Malaysia:
Education System
INSTITUTION
TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of
higher education institutions:
University
Polytechnic
College
Teacher
Training College
School leaving
and higher education credentials:
Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia
Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia Vokesional
Sijil Tinggi
Pelajaran Malaysia
Diploma
Teaching
Diploma
Bachelor's
Degree
Diploma
in Education
Postgraduate
Diploma
Master's
Degree
Doctor'
s Degree
Higher Doctor's
Degree
STRUCTURE
OF EDUCATION SYSTEM:
Pre-higher
education:
Duration
of compulsory education:
Age of entry:
6
Age of exit:
15
Structure
of school system:
Primary
Type of
school providing this education: Primary School
Length of
program in years: 6
Age level
from: 6 to: 12
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah
Lower Secondary
Type of
school providing this education: Lower Secondary School
Length of
program in years: 3
Age level
from: 12 to: 15
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Penilaian Menengah Rendah
Technical
Secondary
Type of
school providing this education: Technical/Vocational Secondary School
Length of
program in years: 2
Age level
from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokesyenal (for vocational schools), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (for technical schools)
Upper Secondary
Type of
school providing this education: Upper Secondary School
Length of
program in years: 2
Age level
from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian Certificate of Education)
Pre-university
Type of
school providing this education: Pre-university
Length of
program in years: 1
Age level
from: 17 to: 18
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian High School Certificate)
School education:
Secondary
education covers seven years, divided into three stages: lower (forms I-III); upper (forms IV and V) and pre-university. Lower
secondary school covers three years leading to the Penilaian Menengah Rendah. Upper secondary school covers two years. There
is selective entry. Most pupils go to academic schools in either Arts or Science, while the others apply to vocational or
technical schools. Only pupils with solid backgrounds in Mathematics and Science are admitted to technical schools. Studies
lead to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia. Vocational/technical schools studies lead to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokesyenal.
There is selective entry to sixth forms. At the end of the pre-university course, pupils take the Siji Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia
organized by the Malaysian Examination Council or the A level examination.
Higher education:
Higher education
is provided by universities, polytechnics and colleges. Private universities have recently been established. All institutions
of higher education are under the supervision of the Minister of Education. The Higher Education Division of the Ministry
of Education coordinates and monitors the activities of institutions of higher learning. The polytechnics fall under the jurisdiction
of the Technical and Vocational Education Division of the Ministry. Universities are self-administered and government financed.
Universities can only be established in accordance with an Incorporation Order signed by the King. The International Islamic
University was founded under a co-sponsorship between the Malaysian Government, Maldives, the Organization of Islamic Conference,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Libya and Saudi Arabia. Under the University and University Colleges Act 1995, the highest university
authorities are the Administrative Board (Council) and the Senate. Threee foreign universities have recently established campuses
in Malaysia: Monash University, Curtin University and Nottingham University-Malaysian campus.
Main laws/decrees
governing higher education:
Decree:
Education Act Year: 1996
Decree:
National Accreditation Board Act Year: 1996
Decree:
National Council on Higher Education Act Year: 1996
Decree:
Private Higher Education Institutions Act Year: 1996
Decree:
University and University Colleges (Amendments) Act Year: 1996
Academic
year:
Classes
from: Jul to: Mar
Languages
of instruction: English, Malay
Stages of
studies:
Post-secondary
studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university
level:
Technical
and vocational higher education is provided in polytechnics, the MARA Institute of Technology, the Tunku Abdul Rahman College
and teacher training colleges. These institutions offer two- to three-year courses leading to Certificates and Diplomas.
University
level studies:
University
level first stage: Bachelor's degree:
Courses
leading to the award of the Bachelor's degree last for three to five years. They are awarded as First Class degrees,
Second Class Upper with Honours, Second Class Lower with Honours, and General degrees. In Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary
Medicine and Architecture, the Bachelor's degree is awarded after five or six years.
University
level second stage: Master's degree:
The Master's
degree is conferred after two years' further study. Students must hold a Bachelor's degree with Honours at least at Second
Class level and be able to pursue in-depth study in a given field or a combination of fields or a combination of fields as
well as the pursue research or a project in the proposed field of study. For the Post-graduate Diploma, the entry requirements
are a Bachelor's degree from the university or equivalent qualifications or other qualifications and experience acknowledged
by the Senate.
University
level third stage: Doctor of Philosophy:
The Doctor
of Philosophy degree is awarded after a minimum of two years' further study and research. The minimum entry requirement
are a higher level Master's degree and the ability to pursue research in the proposed field. In addition, candidates must
pass oral examinations and, in some cases, written examinations. Students must defend a thesis. There are also Higher Doctoral
degrees for outstanding contributions to knowledge, e.g. Doctor of Science (DSc), Doctor of Letters (Dlitt) and Doctor of
Laws (DLl). Some universities award a Doctoral Degree to known scholars on the basis of published work. An Honorary Doctoral
Degree is awarded to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the field without pursuing typical academic careers.
Teacher
education:
Training
of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary
school teachers are trained in a two-and-a-half-years' post SPM course at a teacher-training college leading to a Teaching
Certificate.
Training
of secondary school teachers
Secondary
school teachers are trained in a one-year postgraduate course leading to a Diploma in Education or a Bachelor in Education
in public universities. Teacher Training Colleges offer a three-year Diploma in Teaching (Diploma Perguruan Malaysia).
Training
of higher education teachers
To teach
at the MARA Institute of Technology, the minimum requirement is a first degree with honours. After completing their studies
for a Master's degree and for a Doctor's degree, students are allowed to teach in higher education institutions.
Non-traditional
studies:
Lifelong
higher education
Non-university
level postsecondary education is offered by several universities which conduct courses to upgrade the skills of staff members.
Diplomas and Certificates are awarded to those who have completed the course, which generally takes one to two years. The
minimum entrance requirement is the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and some years of work experience.
Other forms
of non-formal higher education
Non-formal
studies consist of off-campus programmes offered by the University of Science, Malaysia, to allow working adults to follow
undergraduate courses on a part-time basis. There are three programmes, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Social Science
and the Bachelor of Arts.
NATIONAL
BODIES
Administration
& co-ordination:
Responsible
authorities:
Department
of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
Minister
of Education: Musa Muhamad
Secretary-General:
Johari Mai
Paras 7
Block J, Pusat Bandar Damansara
50604 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60(3)
255-6812
Fax: +60(3)
255-5305
ADMISSIONS
TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission
to non university higher education studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokesional
For entry
to: Polytechnics, Teacher Training Colleges, Colleges
Name of
secondary school credential required: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
For entry
to: Polytechnics, Teacher Training Colleges, Colleges
Alternatives
to credentials:
Sijil Tinggi
Malaysia
Admission
to university-level studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia
Other admission
requirements: Students must hold credits in at least five subjects, Bahasa Melayu/Malay, Mathematics and two other subjects.
Such qualifications must be obtained in one examination.
Foreign
students admission
Definition
of foreign student: Non resident and non citizen
Admission
requirements: Foreign students with the Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate or an equivalent to the Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia may apply as regular or non-graduating students at the University of Malaya. Graduates with degrees from universities
recognized by the University Senate can also apply to read for higher degrees at the University. Students must apply to the
university registrar by the end of March of the academic year.
Entry regulations:
Foreign students must hold a student visa and depending on the country of origin a student pass (not allowed to work).
Health requirements:
A medical check up is required.
Language
requirements: The language of instruction is Bahasa Malaysia with some courses in English. Students must be proficient in
the national language.
Application
procedures:
Apply to
individual institution for entry to: Higher education institutions
Application
closing dates:
For non-university
level (technical/vocational type) studies: 31 Mar
For university
level studies: 31 Mar
For advanced/doctoral
studies: 31 Mar
Recognition
of studies & qualifications:
Studies
pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
External
Affairs Division, Ministry of Education
5th Floor
Block F (North) Damansara Town Centre
50604 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60(3)
255-6812
Fax: +60(3)
255-5305
References
to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
Title: Handbook
on Diplomas, Degrees and other Certificates in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific
Publisher:
UNESCO PROAP
Year of
publication: 1998
STUDENT
LIFE
Student
expenses and financial aid
Student
costs:
Home students
tuition fees: Minimum: 1100 (Malaysian Ringgit)
Maximum:
4400 (Malaysian Ringgit)
Publications
on student services and financial aid:
Title: Study
Abroad 2000-2001
Publisher:
UNESCO/IBE
Year of
publication: 1999
GRADING
SYSTEM
Usual grading
system in secondary school
Full Description:
The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia is graded 1-9. 1 cemerlang (distinction); 2; 3 kapujian (credit); 4; 5; 6; 7 lulus (pass); 8;
9 gagal (fail)
Highest
on scale: 1
Pass/fail
level: 7
Lowest on
scale: 9
Main grading
system used by higher education institutions
Full Description:
Bachelor's degree: Class 1; Class 2 division i: Class 2 division ii; Class 3
Highest
on scale: A
Pass/fail
level: C
Lowest on
scale: F
Other main
grading systems
The International
Islamic University uses letter grades: A-F; A=excellent; B+ very good; B good; C+ redeemable; C redeemable; F Fail
(Source:
Ministry of Education, Kuala Lumpur)
