Tak kenal maka tak cinta. Jom Kenali Universiti Awam (UA) Malaysia.
UIAM - UiTM - UKM - UM - UMK - UMP - UMS - UMT - UniMAP - UNIMAS - UniSZA - UPM - UPNM - UPSI - USIM - USM - UTeM - UTHM - UTM - UUM

Saturday, February 25, 2012

How to Get into Malaysia Public Universities (IPTA)?

Posted by Chong

As most of the previous year exam candidates are still waiting for their STPM and SPM results to be officially released in March, I would like to share with you the four typical ways to get into local public universities. Getting into local public universities is tougher nowadays especially the oldest University of Malaya when its vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon announced recently that the critical courses such as medicine, dentistry and such would require a maximum of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.00 while Arts courses needed 3.50.

The four typicalways to get into local public universities are:
  • SPM > STPM / Form 6 > Degree at public universities
  • SPM > Malaysia Matriculation > Degree at public universities
  • SPM > Diploma at public universities > Degree at public universities
  • SPM > Polytechnic > Degree at public universities

STPM / Form 6

This is the most popular option as the majority of undergraduates at local public universities are former form 6 / STPM students. Students will be offered form six automatically (without the need to apply) when their SPM results meet the sixth form minimum requirements. Also specified in the offer letter is the stream (either Arts or Science) offered.

Do check out the minimum requirements of the degree course you wish to pursue at the university to make sure you carefully choose the right subject combination for your STPM. For instance, you might need to take STPM Physics if you plan to do an engineering degree later. Choosing the wrong subject or stream might lead you to unnecessary surprises and regret when you apply for a placement at local public university.

STPM / Form 6 is way more affordable compared to other pre-university programmes like A-Levels and other foundation programmes at private education institutions. Also, it is the best option for those who are still undecided about their fields of interest or ambitions.

Former form six students will usually tell you that they have no regret in choosing STPM / form six, thanks to the invaluable personal growth they experienced during the one and a haft year “hardship”. Also, they like to comment that form six is very hard and much harder compared to other pre-university programmes. Form six / STPM is difficult or not, however, is very subjective as they are actually many students who enjoy studying form sixth.

Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Matriculation is the most famous option among bumiputera as it is a one-year programme (hence Matriculation students get into university one year faster compared to STPM / Form 6) and students get monthly allowances on top of very cheap fees. Currently, there are 12 Matriculation Colleges (Kolej Matrikulasi) in different states in Malaysia.

Government imposes quota for non-bumiputera to get into Matriculation. As result, it is highly competitive among non-bumiputera and non-bumiputera who score good results in SPM and are from rural area (luar-bandar) stand a higher chance to be shortlisted.

Diploma at public universities

Some local public universities offer diploma courses to SPM result holders. However, the choices of diploma courses are limited. The duration of diploma is longer compared to form six / STPM but those from the diploma can skip to year two of degree programme when accepted. So at the end of the day, those taking form six / STPM and those choosing diploma will graduate in the same year for the same degree course if they took SPM in the same year.

The main benefit of taking diploma is students start learning knowledge and skills in their specific fields as the diploma courses are very specific. Do take note that once graduated from diploma, students need to compete with STPM / form 6 results holder and other applicants to get a placement in their desired degree course.

Vocational Programmes at Polytechnics (Kolej Politeknik)

There are currently 24 polytechnic colleges and institutes in Malaysia, which focus on skill trainings and working knowledge. Polytechnic students get allowances on top of very cheap fees. Those graduated from polytechnic can choose to work or to further their studies at degree level at local public university.

There are other lesser-known ways to get into local public universities such as A-Levels (although very rare) and university matriculation at Pusat Asasi Universiti Malaya (PASUM). Do consider your own interests, personality, family financial background and other relevant aspects when choosing the best path for yourselves!
Liked this post? Subscribe now to read more post like this one!
Comments
31 Comments

31 comments:

  1. Is it true that UM(University of Malaya) does offer foundation programme for SPM leaver?
    If there is then would it be hard or difficult to get their offer?And is there any advantages or disadvantages of taking this course?
    I'm interested in taking such a course and hope to know more about it but there seems to be little information provided by others when i google.So i hope that you guys tell me more about it,thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear laverine day,

    (1)The foundation programmes ('asasi') for SPM leavers at University of Malaya are reserved for bumiputras only except one programme, 'pengajian Islam'. This is very UNFAIR to other races. We should file a serious complaint to the Ministry of Education or any political parties to VOICE out this UNFAIR policy which has been around for many years. This is totally unacceptable in the spirit of 1Malaysia! If no concerned people or no concerned groups seriously voicing out this UNFAIR EDUCATION POLICY, change will NOT happen in order to have true equal rights to education for all Malaysians regardless of race, colour, religion, belief, creed, ethnicity and even disabilities.

