Study at the Best University for Foundation in Design in Malaysia
The Foundation in Design programme is a home grown Pre-University course offered at Private Universities in Malaysia. They are tailored to meet the specific needs of their own design degree programmes in order for students to transition smoothly into their undergraduate studies. Students who are interested to pursue their studies in design will find the Foundation in Design course immensely useful in helping them to prepare for degree studies especially if you did not take design as a subject in secondary school.
Students after SPM or O-Levels who are sure of choosing design for their degree studies may go for the Foundation in Design at a top private university in Malaysia. Upon completion of the 1-year Foundation in Design, students will continue on to any of the 3-year design degree programmes.
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Study at the Best Private Universities in Malaysia for the Foundation in Design Leading to Top Design Degree Programmes

Zhi Yih & Chin Xien, Foundation in Design at First City University College
It is important to choose the best university in Malaysia for your design studies. Choose the design school based on the reputation & ranking of the university, accreditation of its courses, the suitability of the course against your academic results and career goals, tuition fees, quality of lecturers, facilities, friends & family, and more.
Students after SPM who are interested in design courses should take note that some universities do not take in students with A-Levels, STPM or Pre-University programs that do not contain any design subjects. Therefore, if you have taken the STPM or A-Levels without any design subjects, you won’t be able to enter into the degree in design.
Top 5 Private Universities for Foundation in Design
- First City University College
- Taylor’s University
- Multimedia University (MMU)
- Saito University College
- Asia Pacific University (APU)
Impressive Foundation in Design at First City University College

First City University College is acknowledged to be one of the best colleges for design in Malaysia having been the first to offer the degree in Graphic Design and Furniture & Product Design.
First City University College students have won many awards as a testament of their strength in design.
The one-year Foundation in 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.
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.
- Duration: 3 semesters at First City University College

EduSpiral spent time with me on Facebook to help me to choose the right course. I am very happy that I made the right decision.
Zhi Yih, Interior Design at First City University College - Intake: January, April and July
- Entry Requirements: 5 relevant credits in SPM, GCE ‘O’ Level or equivalent qualifications
Upon completion of the Foundation in Design , you can choose from the following degree programmes:
The Best Foundation in Design Programme at Malaysia’s Top 3 Design School Taylor’s University in Malaysia

The 1-year Top Rated Foundation in Design programme at Taylor’s University provides students a solid education in design fundamentals. The Foundation in Design at Taylor’s University emphasises learning by doing, learning takes place beyond the classroom via design trips, industry interaction and site visits, competitions, and other activities.
Taylor’s University is ranked Top 3 in Malaysia according to QS World University Ranking for Art & Design. Taylor’s University is one of the best universities in Malaysia for you to study the Foundation in Design programme.
Students with 3 credits may go for the Diploma courses while students after SPM or O-Levels with at least 5 credits including the relevant subjects may enter Taylor’s University Foundation in Design for 1 year before continuing on to the degree programmes:

Jia Jin, Foundation in Design at Taylor’s University
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Interior Architecture
- Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media (Graphic Design)
- Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media (Animation & Visual Effects)
- Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media (Entertainment Design)
- Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media (New Media)
- Bachelor in Fashion Design Technology (Hons)
Taylor’s University Foundation in Design programme is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a future in various specialisations of art and design such as interior design, graphic design, multimedia design and even interior architecture. Emphasising learning by doing, learning takes place beyond the classroom via design trips, industry interaction and site visits, competitions, and other activities.
The 1-year Foundation in Design at Taylor’s University has intakes in January, March and July of each year.
Outstanding Foundation in Creative Multimedia at Top Ranked Multimedia University (MMU) in Malaysia

