Best Tips on Choosing Courses at Top Universities in Malaysia after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

Top Guide on Choosing the Right Course to Study after the SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Most great things begin with a plan. Your future career and studies should be no different. A plan will give you something to work towards. It’ll also help you make the most of the opportunities that come your way.  It can be confusing to choose the right course after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels. You should carefully think about what are the options available to you, look at your results, interests and budget. If you are not sure what to study, do ask a trained counselor and always make decisions based on evidence and facts. The decisions that you make now, can change your life forever.

After having counseled thousands of students for more than 20 years, I have come up with 9 tips that will help students after SPM , IGCSE, O-Levels, UEC, STPM or A-Levels to help you choose the right course to study in Malaysia that would best fit you.

I have students telling me that they have taken personality tests but were not accurate. We must remember that these tests are not 100% accurate and needs to be used together with a counselor. Furthermore, the tests are designed by westerners who choose their courses based on interests while as Malaysians, we not only have to choose based on interests but have to take into account which course can give us a career that is stable and can make money.

You can contact us for a free career test to help you understand yourself better so that you are able to make the right decision.

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Best Tips on Choosing the Right Course to Study at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

1  What’s the results in your Secondary School?

• What you got for your actual SPM or UEC can be used as a guide. This is a good measure of whether you are actually capable of doing well in the course or not.
• Be realistic. I have had student who did not do well in Maths but want to study accounting or IT, or passed Add Maths and Physics but would like to study engineering. Your results are a measurement on whether you can succeed in the course or not.
• If you did not meet the entry requirements for a particular course means you should consider other courses that would fit you better.
• If your results show that you are strong in Modern Maths, you can consider Accounting, Finance, Banking or IT.
• Scoring high for Add Maths and Physics would make engineering courses like Mechanical, Mechatronic, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, or Telecommunications good choices to consider
• Strong in Chemistry and Add Maths would make Food Science and Nutrition, Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering your top picks.
• Being a numbers person would mean that you can consider IT, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Accounting and Finance.
• An outgoing personality with good results in Sejarah, Moral and English would make Mass Communication, Public Relations, Advertising, Teaching, English & Communication, TESOL, Early Childhood Education and Marketing as your choices.
• We have to look at the subjects and compare with your personality, interests and hobbies as well to see whether it fits you.

2. What are the Courses that you are Interested in? Make a List

• List the fields of study that interest you, and come up with a list of courses you would consider studying based on these interests.
• Add the topics that you were most interested in during school as well as jobs.
• Make a list of your hobbies.
• List down your favorite subjects at school
• A list of your extra-curricular activities can provide ideas of what type of person you are.

4. Do a thorough Research on the Course that you are Interested in

• The internet, newspapers, television and people around you are the best sources of information.
• Check online about the courses you are interested in and find out about the career prospects and the other info.
• Find facts and evidence to support the career and job prospects.
• Starting salaries and how much you can earn eventually.
• Go to education fairs and Open Days to see the campuses and collect the brochures.

4. Ask the right people about what to study at top universities in Malaysia

• Speak to professionals in your field of interest and find out what it is like working in that job.
• People who have completed university courses can give you an insight from a student’s perspective – they can tell you the pros and cons.
• Listen to people who are experienced in the industry or know what they are talking about. Not just simply listen to Aunties or Friends who don’t know what they are talking about.
• Talk to your school counselor or an experienced career guidance counselor. This is important as you would not ask a Doctor on how to repair your car so you must ask the right person to help you.
• Ask your parents and friends what type of personality you are and what could fit you however note that some parents may not be objective and want you to choose the course they want for you.

5. Cost of studying a diploma or degree in Malaysia

• Talk to your parents and find out what is their budget. There is no point going around asking about studies overseas and then find out that you can only afford to study in Malaysia.
• You need to know the budget for your studies in order to choose the right university that fits you. There is no point to choose a university and then find out that you cannot afford the fees
• Affordability is another aspect you need to consider while deciding on your course, as well as the additional costs that occur, such as text books, field trips etc.
• Financial aid available are basically scholarships and the PTPN Loan.

6. Career opportunities in Malaysia for the Course that You are Interested in  

• Look at the career prospects of the course before selecting one. Consider various factors such as income, job security, stress, responsibility and other benefits while researching a profession.
• Look at statistics, evidence and facts. Not just listen to your auntie say that she thinks a particular career is excellent or a university counselor say that the course is good based on their experience.

7. Look at the subjects offered in the Course at the University that you are Interested in

• Read through the course outline of the course(s) you want to apply for. See if the subjects interests you.
• Have a look at the subjects you must undertake and the types of learning, assignments and examination tasks involved.

