Students have many options for pre-university studies after they complete their SPM examinations. Here are the popular ones.
This 18-month course is conducted at selected government secondary schools and leads to the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM). This qualification is accepted for entry into local public universities as well as most universities overseas and in Ma laysia. Students usually take four or five subjects from
1. Form Six
a total of 23 subjects offered which
must include the General Paper. Though students can take any combination of subjects, most schools have specific streams- arts,science, business etc- for students to choose from. Students also need to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) for entry into local public universities.The STPM underwent a revamp in 2012 to incorporate a
new assessment system that includes schools-based assessment in addition to the centralised examination. Previously, assessment is based on one final examination only.
2. A Level
The GCE Advanced Level (popularly known as A Level) is widely recognised and is accepted for entry into universities in the UK and most universities overseas. This qualification is accepted for entry into private universities in Malaysia as well. There are two examination boards
in Malaysia: the Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel. These two boards offer different assessment methods but generally students have the option to take the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level qualification which is half of the A Level in one session,and the advanced (A2) level at a subsequent session. Students can choose from a variety of subject combinations but frequently students choose subjects based on the university course that they would like
to pursue after that. Most universities require a minimum of three A Level subjects for entry.Some universities (especially for entry into competitive courses) may require four subjects. Assessment is based on examinations only.
3. Australian Matriculation
If you are considering a degree course in Australia,you should consider the Australian pre-university programmes. These programmes usually take one year or less to complete and the qualifications awarded allow you to apply for admission into degree courses in Australia. There a re currently three Australian pre-university programmes in Malaysia. The Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) programme is based on the
Year 12 curriculum in Western Australian secondary schools and students who complete this programme successfully are awarded the Western Australian Certificate of Education. Students
who complete the South Australian
Matriculation (SAM) programme are awarded the South Australian Certificate of Education. In addition to the AUSMAT and SAM,the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (NSW HSC) is offered by private colleges. Generally,the intakes for these programmes are at the beginning of the year and the programmes terminate at the end of the year with an external examination. Assessment of the programmes is based on 50% coursework and 50% examinations.
4. Foundation programmes
Foundation programmes are offered by private universities to prepare students
for entry into degree programmes offered by these universities.There are several types of foundation programmes - there are general ones like arts and science foundation that allow you to go into a variety of arts- or science-based courses. There are also specific ones like business or engineering foundation that prepare you specifically for courses offered by the same university. Foundation qualifications are usually not transferable and are accepted for entry into programmes offered by the university only as the curriculum and assessment system
are developed by the university itself. Foundation courses vary in length but generally take between one and two years to complete.
5. Canadian Pre-university Programmes
There are two Canadian programmes offered in Malaysia- the International Canadian Pre-University and the
Canadian International Matriculation
Programme. Students who complete these programmes are awarded the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This qualification is accepted for entry into universities in Canada,and in most universities in the US, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Assessment is based on 70% coursework and 30% examinations.
6. American University Program
The American University Program (also called the America n Degree Program and America Degree Transfer Program)
allows students to do the first one or two years of their American university degree programme in Malaysia before continuing their studies in a university in the US. Students study a variety of subjects in the first year and select their major in their second year.Assessment is based on 70% coursework and 30% final examinations.
In order to transfer into universities that are highly ranked in the US,students need to perform well in their first and second years of study.
7. International Baccalaureate
The Internationa l Baccalaureate (IB) is a recognised entry qualification to undergraduate degree programmes in most universities in the world.Students take one subject each from six groups and a compulsory subject called Theory of Knowledge. In addition,students need to complete an extended essay and be involved in non-academic-based activities.
In order to choose the right pre-university programme, it helps to know the undergraduate programme you plan to undertake after that,and where you plan to study.
