If there is one thing parents and school leavers are afraid of, it is being misled by education recruitment agencies. This could happen at education fairs held every year, where representatives of various universities and colleges in Malaysia and abroad promote their study programmes.

Prospective tertiary students attend these fairs to get a better idea of what’s on offer, and it is not uncommon for some students to sign up for a programme at the fair itself.

There are various reasons they might do this, such as having found a course that is a perfect fit for them, or the discounted tuition fees offered by some institutions.

However, there is also the likelihood of students signing up for a programme they are not very enthusiastic about, simply because they are pressured to do so by persuasive agents.

To avoid being coerced or misled, take note of the following for better decision making, which will directly affect your prospects of finding a job in your area of expertise.

• Make sure the university you have chosen is registered with the higher education ministry.
• Make sure the study programme you are interested in is valid.
• The course or programme you choose must be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
• The structure of the tuition fees charged must be approved by the ministry of higher education.
• Check that the university has complete and suitable facilities and infrastructure.
• Ensure the course is recognised by the Public Service Department.
• Find out more about the institution’s Setara rating – applicable to private institutions of higher learning with university-college or university status – or MyQuest for private colleges. For these ratings, refer to the official portals of the institutions concerned.

Afterschool.my provides information on higher education including courses, institutions, scholarships, careers as well as other higher education related topics in Malaysia.