Choose the Twinning or Degree Transfer Programme at Top Private Universities in Malaysia to Study Overseas for the Final Part of Your Degree
Twinning Programmes offered at private universities in Malaysia make studying abroad a more affordable option. Malaysia is well known for its undergraduate twinning degree (‘2+1’, ‘1+2’) programmes, where students pursue the first or second year of the degree programme in Malaysia and the final part at the overseas university partner. This allows Malaysian students to save a lot of money and still have the opportunity to study partly overseas to gain the experience as well as the degree. In the twinning programme, students can complete from 1 to 2 years in Malaysia, before going to the partner university overseas in UK, Australia, New Zealand or Canada to complete the degree.
This article is about Twinning and Degree Transfer Programmes to universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Students intending to study in the USA should choose the American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP).
What are Twinning Programmes and Degree Transfer Programmes?
Hazel Hoh, Foundation in Arts (Communication)
Twinning Programmes and Degree Transfer Programmes allow students to study a portion of their course in Malaysia, and then transfer to a university overseas to complete their studies.
A Twinning Programme means that the overseas partner university has evaluated the degree subjects and accept the students for entry as long as they meet the minimum requirements. The partner university would have signed an agreement with the private university for such an arrangement.
A Degree Transfer means that after completing 1 or 2 years of study, the student will have to submit the transcripts, course outline, syllabus and high school certificates to the university overseas for evaluation for exemptions.
The university overseas will take some time to go through and then inform you which subjects have been exempted . You may have to take extra subjects.
These programmes present a much more affordable option for those who want to experience student life abroad. Another advantage of a Twinning or Degree Transfer Programme is that you are not bound to study overseas for the final part of your degree. Should you not be able to go overseas later on, you can continue on at the private university to complete the degree in Malaysia.
What is a Twinning Programme?
Twinning programmes at private universities allow students to study a part of their studies in Malaysia, and then transfer to a university in another country to complete their degree programme. In the Twinning programmes, the private university’s degree course would have been assessed and the subjects mapped out by their overseas partner university for a guaranteed transfer as long as they meet the minimum requirements. The credits a student accumulates at the private university in Malaysia can be transferred, so they can pick up where they left off when they study abroad.
This is different from a Transfer Programme where the subjects haven’t been evaluated by the overseas university hence the subjects that you have taken may or may not be accepted for transfer.
Twinning programmes are also known as “2+1”, “1.5+1.5” or “1+2”, where the first number refers to the time spent in Malaysia while the second number is for time spent overseas. For example, a 2+1 means that you will spend 2 years in Malaysia and the final year overseas.
Why study on a twinning programme at a private university in Malaysia?
Ee Wen, Hospitality & Tourism Graduate from First City University College
Studying overseas allow students to learn and experience life there. Here are top 4 reasons why you should choose a twinning programme:
- The main reason why twinning programmes are popular is because they are a cheaper alternative to studying overseas for 3-4 years. Keep in mind that to study overseas, it will cost about RM200,000 a year including cost of living!
- A guaranteed pathway to the partner university overseas as long as you meet the academic requirements
- You get to experience studying in a foreign country and widen your horizons.
- Students who are weak in English can take a few years to improve their language skills before going overseas.
What is a Degree Transfer Programme?
A Degree Transfer means that after completing 1 or 2 years of study, the student will have to submit the transcripts, course outline, syllabus and high school certificates to the university overseas for evaluation for exemptions. The university overseas will take some time to go through and then inform you which subjects have been exempted . You may have to take extra subjects.
In a Degree Transfer Programme, you are not limited to the partner university and you have the choice to transfer to a few universities overseas. Some of the Twinning Programme partner universities’ rankings may not be appealing to you so you can try to transfer your credits to higher ranking universities.
Where can you study a Twinning or Degree Transfer Programme in Malaysia?
When choosing a private university for a Twinning or Degree Transfer Programme, it is important to look at the ranking of the partner university, cost of studying overseas and if the university has a specific department to assist students in their applications overseas.
The following universities below have arrangements with overseas universities in the UK, Australia, Canada and USA. The partnerships are for various courses offered at the university.
Students wanting advise and help in choosing the right university for your Twinning or Degree Transfer Programme may fill up the Enquiry Form.
- University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM)
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM)
- Taylor’s University
- HELP University
- Asia Pacific University (APU)
- University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOWM)
- UOWM KDU Penang
- UCSI University
- UCSI College
- First City University College (First City UC)
- YTL ICHM