The higher education ministry said these 150,557 students, who applied through the UPUOnline system, were chosen based on meritocracy, Bernama reported.

Those who qualified were ranked from the highest to the lowest merit score.

“Of the total, 86,589 applicants were offered places at public universities, 42,058 at polytechnics, 20,427 at community colleges and 1,483 at institutions under the Mara higher education division.

“A total of 17,693 applicants received offers under the special pathway, comprising 16,189 from the B40 group, 590 persons with disabilities, 593 athletes and 321 Orang Asli,” it said in a statement.

The ministry also said 43 applicants from institutions under the social welfare department were offered places at higher education institutions.

A total of 349 academic programmes were offered this year, comprising 41 certificate-level, 55 foundation, 252 diploma and one bachelor’s degree programme.

Applicants who did not receive an offer may submit an appeal via UPUOnline within 10 days, starting today until 5pm on June 25.