What are Foundation Programmes?
by StudyMalaysia.com on January 21, 2016 | Top Stories
If you’ve just completed secondary school and have just sat for an exam like SPM, IGCSE or O levels, then read on. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for information that can help you decide on what to study next.
If you are planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you would most likely need a pre-university qualification to gain admission to a university or college. Besides Form Six, students can now choose from a wide range of pre-university programmes offered by both public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia.
Many students are at a loss when it comes to choosing a suitable pre-university programme. Some may decide on a programme simply because the majority of their friends are enrolling in the same programme. Then there are those who end up with a particular programme simply because they never knew that other types of programmes existed.
Advantages of pursuing a foundation programme
- You will study the subjects that are specific to the course you plan to take at degree level
- It is quicker than other pre-university programmes like A-levels and IB diploma
- Quicker also means cheaper – you’re likely to pay less for a foundation programme
- The assessment style is usually a combination of coursework, continual assessment and a final exam, but the weighting of each assessment depends on the college
- It could be difficult to switch programmes if you decide to pursue a different field, particularly if you’re taking a specialised foundation course such as, Foundation in IT, Music, Business, Architecture, etc.
- Other colleges may not recognise the foundation programme you have completed if you decide to continue your studies somewhere else
Types of pre-U programmes
There are three categories of pre-university programmes offered in Malaysia:
- Malaysian post-secondary qualifications offered by the Malaysian Examination Board
- International pre-university qualifications offered by external examination boards
- Home-grown foundation programmes with qualifications awarded by various universities
Examples of pre-university programmes offered by HEIs
| No. | Pre-university qualification | Who awards the qualification | General entry requirement |
| A. External qualification – by the Malaysian Examination Board | |||
| 1. | Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) | Malaysian Examination Board, Malaysia | SPM |
| B. External qualification – by overseas examination boards | |||
| 2. | University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) for AS and A2 Levels | CIE, UK | SPM/IGCSE |
| 3. | Edexcel International Advanced Level | Edexcel, UK | SPM/IGCSE |
| 4. | South Australian Matriculation (SAM) | SACE, Australia | SPM/IGCSE |
| 5. | Western Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) | Curriculum Council of Western Australia | SPM/IGCSE |
| 6. | New South Wales High School Certificate | Board of Studies, New South Wales, Australia | SPM/IGCSE |
| 7. | Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) | Ontario Secondary School Diploma,? Ministry of Education Ontario, Canada | SPM/IGCSE |
| 8. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | IB Board of Governors, IBO | SPM/IGCSE |
| C. Internal Qualifications | |||
| 9. | Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) | Monash University | SPM/IGCSE |
| 10. | University of New South Wales (UNSM) Foundation Year | University of New South Wales | SPM/IGCSE |
| 11. | Degree foundation courses (offered by public HEIs) | ?Internal qualification awarded by public HEIs in Malaysia | SPM/IGCSE |
| 12. | Degree foundation courses (offered by private HEIs) | ?Internal qualification awarded by private HEIs in Malaysia | SPM/IGCSE |
| 13. | Matriculation certificate | Ministry of Education Malaysia | SPM |
(Source: Education Guide Malaysia 14th edition 2015/2016)
In this article, we will explore foundation courses offered by private higher education institutions (PHEIs). These PHEIs often also offer home-grown bachelor degrees, or twinning and 3+0 degree programmes. There are also PHEIs that conduct foundation programmes that prepare students for a bachelor’s degree abroad. These internal programmes are usually accredited by the and recognised by the respective foreign partner universities, as well as many other overseas universities as an equivalent to the pre-university qualification in their respective home countries.
A pre-university programme usually takes 12 months, in which candidates need to complete 50 credit hours to be awarded a foundation qualification. The assessment method is usually 30% coursework & 70% examination.
Unlike external qualifications which focus on general science and art-based subjects, internal qualifications provide general science and arts programmes as well as specialisations in areas such as architecture, business, law, computer and IT, hospitality, engineering and more.
There are typically three intakes a year and the entry requirement accepted are SPM, UEC, GCE O-Level or its equivalent, where students need to have a minimum of five credits in relevant subjects.
Fun facts
According to Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, their most popular foundation programme is Foundation in Science, the pathway to its world-renowned engineering degrees.
Need more flexibility in your degree choice? The foundation programme at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU/ APIIT) provides a pathway to over 100 degrees.