    (2) There are other SPM leavers' foundation programmes for both bumis and non-bumis in other public universities in Malaysia but the sad thing is that there is still a quota system of 10% for non-bumis although MCA has requested to increase it to 20%.
    What is the point of having the merit system when the quota system is still implemented for the benefit of one race instead of 1Malaysia.

    (3) On another matter, much have been said about the declining standard of English among our local public universities' graduates. By right, English should be used more in the medium of instruction so that graduates can communicate better in English and hence be more employable in the market. In addition to this, graduates need also to be trained to have better soft skills, true leadership with heart, spiritual, moral and true character education.

    NOTE: Please help circulate this to all concerned. Thank you.
    This comment is voiced out of concern for our country's education system and where are we heading in order to achieve our True Vision 2020 for all Malaysians regardless of race and religion. As Malaysians, we love all races based on our true 1Malaysia Culture! ~Dated this 30th March 2013~

    ReplyDelete
  3. STPM NEW ASSESSMENT SYSTEM:

    Started in the year 2012 for lower 6 form.
    STPM is much recognised worldwide including the National University of Singapore (now ranking 25th position in the QS World Top Universities Ranking 2012/2013).

    The subjects offered remain at 23 subjects which are General Studies (Pengajian Am), Business Studies (Pengajian Perniagaan), Malay Language (Bahasa Malaysia), Accounting (Perakaunan), Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina), Mathematics (S), Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil), Mathematics (T), Arabic Language (Bahasa Arab), Further Mathematics T, Literature in English, Information and Communications Technology (Computing), Communicative Malay Literature (Kesusasteraan Melayu), Physics, Syariah, Chemistry, Usuluddin, Biology, History (Sejarah), Sports Science (Sains Sukan), Geography (Geografi), Visual Arts (Seni Visual) and Economics (Ekonomi).

    The curriculum is divided into three parts based on topic areas. Each part will be taught and studied in either the first, second or third term. The total duration of study is one-and-a-half years.

    Students’ assessments will be carried out each term with the results being released at the end of the term. The overall STPM results will be based on the best combined results of the three terms.

    Soft skills such as communication skills, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, information management and ethics are included in the new curriculum.

    There will be two forms of assessment: the School-Based Assessment (SBA) with a weighting of 20% to 40%, and the centralised examination with a weighting of 60% to 80% (the weighting varies according to subjects).

    READ MORE: http://www.malaysia-students.com/2012/06/stpm-new-assessment-system.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. SOURCE: London-based QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings Year 2012/2013.

    The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped the QS World University Rankings this year followed by Cambridge University and Harvard University.

    TOP 360 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD BY RANKING ORDER.

    (1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
    (2) University of Cambridge, UK
    (3) Harvard University, US
    (4) University College London (UCL), UK
    (5) University of Oxford, UK
    (6) Imperial College London, UK
    (7) Yale University, US
    (23) University of Hong Kong
    (25) National University of Singapore (NUS)
    (30) University of Tokyo
    (47) Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
    (156) Universiti Malaya (UM)
    (261) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
    (326) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
    (358) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
    (360) Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is it possible to enter public uni after completing my foundation in private college ?

      Delete
  5. Just wanna ask if private college Diploma graduates can apply for public university in Degree courses? Is it possible?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is it possible for public university to accept a graduate Diploma from private university?

      Delete
  6. The Star Online > Nation
    Friday June 29, 2012

    Do away with racial quotas in pre-U courses, says MCA

    By JOSEPH KAOS Jr
    [email protected]

    KUALA LUMPUR: Scrap racial quotas for entry into matriculation programmes and foundation courses for public universities, said MCA education bureau secretary Chong Sin Woon.

    “Since 2003, entry for non-bumiputras in matriculation programmes is set at 10%. As for asasi courses, many of them are only open to bumiputras. Of late, some asasi programmes are open to non-bumiputras but there is a quota on them,” he said.

    “The only pre-university programme for public universities that does not have a racial quota is Form Six. Because of this, many non-bumiputra students who cannot enrol for matriculation will go to private universities which are more expensive,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

    He said the MCA had no problem with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) as part of affirmative action to help bumiputras.

    “But other public universities should not limit enrolment of non-bumis,” he said, adding that 185,022, or 36%, of public university students were from UiTM last year.

    The issue on quotas is one of several recommendations proposed by the MCA during a dialogue session on June 25 with the Education Ministry to improve the education system.

    The MCA had also raised the matter on the poor grasp of Bahasa Malaysia and English among Chinese school students.

    “While it is important that we protect the Chinese language, it is also crucial that students are competent in English and Malay,” he added.

