Compare the Different Types of Top Pre-U Courses at Malaysia’s Best Universities & Colleges

Different Types of the Best Pre-University Programmes Offered at Top Private Universities & Colleges in Malaysia

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A Pre-University programme is a preparatory course for students after SPM or O-Levels. The Pre-University programme at private colleges in Malaysia acts as a ‘bridge’ between secondary school and university, equipping you with proper knowledge and learning skills so that students will be able to handle the challenges of an undergraduate degree course.

There are a number of different Pre-University programmes in Malaysia that’s available to you. You should find out more about various pre-university programmes are available at top private colleges & universities before making your decision. You need to understand yourself, your learning style, career goals, academic goals and  capabilities in order to decide which Pre-University course would best suit you. EduSpiral Consultant Services  is here to help you narrow down your choices with sound professional advise.

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A List of the Top Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

Choosing the right Pre-University course after SPM or O-Levels can be confusing. There is no such thing as the “best” Pre-University programme. It is choosing the right Pre-U programme that fits you and your future goals. We have come up with a list of the Top Ten best Pre-University programmes to study in Malaysia,

Below is a list of pre-university programmes offered by top universities & colleges in Malaysia:

1. Foundation programmes by private universities in Malaysia
2. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) Malaysia
3. Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
4. University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) UK A-Levels
5. South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International
6. American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP)
7. Edexcel International Advanced Level UK A-Levels
8. Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
9. Matriculation Certificate, Ministry of Education Malaysia
10. Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)

There are many different Pre-University programmes available in Malaysia. I will list some of the most popular ones.

Summary of the Best Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia

Top Foundation Programmes in Malaysia

Students after SPM or O-Levels can consider taking the Foundation Programmes at top private universities in Malaysia. The Foundation Programmes are 1 year and is cheaper compared to the external Pre-University Programmes.

Many private higher educational institutions in Malaysia, have developed their own internal university foundation programmes. Students who know what they want to study can just go for the Foundation at the university offering the degree of interest. It is cheaper, easier and a faster way to continue to completing the degree in Malaysia.

Duration	12 months
Number of subjects	12-15. Varies depending on the programme and university (usually combination of compulsory, elective & MPU subjects)
Recognition & Accreditation	Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA)
Assessment	Assessment for Foundation programmes in Malaysia will vary from university to university. It will contain a mix of coursework, assignments, quizzes and exams. The coursework could cover different assessment tasks such as projects, assignments, laboratory work, presentations, tests, and others as assigned throughout each semester. The final examination is conducted at the end of each semester.
Price	RM8,000 – RM25,000
Advantages	Tailored specifically towards the degree course offered by the university Shorter duration compared to the STPM and A-Level programmes Generally, cheaper than most Pre-University (Pre-U) programmes Most students find it easier compared to other Pre-University programmes English-speaking environment which would help you to improve your language skills (depends on which university you choose) The course is taught and marked by Malaysians who would understand the language skills of Malaysian students. Therefore, students who are weak in the English language should choose the Foundation and take the opportunity to improve their language skills during the Foundation programme.
Disadvantages	Depending on which Foundation, it may be difficult to change courses if you decide to pursue a different field May not be accepted by other private universities for your undergraduate degree May not be accepted into universities overseas

 

The Best A-Level Programmes in Malaysia

The A-Levels is quite popular however it is quite tough and not for those who do not have the discipline or motivation to complete it. I would recommend the A-Levels for those intending to pursue medicine, dentistry, law or pharmacy or who are planning to go overseas. The A-Levels is internationally-recognised for admission into universities worldwide including professional courses.

The A-level syllabuses are divided into Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced Two (A2) levels, each contributing 50% towards the final A-Level grade. AS Level is the first half of the course and forms the foundation of A-Level. A2 Level is the second part of the syllabus and covers more difficult topics.

Students who have good results in SPM/O-Levels and prefer exam-oriented assessment rather than coursework or assignments, should go for the A-Levels.

