Choosing the right pre-uni programme

A-LEVELS or in its entirety, the Advanced Level course, is a very popular pre-university programme among Malaysian students who are still unsure of what they want to do after completing their SPM examinations. An A-Levels qualification allows students to gain entry into universities both locally and abroad.

The Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) is also an internationally recognised preuniversity programme set by the Malaysian Examinations Council. As of 2012, a new modular system was introduced by the council. The new system sees students sitting for examinations three times, at the end of each semester. Students are allowed to take a maximum of five subjects over the span of three semesters.

Both A-Levels and STPM are internationally recognised.

requirement

A-Levels – SPM leavers with five credits including English are allowed to apply. Students who have sat for the GCE O-Levels may also apply.

STPM – All SPM leavers are welcome to apply.

Foundation or matriculation?

Foundation courses are for students who have set their mind on the university and programme that they intend to take. Courses such as this are aimed at preparing students for the subjects that they will be taking during their degree.

Students who choose to do a matriculation programme are given three streams to choose from – science, accounting and technical. The programme was changed in 2011 but this change only affects the science stream. Life sciences and physical sciences are no longer offered and have been replaced by three different modules.

Module 1 offers physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Module 2 offers physics, chemistry, computer science and mathematics while Module 3 offers biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics.

Foundation – Usually takes one year to complete but some courses need an extra one or two semesters. Intakes are usually held in January or in the middle of the year.

Matriculation – There are oneyear programmes for the science, accounting and technical streams but the two-year programmes are only for bumiputra students in the science stream.

Foundation – These courses are usually only recognised by institutions that offer the foundation programme. This is because the course is specially made by and for that particular institution.

Matriculation – The programme is recognised by foreign universities albeit a limited number. Students who complete a matriculation programme usually apply to public universities.

requirements

Foundation – Five credits in SPM that are preferably related to the chosen course of study.

Matriculation – Credits in Bahasa Malaysia, English, additional mathematics, chemistry, and either physics, biology or other technical subjects. > SEE NEXT PAGE FOR THE PRE-U PATHWAY DIAGRAM