Students after SPM or O-Levels in Malaysia wanting to study at a top ranked university locally and globally for Multimedia Design, Animation, Visual Effects and Interface Design can enter the MQA Accredited Foundation in Creative Multimedia course at affordable Multimedia University (MMU) in Cyberjaya. Upon completion of the recognised Foundation in Creative Multimedia, students will continue on to the best design programmes in Malaysia at Multimedia University (MMU).
- Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons.) (Animation and Visual Effects)
- Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons.) (Advertising Design)
- Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons.) (Media Arts)
- Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons.) (Virtual Reality)
- Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons.) (Interface Design)
The role of this one-year Foundation in Creative Multimedia Programme

at Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya is to provide suitable ground and basic skills in analogue (sketching, drawing, painting) and digital, basic computer graphics application and media production technique.
Design Theories and application of Critical Thinking methods occur throughout the three trimesters in all of the subjects, including Design, Drawing, Photography, Computer Graphics, Humanities and English. Elements and Principles of Design are emphasised in the 2D, 3D and 4D design projects.
Multimedia University (MMU) is ranked 179th in Asia according to

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University rankings for 2018. Having won hundreds of awards, Multimedia University (MMU) offers the best courses in Multimedia, Animation, Visual Effects & Interface Design in Malaysia.
Therefore, it is undeniably the best university in Malaysia for students to study the Foundation in Creative Multimedia that’s also affordable. Students may apply for PTPN Loan for the Foundation in Creative Multimedia as well as the degree programmes. Furthermore, 97% of Multimedia University (MMU) students are employed within six months of graduation.
Foundation in Design Course Information at Award-Winning Saito University College

Kin Fen, Design student at Saito University College
With more than 20 years of experience, Saito University College is one of the best colleges for design in Malaysia with many award-winning students, highly experienced & qualified lecturers and having produced thousands of graduates highly in demand by the industry. Not only Saito University College is a top college in design in Malaysia, their fees are also affordable therefore making it accessible to students to achieve their dreams.
Saito College achieved a 6 Star rating in the 2013 Malaysia Quality Evaluation System (MyQuest) which is the highest for colleges in Malaysia.
Qualified students with an interest in design can pursue the Foundation in Design at Saito University College. Upon completion of the Foundation in Design, you can continue on to either the Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) (Honours) or Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) (Honours).
The Foundation in Design is a programme of self-discovery through enjoyable, broad-based,
exploratory diagnostic study. It serves as a platform for students to prepare themselves for the demands and challenges of degree level programmes.
Saito University College believes in developing students holistically. The Foundation year equips them with strong fundamentals in study and communication skills as well as confident design expression by facilitating critical and creative thinking.
Award-winning Design College in Malaysia
Saito students participate actively in national and international level competitions. The students have won hundreds of awards over the years.
What you will Study in the Foundation in Design at Top Ranked Asia Pacific University (APU)
Flexibility of Choice

Asia Pacific University (APU) 12-month Foundation Programme is designed to prepare those with SPM, ‘O’ Levels or similar qualifications with the knowledge and skills to progress into the first year of a degree of their choice.
On completion of the Foundation Programme, you will be able to make an informed decision about your interest and pursue your degree of choice.
During the Foundation Programme, you are able to choose different routes depending on your area of interest. This will allow you to progress onto a specific degree programme at APU, related to this area or other relevant areas based on your foundation experience.
- Foundation in Business & Finance
- Foundation in Computing & Technology
- Foundation in Engineering
- Foundation in Design
Pathway after Foundation in Design into Design, Advertising & Animation Degree Programmes
- BA (Hons) in Industrial Design
- BA (Hons) in Visual Effects
- BA (Hons) in Animation
- BA (Hons) in Digital Advertising
Note: Portfolio Required
Enriching Experiences – more than just a Foundation

Liew, Digital Marketing, Asia Pacific University (APU)
The APU Foundation Programme lays the pathway towards professional tertiary education. It is a vital transformation point for students; soft skills, general knowledge and preparatory subject fundamentals acquired at the Foundation lead to excellence in a student’s education performance,
as well as career-readiness as they move on as global professionals eventually. This is achieved through 4 key areas:
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Social Skills & Responsibilities
- Practical Skills
The unique support system at APU Foundation Programme consist of helpful academic mentors who are committed in ensuring academic achievements, providing pastoral care, advising, mentoring, motivating students’ potential and performance, to ensure that they undergo a smooth transition from secondary education to tertiary learning.