8. Quality of the Private University in Malaysia

• Compare course outlines and academic facilities between universities to make sure you make the right choice for your educational needs and preferences.
• If possible, visit the university and their Open Days to get a feeling of what the campus is like.
• If you choose a university with extremely low fees, then don’t be surprised at the low quality of education there. If you pay for a Kancil, you will get Kancil power. However, it doesn’t mean that you should pay so much until you are just paying for the lake only. Pay what is value for money.
• Choose a university that promotes the use of the English language.Research by Star newspaper has shown that professionals with good command of the English language has a 25% higher salary and chances of promotion. Some graduates wonder why they can’t find a job because they cannot communicate in simple English when they chose a university that has lower fees but with aMandarin-speaking environment.
• An overseas education is not better but it will help expose you to a different culture and expand your thinking abilities.Although rankings are a guide but in Malaysia, some universities are ranked high but are low in terms of quality.
• The SETARA 2013 & 2011 Ranking system by MQA can be used as a guide in choosing the best universities in Malaysia to study at

9. Choose the Best Course to Study in Malaysia that fits you

• Choosing a course or career is not a science, it is a process in finding out who you are and what you are good at. Some people find out faster while others take more time.
• A personality or career test is not magic or science that will show you what your future is. They are just a guide.
• You can always work in other fields after you graduate as long as it is not a technical field. Engineers and Doctors have switched to Finance or Marketing careers.

Best Degree Programs in Malaysia

• There are a lot of graduates with diplomas & degrees. In order to be competitive in the job market, you should get at least a degree.
• Starting salaries for Degree holders in Malaysia range from RM2,800 onwards depending on which course you graduate from.
• Generally, most degrees take up 3 years of studies. Engineering takes 4 years because they need BEM accreditation. Medicine and Dentistry takes 5 years while Pharmacy takes 4 years.
• You can apply for the PTPTN Loan for the Degree course.
• The starting salary is slightly higher than a diploma holder but if you are good, the promotions come faster.
• You will learn more and develop more critical thinking skills.
• Your career upward mobility is faster.
• 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 has a high salary so that you can support your family.

Choose EduSpiral Consultant Services to Help you to Apply to Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Choosing a course that you are passionate about without job demand and you may end up being jobless.

Look for statistics and research to support whether there is a job demand for your future career in Malaysia or Singapore. 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. Our in-depth knowledge about the courses, careers and private universities in Malaysia combined with my working in experience in the private universities itself are tools that would help you to choose the right university.

Now why would you want to talk to EduSpiral Consultant Services when you can contact the private universities directly? Well, EduSpiral Consultant Services staff have more than 20 years experience in counseling students. Having worked in the private education industry, we have in-depth knowledge of each private university and college in what they are good at. This sets us apart from other agents or representatives who are staffed with young and inexperienced counselors.

Furthermore, we have worked with our partner universities and colleges for many years while the counselors at the private universities or agents’ offices change every few years therefore they would not have the in-depth knowledge of the courses and the university that they are working at.

EduSpiral Consultant Services has helped hundreds of students to choose the right course and university in Malaysia and Singapore since 2009.  With our first-hand knowledge of the universities in Malaysia and access to staff at the universities we represent, we can provide in-depth, personalized advise that no brochure or website can.

There are many factors to consider in choosing a university other than the ad in the newspaper. You have to look at the fees, financial aid, location, student culture, teaching quality, accreditation, recognition, ranking, campus size, facilities, university partnerships and more. With our vast knowledge and experience of the private higher education industry in Malaysia, we are able to help students to navigate through all the information and narrow down their choices to the best courses and universities that fit them.

We are able to offer unbiased information on the many colleges & universities in Malaysia or Singapore if you are unable to visit their campuses. We will share our first hand knowledge and email you pictures of the facilities, fees, forms and other important information. We will also assist in arranging accommodation and campus tours to the universities.

Take Time and Effort to Choose the Right Private University in Malaysia to Study at

Choosing a university is important as it will help to shape your mind, character and help you to develop the necessary skills for a successful career. Therefore, not all private universities are the same. You should not choose a university because it is the cheapest, easiest and nearest. It should be based on which university that best fits your needs.

Many students in Malaysia also make the common mistake in choosing a university because their friends are going there. I even had one student tell me that his choice of university depends on where his girlfriend is going! This is one of the most important decisions that may change your life forever hence it should not be taken lightly.

