The educational system in Malaysia is diverse and robust, covering primary, secondary, and higher education. With a focus on higher education, Malaysia boasts a range of universities and institutions catering to various academic disciplines. This article will provide a general overview of higher education in Malaysia, covering aspects such as the system’s structure, the grading system, the type of higher education institutions and degrees, shedding light on the key features that display the country’s interest in providing quality education to its citizens and international students.
In this article, all the distinctive characteristics that set Malaysia’s education system apart. Read on to know the details.
What Grading System Does Malaysian Higher Education Use?
The grading system in higher education in Malaysia is the Grade Point Average or GPA, similar to that used by higher institutions in the United States of America. The GPA is used to numerically represent a student’s academic performance and assess the student’s overall achievement during and after their course of study.
The GPA system is usually based on a 5.0 or 4.0 scale, depending on the institution. However, the numerical values attained with GPA will be letter graded, with A being the highest and F being the lowest.
This grading system makes it easy for schools, employers, and other institutions to assess student’s overall academic standing and allow students to track their academic progress over time. It also offers standard metrics that can be easily understood and compared.
Types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia
1. Public Universities
Public universities in Malaysia, such as Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaya, are institutions funded by the government. These schools offer a range of academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies, occasional pre-university foundation years, and diploma courses.
Public universities in this country can also be categorized into three main groups: Comprehensive Universities, Research Universities, and Focused Universities. Additionally, public colleges also fall under the umbrella of public universities. This college typically offers certificate and diploma-level programs.
2. Polytechnics and Community Colleges
Polytechnics like Ungku Omar Polytechnic and community colleges like Kolej Komuniti Tepah offer certificate and diploma-level programs in specialized technical, academic, and vocational fields, including applied science, engineering, entrepreneurship, visual arts, and hospitality.
3. Private Universities
Taylor’s University and Sunway University are some of the private universities available in Malaysia. Private universities usually have larger campuses and more sophisticated student facilities. These private institutions also provide comprehensive graduate and postgraduate research courses and have the authority to confer degrees under their names.
4. University Colleges
University Colleges in Malaysia, such as First City University College, operate like universities but have smaller size campuses and smaller student populations. They also offer programs at various academic levels, albeit with fewer faculties, focusing more on undergraduate studies than postgraduate ones.
5. Accredited Training Centres
Accredited training centers offer technical and vocational training programs to students to equip them with essential skills. These certified training centers, such as IMTC International Malaysian Training Centre, are officially registered with the Department of Skills and Development and are endorsed by the Malaysian government.
Students who acquire training from these institutions can obtain globally recognized certifications from esteemed institutions such as the Confederation of Tourism, Hotel and Catering Management (UK), City and Guilds (UK), and other international and professional organizations.
6. Language Centre
Language centers in Malaysia, such as the Britannia Language Centre, are educational institutions where language courses are primarily offered, although some provide other skill training, which may include computer literacy.
7. International Branch Campuses
International branch campuses are educational institutions that are established by reputable foreign universities. There are quite a number of these institutions in Malaysia, and they offer international education that mirrors the structure and content of their home campuses through their Malaysian branch. Some of these campuses include Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, and The University of Nottingham Malaysia, Selangor.
8. Colleges
Like most universities in Malaysia, Colleges in the country can offer programs that are accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency. These colleges are usually privately owned and have fewer students than other institutions. However, they have good facilities and offer high-quality education. Additionally, colleges can only issue qualifications from other institutions and professional bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW, and GCE A-Levels.
Types of Degree Levels in Malaysia
1. Bachelor’s Degree
Universities in Malaysia offer bachelor’s degrees to undergraduate students who complete their course of study. The common type of bachelor’s degrees offered by universities in this country includes Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
A bachelor’s degree program is typically completed between three to four years, depending on the program and the specific requirements of the degree. It is also important to note that earning a bachelor’s degree is usually a prerequisite for pursuing advanced degrees like a master’s degree, and It is a common qualification in many professional fields.
2. Master’s Degree
Master’s degrees are considered graduate-level academic degrees in Malaysia and are only offered by universities in the country. Malaysian universities offer master’s degree programs that are more focused and advanced than bachelor’s degree programs and involve a combination of theoretical approaches, research, and practical experiences.
A master’s degree program would generally be completed between one and two years. It may require students to pass a comprehensive exam, complete and defend their thesis, and meet other requirements for graduation. Students who have successfully earned a master’s degree usually qualify to pursue doctoral (Ph.D.) studies.
3. Doctoral Degree
A doctoral degree or Doctorate is the highest level of academic degree offered by many universities in Malaysia. The most common types offered by schools in these countries include Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Students must embark on original research and produce an original dissertation or thesis during their doctorate studies. They will also be expected to complete several coursework, pass exams, and defend their dissertation before earning their doctoral degree.
Malaysia has continued to prove that it is interested in building a thriving educational sector that can cater to the educational needs of its citizens and international students and produce intellectual individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to the country’s economy and making incredible impacts on the global stage by establishing higher institutions that are goal-oriented and meet international standards.
Hopefully, this article has provided the needed information you are looking for. For more articles and study options, check out the Study in Malaysia and Available Programs sections!
