While Malaysia's reputation in the field of science and maths has shown improvement in the last few years, one of the biggest concerns among students who have graduated from SPM is if studying for a mathematics degree in Malaysia is worth their time and effort.
How do I know if maths is the right course for me?
Let's bear in mind that there are other factors to consider before pursuing a degree: your existing knowledge of the subject; the amount of energy you are willing to put in to study new topics; your potential career options upon graduation; and of course, the visible and hidden costs when studying a particular degree.
This article will weigh the pros and cons of taking up a degree in mathematics, the courses you can take in the subject, and at the end of the day, whether the cost of studying maths in Malaysia is actually worth your money.
Is a mathematics degree worth it?
A mathematics degree is great for people who enjoy working with numbers and statistics. Algebra, calculus, differential equations, geometry... these are just some mathematical concepts that you'll work with throughout your degree, and potentially, throughout your career if you decide to pursue one related to maths. You may wonder: how hard is a major in math?
Therefore, a degree in maths may not be suited for those who are not on the investigative side of the spectrum - if you're someone who leans more towards the social, artistic or enterprising side of things, then dealing with numbers and statistics on a daily basis may prove to be a challenge. You may find difficulty in understanding and analysing complex mathematical concepts.
You will also need to think on your feet. It is necessary for maths students to work efficiently as they are required to solve problems and perform analyses at any given moment, which will happen more often once they enter the workforce. As such, you may not enjoy studying maths if you prefer taking things at a slower pace or have a laid-back personality.
One of the strongest benefits of having graduated with a maths degree in Malaysia is that you will have gained access to a broad range of career options. This includes work in education, research, banking, accountancy and finance, engineering and IT - just to name a few. But there are many things you can accomplish with a math degree.
However, a lot of high-paying jobs don't require a degree in mathematics. Becoming a marketing manager or web developer, for example, does not mandate entry requirements with a math degree, nor is it the case if you wanted to become a web administrator or an information security analyst.
Take a look here at our summary of the pros and cons of taking a mathematics degree:
| Math Degree: The Pros and Cons | |
|---|---|
| Interest in mathematics | |
| Great for those who enjoy working with numbers and statistics | May find difficulty in understanding and analysing complex concepts |
| Skills in mathematics | |
| For the efficient worker who has a talent for problem-solving | Not recommended for those who prefer to take things at a slower pace |
| Jobs in mathematics | |
| Wide job scope and avariety of career options | High-paying jobs are available even without a math degree |
Should I take an international foundation for maths?
Many pre-university options are available for students who would like to pursue mathematics, and this includes taking an international foundation course that is specific to the field. Doing a foundation year is great as it will give you the opportunity to really know what maths is all about and grow your interest in the subject before actually making it to your degree.
You can find out everything you need to know about a maths degree here.
However, the success of your degree does not just depend on whether or not you go for an international foundation year because there are other pathways you can take that will lead you to a maths degree in Malaysia.
Start with figuring out whether you would like to enter into a public or private university as the prerequisites may be different. Sitting for the STPM examination or the Malaysian Matriculation Programme, for example, is an affordable choice for students to enter into a mathematics degree. However, these two programmes are recognised only by public universities, not private ones.
Thus, apart from fulfilling the language requirements and other entry requirements, you may need to start saving up if you want to enter a private university in Malaysia. There is a significant price difference between taking a local pre-university course versus a private one. To illustrate, A-Level fees in Malaysia can start from anywhere around RM16,000 for local students, and sometimes even go up to as much as RM35,000.
What if I want to become good at maths now?
Superprof offers tutoring in mathematics for various levels of learners - from primary school all the way up until SPM, and even at the IGCSE level. You can expect to have lessons of the best quality with our experienced math tutors: all you have to do is visit our page to find out more!
Apart from the availability of group and one-on-one classes, you can also choose your preferred mode of learning - would you be comfortable with physical lessons, or are online classes more suited to your needs? You can do this by looking for tutors near you, and even seek out tutors who are offering classes that are within your budget.
With over 3000 Superprof math tutors in Malaysia, you can easily choose a tutor who can guide you through all the mathematical problems that need solving. Want to try out a lesson but worried about whether the tutor is right for you? Remember that you can have your first maths lesson for free on Superprof!
Which course is best for mathematics?
After completing your pre-university programme, it's time to consider which course you want to undertake at the degree level. Other than the fact similar courses, such as electives and English language courses, exist across the many types of math degrees, there are distinct degree-level courses to choose from. From there, you can decide to become a mathematician in Malaysia.
A bachelor's in industrial statistics, data science, financial mathematics, and even mathematical science are just some of the maths degree options that are accessible in the country. You will have to decide whether you want to pursue pure mathematics or an applied mathematics course. This can help narrow down your options for a degree in maths and determine your career prospects.
In terms of cost, a mathematics degree at the undergraduate level often costs an average of RM8,000 to RM30,000 at government universities. For private universities, this will cost around RM10,000 to RM60,000. Therefore, studying for a maths degree at a public university can be a more economical option for students.
Nonetheless, you can always apply for scholarships or grants especially if you have performed well in your SPM exam or have outstanding SPM trial exam results. Attach a recommendation letter and other club activities you have performed well in when you make a scholarship application.
When you apply, remember to consider which branch of maths is best for you.
Are there hidden costs for maths students?
Finally, we're moving into the hidden costs if you were to take up a mathematics degree. Yup - let's not forget that tuition fees alone are not the only expenses you will have to worry about when you make it to university. There are loads of other things to make sure you have money in your pocket for, especially when you consider how long a maths degree in Malaysia will be.
Accommodation
For students studying in public institutions, the price of staying on campus is often already subsidised, so the costs are usually inexpensive. Unlike these student hostels, private institutions may offer rooms or houses equipped with more facilities, so the living costs here are usually higher. You will also have to remember additional fees, like paying for your water and electricity bills, if you've chosen to rent a house or apartment outside of your campus.
Food
Presumably the most important thing to look out for in a university student's life, you'll have to make sure you've got enough in your pocket for food! It is possible, of course, to survive on the meals and available food options on campus, but it is not wrong to save some money to treat yourself on the weekends (which also makes sure you haven't gotten too sick of campus food!).
Some universities may not allow you to cook on campus. However, if your campus does allow cooking or is equipped with kitchen facilities, you can even buy groceries to make your own meals on campus - this saves up your money in the long run, too.
Materials and Supplies
Textbooks, stationery, and other equipment are other expenses to keep in mind when you are pursuing a degree at the university level. You may be asked to purchase specific references and online resources if they aren't available at your campus library, or maths equipment such as a scientific calculator for study purposes.
One way to reduce the cost of buying these materials and supplies is to look for secondhand options. Are any of your seniors willing to see their unused books at a lower price? You can even buy pre-loved maths equipment if they have been properly maintained and are in good condition.
Finally, be sure you've tucked away some cash to spend on fun and entertainment. Exploring places around your campus and spending time with your friends are also essential to having a memorable experience at university!
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