Upon your graduation after SPM and after IGCSE you have two main pathway options which are taking a Diploma or choosing a pre-university course.
Diploma courses are versatile with benefits including:
- Quick pathway to complete. As short as 2 years.
- Enter the workforce quicker than a Degree.
- 3 Credit only for SPM / IGCSE to enter.
- Budget-friendly due to shorter duration.
- PTPTN-eligible to close the gap.
After completing a Diploma, you also have the option to continue with a relevant Degree course and start in the second year. In Malaysia, there are various scholarships offered for Diploma holders to enter into Degree.
We list the 10 best types of Diploma courses that have great job prospects.
1. Diploma In Business
Business studies is the most popular diploma course due to its versatility of subjects you can take.
Subjects you can take in a Diploma in Business course range from:
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- International Business
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Analytics
- and more
You can mix and match subjects to get different learning exposure. Many colleges and universities also offer specialised focus, for example, Diploma in Marketing, where subjects or modules in the second year are highly oriented towards Marketing-related topics.
Business-related Diplomas take 2 years to complete.
To learn more about Business courses and the university recommendations, check out our article on Business Course In Malaysia:
2. Diploma in Computing and IT
If you have not been under a rock for the past decade, you should know that the world is fast moving into a hyper-digital economy, where Artificial Intelligence is no longer a fantasy but now a reality.
These are the types of technology-related Diplomas that can land you a high-paying career:
- Diploma in Computer Science
- Diploma in Software Engineering
- Diploma in Information Technology
Most institutions offering this area of study will take 2 years to complete. But there are some courses that may go up to 3 years depending on the institution. A Diploma in Computing and IT is the most practical route to get started.
Keen to find out what Computer Science studies involve and which university offers? Here’s a complete guide to
3. Diploma in Nursing
If you had to choose a healthcare profession that you can qualify for with a Diploma course and has very high demand, not just in Malaysia but globally, it has got to be a Diploma in Nursing.
The world is facing a significant nursing shortage with estimates suggesting a shortfall of 13 million nurses by 2030 according to the World Economic Forum.
Notwithstanding the dire news, this means there are plenty of opportunities in this profession. Many Malaysians who work as nurses are also recruited to other countries such as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates due to our versatile linguistic and communication abilities, and the currency advantages in those countries.
There are various organisations that offer scholarships for nursing studies.
A Diploma in Nursing takes 3 years to complete.
Understand more about the pathways to becoming a nurse in our Nursing Course in Malaysia article:
4. Diploma in Communication and Media
You might think that the communications industry has become less relevant with the advent of technology to facilitate communications through social media, messaging platforms, and video streaming.
On the contrary, due to this phenomenon, communication skills have become even more important as many people value authenticity, creativity and human connection when they are exposed to any form of media (written, audio, video, animation etc), whether through online or offline channels.
This is also the reason why social media influencers have become brand ambassadors in their own right, who nurture the loyalty of their followers.
A Diploma in Communication and Media teaches you skills in crafting messages that touch the heart or design a highly effective and authentic communication strategy.
Read more about this specialisation from our Mass Communication Course in Malaysia article guide:
5. Diploma In Logistics & Supply Chain
The interest in logistics and supply chain studies is rising among students due to the explosion of e-commerce and social commerce, spurring billions in cross-border trade.
The acceleration in global trade growth led to the boom of several industries including manufacturing, shipping, last-mile delivery, trade transportation, supply chain technology and much more throughout the value chain.
This presents abundant career opportunities in industries related to logistics and supply chain.
Our comprehensive Logistics & Supply Chain Management Course guide covers the study pathways and institutions that offer the course:
6. Diploma in Hospitality and Services
Broadly speaking, hospitality encompasses majors like hotel management, culinary arts and tourism.
If you’re someone who doesn’t mind the long hours and is highly passionate about the art of service to guests and obssess about crafting the perfect travellers’ experience, this is the right industry for you!
If you advance in your career in a global hotel chain, for example, it is not uncommon for you to gain many opportunities to be seconded to other countries to manage the foreign operations.
A Diploma in Hospitality takes 2 to 2.5 years to complete.
We’ve prepared these guides for you to deep dive:
- Hospitality & Tourism Course In Malaysia
- Hotel Management Course In Malaysia
- Culinary Arts Course In Malaysia
7. Diploma in Accounting and Finance
Accounting and Finance courses still promise a solid career choice as employers need auditors and accountants, and every bank and financial service provider still needs talented people to fill in verticals such as consumer banking, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management, treasury, and many more.
Artificial Intelligence will not be taking over these jobs anytime soon as they still require a high degree of judgment and critical thinking, not easily replicable. Authentic relationships are ever more important in service-oriented industries.
It may take 2 to 2.5 years to complete, depending on the institution.
Here is a full guide about accounting and finance studies:
8. Diploma in Architecture and Built Environment
Popular Diploma specialisations in the built environment space are Diploma in Architecture and Diploma in Interior Architecture.
You can complete them in 2.5 to 3 years.
Can you immediately practice as an Architect or Interior Designer after completing your Diploma? Well, yes and no. You can start working but to be a certified professional, there are other steps.
To find out, check out our full guide on the pathway to owning these careers:
9. Diploma Creative Arts & Design
The creative arts studies covers a wide range of Diploma courses including Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Multimedia Design, Animation, Music, Performing Arts and more.
The proliferation of social media consumption as the main source of news and trends for the new generation makes visual and video development skills very crucial to help brands reach audiences and consumers.
We have prepared several article guides for these courses:
- Graphic Design Course in Malaysia
- Fashion Design Course in Malaysia
- Multimedia Design Course in Malaysia
- Animation Course in Malaysia
10. Diploma in Engineering
Diploma in Engineering is generally not the recommended route to obtain an Engineering Degree, but nevertheless, many students do choose this pathway for budgetary reasons.
You can complete a Diploma in a certain engineering specialisation, enter the workforce first before continuing the Degree later in the second year.
Popular Diplomas with good prospects you should consider are:
- Mechanical Engineering Course in Malaysia
- Electrical Engineering Course in Malaysia
- Mechatronics Engineering Course in Malaysia
Engineering diploma courses take between 2.5 to 3 years to complete.
OTHER POPULAR COURSES
If you’re looking for other courses or to start with a pre-university programme instead of diploma, you can see our compilation of Popular Courses to Study in Malaysia guides. No more getting lost in your research about study pathways!
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help support you in understanding all your university and course options, match you with scholarships and apply with confidence!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
You must be logged in to post a comment.