University admission in Malaysia

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2023. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• Pre-university/ Preparatory Programmes1 years, from age 17

  Minimum entry: Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM)

  Awards: Malaysian Higher School Certificate/ Malaysia Religious Higher School Certificate/Completion of Pre-University/Completion of Preparatory Programmes/General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-Level

• Diploma (Business Administration, Management) (Year 1)1 years, from age 17

  Minimum entry: Malaysian Certificate of education (SPM)

  Awards: Successfully completed Year 1 Diploma (Business Administration, Management)

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• Bachelor's3.5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Malaysian Higher school certificate (STPM)/Malaysia Religious Higher School Certificate (STAM)/GCE A' Level/Matriculation/Diploma

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Bachelor in Teacher Education4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completion of foundation programmes for Bachelor of Teacher Education Programme

  Awards: Bachelor in Teacher Education

• Bachelor's (medicine, dentistry and veterinary science)5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Malaysian Higher school certificate (STPM)/Malaysia Religious Higher School Certificate (STAM)/GCE A Level/Matriculation

  Awards: Bachelor's degree (medicine, dentistry and veterinary science)

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• Diploma (Business Administration, Management) Years 2-32 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 Diploma (Business Administration, Management)

  Awards: Diploma (Business Administration, Management) Years 2-3

• Vocational college (Year 4)1 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed Year 3 of Malaysia Vocational Diploma (DVM) Programme

  Awards: Malaysia Vocational Diploma (DVM)

• CIDB Skill Programme (Year 2)1 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 in CIDB Competency Skill Certificate

  Awards: CIDB Competency Skill Certificate

• Skill Training Programme (Public Skills Institute/Private Skills Institute) Year 21 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 Skill Training Programme

  Awards: 1. Malaysia Skills Certificate (SKM) level 3 and 4 2. Technology Certificate (ST) 3. Industrial Technician Certificate (SJP) 4. Malaysia Energy Commission Certificate (SSTM)

• Skill Training Programme (Public Skills Institute/Private Skills Institute) Year 2-32 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 Skill Training Programme

  Awards: 1. Malaysia Skills Diploma (DKM) 2. Technology Diploma (DT)

• Agriculture Certificate Programme (Year 2-3)2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 Agriculture Certificate Programme

  Awards: Certificate in Agriculture

• Polytechnic diploma (Year 2 and 3)2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 Diploma Programme in Polytechnic

  Awards: Polytechnic Diploma in various technical and engineering field

• Nurses course Year 2-32 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Successfully completed Year 1 in Nurses course

  Awards: Diploma in Nursing

• Police Cadet - Sergeant9 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Diploma

  Awards: Certificate in Basic Police Course - Sergeant Level

• Skill Training Programme (Public Skills Institute/Private Skills Institute)1.5 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Malaysia Skills Diploma (DKM)

  Awards: Malaysia Skills Advanced Diploma

• Advanced Polytechnic Diploma2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Polytechnic Diploma

  Awards: Advanced Polytechnic Diploma

• Diploma in Fire Fighting Science1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Diploma in various field

  Awards: Diploma in Fire Fighting Science