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Hey, you! If you’re here, you must be close to graduating high school. As you’re closing the chapter of your IGCSE story, you’re likely wondering what’s next?
Here’s a good place to start. We’ve prepared this comprehensive guide to help you understand your study and financing options.
1. What’s Next? Pathways After IGCSE
If you’re looking to further your studies, you can take the first step right here in Malaysia. Here are the pathways commonly taken by fellow IGCSE students:
- International Pre-University
- Foundation
- Diploma
All of these pathways give you the opportunity to continue studying locally, or taking flight and studying abroad.
International Pre-University
International Pre-University courses are a step up from your high school level curriculum, with material preparing you for university courses.
This pathway is perfect for those who are undecided on a university or field of study yet. As an internationally recognised pathway, you will later be able to enrol in universities both in Malaysia and abroad.
The curriculum of each pre-university course originates from its own governing education organisation across the globe. In Malaysia, colleges and universities teach these according to the standards set by its organisation.
4 popular international pre-university courses in Malaysia include: A-Level, AUSMAT/SACE, CIMP and ADTP.
A-Level Programme
Read our ultimate guide to A-Level with 10 things you should know before taking A-Level in Malaysia.
Many private schools that run the IGCSE (Year 11) syllabus, also offer A-Level (Year 12) as it is seen as a natural progression for many IGCSE students planning to study abroad later.
- Advanced Level examinations, better known as A-Level, is a UK-based qualification.
- Due to the challenging nature of the course, A-Level has a high level of recognition across all universities worldwide. With this qualification, you will have no problems applying for abroad studies.
- This course is graded on a 100% examination-based metric. Students are to complete 3 to 4 subjects aligned with the field of study they wish to pursue for their degree.
- A full A-Level course timeline typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete.
Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT / SACE)
The AUSMAT or SACE courses are also popular among IGCSE leavers due to its shorter duration compared to A-Level and less intense workload.
- Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) and South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), as the name suggests, are Australian-based qualifications.
- Both are accepted at universities worldwide but especially so in Australian universities.
- 5 subjects are required to graduate. You are graded on a mixture of exams and coursework with a weightage of exams to coursework being split at 50/50 for AUSMAT and 30/70 for SACE.
- At the end of the course, you will receive an ATAR rank which will allow you to apply for degree courses. If you’re targeting to enter Australian universities, AUSMAT/SACE will also give you a university aggregate score which will be accounted for in your university application process.
- Both courses take 1 year to complete (mid-year intake will take up to 1.5 years)
Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)
IGCSE students who dream of going to Canada have CIMP to choose. Read the 7 Important Facts About CIMP Before Joining.
- CIMP takes from the Canadian year 12 secondary school syllabus based on the guidelines set by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
- Taking CIMP generally indicates a student’s interest in studying abroad in Canada, but this qualification is recognised globally and will not deter you from other local or abroad universities.
- Students are to take 6 subjects. CIMP also works on a 30/70 grading system of exams to coursework.
- This course takes 1 year to complete.
American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP)
ADTP in Malaysia is also popular among IGCSE students as many are fond of the US and have plans to migrate.
- Unlike the other International Pre-University courses, ADTP is more of a degree programme. However, you can enter directly into the course after IGCSE.
- This course is structured as a 2 + 2 years course, in which you spend the first 2 years in Malaysia and your final 2 years in the US. The first 2 years serve as the “foundation” for your transfer to the pathway abroad–connecting you to established universities in the US.
- This course is graded on a 70% coursework, 30% examination basis.
Foundation
A Foundation is a preparatory pathway toward university education. Expect to learn fundamental knowledge and general skills (such as critical thinking skills) as you journey through the 1-year course.
The modules within the course are designed as a natural progression toward the university’s own degree courses.
Choosing to enrol in a foundation course within a university increases the likelihood of the student progressing to a degree level within that same university. This does not mean that you cannot study abroad later though, as some universities offer transfer programmes at the degree stage.
There are 2 more popular foundation tracks in Malaysian universities which are:
- Foundation in Science
- Foundation in Arts
There are a few universities that offer specialised foundation tracks. Some examples of these are
- Foundation in Medicine
- Foundation in Engineering
- Foundation in Computing
If you are sure of the field of study you’re interested in and which university you want to enrol at, this pathway is recommended for you.
Diploma
Diplomas are equivalent to your foundation year & first year of degree. You’re diving straight into your field of interest, with modules tailored to the field of study of your choosing. They provide a more hands-on approach to relevant learning experiences with a combination of coursework, examinations and internship programmes. With diploma courses, colleges and universities prepare you with industry-specific skills.
A diploma course takes 2 to 2.5 years to complete, with the exception of some healthcare-related courses such as Nursing and Physiotherapy, which would take up to 3 years.
A few key reasons why students choose to take a diploma:
- Can enter the workforce after completion.
- Flexibility to enter a relevant degree right after.
