Studying abroad may not be an ideal choice for financially savvy students.
From high-priced living expenses to tuition fees, the thought itself are enough to cause a pinch in their savings.
You don’t have to go overseas to earn an American degree.
In fact, you can do it right here in Malaysia through an undergraduate course called the American Degree Programme (ADP).
It presents the opportunity to pursue an American-style education locally while still graduating with a degree from a partnering university.
That’s not all.
Their twinning programme also allows you to experience the university life in the United States or Canada after completing your foundation years in Malaysia.
If you want to pursue the American dream, here’s everything you need to know about ADP.
Understanding ADP
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What is ADP?
The ADP is a degree programme that combines the best of American higher education and classroom learning that you’ll find in most universities in the US.
It is a fast-track transition to your dream university in the United States.
ADP also offers a twinning programme called the American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP).
The Differences between ADP and ADTP
ADP is a 4+0 programme where you can complete your course locally without transferring to a university in the US.
You can experience the American syllabus and curriculum minus the expensive tuition fees.
ADTP is a 1+3 or 2+2 twinning programme that presents the flexibility of spending your foundation years locally before completing your final years with the course’s university partner in the US or Canada.
Why Should You Take ADP?
1. Fewer Exams, More Projects
If you’re a learner who prefers continuous assessment, ADP is tailored to your studying preference.
This degree programme focuses on a minimal exam-based assessment, which is vastly different from the Malaysian education system.
Instead, it centres on presentations, tests, field work, group projects and written papers.
2. Subject flexibility
Instead of completing a fixed number of subjects every semester, ADP lets you decide the amount of subjects you want to study.
Subject flexibility is one of ADP’s great advantages because it presents the freedom to study the subjects as you like.
However, ADP students are required to meet the range of 2-6 subjects per semester.
As the saying goes, the faster you complete your subjects, the sooner you’ll earn your graduation scroll.
Our word of advice?
Play the flexibility card to your best advantage.
3. Interactive classroom learning
Unlike the lesson structures in a Malaysian classroom, ADP emphasises on the importance of creative learning and critical thinking.
Apart from bouncing ideas off of your lecturer, you have the chance to lead a presentation, participate in a group project or organise a student event or exhibition.
4. Pursue an American education in US
If you dream of walking down the American university hallways, ADP is your passport to international higher education.
After you’ve completed your foundation years locally, you can transfer to a partnering university in the U.S.
As a well-recognised undergraduate programme, ADP is also acceptable in universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The Basics of ADP
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Minimum Requirements
To kick start your higher education journey in ADP, you need to fulfil the basic academic requirement.
SPM: Min. 5 credits with a pass in Bahasa Malaysia
STPM: Min. 2 passes
A-Levels: Min. 2 passes
O-Level: Min. 5 credits
UEC: Min. 5 Bs including English
Intakes
Depending on your local college or university, the intakes may vary.
However, the ADP intakes are generally open in January, May and August.
Duration of Studies
The general studying duration for ADP is 4 years.
Subjects
Every ADP subject is worth between 3-5 credits.
Before you graduate, you need to score between 110-140 credits to complete your course.
You can graduate in a broad range of majors (your main subject) such as business management, bio sciences, actuarial science, psychology, finance, mass communication, liberal arts, computing science, engineering and more.
The selection of majors also differs according to your local college or university.
Assessment
Every local college and university carries different ADP assessment.
However, ADP generally consists of 70% continuous assessments (e.g. projects, assignments and tests) and 30% exam-based evaluation.
Fees and Scholarships
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With a variety of colleges and universities in Malaysia, you can compare and choose a private higher education institution with the most suitable tuition fees.
If you’re planning to enrol in ADP or ADTP, here’s a list to ease the comparison.
ADP
Since it’s a full 4+0 programme, these tuition fees only cover the course taken in a local college or university.
INTI University College
Est. Fees: RM 37,340 per year
SEGi University & College
Est. Fees: RM 32,000 per year
ADTP
Since it’s a twinning programme, these tuition fees only apply to the first two years in a local university.
It doesn’t include the tuition fees and living expenses in your partnering university overseas.
Taylor’s University
Est. Fees: RM 32,000 per year
Read about Taylor’s ADP course here.
Find more info about their campus here.
HELP University
Est. Fees: RM 22,900 per year
Find more info about their campus here.
Scholarships
If you’re a top achiever, you can apply for a full scholarship or discounts in your respective college or university.
Based on your SPM results, check out the scholarship options available for you.
The following is a rough estimation of scholarships you would be eligible for from different universities.
| SPM Results | Scholarship Range |
| 3 – 5 As | RM1,000 – RM2,000 |
| 6 – 7 As | Up to RM7,000 |
| 8 – 9 As | Up to RM8,000 |
| More than 9 As | Full scholarship with interview |
Truth be told, you don’t need a one-way ticket to the United States to experience America’s higher education learning.
Believe or not, you can study right here in Malaysia!
Providing everything from assessment to university fees, we hope this guide will give the spark it needs to kick start your American education in Malaysia.
Contact our counsellors to find out how to apply for an ADP/ADTP course today!