCSE?
A credit in SPM or IGCSE is anything that is an A, B or C. For UEC, it is anything A or B.
When we say the minimum is at least 3 credits, it means that any 3 subjects that’s an A, B or C.
D, E or Gagal are not counted as credits.
What are diploma programmes?
- Designed for students who have at least 3 credits to study at private colleges
- A diploma course from a reputable private college is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
- It is generally 2 or 2.5 to 3 years in duration
- The diploma is generally more practical compared to Foundation or Pre-U.
- Foundation programmes are more academic. Subjects more specific to the course while Foundation is more general
- Upon completion of the diploma, you may find a job or continue on to a related degree course.
- If you choose to continue on to degree, you will enter into Year 2 of the degree course and skip Year 1.
- You can continue your degree studies at private universities in Malaysia or overseas.
- You may also apply for PTPTN Loan to study the Diploma course
Education Pathways
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.
You can continue your degree studies in Malaysia or overseas. You cannot continue into government universities.
Where to Study the Diploma course?
You can study at any recognised private colleges or universities in Malaysia.
Diploma Learning methods
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. You 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. To graduate is to have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 or average C
The assessments for a diploma programme at private universities and colleges in Malaysia is a mix of
- Assignments
- Coursework
- Exams
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
- presentations
- independent projects
- Trips to related companies
- Internship at end of course
What are the Entry Requirements for Diploma Programmes in Malaysia?
Getting 3 credits is not the end of the world, you still have some choices to continue your studies without having to resit.
A credit is at least a C in SPM or IGCSE. However, in SPM you will still need to have at least a pass in BM and Sejarah to continue your studies.
So, with at least 3 Cs in SPM and passes in BM and Sejarah, or 3 credits in IGCSE, you may enter some Diploma programmes at the private universities.
Basically, you may enter a Diploma course related to Business, Computing, Engineering, Design, Communication or Hospitality.
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.
There are specific requirements for different types of diploma courses.
For example, if you only have 3 credits in any subjects, you may consider Hospitality, Design, Communication or Business.
If you want to study computing, accounting or Finance, you will need to have 3 credits including Maths.
The requirements vary from course to course so you should check with the university or an experienced education counselor for advise.
It is also possible for arts stream students to enter into engineering courses with the relevant results. 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.
What are the Diploma pathways to Degree?
A diploma in Business will allow you to enter any Business degree while a Diploma in Accounting will prepare you for Accounting or Finance degree programmes
Diploma in IT will allow you to enter any computing degree.
The Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering will allow you to enter any type of Engineering degree course.
Design diplomas will prepare you for specific Degree courses such as the Diploma in Interior Design for Interior Design Degree or Diploma in Animation for the Animation degree.
Are there any degree courses that I cannot study?
There are no pathways to study Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Food Science, Biotechnology, Health Sciences like physiotherapy, medical imaging, biomedical science, and some others.
Top 10 Diploma Fields of Study in Malaysia
No. 1 – Business
- Diploma in Accounting
- Diploma in Business Administration or Management
- Diploma in Business with Information Technology (IT)
- Diploma in Finance
- Diploma in Marketing
- Diploma in Logistics Management
No. 2 – Computing
No. 3 – Engineering
- Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
No. 4 – Communication
No. 5 – Design
- Diploma in Graphic Design
- Diploma in Interior Design
- Diploma in Fashion Design
- Diploma in Multimedia Design
- Diploma in 3D Animation
No. 6 – Hospitality & Tourism
- Diploma in Hotel Management
- Diploma in Event Management
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Baking
No. 7 – Occupational Safety & Health
- Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health
No. 8 – Education
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education
- Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language
No. 9 – Law Enforcement
No. 10 – Psychology
- Diploma in Psychology
Top 10 Reasons to Study Diploma
- The diploma programme develops both academic understanding and practical skills required for careers in the professional field.
- Entry requirement is only 3 relevant credits in SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels
- You will study the subjects for the course that you are interested in
- The diploma course is more practical and application of concepts
- PTPTN Loan is available for the Diploma course
- You can stop at diploma level to start working
- Completed in 2 or 2.5 years
- You can complete a diploma in 2 years while those taking STPM would complete theirs at about the same time and it is only a Pre-U level
- The Diploma programme is easier than the other Pre-University programmes like the STPM, AUSMAT, or A-Levels
- 10.You can transfer into Year 2 of the related degree programme at other private universities in Malaysia or overseas.
