With the SPM results out today, all 407,097 students who sat for the 2021 examination will surely be thinking about next steps.
Choosing the right pre-university course can be challenging due to the wide range of programmes available in Malaysia. While enrolling in public universities is an option, it can be a difficult process, with no guaranteed positive outcome.
Fortunately, you can still pursue your preferred courses in one of the many private institutions in Malaysia. According to the Graduate Tracer Study 2021, 54,519 students who enrolled in private institutions were employed upon graduation. This proves you don’t have to solely rely on public university programmes to secure your future.
In addition to the foundation, diploma and A-level courses outlined yesterday, here are some of the other international pre-U programmes at your disposal.
1. Canadian Pre-University (CPU)
If you’re not fond of exams, consider the Canadian Pre-University (CPU) programme, the assessment for which is made up of 70% coursework and 30% final exam.
Designed with the Canadian syllabus that focuses on interactive learning, you’ll be graded continuously via assessments throughout the year that help accumulate your marks towards your final grade.
This is the programme for you if you have various interests and enjoy the flexibility of choosing subjects from many fields. Upon completion, you can gain admission into any university globally.
Furthermore, CPU is one of the shortest pre-U programmes, allowing you to complete it as quickly as eight months. Intake varies by institution.
2. International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate diploma programme, commonly known as IB, is a globally recognised pre-university qualification. It is an academically challenging two-year programme that promotes critical and independent thinking, with its Theory of Knowledge component encouraging students to ask challenging questions.
The IB programme is a popular choice as it allows students to choose a range of subjects across various disciplines. This will provide you with a well-rounded perspective, ensuring you’re active intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
There are usually two intakes for the IB programme, but it varies according to the institution.
3. American Degree Programme (ADP/ADTP)
This is a cost-effective four-year programme that allows you to immediately pursue your degree, meaning you will experience university life much earlier as it provides direct entry into your undergraduate level of study after SPM.
With the ADP, you can complete the entire course locally (4+0) and gain an American partner degree.
Meanwhile, the transfer programme, or ADTP, offers you the opportunity to transfer to a university overseas – usually in the United States or Canada – to complete your degree after studying for one to two years in Malaysia. It is designed in a way that provides you enough time to prepare to go abroad.
Depending on the institution, you will be assessed via 70% coursework and 30% final examinations. In the first two years you will learn a wide variety of subjects, including general education and core requirements, before taking on more advanced courses in the final two years.
The intake for ADP and ADTP programmes varies according to the institution that offers them.
4. Australian Pre-University
If you’re thinking about pursuing your degree in Australia or any other country such as the US or UK, consider Australian pre-U programmes such as the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), Australian Matriculation (Ausmat), or the NSW Higher School Certificate (NSW HSC).
The Australian system emphasises holistic education, self-directed learning, and continuous assessment for lifelong learning. If you have not yet decided what degree to study, these programmes give you the flexibility of choosing subjects from different streams, allowing you to keep your options open.
For Ausmat and the NSW HSC, you will be graded through internal assessments comprising 50% coursework and 50% exams. Students enrolled in SACE, meanwhile, are assessed through 70% coursework and 30% exams.
It usually takes around 11 months to complete the SACE and NSW HSC, and just 10 months to finish Ausmat. The intake for Australian pre-U programmes varies according to institution.
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