 

Country of origin	United Kingdom (UK)
Duration	12 – 18 months
Number of subjects	2- 4. Students may choose the following subjects: Mathematics Further Mathematics Chemistry Physics Biology Business Economics English Literature Law Accounting
Assessment	It is 100% external examination-based. Both the ‘A2’ and ‘AS’ level examination sessions occur twice a year, in June and November, with some subjects only available in June or November. Results are issued in August and February respectively.
Awarding Body	University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) or Edexcel International Advanced Levels (Modular structure)
Price	RM20,000 – RM40,000
Advantages	Commonly considered the ‘Gold Standard’ of Pre-U programmes and is globally accepted (UK, US, Singapore, Australia etc.) Accepted by universities worldwide General subjects therefore the choices to enter degree programmes are wide depending on your subject combination
Disadvantages	Higher cost compared to most Pre-University (Pre-U) programmes Longer duration than most Pre-University programmes The A-Levels is rigorous and requires students who have strong academic results in SPM or O-Levels to do well in it Subjects are general therefore students who have taken it may not be sure of what they want to study at degree level If your command of the English language is weak then you may find this course very challenging

Australia Matriculation Programmes in Malaysia

There are 2 different Australian Matriculation programmes in Malaysia which are the:

• South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International
• Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

There are some slight differences between the two programmes and it is important for students to research and compare to see which on fits them.

I would not advise students to go for the March intake as it is an intensive programme which is shorter in duration where the exam is in November. Many students with good SPM results have not done well after taking the March intake for AUSMAT.

 

 

Country of origin	Australia
Duration	7 – 18 months
Number of subjects	5 subjects (including English)
Assessment	South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International: 70% coursework (e.g. tests, research papers, assignments) and 30% exams AUSMAT: 50% coursework (e.g. tests, research papers, assignments) and 50% exams
Awarding Body	South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
Price	RM21,000 – RM40,000
Advantages	Recognised for entry by most countries overseas Shorter duration compared to the A-Levels and STPM Continuous assessment helps to accumulate marks towards your final grade, instead of depending on a particular exam or coursework Students who have a strong command of the English language & like assignment based courses would do well in the Australian Matriculation
Disadvantages	Very high entry requirements for competitive programmes like Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, etc. Students must do well consistently in all assessment types to obtain a high final grade Self-directed learning may not be suitable for everyone The March intake for AUSMAT is short and too intensive. Many students do not do well in it

Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) in Malaysia

The Canadian Pre-University (CPU) or CIMP is the final year of the secondary school programme in Ontario, Canada. It is designed based on the course guidelines and standards of the Ministry of Education and Training of the Ontario Province.

Country of origin	Canada
Duration	12 – 15 months
Number of subjects	6 subjects which include one English subject, that is, either ENG4E or ENG4U. The other subjects are Business, Computer Studies, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.
Assessment	70% coursework (e.g. tests, research papers, assignments) and 30% final exam
Awarding Body	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Cost	Between RM13,000 – RM35,000
Advantages	Focuses on interactive learning as opposed to only academic Progressive accumulation of marks towards your final grade instead of depending on one final exam or coursework
Disadvantages	Public speaking and debate may not be suitable everyone (requirement for CPU) Very high entry requirements for competitive programmes like Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, etc. Students must do well consistently in all assessment types to obtain a high final grade

 

American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP)

Students after SPM or O-Levels will enter directly into Year 1 of the degree program for a total of 4 years. The American Degree system after SPM or O-Levels is

• Year 1 (Freshman) – ADTP in Malaysia
• Year 2 (Sophomore) – ADTP in Malaysia
• Year 3 (Junior) – University in the USA
• Year 4 (Senior) – University in the USA

The American undergraduate degree provides an education that emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills. American education provides a flexible, holistic and well-rounded approach to education. It produces graduates with strong critical and analytical thinking skills with the ability to put knowledge into action.