Common Factors in Choosing the Best Private University in Malaysia to Study

Here’s a list of common criteria in choosing a top private university in Malaysia:

• Diploma and degrees offered
• Subjects offered in the diploma or degree (Are they relevant, up-to-date, and help you to achieve your career goals)
• Accreditation by MQA and other relevant professional bodies in Malaysia
• Type of programme (local degree, 3+0 UK or Australian degree, 4+0 American degree, degree transfer programme, etc)
• Entry requirements (Branch campuses in Malaysia have higher entry requirements)
• Location of the university
• Size of the student population
• Student culture (English-speaking environment, ambitious, serious about studies, lifestyle or party university, etc)
• Public vs. Private (STPM is tougher and choice of course & university is determined by the government)
• Costs (tuition, hostel, food, transportation, etc.)
• Financial assistance (Scholarships, PTPN Loan, EPF withdrawal, MARA Loan, etc)
• Campus resources (labs, libraries, wifi, computer access, sports facilities, etc.)
• Internship and co-op programs
• Class size (Small class size for personal attention)
• Faculty contact/classes taught by full-time qualified & experienced faculty
• Quality/reputation/ranking of the private university in Malaysia
• Safety (campus, community)
• Make up of the student body (diversity, international students, gender, etc.)
• Extra-curricular activities (Student organisations, clubs, sports, etc.)
• Housing options (on-campus, off-campus apartments)
• Student support services
• Intake dates

Talk to the Best Education Consultant in Malaysia to Help you Make the Right Choice in your Studies

Choosing a course to study after SPM is not a science, it is a process

Students in Malaysia need to talk to the right education counselors so that you get the right information to help you in making this life-changing decision.

Ask the right Education Counselors in Malaysia to help you. Would you ask a Doctor on how to repair your car? Or would you ask a mechanic for medical advise? Although this sounds ridiculous, but many students do listen to advise from young and inexperienced counselors from universities, colleges or agents’ offices.  Talking to an experienced education advisor in Malaysia would help you to navigate through this confusing time of choosing the best course that fits you.

Experienced education counselors are able to analyse your interests, personality and exam results to help

you make a list of possible courses for consideration. EduSpiral Consultant Services staff have more than 15 years experience in counseling students. Having worked in the private education industry, we have in-depth knowledge of each private university and college in what they are good at.

EduSpiral Consultant Services has worked with our partner universities and colleges for many years while the counselors at the private universities or agents’ offices change every few years therefore they would not have the in-depth knowledge of the courses and the university that they are working at.

At EduSpiral Consultant Services, I have worked in the private higher education industry in Malaysia for more than 15 years advising students with facts and evidence on how to choose the right course after SPM. You should carefully think about what are the options available to you. To choose the best course that fits you, students may fill up our EduSpiral Career Assessment form for evaluation.

The EduSpiral Career Assessment form is a simple form designed by us that gathers information from students after SPM, O-Levels, UEC, STPM or A-Levels in order to assess their aptitude helping us to determine the most suitable course and career progression.

How to Choose the Best Private University to Study in Malaysia

The best private universities and colleges in Malaysia have excellent facilities, years of experience running the programme, strong student support services, internships and experienced lecturers.

They are also accredited by MQA and approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. Accreditation by the various professional bodies such as the Board of Engineers Malaysia, Pharmacy Board, Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, Nursing Board, Malaysian Medical Council, etc also indicates the standard achieved.

The best private university in Malaysia will focus on quality, have award winners for the particular courses, years of experience offering the particular course, highly experienced lecturers, a good study environment (not a party university), internships, good mix of international & local students, extra-curricular activities and good facilities. The SETARA ranking is a guide for students to assess the quality of a private university in Malaysia.

When choosing a university and college in Malaysia, it is important for students to visit the campus and see the facilities and feel the culture of the students to see if it fits you.

Talk to the lecturers and find out from the counselors there about the courses and check if the courses have been accredited by MQA and other external bodies like the Pharmacy Board, Nursing Board, Malaysian Medical Council, Board of Engineers Malaysia , Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia or Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia.

The environment should be one where students speak mostly in English so that you can improve your

English and communication skills. If you are weak in English and choose a cheap university where the students speak mainly in Mandarin, it will be difficult for you to improve your English.

Star newspaper has reported that graduates with good English earn 25% higher salary and get faster promotion. The Ministry of Education reported that there were more than 70,000 public university jobless graduates and one of the main reasons was poor command of the English language.

Would you rather suffer for 4 years and get a high salary for 60 years of your work life or an easy 4 years and low salary for 60 years? The decisions that you make now, can change your life forever. Remember the best university doesn’t mean it is the best university for you. The best university is one that fits your career goals, your personality and can push you to a higher level of success.