Gain entry to varsities with South Australian Matriculation

A GROWING trend among SPM school leavers is to wait for their results before deciding on their pre-university options. Certainly, knowing their results puts students in a good position to consider the best options available to access international universities.

These students are interested in pre-university courses with established, high-quality programmes that provide access to good universities in Malaysia and the rest of the world. Other important considerations include the value and duration of the programme.

The South Australian Matriculation (SAM), which has been available in Malaysia since 1982, meets all the above criteria and more. SAM is administered by the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Board and is one of the longest-established international pre-university qualifications in Malaysia.

Since its inception, thousands of SAM graduates have gained admission into highly reputable universities in Malaysia and across the world, including universities ranked in the top 50 globally in Australia, Britain, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada. SAM graduates have accessed a variety of courses, including accountancy, engineering, law and medicine.

“The SAM programme helped me gain admission into one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the US – Cornell University. Because the SAM is recognised internationally it has been invaluable in helping me pursue my academic goals,” said Emilyn Teh, a former SAM student.

In many cases, SAM students can access international universities after eight months of study. Students who begin the programme by the end of March can sit for their final examinations by the end of November, making them eligible for entry into Australian and New Zealand universities by February the following year, and into universities around the world later that year.

For those who prefer a slower pace, 11and 18-month programmes are also available. Whichever the preferred option, the SAM is one of the best value-for-money international pre-university qualifications in Malaysia.

The SAM programme prepares students for university and working life through a mix of coursework and examinations. With an emphasis on continuous study, the application of knowledge and research, students learn to manage their time, retain knowledge and gain problem-solving skills.

A rigorous moderation scheme ensures all student grades are reviewed and moderated by an independent examiner to ensure their integrity. This process covers all course work and examination scripts, and so applies to the final grades assigned to each student for every subject.

The SAM programme is offered by highly reputable educational institutions throughout Malaysia, including those with a six-star MyQUEST rating. Students can study for SAM in Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Nilai, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.

For more information about SAM, call any of the following colleges: Taylor’s College Subang Jaya, Selangor (03-5636 2641); Taylor’s College Sri Hatramas, Kuala Lumpur (03-6203 0168); INTEC Education College, UiTM, Shah Alam, Selangor (03-5522 7093); INTI International University, Nilai, Negri Sembilan (06-798 2000); DISTED, Penang (04229 6579) or Institut Sinaran (088-492 924).