    ReplyDelete
  7. April 4, 2013

    Double quota for non-bumi students, Govt urged

    KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth wants the Government to double the 10% quota for non-bumiputra students in matriculation programme.

    Its education bureau chairman Chong Sin Woon said the quote provided for non-bumiputra students was not enough.

    “It is just too little for too many,” he told a press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday.

    He said the bureau had received 892 appeals from students who did well in their SPM but had failed to be accepted into the programme.

    “I will forward the appeals to the Education Ministry’s Matriculation Division and discuss the matter with Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong,” he said.

    He also advised those who had failed to consider other alternatives, including entering Form Six.

    -The Star-

    ReplyDelete
  8. Race quotas, politics led to falling UM standards, says World Bank study

    READ MORE:
    http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2011/10/17/race-quotas-politics-led-to-falling-um-standards-says-world-bank-study/

    NOTE: Copy and paste the link above into your address browser and then hit your "enter" button of your keyboard in order to access it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MCA’s Record on Education:
    Shameful and Pathetic!

    Koon Yew Yin
    The Malaysian Insider
    21st August 2012

    National Education: Bigger MCA Failing

    This national disgrace has one of its leading stake players the MCA which has held the Deputy Minister of Education portfolio for umpteen years. Can the MCA point to any educational innovation that it has introduced? Can the MCA point to any educational policy of merit, fairness, and tolerance that it has been responsible for since independence?

    Let’s take the system of government scholarships. During the last 40 years of the NEP, tens if not hundreds of thousands of parents of non-Bumiputera students with excellent SPM results have complained of discrimination when their children have been rejected in their applications for government scholarships. Only after the scholarship results are announced and there a public outcry do we see MCA politicians try to do damage control by jumping into the fray and go with a begging bowl to the PSD and other scholarship award authorities.

    The Chinese Deputy Minister of Education may be good at giving speeches to Chinese schools but when it comes to helping determine the course of national educational policy in key areas, his position is more like that of the office boy. I am writing about this from personal experience. I have given scholarships to more than 100 poor students. Some of them are really brilliant but they could not get Government scholarships. For example, Wan Pui Yee with 12 As in her SPM could not get a government scholarship.

    Let’s take another sore point in education. The establishment of the matriculation college system has discriminated against the deserving non-Bumiputeras. Malaysian public universities offer a one-year matriculation programme. These courses have largely catered to the Bumiputera population and are deemed as having a much lower standard, qualifying criteria and final examination requirement for entry into university. This situation is in contrast to that which non-Bumiputera students face as they are required to sit for the much tougher two-year STPM in Form 6. Thus there exist two parallel tracks for students wishing to enter local universities, one with an easier syllabus and lower entry requirement, the other requiring higher level of achievement. Now how did this system come about if the MCA has not been a willing accessory to the educational crime!

    The unwritten rule that the Bumiputera should be given opportunities at the expense of the non-Bumiputera destroys social cohesion and quality human resource development. It is an inferior and morally unacceptable form of educational investment which the MCA has been a party to.

    A Fair National Policy: What has MCA Done?

    Many Malaysians, including myself, fully support the policy that attention should be given to the educational needs of the underprivileged in society, with appropriate consideration and greater weight to those in the poorer rural-based Bumiputera (Malays and non-Malay Bumiputera) community. However, the needs of deserving non-Malays should also be treated fairly and equally.

    The policy which I practice in my charitable work is that scholarships should be awarded to the deserving from all communities.

    Information on awards should be publicly disclosed and widely disseminated. In contrast the government’s scholarship policy tacitly endorsed by the MCA has been indiscriminately applied to favour one community. Without proper checks and balances, it has had and continues to have a crippling effect on Malaysian parents and their children. But I suspect MCA leaders whose children are not in the national system are immune to this and other flaws in our education system.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MCA’s RECORD ON EDUCATION:
    Very Shameful and Pathetic!!! -Koon Yew Yin.

    Even today, the foundation courses ('asasi') for SPM holders at our public universities ('IPTA') like UM,UIAM,UMS and UNIMAS are only open for bumiputras. MCA in spite of having a Deputy Education Minister have not addressed this issue even though complaints have been forwarded to them long time ago.

    USIM's foundation programmes for SPM holders, although cater to all - bumi and non-bumi, the stumbling block is that the applicant needs to have a pass in Bahasa Arab and two other related religious subjects. It is very difficult for non-malays or those who do not have this entry requirement or those who have not studied those subjects to apply for further studies at USIM.

    Quota system should be abolised once and for all so that our public universities ('IPTA') can focus on quality towards our Malaysian goal of Vision 2020 based on our original True 1Malaysia Culture!

