After SPM…
What to do after SPM? Well before you enter university, you
will be going the transition phase. Your education level is currently not on
par on the university level, so we will be going through pre-university courses
before entering university for higher education.
Basically, pre university programs in Malaysia varies a lot
and have its own pros and cons. You can choose depends on your needs and most
importantly, your SPM results! What about overseas programs?
Here is where the old mentality has to be fixed. Your
chances to study overseas is always available in the tertiary level of
education. It just the matter or timing. So, if your SPM result is very
excellence you will get to enroll into the program early with more scholarship.
But you still can seek the opportunity to study overseas once you finish your
pre-university course, or maybe after you completed your degree. Don’t fret.
Just get all As in your SPM and insya-allah you will get what you want.
Today, let’s focused on the normal pre university courses
okay! The scholarship one we will do another entry!
So, pre-u courses that are available in Malaysia is
matriculation, foundation(asasi), STPM, A-level, IB and diploma. Okay without
further ado, let’s dive in...
MATRICULATION
For matriculation, years before me, students apply for it in
UPU forms, but during my times, they had separated the forms. So, yeah be aware
of that. The courses in matriculation are limited based on your SPM subjects
and the duration of study varies depend on your SPM results. I guess, it is
designed to suit the student capabilities, which made it into a great pro.
As for me, I got a one-year programme for science course at
Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis. I am also eligible for their allowance programme in
which I don’t know the exact details. Other pros for this course are that the
fee is free and your chances to study overseas under Ministry od Education is a
lot higher.
What about the cons? Well, after you finish your
matriculation, you still need to compete with others matriculation student for
places in university through UPU. This is because matriculation centre is not
associated with a specific university. So, it is very competitive as usually,
university will prioritize their foundation students.
Okay, next is foundation studies or commonly known as Asasi.
Usually, foundation is a one-year program but sometime it changed due to the
difficulty of the courses. There are lots of courses under foundation studies
but the availability is depending on the university. For UIA, they offer tons
of different courses for foundation while for UM, there is only foundation in
Live Science and Physical Science. Well, I guess that is the first pro for
foundation.
The second pro is that foundation studies is one of the
program that is under a university. So, it will be much easier for you to
enroll in the same university for your degree. Of course, you must pass certain
requirement, but yeah it is definitely a hell lots easier than other students
that apply through UPU. You are not really required to further your studies in
the same university though, it just one of the perks of being a foundation
student.
FYI, I apply for my dream university which is the top uni in
Malaysia, the one and only, University Malaya. I got the offer to enroll in Foundation of Physical Science at
University Malaya. My dream comes true YUHUUUU. Sadly, I reject the offer due to my own circumstances.
Okay, let’s see the cons. Foundation is very competitive
programs and it is one of the top pre uni program because one, only top
university offer them, two, the fees is reasonable, and three, is because it
only took one year to complete the studies. Yeah, you need to get at least, all
A- in SPM to get into top foundation program. There is also time pressure as
you only have one year to finish your foundation.
A-LEVEL & IB
Next, is A-level and IB. This is usually the program you
will not choose by yourself. This program is specifically for those who will
further their degree overseas. It is equivalent to STPM, although the syllabus
is much harder. A-level and IB certificates is the main requirement for
overseas students, so in Malaysia, there is limited institute that offer these
program. And those who enroll in this program too is usually are sponsored
students. FYI, I am currently doing my A-level at GMI under YTP-MARA
scholarship. Due to fly in March 2030 insya-allah, after I finish the course.
Then, STPM! STPM stand for Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia.
For STPM, it is a very unique and different system in which we will be getting
the offer instead of applying for it. Those who pass the minimum requirement will
usually get the offer. The pros is that STPM certificate meet some country
requirement of overseas students such as Japan and Korea. You are also free to
choose the subjects thus making it perfect for students who are not entirely
sure about their future paths. You will have your course in normal high school
but with lectures. The only cons is that the course is quite long in which it
took around 1 and a half years if I’m not mistaken.
DIPLOMA
Lastly, diploma. For those who had set their mind and goals
on their dreams, you should go on with diploma. The best pros are that diploma
courses is already specific so you will not waste your time. Usually, diploma
student often excels more in their degree compared to other pre-uni course
students. Not only that, you can start applying for jobs with your diploma
certificates. How cool is that?!
However, the cons are that the study duration is the
longest. More often than not, the course could take 3 to 4 years to complete
which is a major setback for me. Good news is that you can do credits transfer
depend on the university and the courses so your degree can be reduced from 4
years to a maximum of 2 years. Depend actually on what courses. Moreover,
studying for diploma actually reduced your chance of studying abroad.
All I can say is that it is all up to you!
DISCLAIMER
What I had written here is subjected to change and is limited by my knowledge and experience. Please comment if there is any mistakes or any information that I had missed.
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