Study Guide: Diploma Programme

After getting your SPM or IGCSE results, you will face with the dilemma of which pathway to choose when it comes to continuing your studies. While having so many choices can be intimidating, it's vital to remember that each programme has been precisely designed to meet the needs of each student in terms of learning. Finding what works best for you is all that's required!

Due to a number of factors, getting a diploma is now among Malaysian students' more preferred options. This guide will assist you in understanding all the information you require when considering getting a diploma.

WHAT IS DIPLOMA?

A diploma is generally not considered a pre-university programme. It has a higher qualification than pre-university programmes and can be considered the equivalent of a first year Degree.

While pre-university programmes prepare you for your degree so that you are job-ready, a diploma or degree allows you to start working as soon as you finish. Nevertheless, if you choose to do so, you may continue your academic career (beginning in the second year).

As a result, a diploma tends to be more practical and emphasise hands-on learning within the field of study. This will ensure that you are knowledgeable about your field and have received quality training.

Hence, diploma is usually practical in nature with more hands-on learning in the field of its study. This is to ensure you are well trained and have industry-specific knowledge. Diploma courses are offered in niche areas such as English, Business Management, Information Technology, and more.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY DIPLOMA?

These are the general entry requirements to pursue a diploma. Entry requirements for some universities may be higher, so do make sure you check the details carefully.

SPM/O-Level: A pass with minimum of 3 credits

UEC: A pass with minimum of 3Bs

PATHWAYS TO STUDY DIPLOMA

Requirement

Pathways

A diploma programme is usually 24 - 36 months long, and you can enter this programme directly after SPM. Once you've completed a diploma, you can choose to either start working or pursue a related degree beginning from Year 2.

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN DIPLOMA?

In Malaysia, a diploma takes at least 2.5 years long to complete and the total anticipated costs for a 2.5-year diploma might range from RM30,000 to RM50,000.

A diploma course is designed to give you exposure to specific topics in your chosen area of study. For example, a diploma in Business will involve topics such as Entrepreneurship, Business Law and Human Resource Management while in Foundation in Business, you will learn fundamental modules for business like Introduction to Business Law, Critical and Creative Thinking Skills, and Principles of Economic.

Some programmes may require you to choose electives or specialisation modules to enhance your skills and knowledge in a particular area. The assessment structure will vary depending on the programme and university. Typically, you should expect a combination of coursework and final exams. In addition, most universities will require you to undergo a semester of internship or practical training in order for you to gain hands-on experience.

SUBJECT COMPARISON BETWEEN FOUNDATION AND DIPLOMA

A diploma programme will train and qualify you in a particular field. So, if you intend to pursue a career that requires more practical work rather than academic knowledge, you should choose a diploma over a foundation programme. The diploma courses will involve a progressional study of your chosen field and will be more in-depth as you continue.

A foundation programme, on the other hand, like a foundation in business or a foundation in science, will only prepare you with basic knowledge of your chosen field. Some schools even offer both core and elective subjects to explore different topics before choosing a degree path.

All foundation and diploma programmes are designed differently to prepare students for your degree jounrey. This is a subject comparison between Foundation in Business and Diploma in Business

program

Foundation in Business

English I
English II
Critical and Creative Thinking Skills
Business Enterprise
Introduction to Business Law

Introduction to Marketing
People and Organisation
Principles of Accounting
Principles of Economics
Quantitative Technique

Diploma in Business

Business Mathematics
Academic English
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Information Technology
Microeconomics
Organisational Behavior
Principles of Accounting
Principles of Marketing
Business Communication
Business Ethics

Business Law
Business Statistics
Business Project
Entrepreneurship
Human Resource Management
International Business
Introduction to Finance
Management Information Systems
Macroeconomics

WHERE CAN YOU STUDY DIPLOMA IN MALAYSIA?

universities

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