Country of origin	USA
Duration	48 months. After SPM or O-Levels, students will enter into the American Degree Programme for 2 years before transferring their credits to a university of their choice in the USA for the final 2 years.
Number of subjects	Students will take about 40 subjects (110 – 140 credit hours) in total during their four years of studies, where 20 subjects (60 credit hours) are completed at ADP and the rest are completed in the USA. Students will normally take about 4-5 subjects each semester.
Assessment	Students are assessed through exams, coursework, assignments, presentations, quizzes and research papers. The percentage of exams and assignments varies depending on the subject you are taking.
Grading System	Final results will be a single score, the Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 0.0 to 4.0 scale. The highest grade is an A, which equals 4.0 The final result is the CGPA (cumulative grade point average) which is also on a 0.0 to 4.0 scale, and is your GPA obtained from all subjects taken.
Cost	RM30,000 – RM60,000 for duration of 2 years of study in Malaysia. Cost of studying in the USA would range from RM150,000 to RM200,000 per year including cost of living.
Advantages	The curriculum is broad based and flexible. Students are allowed to switch major if they decided to do so even after 2 years of studies. Students are required to take courses outside of their major (commonly known as the liberal arts education philosophy). Continuous learning and testing system (70% coursework, 30% final examination) where students are involved in projects, teamwork, presentation, extra- and co-curricular activities. The education is learning-driven instead of exam-driven. Students are groomed to be all rounded team players with strong critical thinking and communication skills. Students are expected to speak, ask, and challenge your instructors during discussions in / outside of class.
Disadvantages	Students must transfer to the USA for the final part of the studies. If you complete the ADTP and decide not to go to the USA, it is not accepted for entry at any university in Malaysia. Students who prefer exam-based programmes will find the ADTP challenging.

Diploma Course at Private Universities in Malaysia

Students who are sure of what they want to study can go for a Diploma course. If you are still not sure, then you should go for a Pre-University programme. The diploma generally is more practical while a degree course is more theoretical and academic.

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.

Duration	24 – 30 months
Number of subjects	25-35 subjects (May include internship)
Assessment	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.
Recognition	Accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
Cost	RM15,000 to RM50,000
Advantages	The Diploma is technically not a pre-university programme; it is one level below undergraduate degree Needs at least 3 credits in SPM to enter the Diploma programme Students may apply for the PTPN Loan for Diploma courses. There is no PTPN 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. The course is more practical with mixed assessment. Upon completion of the Diploma, you may choose to start work or continue on to Year 2 of the related degree.
Disadvantages	You cannot change to a different course for degree level You may lose some credits when transferring to a different university

 

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) is Malaysia’s version of the UK’s GCE A-Levels and is a Pre-University course recognised for entry into public universities (IPTA) in Malaysia. The STPM is also accepted for entry into private universities in Malaysia and overseas universities. The STPM is acknowledged as one of the toughest exams in the world.

If you had scored high is SPM, you are eligible for scholarships for Foundation programmes at top private universities. The Foundation programmes are easier and so if you score for Foundation, you can get more scholarships to cover part or all of your degree studies.

Problem is if you take the STPM which is so much tougher than the Foundation course, although Form 6 is free, but if you don’t score in STPM, you have no scholarship for your degree studies and in the end have to pay all of the fees for your degree studies in private university.

The STPM is extremely tough and if you do not do well, you would have wasted 2 years of your life and time is money. The earlier you graduate and join the work force, the more work experience you can gain and add this to your resume where it translates into higher salary. If you take a diploma at a private university in Malaysia, you would have finished it at the same time you would have taken to complete Form 6.

You need a lot of discipline and good teachers in order to do well in the STPM. If you have alright results for your SPM, don’t expect a miracle in the STPM as it is 20 times tougher than the SPM. If you can afford, choose an easier way through the 1-year Foundation offered at top reputable Private Universities in Malaysia.

