Choosing the right course

Available in local private institutions of higher learning, South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) is equivalent to Year 12 in the Australian secondary school system.

The only difference between the programmes is that SAM is regulated by the South Australian government while AUSMAT is regulated by the West Australian government. These governing bodies ensure that the programmes are implemented properly.

Students need to obtain at least five credits, including English in their SPM to qualify for SAM or AUSMAT.

In this pre-university programme, students take five subjects, including English. The SAM/AUSMAT subjects lead to a variety of university courses, depending on the student’s choice.

Students may take the necessary subjects in one year, but there is flexibility for students to complete it over a longer period.

Students may also increase their university aggregate score by repeating subjects in a second year without penalty. Although it is an Australian programme, students have to take Moral/Islamic studies, Bahasa Malaysia as well as Malaysian studies. Additionally, students must sit for an English studies paper and obtain a satisfactory score.

SAM and AUSMAT are very popular pre-university programmes for overseas study. Students study in Malaysia and earn the South Australian or West Australian Certificate of Education upon successful completion.

This award is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and opens doors to top universities in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Asia.

Canadian Pre-University/ Canadian International Matriculation Programme

Offered by private institutions of higher learning, Canadian Pre-University (CPU) and Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) are approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. These programmes take one year to complete.

CPU and CIMP are very different from some of the other programmes and are far more student-centred. Very similar to ADP/ ADTP, CPU and CIMP do not have a particular governing body. The respective universities govern it.

Both CPU and CIMP are of the same module (Ontario High School curriculum).

The different names are brands under Taylor’s University and Sunway University respectively.

Students are required to complete six Grade 12 subjects, 10 hours of community service, and pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test to graduate.

Upon graduation, students are conferred with Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

To qualify, students have to obtain a minimum of five credits in their SPM examinations, including English, science and mathematics.

It is a recognised qualification for entry into universities in Canada and most universities in the US, Australia and New Zealand and the UK.

In Malaysia, CPU/CIMP qualification is recognised by International Medical University, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Monash University Malaysia, Sunway University, Multimedia University, Penang Medical and Manipal Medical College.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is governed by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in Geneva, Switzerland, and administered by the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Centre in Cardiff, Wales. The IB Diploma is a rigorous pre-university programme because it is demanding and requires a significant amount of responsibility from the student.

The IB diploma is suited for those who are academically motivated, open minded, critical and creative thinkers, principled, inquisitive and caring towards society.

The IB diploma is recognised internationally and locally for admission into universities in Malaysia, including University of Malaya, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and International Islamic University.

The list of universities that recognise the IB diploma can be viewed at www.ibo.org/recognition