- Scholarships available for diploma and degree
Looking at Diploma options? Have a look at our 10 Best Diploma Courses To Study In Malaysia.
2. How To Fund Your Studies
Getting a tertiary academic qualification is an important aspect of life, especially in opening doors for career prospects. Without qualification, you’d be hard pressed to find a foothold in any industry, especially those requiring professional degrees such as healthcare or engineering.
While the cost of education is an investment that parents gladly make for their children, it is common for people to look for ways to alleviate or reduce it.
In Malaysia, the common forms of financial aid available to students include:
- Scholarships and Bursaries
- PTPTN loans
- Student loans
Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are financial aids awarded to the student either by the educational institution themselves or external organisations.
Many are merit-based, citing your IGCSE results and others look at non-academic achievements like high school co-curricular achievements. Typically these do not need to be paid back.
Here are some of the scholarship examples in Malaysia:
- Government scholarships: Competitive and requires a number of years within the government service sector upon graduation. Examples include, Bank Negara Scholarship & Khazanah Scholarship.
- Non-profit foundation scholarships: Funds set aside which are managed by legal entities that are given as scholarships. For example, Jeffrey Cheah Scholarship & Robert Kuok Scholarship.
- Corporate Scholarships: These are funds set aside by large companies in order to nurture potential members of their industry. Corporations fund students enrolling into courses related to their industry and they are required to work with the company for a set period of time upon graduation. Some examples of corporate scholarships include;
- Sarawak Energy Scholarship
- Petronas Scholarship
- CIMB Scholarship
- Gamuda Scholarship
- and more
- University Scholarships: Financial aid offered by universities themselves based on pre-set criteria. These criteria can be academic merit-based, household income-based, co-curricular achievement-based or others depending on the university. The range of aid extends from partial scholarships (10% and above) to full scholarships.
Get Matched With Scholarships Using Pathway Match
Uni Enrol is Malaysia’s largest online university enrolment platform utilizing our own proprietary technology called Pathway Match that enables you to instantly get matched with over 500+ scholarships and 200+ local and foreign universities.
Our dedicated counsellors are here to guide and provide you with services that ensure you save time, save money and choose with confidence!
- One-to-one counselling
- Eligibility and scholarship assessment
- University and course cost comparison
- Easy and fast application online
PTPTN Loans
Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi, or PTPTN for short, is a government institution that provides study loans for tertiary education.
It is favoured among students and universities due to its low interest rate of 1% per annum. As a bonus, high achieving students who receive first-class honours are eligible to convert the loan to a full scholarship!
PTPTN does come with a multitude of requirements during the application process though, including:
- Minimum qualification
- Household income
- Chosen education institution
For the full picture on PTPTN loans, check out our guide on How to Apply for PTPTN.
Student Loans
You don’t hear students in Malaysia talking about student loans a lot since most of them either qualify for PTPTN or get a scholarship. But if you don’t qualify for either, there are other student loans you can consider, such as:
- The Maybank Education Loan Malaysia
- The AFFIN Bank Education Financing-i and
- The KOJADI Loan Scheme
These loans do come with requirements of their own and generally have higher interest rates, ranging from 3.6% to 7%.
3. Choosing A Course After IGCSE
Taking the step into higher education might seem like a daunting task. You will definitely want to make sure you’re making the best choices for your future. Here’s a little something we have prepared to help you make smart decisions in choosing your higher education pathway!
Or jump straight into researching popular courses in Malaysia with our ultimate list of popular course guides below!
4. Choosing Your University After IGCSE
Did a particular course or field of study catch your eye? Your next step has got to be looking at our review of top private universities in Malaysia, and the complete list of fees and courses they offer.
We’ve got abroad options for you too, check out our list for Australian universities and UK & Ireland universities!
5. Want To Study Abroad?
If you’re looking to take flight and explore your options in Australia and the United Kingdom, there are plenty of opportunities to study abroad after IGCSE and we have just the guide for you!
There are three key points in your tertiary education where you can take the step of going abroad:
- Right after IGCSE, where you will start off with either A-Levels or an international student foundation programme over there.
- After completing International Pre-University. Completing your Pre-University in Malaysia first and doing your degree overseas is a popular choice among students targeting abroad studies.
- Transfer abroad during your degree. Many top universities in Malaysia offer transfer options to acclaimed universities abroad. Check with Uni Enrol to find out!
Studying abroad is a whole different ballgame compared to local studies. Don’t worry though, Uni Enrol has study abroad consultants ready to help walk you through this journey. We’ve got The Complete Study Abroad Guide just for you!
6. Visit Uni Enrol Or Book A Free Consultation
Drop by Uni Enrol Education Consultation Office and let’s kickstart your study journey together! 🎓
Find us at B-02-03, Level 2, Sunway Geo Avenue, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor. Our friendly counsellors are ready to help you discover scholarships, compare universities, plan your perfect pathway and submit your application.
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You can also book a free online consultation by clicking the button below!
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.
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