Now that you have completed your secondary school education, it’s time to think about which type of degree and courses to pursue. One of the popular tertiary options is to undertake a Diploma programme. Before discussing the benefits of Diploma courses, let’s talk about what a Diploma is to establish a better understanding of Diploma programmes.
Benefits of Pursuing a Diploma in Malaysia
What Is a Diploma?
In a nutshell, a Diploma course is one of the preliminary academic degrees you can opt for prior to enrolling for an undergraduate degree. If you’re wondering what level is a diploma, it lies between a Foundation programme and an undergraduate degree. In other words, it is a higher qualification compared to a Foundation programme and is equivalent to a first-year undergraduate degree at university. If you’re planning to work while studying, taking a part-time Diploma or an online Diploma course is common.
Advantages of Taking a Diploma:
1. Lower Entry Requirements
Searching for the right Pre-University programme among hundreds of courses in Malaysia after SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, some Pre-University programmes like A-Levels require a higher academic score in SPM to enrol. For students who did not perform well in SPM, they can consider taking a Diploma course which requires a minimum of 3 to 5 credits, including a pass in Bahasa Melayu, History and English. This provides an opportunity for them to continue with undergraduate studies afterwards.
2. Shortens Duration of Study to Enter the Workforce Early
As mentioned earlier, a Diploma is the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate degree. This means that you can immediately enrol at Year 2 or above of your undergraduate degree. One thing to note, however, is that a Diploma programme has a longer duration which typically takes between 2 to 3 years to complete depending on the field of study. Nonetheless, this still speeds up the completion time of your undergraduate degree programme because the Diploma course has already fulfilled the first-year academic requirements.
3. Eligible for PTPTN Loan
Investing in tertiary education can amount to a hefty sum of money. Fortunately, Pre-University programmes like Diplomas are eligible for government financial loans like PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional). Foreign-based programmes such as A-Levels, Certificate of Pre-University (CPU), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) are excluded from PTPTN loan eligibility. Keeping in mind tuition fees, accommodation, food and travelling expenses, having the option to apply for PTPTN will relieve your financial burden so that you can have peace of mind to achieve your education dreams. You only have to pay off the loan once you’ve completed your studies.
4. Learn Practical and Hands-On Skills
What makes a Diploma graduate great is the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills that are obtained from specialised Diploma course syllabus and attached internships. Moreover, Diplomas are versatile programmes that can be paired with other fields of interest in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For example, professionals from engineering and ICT backgrounds often pair their experiences with business-based postgraduate programmes as they move into management and leadership roles.
There are no fixed education routes for anyone to take after SPM. What’s most important is to do your own research and see if the type of Pre-University course is aligned with your skills, preferences and expected completion time.
INTI International University & Colleges offers a range of Diploma programmes from Marketing, Finance and Business to Computer Science and Information Technology.
Visit us for more information on our Diploma programmes today!