    READ MORE by copy & paste this link:
    http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/mcas-record-on-education-shameful-and-pathetic-koon-yew-yin/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes its totally unfair to set a quota like that. "Bumiputera" should occupy at most 60-70% as that is only 60-70% of Malaysian are recognized as bumiputera! Chinese race occupy a massive amount of at least 25% in this country.

    To make it fair, GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALWAYS GIVE A QUOTA OF AT LEAST 25% FOR CHINESE RACE AS THERE ARE TOO MANY BANGSA CINA. Otherwise, we have no choice but to change Malaysia into a republic one!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ESPECIALLY FOR BIASISWA AND MATRIKULASI

    ReplyDelete
  13. ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
    TOP 5 UNIVERSITIES IN MALAYSIA 2012/2013
    ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

    (1)Universiti Malaya(UM)
    (2)Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM)
    (3)Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM)
    (4)Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM)
    (5)Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM)

    NOTE: To be offered a place in the above top universities especially demanding courses, one needs to have at least a CGPA 3.5 to be able to better compete with others but still there is no guarantee.

    ReplyDelete
  14. We are NOT talking about politics but EDUCATION for all Malaysians.
    ***************************************************************************
    We should also VOICE OUT STRONGLY on WHY all the foundation ("asasi") courses for SPM leavers at the following universities are 100% reserved only for bumiputras. This is absolutely unacceptable and a gross unfairness to other Malaysians.
    (1) UM - Universiti Malaya
    (2) UIAM - Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia
    (3) UMIMAS - Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
    (4) UMS - Universiti Malaysia Sabah
    (5) USIM - Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

    Furthermore, the quota system in our public matriculation colleges and most public universities in Malaysia for other Malaysians is still being practised - meaning in general, there is 10% for non-bumi and 90% for bumi.

    Although the word meritocracy is mentioned, the non-bumi are in fact competing among themselves for the 10% and not competing with the bumi who are in the 90% and this means the bumi only compete among the bumi for the 90%. The 10% and 90% quota truly makes the meritocracy system, no merit at all because of the division.

    The quota system should be abolished as education is the right of all Malaysians. It should not be based on race and politics. Instead a true meritocracy system should be implemented to uphold the true meaning of 1Malaysia! We must be reminded that there are also low and middle income groups in other Malaysians and not just among the bumi. There are many other Malaysians who could not afford to send their children to private universities and colleges as the overall cost of the private education is expensive!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Helo..can i join government university after done foundation in private university.. my cgpa is 3.82...i want to do bachelor in accounting..tq

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm sitting for IGCSE aka O levels... but i want to apply for IPTA.. does IPTA accept malaysian students who sits for O level instead of SPM?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi.. im stpm science stream student 2012...my pointer is very low to enter public uni...so I plan to do my degree programme in private uni..
    After graduate can I get jobs in goverment?c

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi I did my spm in 2012. So is there any possibilities I can apply for Form 6 this year?Pls reply ASAP.TQ

    ReplyDelete
  19. Is there a chance to enter public university when I finished my A level in private university?

    ReplyDelete
  20. IPTS Malaysia or private universities are perhaps the only option for those unable to get into public uni.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi,

    Im an STPM graduate in 2006. I have also obtained a Diploma.Can i apply to Year 2 Degree in University Malaya?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Can i do foundation in private and continue degree in public university ? ans needed , urgent . thnk you

    ReplyDelete
  23. hii, i just received my stpm result. my pngk was 3.25 . what course am i have to apply for? any suggestion? im pretty much interested in international relations studies.So am i qualified enough for all the requirements ?
    thank you sir/mam!

    ReplyDelete
  24. can i switch to another school(which is different from my previous secondary school) to study form 6? is it fixed by moe or optional?

    ReplyDelete
  25. If i take a level, can i further my studies in a local public university?

    ReplyDelete

  26. Is it possible to enter public uni after completing my foundation in private college ?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi! I'd would like to ask is it possible to enter public university through walk in and not through UPU?

    ReplyDelete
  28. can i take a foundation in a private university then take a degree in public university?

    ReplyDelete

Malaysia Students Blog is a team blog on Malaysian major examinations, secondary, pre-university & tertiary education, scholarship Malaysia, student resources, students' thoughts and everything relating to students & undergraduates at schools, colleges & universities in Malaysia - Student Education Malaysia

Comment Policy: Comments posted at Malaysia Students blog should be on-topic, constructive and add value to the discussion. Comments that are off-topic, one-sentence, abusive or offensive will be removed. Please use proper English with correct spelling and grammar in your comment. For general questions, please post them at SPM Student Malaysia. For enquiries, please email the administrator of this blog: Student at Malaysia-Students dot com.

Join over 50,000 people who get FREE latest scholarship updates via email!

Free Scholarship Updates:   

More scholarships available at Malaysia Scholarship Information Centre

Do Not Miss Any Job Offers! Get Student Part Time Jobs via Email!