A-Level In Malaysia: 10 Things You Should Know Before Taking In 2026

A-Level is a popular pre-university course taken by many Malaysian students due to the long history of further studies to UK universities for their degree.

But before you choose A-Level, we have 10 things you should know and consider about A-Level first! Learning about the pros and cons, what the entry requirements are, how to choose the right subjects in A-Level critical for your degree later, and some of the challenges of undergoing this programme are well covered for students planning to study A-Level in Malaysia.

1. What Is A-Level?

A-Level (Advanced Level Qualification) is a 1.5 to 2 years UK-based, globally recognised pre-university qualification which is created, administered and regulated by Cambridge International Education (CIE) (a sub-organisation of the University of Cambridge UK).

A-level is offered at over 10,000 schools and colleges in more than 160 countries. Typically taken by students aged 16–18 after completing GCSEs or equivalent (e.g. IGCSE or SPM).

2. Cambridge A-Level vs Edexcel A-Level

You might have heard of another version of the A-Level offering, being Edexcel A-Level. What gives?

• Edexcel is a British multinational education and examination body, now known as Pearson Edexcel.

• Both Cambridge A-Level and Edexcel A-Level are recognized international qualifications but they mainly differ in their structure and assessment methods.

• Cambridge A-Level’s structure is linear, where you complete your AS level first before proceeding to A2 and examinations are fixed at two points (AS & A2) of the course duration.

• Edexcel A-Level on the other hand have more flexibility where the structure is not always linear as some subjects can be taken later rather than earlier. The exams are also modular, which means each subject can be divided into smaller units or modules of which you can take the tests individually.

• In this regard, there is no superior provider as it depends on your learning preferences.

In this guide, however, we will focus on Cambridge A-Level as most institutions in Malaysia are offering this qualification.

3. Where Is A-Level Recognised?

Originating from the United Kingdom, A-Level is certainly accepted by all higher education institutions in the UK.

But because A-Level is so established and popular worldwide, it is seen as one of the highest standards for pre-university qualification and therefore it is internationally recognised and even preferred by some universities.

In Malaysia, all private colleges and universities accept A-Level as well as most public universities as it is equivalent to STPM and the education ministry administered Matrikulasi course.

4. Cambridge A-Level Course Structure

Learning & Assessment Structure

A-Level comprises the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) level (Year 12), where you will learn the basics of your chosen subjects, and the A2 level (Year 13), where you’ll study your chosen subjects in greater depth.

Your AS exam is taken at the end of your first semester, while the A2 exam takes place at the end of your second semester. Each exam counts towards 50% of your final grade.

So, unlike the SPM, you get a chance to improve your grades in the final A2 round.

Subjects

Believe it or not, A-Level offers 55 different subjects to choose from but as a student of the course, you only need to choose a minimum of 3 subjects and a maximum of 4 subjects.

These subjects fall into the following main categories:

• Sciences
• Mathematics
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Languages
• Creative and Professional

However, most institutions representing Cambridge to teach A-Level do not offer all 55 subjects. Most only offer 20-30 which are commonly taken among students.

Typically students are recommended to take 3 subjects only which ideally comprise of subjects that are required for the degree specialisation that they plan to do thereafter (more on this later).

Students who are taking 4 subjects normally set aside 3 subjects for complying with the degree prerequisites and 1 more subject for their own interest. Nevertheless, attempting 4 subjects is quite challenging for most students.

Duration

The total duration to complete A-Level is 1.5 years or 2 years.

Most colleges and universities in Malaysia offer A-Level as a 1.5-year programme. However, generally speaking, 1.5 years is regarded as a fast-track duration as there are no breaks in between AS and A2.

So students who opt for 1.5 years are highly recommended to only take 3 subjects.

For students who want to take 4 subjects or need more time to learn and prepare, they can opt for 2 years instead.

Assessment & Grading

Assessment is mostly through final written exams at the end of A2.

Some subjects include coursework or practical assessments (e.g., science experiments, essays, art portfolios, photography). For example,

• Science and professional subjects – mostly 100% examination
• Language and Humanities – mix of 80% exam, 20% coursework
• Creative subjects – mix of 40%-50% exam, 40%-60% coursework/portfolio
• Technical such as Computer Science – mix of 80% exam, 20% coursework

The total combined 100% score from AS and A2 for each subject will then be converted to an alphabetical grading of A to E (A* being the highest).

Grade	Score %
A*	90 – 100
A	80 – 89
B	70 – 79
C	60 – 69
D	50 – 59
E	Below 50

Grade E is not a fail. It is just the minimum passing Grade. Fail in A-Level is denoted in ”U” or ”Unclassified”.

5. A-Level Entry Requirements

Here we address the requirements to enter into A-Level and also the prerequisites to enter into a Degree using A-Level qualifications.

A-Level Entry Requirements

• Generally speaking, you need a minimum of 5 Credits (including English) for your SPM or IGCSE to enter into A-Level.

• If you plan to take up science-based or mathematical subjects in A-Level, you must have also taken the same subjects during your SPM or IGCSE, ideally with Credit results.

• A-Level can be challenging and you need to be academically inclined.