Country of origin	Malaysia
Duration	18 months (+6 months if you intend to apply to public universities)
Number of subjects	Between 4 – 5 (including General Paper)
Assessment	Students will go through a school-based assessment with a weighting of 20-40% of the final score and a centralised examination with a weighting of 60-80% of the final score (The weighting varies according to subjects). Nevertheless, School Based Assessment (SBA) cannot be repeated and repeaters are required to sit for an alternative written paper in place with SBA. The curriculum is divided into three parts based on topic areas. Each part will be taught and studied in either the first, second or third term. You will take the examinations at the end of each term (3 in total). One term is 6 months. Students who are not satisfied with their results for the first two terms can retake the examinations at the end of the third term. Students’ assessment will be carried out each term with the results being released at the end of each respective term. The overall STPM results will be based on the best combined results of the three terms.
Grading	Final results will be a single score, the Overall Subject Grade Point. Grades are given from A to F for each subject taken, which corresponds to a grade point. The Overall Subject Grade Point is the average of the top four subjects with the maximum score of 4.0.
Cost	Less than RM1,000
Advantages	A Pre-University course recognised for entry into public universities (IPTA) in Malaysia An affordable Pre-University programme Recognised for entry into universities worldwide With School Based Assessment, teaching and learning are integrated with assessment. Students are allowed to improve on their first term and second term results by retaking these term examinations at the end of the third term. Students who do not obtain satisfactory results for the third term may also re-sit it.
Disadvantages	The STPM can be very challenging for students who are weak academically or who do not prepare themselves well Longer duration compared to most Pre-University courses in Malaysia Heavy weightage of exam-based assessment As soon as you enter Lower 6 you will have to hit the books because your first exam will be in December and you will have not much time to study and the teachers do no have enough time to cover the material as well. There is no rest as you will need to keep studying  the exams every 6 months. To enter into most private universities, students must achieve at least a CGPA of 2.00 or at least 2 Principal Cs in the relevant subjects. A C- is not a principal and some universities do not accept the Pengajian Am as entry into the university. STPM requires you to take in too much information in 1.5 years. That in itself shows the inadequacies of a system which doesn’t give enough time for students to consume the information required. Furthermore, STPM needs a lot of study time in order to score well. If you are not ready to commit the time and effort, you should consider other options. From the time you enter Form 6 till the exam and getting into IPTA would be 2 years. If you had taken a diploma, you would have already completed it. English language not emphasized so you do not gain the all important language and communication skills needed to succeed in the workforce The government chooses the course and university (IPTA) for you. Therefore, after 2 years, you may not get to study what you want.

Malaysian Matriculation Programme (Matrikulasi) and Asasi IPTA

Program Matrikulasi Malaysia) is a one-year pre-university preparatory programme offered by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. Starting 2005, the selection process for the programme is done through a race-based quota system, where 90% of the places are reserved for bumiputeras students while the remaining 10% are open for non-bumiputeras.

Prior to 2006, only one-year programmes are being conducted. Since then, four different programmes are offered. They are One Year Programme (PST, short for Program Satu Tahun in Malay), Two Year Programme (PDT, short for Program Dua Tahun in Malay), Technical Programme and Accounting Programme. Mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and informatics science subjects are conducted in English. Other compulsory subjects are English, Dynamics Skills (Kemahiran Dinamika), Islamic/Moral Study and Information Technology. Students are also required to take up a co-curricular activity of their choice (sports/games, societies/clubs or marching band) during the programme.

Country of origin	Malaysia
Duration	12 months (Program Satu Tahun) – 24 months (Program Dua Tahun)
Number of subjects	Students must study at least six subjects over two semesters (one year). There is one intake a year, usually in March or April. The matriculation programme in Malaysia offers three streams – science, accountancy and technical streams
Assessment	Combination of classroom assignments and examinations
Grading System	Your GPA is determined from the grade values associated with the grades that you obtain for each subject every semester. All grades are internally assessed.
Cost	RM600
Advantages	Extremely affordable Good prospects to gain admission into public universities Wide range of subjects to choose from
Cons	Recognised for entry into universities in Commonwealth countries Has limitations, such as ‘Program Dua Tahun’ only open for bumiputras Fewer options of degree courses as the subjects are divided into ‘streams’

