One of the biggest milestones for students in Malaysia is to graduate from secondary education. After obtaining the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam results, what should I do next? For many SPM school leavers, applying for university degree courses is a natural transition. Here are some of the common higher education pathways to explore after obtaining the SPM results:
Certificate
Certification courses are usually taken by individuals who want to gain a new skill or ability in a specific industry. These courses consist of practical training that can immediately be applied in real-industry work. The duration of a certification course is normally two years or less.
Most certificate programmes only require at least 1 SPM credit to enrol into. INTI’s certificate courses are one of the academic qualifications students can consider after SPM. It is a post-secondary education route that gives candidates with below-average SPM results a second chance to apply subsequently for a diploma or degree course. Read the testimonies of our graduates, Harith and Nathaniel, on how INTI’s “Certificate of Hope” has benefited them when they were not sure what to do after obtaining their SPM results.
Diploma
Diploma courses are generally more in-depth than certificate programmes in terms of academic and theoretical knowledge. While not every SPM school leaver is after academic knowledge and theories, this component of diploma courses is helpful for students to see the bigger picture. Also, it will be a great addition to the hands-on internship opportunities included in some diploma courses. A diploma programme usually takes two years or more to complete.
Overall, taking a diploma course can benefit students in two ways: you will get to know if the chosen field is what you want to pursue later in your bachelor’s degree, or to increase your chances of employment for junior roles in companies and corporations in Malaysia.
Bachelor’s Degree
Having a bachelor’s degree is now a minimum academic qualification to have when applying for a job. A degree course is a study programme where you have to pick an area of specialisation. During your study, you will also be taking up general courses such as English classes in addition to elective subjects. Unlike certificate and diploma courses which have a shorter duration, bachelor degrees can take up to three years or more to complete. The sooner you earn your degree, the faster you can apply for a wider range of job positions.
Alternatively, you can pursue your postgraduate studies right after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Or if you currently cannot enrol for an undergraduate degree due to work or family obligations, there is another post-secondary education pathway for you to consider.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
“What should I do after SPM?” Some school leavers respond to that question by choosing to work immediately. Thankfully, the Malaysian government has established APEL as an initiative to make higher learning accessible to working adults. Course programmes that are APEL-certified allow you to convert your work experience into academic entry qualifications. In other words, work professionals who lack formal academic qualifications can enrol in a diploma, bachelor or masters degree course via APEL.
INTI Education Counselling Centres
Looking for guidance on what to do after getting your SPM results? INTI International University & Colleges provide candidates with education advice and tertiary pathway choices for you to decide and make an informed decision. Click here to reach out to us today!