Prerequisites To Enter Into Degree With A-Level

• Depending on what kind of Degree, your grades and the subjects you took will matter.

• Generally, when it comes to non-science and non-technical majors such as Business, Communications, Arts & Design etc, there are no strict requirements. So long as you get a minimum of Grade E, most universities can accept.

• As for Healthcare courses, Science-based courses, Engineering courses and even professional or technical courses such as Accounting, Actuarial Science, Architecture, and Computer Science do require you to have taken certain subjects during your A-Level such as Mathematics and/or Science-related subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and/or Biology.

• For critical areas in Healthcare such as Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, most universities set relatively high-grade scores and subject prerequisites to enter.

Which brings us to the next section for discussion …

6. How To Choose Your Subjects For A-Level

Here are recommended subjects to take based on the type of Degree and also the corresponding minimum grade you should ideally achieve. We are assuming a minimum of 3 subjects taken.

Degree	Must Have Subjects	Recommended Minimum Grades
Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry	Biology, Chemistry and Physics/Mathematics	BBB, ABC or AAC or higher
Allied Healthcare	Any 2 subjects – Biology – Chemistry – Physics/Math	From DDD to CCC or higher, depending on the degree type and university standards
Engineering	Mathematics and 1 Science subject (Physics, Chemistry or Biology depending on the type of engineering)	From DDD to BBB or higher, depending on the university standards, inclusive of Mathematics and a Science subject.
Actuarial Science	Mathematics or Further Mathematics	From DDD to ABB depending on the university. D to A for the Mathematics subject.
Accounting, Economics, Computer Science	Mathematics or Further Mathematics	DDD or higher, depending on the university standards.
Law	No hard requirements on subjects.	DDD or higher, depending on the university standards.
Business, HR, Economics, Arts, Social Science, Humanities etc	No hard requirements on subjects.	EEE or higher, depending on the university standards.

It should also be noted that the Degree majors that have subject prerequisites for A-Level, will normally have similar prerequisite subjects that should have been taken during their SPM or IGCSE.

Do check with our counsellors on the specific requirements!

7. Tips For Success In A-Level

A-Level is generally an exam-heavy programme. So incorporate smart and efficient study strategies into your routine.

• Practice on as many past year papers as possible

• Use multiple sources to learn and understand i.e. Youtube, revision apps, top classmates, make full use of teachers, outside tutors

• Read beyond the syllabus to gain a deeper understanding. Then try to explain it to your mate to test your understanding.

• Start revision early or have a system to continuously revise and practice to avoid last minute cramming.

• Use the right exam techniques. Read examiner reports to learn what top answers look like i.e. using the right terms, keywords, structuring, data interpretations etc.

• Take care of your health. Nutritious food. Get enough sleep

8. Advantages & Challenges Of A-Level

Advantages

• Global Recognition – The most notable benefit is that A-Level is highly regarded by all universities worldwide, even the Ivy Leagues and Russel Group.

• Opens Up Options – If you are unsure which university to join yet, you can take a pre-university like A-Level.

• Deep Learning – The A-Level curriculum is rigorous and encourages critical thinking which better prepares students for university life.

Challenges

• Rigorous Learning – A-Level’s robust curriculum can also become a challenge for students as the programme can be intense. Its focus on exam-based testing may not be favourable for all students as well.

• Longer To Complete – A duration of 1.5 to 2 years to complete is longer than the typical duration of other pre-university options which are limited to 1 year only.

• Relatively Higher Cost – Due to its longer duration and prestige, A-Level generally cost more than other pre-university options and foundation courses.

9. Frequently Asked Questions About A-Level

a. What are other alternative programmes to A-Level?

In Malaysia, there are other pre-university options available such as

• AUSMAT – AUSMAT & SACE In Malaysia: Your One Stop Guide

• MUFY – MUFY: Strategic Guide To Monash University Foundation Year

• CIMP – What Is CIMP: 7 Important Facts Before Joining

• ADTP – ADTP In Malaysia: Everything You Need To Know

b. Is A-Level difficult?

Yes, it is generally viewed as a more challenging pre-university course compared to others like AUSMAT or CIMP due to the depth of its syllabus and its focus on examination to determine your final grade. Other pre-university courses evaluate coursework as part of the final grade.

c. I’m not sure what subjects to take for my A-Level?

We partially addressed this concern in point 6 of this guide. However, we totally understand your hesitance without validation from a professional. We highly recommend that you reach out to our counsellors and book your free consultation!

d. Can I study in other countries besides UK if I take A-Level?

Yes, you certainly can. However, you must take note that A-Level exam results typically come out in January or August while universities, for example in Australia, have their major intake windows in February and July which leaves very little time to prepare.

e. Are there any scholarships or bursaries for A-Level studies?

Yes, glad you asked! Colleges and universities offering A-Level do provide partial to full scholarships for students based on their academic achievements or other circumstances. To easily find out if you qualify, just try our Pathway Match which will instantly match you with the amount you qualify for!

10. Where To Study A-Level In Malaysia

There are several schools, colleges and universities that provide lessons and administer the examinations for A-Level in Malaysia. Here are some of the best A-level in Malaysia to sign up:

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.