If you have just completed high school, IGCSE or SPM exam and plan to study a bachelor’s degree abroad or in Malaysia, pre-university program is the next step for you. Students after completing SPM can obtain either pre-university or diploma qualification abroad or in Malaysia before continuing with their degree in Malaysia or globally.
Excel Education represents the best colleges and universities in Malaysia. With so many types of pre-university programs available in Malaysia, it can be confusing to choose the right one that fits you. Students who are not sure of what to study after high school, IGCSE or SPM can contact Excel Education to help guide you to choose the right course and university. There are many pathway programs to go after high school, SPM or IGCSE so it can be confusing for you to choose the right one.
To choose the best Pre-University program to study in Malaysia, you have to ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you want to study for degree?
- Do you want to continue your studies in Malaysia or overseas?
- Are you applying quota based program such as pharmacy, dentistry, medicine or veterinary medicine in overseas?
- Are you planning to shortcut the time length of your education?
- Are you looking for scholarship? If yes, A-level lo 🙂
Timeline to complete, some medicine program only available 1 intake a year, if you missed the particular intake month, you might have to wait for another year before enrolling in. Therefore planning your graduation timeline is very important
Choosing the Best College or University for the Pre-University Program in Malaysia
The duration of the Pre-University program vary from program to program and takes about 8 months to 18 months to complete.
- Foundation program – 10 – 12 months
- International Baccalaureate (IB) or Year 12 – 18 months
- Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) – 18 months
- Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) A-Levels – 12-18 months
- South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International – 10 to 18 months
- Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) – 7 to 10 months
- American Degree Transfer Program (ADP) – 24 months
Entry Requirements of Pre-University Programs
- SPM or IGCSE or equivalent – 5 credits. Additional requirements may include credits in English, Mathematics or Science depending on the Program or degree you intend to take.
- Medical & Pharmacy degree programs will require at least 5Bs in SPM including the Science subjects while Engineering would require credits in Physics & Maths.
Acceptance & Recognition of the Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia
As long as the Pre-University Programme has been accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), it will be accepted into any private university in Malaysia and the International Pre-University programs such as A-Levels, AUSMAT, SAM, etc are accepted into universities abroad.
List of the Top Pre-University Programmes in Malaysia
Below is a list of pre-university programmes offered by top universities & colleges in Malaysia:
- Foundation programs
- Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) Malaysia
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
- Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) UK A-Levels
- South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or SACE International
- American Degree Transfer Program (ADP)
- Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
- Canadian International Matriculation Program (CIMP)
The Top 10 Colleges and Universities Offering Top Notch Pre University Programs in Malaysia
| University | Program | Intake | Indicative Annual Fee 2018/19 |
| Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | Foundation in Business & Design | Apr, Jul | RM23,789 |
| Foundation in Science | Apr, Jul | RM26,333 | |
| Taylor’s University | International Cambridge A-Levels | Jan, May, Aug | RM22,633 |
| Foundation in Arts | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Foundation in Science | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,066 | |
| Taylor’s Business Foundation | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Foundation in Communication | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Foundation in Computing | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Foundation in Design | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Foundation in Engineering | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| American Degree Transfer Program | Jan, May, Aug | RM32,635 | |
| South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/AUSMAT | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM27,700 | |
| Foundation in Natural & Built Environments | Jan, Mar, Aug | RM24,000 | |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) & APIIT | Foundation Accounting & Finance | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 |
| Foundation Animation & Visual Effects | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation Business & Management | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation in Computing & Business Computing | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation in Computing & Technology | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation Creative Media Technology | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation industrial Design | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation Industrial Design & Brand Management | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation International Studies & Sustainability | Apr, May, Sep | RM23,800 | |
| Foundation in Engineering | Apr, May, Sep | RM24,200 | |
| HELP University & Colleges | International Cambridge A-Levels | Jan, Mar, Jun | RM22,033 |
| Foundation in Arts | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM17,100 | |
| American Degree Transfer Program | Jan, Mar, May, Aug | RM22,900 | |
| UK Foundation Program | Mar | RM32,546 | |
| Foundation in Science | Jan, Apr, May, Sep | RM24,300 | |
| UCSI University & Colleges | Foundation in Arts | Jan, May, Sep | RM18,000 |
| Foundation in Music | Jan, May, Sep | RM21,180 | |
| Foundation in Science | Jan, May, Sep | RM18,000 | |
| SEGI University & Colleges | Foundation in Science | Jan, Mar, May, Jul | RM13,125 |
| Foundation in Arts | Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep | RM18,000 | |
| Foundation in Commerce | Jan, Mar, May, Jul | RM12,100 | |
| Foundation in Information Technology | Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct | RM15,325 | |
| Curtin University | Foundation in Commerce | Mar, Aug | RM17,100 |
| Foundation in Arts (Media) | Mar, Aug | RM17,100 | |
| Foundation in Engineering & Science | Mar, Aug | RM17,100 | |
| Sunway University & Colleges | International Cambridge A-Levels | Jan, Jun | RM26,750 |
| South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/AUSMAT | Jan, Mar, Sep | RM26,800 | |
| Foundation in Science & Technology | Jan, Mar, Jun, Aug | RM24,800 | |
| Foundation in Arts (Business & IT) | Jan, Mar, Jun, Aug | RM21,250 | |
| Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) | Jan, Mar, Jul, Sep | RM34,825 | |
| American Degree Transfer Program | Jan, Mar, Jun, Aug | RM22,650 | |
| INTI International University & Colleges | International Cambridge A-Levels | Jan, Jul | RM12,600 |
| American Degree Transfer Program | Jan, May, Aug | RM18,258 | |
| Foundation in Arts | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM19,199 | |
| NSW Higher School Certificate | Jan | RM15,390 | |
| Foundation in Arts (Business & IT) | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM14,805 | |
| South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/AUSMAT | Jan, Apr | RM21,530 | |
| Foundation in Design | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM19,199 | |
| Foundation in Science | Jan, Apr, Aug | RM18,050 | |
| UK Degree Transfer Program | Jan, May, Aug | RM24,925 | |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | Foundation in Arts and Education | Apr, Sep | RM23,400 |
| Foundation in Business and Management | Apr, Sep | RM23,400 | |
| Foundation in Engineering | Apr, Jun, Sep | RM28,200 | |
| Foundation in Science | Apr | RM27,000 |
The program listed are provided as a general guide only, the course fees were captured base on the publicly available information on the internet. Please consult with our education advisor for further assessment.
If you are still not sure what to study, please contact us and we will send you a free Career Assessment Form. Excel Education has helped hundreds of students to choose the right course and enter into the university of choice. Please do contact us should you need any advice.
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About Author
Michelle is a freelance content writer graduated from Curtin University with a degree in Communication (Commercial writing). Michelle loves to travel and enjoys walking on the beach. Michelle also feeds on psychology quote and will give away just about anything to cuddle with furry felines.