Pre-university Programme: Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

The Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) is a popular pre-university program administered by the Curriculum Council of the Government of Western Australia which is responsible for the development and accreditation of courses of study for post compulsory schooling and for the assessment and certification of student achievement.

At the end of this 10 months program, students will be required to sit for the Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) which is equivalent to the Year 12 curriculum of Western Australia.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English, mathematics / science.

Intake
January and March

Fee
RM 8,500 - RM 11,000

Subjects
The AUSMAT program consists of 5 subjects. They are as follows:

• English studies or English as Second Language (ESL)
• The remaining subjects must include one subject from each from List 1 and List 2:

List 1

• Chinese
• Economics
• English
• German
• Malay

List 2

• Accounting studies
• Applicable mathematics
• Calculus
• Information systems
• Human biology
• Physics
• Chemistry

In addition to these subjects, students will have to study the compulsory MQA subjects which include: Malaysian studies, moral/Islamic studies and Bahasa Malaysia (exempted if a credit in Bahasa Malaysia has been obtained at SPM Level)

Assessment
50% of the assessment is based on course work and the other 50% on an external examination, which is Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE). The TEE is recognized by most universities around the world, especially Australia, as an entrance qualification for degree programs in various universities.

► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

Pre-university Programme: A-level

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

A-level (Advanced Level)

The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), more commonly known as the A-level, is usually taken by students after the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). One of the most widely recognized qualifications for entry into a degree program at universities worldwide; the GCE A-level is administered through a few examination boards. In Malaysia, most of the A-level programs are administered through the Cambridge International Examination (CIE) and Edexcel International.

In 2001, the A level was split into 2 phases – the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A2 examinations. Satisfactory achievement in units at both levels will then result in the award of an A level qualification.

The A level examinations are highly specialized and the minimum number of A levels required for entrance into universities is usually 3. Students should seek advice on the subject combination that they should take in order to pursue undergraduate degree programs after A Level.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English, mathematics / science and a pass in Bahasa Melayu.

Duration
1 – 2 years (depending on which intake and college)

Intake
January, March and July

Fee
RM16,000 for 3 subjects and RM18,000 for 4 subjects

Subjects
The list of subjects offered in the A level programs differs slightly from one institutions to another. It is thus advisable to check with an institution before registering with it.

The more common subjects offered by most institutions are as follows:

• General paper (compulsory)
• Mathematics
• Further mathematics (must be taken with mathematics)
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Accounting
• Computing
• Business studies
• Economics
• Law
• Psychology
• Sociology
• English literature
• Thinking skills

In addition to these subjects, students will have to study the compulsory MQA subjects which include : Malaysian studies, moral/Islamic studies and Bahasa Malaysia (exempted if a credit in Bahasa Malaysia has been obtained at SPM Level)

Assessment
With the introduction of the 2 phases, students wishing to obtain their A-level have to take the AS qualification in an examination session and the final part of the assessment (A2) in a subsequent session. These examinations are all set and marked by the CIE examiners.

► Read more on Pre-university Programme: A-level

Pre-university Programme: Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Posted by Erlina (Updated 11 March 2013 by Editor)

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Widely accepted for entry into a bachelor’s degree course at public universities, the local matriculation program (program matrikulasi) started in 1972 1980s and has seen great changes ever since.

Run by local universities and only offered to Bumiputra students previously, it is now run by the Ministry of Education with 10% of places in the program offered to non-Bumiputra students.

Matriculation Colleges
The colleges which matriculation students are sent to include:

• Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka
• Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan
• Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan
• Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang
• Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis
• Kolej Matrikulasi Johor
• Kolej Matrikulasi Perak
• Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah
• Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang
• Kolej Matrikulasi Selangor
• Kolej Mara Kuala Nerang
• Kolej Mara Kulim
• Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Kedah
• Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang
• Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Johor
• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Shah Alam, Selangor
• University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur

Entry Requirements
Science stream:
At least a credit (6C) in Bahasa Malaysia, English, additional mathematics and chemistry, and 1 more from any of these subjects – physics, biology and any technical subjects that are offered at vocational/technical schools.

Accounting stream:
At least a credit (6C) in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics and accounting, and 1 more of any of these subjects – economics, science, commerce, physics, chemistry, biology, and any technical subjects that are offered at vocational/ technical schools.

