Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) are two of the most common exams students in Malaysia take at the end of their secondary school education.
Completing SPM or IGCSE is an exciting milestone in a young student's career. However, with that comes an important decision point: what should you do next?
After SPM/IGCSE, you're at a crossroads where multiple pathways can lead to university education options, both locally and overseas.
If you are unsure how to make this decision for yourself, you’re at the right place.
In this guide, you will learn about the various educational pathways you can pursue after SPM and IGCSE. We’ll also talk about what route will suit you best based on your goals, abilities, and circumstances.
What Are Your Study Options After SPM and IGCSE?
Schools in Malaysia offer students numerous post-secondary education options that differ in duration, cost, teaching style, and recognition. Most students continue into one of these pathways before they pursue a university degree.
The choices you have also differ based on whether you did SPM or IGCSE.
Here's an overview of the options you have:
| Pathway | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 1 year | Students who have decided on a particular degree |
| Diploma | 2–3 years | Practical training focused learning |
| STPM | 18 months | Public university pathway |
| Malaysian Matriculation Programme | 1–2 years | Students aiming for public universities |
| A Levels | 18–24 months | UK and international universities |
| Australian/Canadian Pre-University | 1 year | Australia, Canada, and overseas study |
| American Degree Programme | 4 years (with transfer options) | US university pathway |
| Professional Qualifications, e.g., ACCA | Variable | Specific careers, such as accounting |
Study Pathways After SPM
You have multiple options to continue your education after SPM, depending on the SPM subjects you had, your grades, and your career aspirations.
STPM
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, also known as Form 6, is an 18-month-long national pre-university qualification in Malaysia. SPTM is administered by the Malaysian Examinations Council. It is one of the most respected pathways for students pursuing public universities.
STPM is equivalent to A Levels and is endorsed by Cambridge Assessment. The program is only offered in government schools. Its key features are:
- Highly affordable (fees under RM1,000 for government school students)
- Internationally recognised by 2,000+ universities worldwide
- Modular system with continuous assessment across three terms
- Requires 4-5 subjects, including compulsory General Studies
- MUET (Malaysian University English Test) is compulsory for public university entry
Malaysian Matriculation Programme
The Matriculation Programme is a cost-effective pre-university route for SPM holders who aim to enter Malaysian public universities. It is managed by the Ministry of Education.
The programme takes 1–2 years, depending on whether you choose the two-semester or four-semester track.
It caters mainly to Bumiputera (Malay and indigenous) students since 90% of places are reserved for them. Non-Bumiputera students have limited entry.
It offers four streams:
- Science
- Accounting
- Professional Accounting
- Engineering
The programme is recognized by several foreign universities in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. It charges a lower fee compared to private pre-university programmes.
However, it is quite competitive. The applicants must satisfy the programme's eligibility requirements set by the Ministry of Education.
Foundation Programmes
Foundation programmes are one-year pre-university courses that equip students with field-specific knowledge and skills for university-level study. Unlike STPM, they are offered by private institutions. They are streamed by field, as in the foundation in Arts, Science, Business, Law, Computing, etc.
The programme consists of 50% coursework and 50% final exam assessment with a dedicated focus on your chosen field. Entry to a foundation programme requires five credits in SPM.
Diploma Programmes
Diplomas are practical, industry-focused two to three-year programmes. You just need 3-4 credits in SPM to start a diploma.
They are great for students who want to learn practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge or those who had lower SPM grades but still aspire to earn a degree.
Many diploma graduates progress to year two of related degree programmes directly.
Study Pathways After IGCSE
If you took IGCSE exams, here’s what you can do next.
A Levels
Cambridge A Levels are the gold standard of pre-university qualifications. They are primarily offered in private institutions, take 18 months to 2 years, and are 100% exam-based.
Generally, students take 3-4 subjects in A-levels, and they are assessed through AS and A2 examination components, which each comprise 50% of the overall grade.
A Levels are costly; you can expect to pay RM20,000 to RM38,000 depending on the institution you go to. And you need at least five credits in IGCSE to start A levels.
Students planning to study at top-tier universities (especially in the UK) should give A Levels a shot.
Foundation
Foundation programmes after IGCSE are similar to those after SPM. They provide you with one year of preparation for specific degree pathways and are essentially the bridge between secondary and undergraduate education.
If you have decided on the route you want to take in your undergraduate study, and you want a faster route into university, you should look into foundation study pathways after IGCSE.
Australian, Canadian, and Other International Pre-University Programmes
Australian programmes are Year 12 qualifications equivalent to STPM. They include:
- AUSMAT (Australian Matriculation)
- WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education)
- SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education)
They take 12-18 months and combine coursework (50%) with final examinations (50%).
The Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) and Canadian Pre-University (CPU) are based on Ontario's Grade 12 curriculum. You need at least 10-12 months to complete a Canadian programme.
Once you complete the passing requirements of 70% coursework (assignments, presentations, projects) and 30% final exams, you will be awarded the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
American Degree Programme (ADP)
The American Degree Programme is unique because it's not a pre-university qualification. Rather, it is a direct entry into university-level study.1
A student can begin their four-year bachelor's degree immediately after SPM or IGCSE without needing a pre-university qualification, given that they have at least five credits in SPM/IGCSE.
There are credit-transfer options too that allow you to study 1-2 years in Malaysia, then transfer to US/Canada universities.
The assessment in such programs is based on 70% of coursework and 30% of exams.
How to Choose the Right Study Pathway After SPM & IGCSE
Now that you know the options you have after SPM vs IGCSE, you need to decide which option suits you best.
Here are the factors you should consider while making a decision:
- Your academic performance. Strong exam-based learners excel in A Levels and STPM. If you prefer coursework and continuous assessment, you should consider CIMP, AUSMAT, or ADP instead.
- Your career goals. The ultimate career you want to pursue will also determine the path you take after SPM/IGCSE. For example, Medicine requires A Levels or STPM. If you're undecided, you could look into an ADP to explore majors within the first two years.
- Your budget. STPM and Matriculation are affordable study pathways compared to A Levels, private foundations, and ADP at private institutions.
Also consider:
- Your university destination. If you are aiming for a public university in Malaysia, it's best to prefer STPM or Matriculation. But if you want to study abroad, you’re better off doing A Levels, ADP, or Australian/Canadian qualifications, depending on where you want to move.
- Timeline. If you want to enter university quickly, Foundation, ADP, or CIMP are among the fastest routes to university. STPM takes about 18 months. Matriculation gives you both 1-year and 2-year options. But diplomas are usually longer.
Need Help Planning Your Next Step? Superprof Can Help!
The transition after SPM or IGCSE is a major decision, and we are with you through it. At Superprof, we connect you with experienced tutors who can help you excel in any pathway you choose, e.g., STPM, A Levels, Foundation, ADP, or any other programme.
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward
Our tutors can:
- Help you excel in entrance exams or assessments for your chosen pathway
- Provide subject-specific coaching
- Offer guidance on study techniques that work best for your learning style
- Build your confidence as you transition to pre-university study
Check out Superprof today!
References
- American Degree Program in Malaysia - What It Is. (2022, February 14). EduAdvisor. https://eduadvisor.my/course-guide/american-degree-program
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