Public Universities : Bachelor’s Degree for Diploma Holders

Introduction
Although the normal entry requirements into public universities are STPM/STAM and the Ministry of Education’s Matriculation qualifications, there are certain Government recognised Diploma qualifications which qualify as entry requirements. These diplomas are offered by USM, UKM, UPM, UTM, UiTM, KUSTEM, Polytechnic of the Ministry of Education.

Other qualifications include Certificate/Diploma awarded by Bahagian Pendidikan Guru of the Ministry of Education, Diploma qualifications from KUiTTHO, Akademi Laut Malaysia, Institusi Telekomunikasi & Teknologi Maklumat Taiping, British Malaysian Institute (BMI), German Malaysian Institute (GMI), Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman and other qualifications that are recognized by the Malaysian government and approved by the Senate of public universities. To obtain a list of these accepted Diploma qualifications, please refer to e-guide for admission into IPTA at http://www.mohe.gov.my/ .

All the 17 public universities offer Bachelor’s Degree programmes for Diploma holders who are qualified.

Most of the candidates who qualify will be admitted to the Year 2 of the programme based on their credits transferred. As such, these types of candidates can be considered as a separate batch from those who hold STPM / matriculation qualifications. Therefore, the seats prepared for these candidates are not included in the allocation of seats for STPM / equivalent leavers. However, Diploma holders, who are applying for a different programme from that of the diploma level and they do not qualify for credit transfers, will have to apply into the Year 1 of the Degree programmes. In such cases, they have to compete with STPM/Matriculation holders for seats. However the STPM / matriculation leavers will be given priority.
Application Requirements
Diploma holders who wish to apply into the public universities for First Bachelor’s Degree programmes must meet the following criteria:
- 2.1 General Requirement
  Applicants need to possess STPM/STP/HSC or Diploma qualifications or its equivalent which are recognised by the Malaysian Government and the IPTA University Senate.
- 2.2 Minimum Requirements
  - Applicants must have passed SPM or its equivalent approved by the Malaysian Government PLUS credit in Bahasa Malaysia / Bahasa Melayu / an equivalent subject approved by the Malaysian Government. A credit for Bahasa Malaysia/Bahasa Melayu in the July paper is acceptable.
  - Minimum requirements as per the programme selected
English Language Requirement
Have sat for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET)
Specific conditions
Applicants must meet all specific requirements of the programmes chosen, which would be stated in the e-guide of the IPTA for admission of Diploma holders
Categories & Choice of programmes
Diploma holders who wish to apply to enter into public universities for the First Bachelor’s Degree programme come under two categories. Applicants can only apply to one category.
1. Catgegory E (Arts Stream)
  This category of courses are for Diploma holders who passed STPM/STP/HSC in the Arts Stream taken in or before the year 2001
2. Catgegory F (Science Stream)
  This category of courses are for Diploma holders who passed STPM/STP/HSC in the Science Stream taken in or before the year 2001
An applicant is allowed to select 8 preferred programmes in his/her application to study in a public university. However, if the 8 selected programmes have been filled up by other better qualified applicants, he/she will be offered other programmes deemed suitable according to his/her examination results and availability of place in the selected university. Nevertheless, those who scored full marks, which means a CGPA of 4.00 in their STPM results, will have a better chance of being enrolled into their preferred choice of programme.

• Programmes of Study for Bumiputra
All programmes of study offered by UiTM are meant for Bumiputra candidates only.
Criteria of Selection by BPKP
Below are some other factors that would be considered in the application:
1. Good academic results in the Diploma or its quivalent
2. The right combination of the Diploma subjects that match the subject requirements of the intended programme being applied for
3. Good subject grade for purpose of specialisation
4. Fulfilment of the specific conditions set by the respective university
5. Availability of places/seats
6. Good grades in the SPM examination
7. Good grades for co-curricular activities
8. Good grade in the MUET
9. Passing the interview (part of the entry requirements for some programmes such as Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Sports Science, Physical Education, etc)
On-line Application
Applicants can apply through the Internet through the BPKP website http://emoe.gov.my (please refer to their e-guide for details on how to submit application forms online to their website.)

Purchase of Unique ID No.
Online application must be submitted with the purchase of a Postal Order (RM15) and submitted to Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN). Applicants will have to pay 60cts to BSN as service charge. Applicants must obtain a receipt from BSN which should be issued towards the applicant’s name and IC number.
Application Status
Applicants can check whether their application have been accepted or rejected via the BPKP (UPU) infoline, Tele-UPU-Celcom, SMS, Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri (JPN), http://www.jpt.uum.edu.my/, http://www.jpt.utm.my/ or alternatively, contact the respective university chosen.

Jabatan PendidkanTinggi (JPT) will notify the successful students while the offer letter will be issued by the university concerned.

All enquiries about application to pursue Bachelor’s degree programmes after Diploma examinations can be addressed to:

Pengarah
(u.p: Timbalan Pengarah BPKP IPT)
Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi
Ministry of Higher Education
Aras 1, Blok E9, Parcel E
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62505 Putrajaya
Tel: 03-8883 5801/5802
Fax: 03-8889 4260 (for enquiries / correspondence only)

CONCLUSION

The aspirations of the Government for the education industry and thus, the development of the nation are very much supported by public universities. Public university education provides a sound and solid education recognised by both the public and private sector organisations. These institutions offer programmes in line with the objectives of the Government which is very much the needs of the industries and the nation. Due to this, the places for the programmes are limited and competition for these places is very keen. This makes it difficult for students to gain entry into these institutions.

Nevertheless, youths in Malaysia can still obtain education because of the private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) which are putting in concerted effort with the public universities. There are more than 500 PHEIs consisting of private universities, foreign university branch campuses and private colleges. Many of these institutions offer twinning degree programmes or full 3+0 and 4+0 degree programmes in collaboration with overseas universities from countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Thus, Malaysian and even foreign students have a wide choice of selection of tertiary education at the wider selection of higher education institutions.

(Note: The above information may not be up-to-date. It merely serves as a guide. Kindly refer to the relevant government agencies for the latest ruling and requirements.)

References:
1. E-Panduan Permohonan Kemasukan ke IPTA Program Pengajian Lepasan

STPM/Setarafi Sesi Akademik 2006/2007
2. Bahagian Pengurusan Kemasukan Pelajar, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi

Malaysia for Sesi Akademik 2005/2006
3. Brochure ‘Dasar Pengambilan Pelajar Program Pengajian Lepasan

STPM/Setaraf as at December 2005
4. http://www.studymalaysia.com/ website
5. http://www.mohe.gov.my/ website