Intake
The program offers 2 intakes. The first intake which is a 1 year program, begins in April while the second intake which is a 2 year program, begins in May. Students are not given an option to choose the type of intake or where they want to study as these factors are determined by the matriculation department in the Ministry of Education.

Fee
RM255 for the registration. Tuition fees and accommodation are fully sponsored by the government. Matriculation students are also given an allowance for the entire duration of their studies.

Programme Offered (Source: Wikipedia)
Prior to 2006, only one-year programmes are being conducted. Since then, four different programmes are offered. They are One Year Programme (PST, short for Program Satu Tahun in Malay), Two Year Programme (PDT, short for Program Dua Tahun in Malay), Technical Programme and Accounting Programme. Mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and informatics science subjects are conducted in English. Other compulsory subjects are English, Dynamics Skills (Kemahiran Dinamika), Islamic/Moral Study and Information Technology. Students are also required to take up a co-curricular activity of their choice (sports/games, societies/clubs or marching band) during the programme.

One Year Programme (PST)
PST is a one year, two-semester programme. Students from science, technical and accounting background can register for this programme. Particularly, for students from science background, there are three different modules to choose from. The subjects offered in the three modules are:

• Module I: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
• Module II: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science.
• Module III: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science. 

Two Year Programme (PDT)
PDT is a two-year, four-semester programme. Only students from science stream are involved in this programme. The same three modules from PST will be used, but students will be taught the same syllabus in a longer two-year time. This programme is meant to cater for students with lower academic achievement. This programme is only open for Bumiputera students.

Accounting Programme
This is a one-year, two-semester programme. The four subjects taught in the accounting module are Mathematics, Accounting, Business Study and Economy.

Technical Programme 
First introduced in academic session 2009/2010, this one-year, four-semester programme is only available for students from technical secondary schools, or students from secondary schools with knowledge and background in engineering technology. Students registered for the technical modules will study four subjects - Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Physical Engineering and Engineering Study.

Assessment
Students are assessed constantly with a major exam at the end of each semester. Assignments and lab work are also taken into account in the final grade.

► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Pre-university Programme: Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM

The Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examination, the major exam at the end of form 6, was established in 1982. It replaces the Higher School Certificate (HSC)/ Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STP) examination which was conducted by the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES).

Offered by many government schools, Form 6 lasts for approximately a year and a half, culminating in the STPM examination at the end of the program. The most common entry requirement for a bachelor’s degree course at local public universities and University College in Malaysia, the STPM is also accepted by most foreign universities. On top of that, it is also the cheapest pre-university option.

The STPM is set and run by the Malaysian Examination Council, which is also administers the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

Entry Requirements
Generally, a pass in Bahasa Melayu in the SPM examination is required.

Science stream – a combination of points from mathematics and 2 science subjects which must not exceed 18 points.

Art stream – a combination of points from mathematics and any 2 subjects must not exceed 8 points.

Intake
April / May

Fee
Although examination fees were abolished, students still have to pay RM60 for their compulsory MUET test.

Subjects
The list of subjects offered in Form 6 is as follows:

• General studies
• Malay language
• Chinese language
• Tamil language
• Arabic language
• Literature in English
• Malay literature
• Syariah (Islamic Law)
• Usuluddin (Islamic theology)
• History
• Geography
• Economics
• Business studies
• Accounting
• Mathematics S (may not be taken with Mathematics T)
• Mathematics T (may not be taken with Mathematics S)
• Further Mathematics T (may only be taken with Mathematics T)
• Computing (only offered at certain schools)
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Sports science
• Visual Art

Besides general studies, which is a compulsory subject, students can take up a maximum if 3 other subjects. Generally, most schools offering Form 6 allow students to opt for either the science stream or the arts stream. Apart from that, the schools also offer a fixed combination of subjects. Research well and check which school offers the subject combination that you want.

In addition to the subjects that you will be taking, you will also be required to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). This exam is designed to test the English language ability of students who wish to gain admittance into public institutions of higher learning.

Assessment
Science subjects:
3 papers per subject, with the third paper being the practical exam.

Non-science subjects:
2 papers per subject.

Mathematics subjects:
Mathematics S and Mathematics T shares a similar first paper which focuses on pure mathematics. However, in the second paper, Mathematics S will emphasize business mathematics while Mathematics T adopts a more science-related and statistical approach.

MUET:
The test comprises of 4 components:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing

► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM