Malaysia

Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and consists of thirteen states and three federal territories. It shares land and border with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines. Malaysia became the 43^rd most populous country in the world.

The southernmost point of continental Eurasia, Tanjung Piai is in Malaysia, located in the tropics. It is one of 17 mega diverse countries on earth, with large numbers of endemic species. Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia. Today, Malaysia has a newly
industrialized market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 29^th largest in the world.

School System

• Optional Kindergarten : Age 3 – 6 years
• Obligatory Primary School : Age 7 – 12 years
• Secondary Education : Age 13 – 17 years

This is divided into lower secondary (3 years) and upper secondary (2 years) education which are both ended with a standardized test.

Post-Secondary Education

• Age 17 – 18 years
• This prepares the student who wants to attend a university

Professional Education

• Vocationally oriented Certificate and Diploma programs are offered at Polytechnics, Private Colleges, and Community Colleges.
• Certificate programs typically require two years of study.
• Diploma programs take 2 to 3 years. Diplomas grant entry to further study leading to an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree.

Higher Education

Polytechnics, Private Colleges, Community Colleges, and some Universities offer programs in professional fields leading to various credentials.

Certificate [ 60 Credits ]

• It requires 1.5 to 2 years of full time study following the Certificate of Education.

Diploma [ 90 Credits ]

• It requires at least 2 to 3 years of full time study
  Diploma Programs include both theoretical and practical studies and are focused in professional disciplines.

Advanced Diploma [ 40 Credits ]

• It requires an additional year of study after a Diploma and designed for managerial training in a professional context.

Bachelor Degree [ 120 or Higher Credits ]

• Bachelor Degrees require at least 3 years of full time study.
• Degrees in professional fields require a higher number of credits and a longer period of study.
• Programs in accounting, dentistry, engineering, and law require 4 years.
• Programs in architecture, veterinary medicine, and medicine require 5 years of study.

Graduate Certificate & Diploma [ 30 Credits / 60 Credits ]

• The qualifications are awarded following completion of education or formal training, recognition of work experience, inclusive of voluntary work or in combination.
• They are used for continuing professional development, changing a field of training or expertise, and as an entry qualification to a higher level with credit transfer.

Master’s Degree

• Master’s programs last 1 to 2 years following the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Programs can be undertaken as a pure research degree, pure coursework and examination or a mix of coursework and minor thesis.

Doctoral Degrees

• Doctoral degrees are offered mainly at public universities although some private universities offer a limited number of programs, typically in applied disciplines and in collaboration with industry.