Comparison Chart of the Top Pre-University (Pre-U) Programmes in Malaysia

Pre-U Programme	Brief introduction	Duration	Assessment	Subjects
Cambridge A-Levels           Awarded by Cambridge Advanced Level Certificate	The Cambridge GCE A Level is the general certificate of education qualification through examinations by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).The GCE A Level programme places emphasis on knowledge, understanding and reasoning abilities and skills.	Duration is 12 or 18 months                Intakes in January, March and July                                                                                                Exams in June & November	Assessed totally through external examinations. The examination papers are set and marked by examiners from the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).  You can now sit for the A-Level examination in two phases:  at Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS) and at Advanced Two (A2) Level. Students unsatisfied with any of their individual units must re-sit the entire level, ie either AS or A2, and only the last score will automatically be taken into account.	No. of Subjects: 3-4                                                SciencePhysics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Economics.Arts Law, Mathematics, Economics, History, Accounting, English Literature and Business Studies.
LONDON EDEXCEL INTERNATIONAL – A-Levels	The Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA) in the UK only recognises the London A-Levels. The London A-Levels is under the tight scrutiny of the QCA for all preparation, distribution and marking of the examination papers. For the London A-Levels, there is a centre in every region to facilitate communication with Edexcel UK, in addition to ensuring that the London A-Levels centres meet the standards set by the QCA.	Duration is 12 or 18 months      Intakes in January, April and July         Exams in January & May/June	100% external examination. n Modular A-levels, each A-Level subject is subdivided into SIX UNITS where each unit is separately assessed in stages. In the Staged assessment it is divided into stages and in each stage the candidates get to select any number of the six units to be assessed in each examination session. An assessment is done every six months and the number of units selected for each examination session is entirely up to the candidate. The best grades for all the 6 units will be added together for a full A-Level final grade.	No. of Subjects: 3-4 Mathematics Further Maths Biology Chemistry Physics Economics Accounting Law Business
South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International                                                               Awarded by South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)	SAM offers  – Proven learning techniques tailored to university study- A balanced choice of subjects leading to a variety of university degree courses- A mixture of school assessments and external examinations that assess students fairly – The flexibility for students to complete the program over an extended period – An opportunity for students to increase their tertiary entrance rank by repeating subjects without penalty.	Duration is 10 – 18 months with intakes in January, April or August	Balance of continuous internal assessment and a final external examination. Students are provided with a university aggregate score (out of 90 marks) and a tertiary entrance rank (TER), a percentile ranking that is recognised without modification by all tertiary selection agencies in Australia. Students must complete 5 subjects, including 1 subject from List 1 and at least 1 subject from List 2. In addition, students must achieve a satisfactory score (10/20 or better) in either English as Second Language Studies, or English Studies.	No. of Subjects – 6                                       • Accounting • Biology • Chemistry • Economics • English as an Additional Language • Legal Studies • Mathematical Methods • Nutrition • Physics • Psychology • Research Project B • Specialist Mathematics
Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)  Awarded by Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)	The AUSMAT is the Year 12 curriculum of Western Australia. The Curriculum Council of Western Australia, on behalf of the Government of Western Australia, overseas the quality implementation of the curriculum.	Duration is 7-10 months with Intakes in January & March Exam in November	50% internal continuous assessment(moderated by the Curriculum Council)and 50% external final examinations (TEE) Provides opportunities to use multiple assessment techniques to help students progress – continuous assessment may include topic tests, quizzes, assignments, investigations, research and exams. Flexibility of calculating a student’s score based on Best-4 or Best-5 subjects .	No. of Subjects – 5                                              Required to take English as an Additional Language (EAL/D) or English The remaining subjects must include one subject from each from List 1 and List 2:LIST 1 – German, English, Economics,  LIST 2 – Accounting and Finance, Biological SciencesChemistry, Computer Studies Mathematics, Mathematics : Specialist Physics
Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) or International Canadian Pre-University (ICPU)                               Awarded by Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)	Offered according to the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education, students to graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) In the CIMP, they focus on your development in the following areas:- Effective communication; using English as the language   for international communication- Independent learning skills; learn how to learn – Effective transition from secondary to tertiary education – Talent and leadership development – Community outreach	Duration is 10 months.               Intakes in January, March and July                Exam in May & November	Assessment will be 70% coursework and 30% final examinations. Coursework includes evaluations conducted throughout the programme; quizzes, assignments, projects and class tests. The final assessment will be in the form of an examination.In addition, to graduate, students must sit for anexternal literacy test administered in March, perform Ten (10) hours of recognised Community Involvement.	No. of Subjects – 6                                            Business, Computer Studies, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences & English Courses.
Internal Foundation at Private Universities in Malaysia -Internal qualification	It is cheaper and easier than the external Pre-University programmes. Students intending to continue on in the particular university can choose to go for their internal Foundation course. Its accredited by MQA & can transfer to other private universities in Malaysia for the relevant degree.	Duration is 12 mths or 3 semesters with intakes in Jan, April, July, August or October depending on the university	Assessments comprise coursework, class tests and examinations. Internally assessed by the private university.	No. of Subjects – 12-15 Subjects depends on the type of Foundation
American Degree Program (ADP)	-Direct entry into Year 1 of degree continue to Year 2 in Malaysia and then transfer to a university in the USA for the final 2 years- Holistic education	Duration is 2 years in Malaysia and 2 years in the USA	Assessment includes quizzes, assignments, projects and class tests.	Students will take general studies for the first 2 years before specializing in their major for the final 2 years