Here's a list of foundation programmes you can consider if you already know what bachelor's degree you'd like to pursue.
| Name of institution | Duration | Name of Qualification Awarded |
| AIMST University | 1 Yr | Foundation in Business Foundation in Science |
| Asia Metropolitan University (AMU), Johor Bharu Campus | 1 Yr | Foundation in Health Sciences |
| Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) | 1 Yr | Foundation in Business Studies Foundation in Health Sciences |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | 1 yr (3 sem) | Degree Foundation Programme (Business & Finance/ Technology and Business & Finance/ Engineering & Technology) |
| BERJAYA University College of Hospitality | 1 yr (3 sem) | Foundation in Commerce Foundation in Hospitality |
| City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) | 1 yr (3 sem) | Foundation in Arts Foundation in Business Foundation in Information Technology Foundation Studies in Science |
| Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) | 1 yr (3 sem) | Foundation in Allied Science Foundation in Science (Medicine/Pharmacy) |
| Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia | 1 yr | Foundation Studies (Commerce & Arts) Foundation Engineering & Science |
| Erican College | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts |
| Han Chiang College | 1 yr | Foundation in Communication |
| HELP University | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts Foundation in Science |
| HELP College of Arts and Technology | 1 yr 2 yrs 4 mths |
Foundation in Arts Foundation in Science |
| Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | 1 yr | Foundation In Business & Design Foundation in Science |
| IACT College | 13 mths | Foundation in Media Studies |
| International Medical University (IMU) | 1 yr | Foundation in Science |
| International Open College (IOC) | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts |
| Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) | 1 yr (3 sem) | Foundation in Arts Foundation in Science |
| International University Of Malaya Wales (IUMW) | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts Foundation in Science |
| KDU University College | 1 yr | Foundation Studies Foundation in Engineering |
| LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology | 1 yr | Foundation in Built Environment Foundation in Business Foundation in Communication Foundation in Design Foundation in Information Technology Foundation in Sound and Music |
| MAHSA University | 1 yr | Foundation in Business Foundation in Science |
| Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kuching) | 1 yr | Foundation in Health Sciences |
| Manipal International University (MIU), Malaysia | 1 yr | Foundation in Engineering Foundation in Science Foundation in Business Studies |
| Management & Science University (MSU) | 1 yr | Foundation (Science Biology/Health Science) Foundation in Business Foundation in Engineering and Technology Foundation in Information Technology Foundation in Law Foundation in TESL Foundation in Visual Art |
| Nilai University | 1 yr | Foundation in Business Foundation in Science |
| Perdana University | 1 Yr | Foundation in Science |
| The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) | 2-3 sem | Foundation in Arts and Education Foundation in Business and Management Foundation in Engineering Foundation in Sciences |
| Quest International University Perak (QIUP) | 1 yr (3 sem) | Foundation in Business Foundation in Science |
| Raffles University Iskandar Malaysia | 1 yr | Foundation in Business Foundation in Liberal Arts |
| SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur | 1 yr | Foundation in Commerce Foundation in IT (Pre-U) |
| SEGi College Penang | 1 yr | Foundation in Commerce Foundation in Science |
| SEGi College, Subang Jaya | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts (Pre-U) Foundation in Commerce Foundation in Science |
| SEGi College, Sarawak | 1 yr | Foundation in Commerce Foundation in Science |
| SEGi University | 1 yr | Foundation in Arts (Pre-U) Foundation in Commerce Foundation in Science |
| Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) | 1 yr 6 mths (KL) | Cambridge GCE A Levels (Arts) Cambridge GCE A Levels (Science) Foundation in Arts Foundation in Science |
| Taylor's University | 1 yr | Foundation in Natural and Built Environments (FNBE) Foundation in Science (for entry into Bioscience/Culinary Science/Medicine/Pharmacy/etc.) Foundation in Computing (FIC) Foundation in Engineering Foundation in Science (FIS) Taylor's Business Foundation (TBF) Foundation in Communication (FICM) Foundation in Design (FID) |
Need more information about Foundation Programmes? Read our Related Articles:
- Applying for Foundation Programmes at Public Universities
- Options After SPM: What Can I Study?
- SPM VS. IGCSE Grading System
Sources used in this article:
Education Guide Malaysia (14th Edition), published by Challenger Concept
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