Of the many pre-university programmes offered in higher educational institutions in Malaysia, the A-Levels are one of the most popular choices among students. Short for “Advanced Levels”, it is a widely recognised university qualification that is accepted in more than 160 countries.
The structure of A-Levels is similar to that of SPM – the assessments are 100% exam-based, which could be why many post-SPM students gravitate towards it.
The A-Levels are widely accepted by most, if not all, universities in Malaysia and beyond, including the following top institutions based on the QS World University Rankings.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is ranked No. 1 in the QS World University Rankings 2022 and has been at the top for several years. Its strongest showing according to subject is engineering, followed by computer science, natural sciences, business, architecture, economics, linguistics, and mathematics.
While MIT recognises the A-Levels as a qualification, all universities in the United States require international students to undergo standardised tests, such as the SATs or ACT and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), before enrolling.
MIT also advocates for student to challenge themselves academically and typically admits those who have taken at least four A-Level subjects, two of which are mathematics and science.
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the top university in the United Kingdom, placed second in the QS World University Rankings 2022. It is known for its collegiate system, comprising 44 colleges and halls, as well as the largest library system in the UK.
The university is ranked first in the world for anthropology, archaeology, English language and literature, geography, and pharmacy.
Those who apply to Oxford would primarily have pursued A-Levels, but the university also accepts other equivalent UK qualifications, as well as international qualifications.
Candidates are expected to have studied various courses at an A-Level standard in several disciplines, particularly in the sciences.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University, located on 3,310 hectares in the middle of the San Francisco peninsula, is placed third in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The typical condition for the pre-university courses would be a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.96. You will need nearly straight As in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
Furthermore, you should be taking advanced classes – Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses – to demonstrate your capabilities.
A-Level exams from countries apart from the UK and Singapore are not accepted at Stanford, requiring you to sit for the SATs or ACT.
4. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is also placed third in the QS World University Rankings 2022, sharing the spot with Stanford, and is overall second among the top universities in the UK.
Similar to Oxford, it is a collegiate university comprising 31 colleges, with six academic schools: arts and humanities, biological sciences, clinical medicine, humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, and technology.
Typical A-Levels expectations are A*AA or A*A*A, depending on the course. Applicants taking four subjects are not typically at an advantage over those who take three, although competitive applicants for STEM courses often have Further Mathematics as a fourth subject.
5. Harvard University
Harvard – widely considered a top university in terms of impact, prestige, and academic pedigree – places fifth in the QS World University Rankings 2022. The admissions committee at Harvard looks for mature, academically motivated students.
A-levels are accepted with Grades A/A*. Typical scores in the standardised tests are between 650 and 800 in each of the two main sections of the SATs, or a composite score of between 29 and 36 in the ACT.
Students with one or two grades lower than the above can still be granted admission if they demonstrate significant achievements elsewhere in their application.
The best private colleges in Malaysia for the A-Levels programme are:
- Taylors College
- HELP Academy
- UOWM KDU College
- Methodist College KL (MCKL)
- Sunway College
To find out more about Malaysia’s top institutions, courses and scholarships, visit Afterschool.my, the country’s No. 1 higher-education website that provides helpful information on courses, institutions and scholarships for students transitioning from secondary school to university level.