Review Entire Programme of Study at Public University, Private University and Skills Institute Recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)

Generally, most students would only fill out applications to further their studies after they have obtained their results. This is because it makes the application process easier when you know what your results are eligible for. For the majority, public universities would be the first choice since it is a cheaper option. 

On the other hand, there are also students who would choose to study at private universities especially since graduates from private universities find it easier to get jobs compared to public university graduates. Another reason why students often choose private universities is because the eligibility requirements are less stringent and lower than public universities, enabling them to pursue studies in a field they are interested in. 

There are also students who choose to further their studies in skills college since the fees and study period are shorter. The salaries are also rewarding, similar to public and private university graduates since employers measure salary based on skills and experience. 

Whatever your choice is, remember to get yourself  enrolled in a programme of study that is recognized and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Be it a certificate or a degree programme, you need to ask yourself if it is recognized and worthy of your education investments. 

What is MQA? MQA is a body responsible for providing an official certification that the certificate, diploma or degree awarded to graduates meets the quality standards and criteria set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and is in line with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).

Only programmes that have obtained a Certificate of Accreditation are entitled or permitted to  claim their 'Accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) status in their advertisements. 

Advantages of the MQA Status 

The Accreditation status granted by the MQA has several advantages. Apart from being a benchmark for the quality of study programmes available, it also provides other benefits as follows: 

• Facilitate students to get financial assistance, where students are eligible to be considered for a loan from a funding agency such as the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN)
• Facilitate the transfer of credit to the next level of study, however the transfer of credit of the subject is subject to the conditions and final decision of the institution concerned
• Enable students to further their studies at local or foreign institutions
• Graduates are eligible to serve for the public sector. Likewise, employers in the private sector also look for graduates with accredited study programmes. 
• Institutions may franchise accredited programs to other institutions, however, subject to certain conditions

Well, now that you can see the importance of MQA status, don’t get deceived by higher education institutions that will promise you everything until you get enrolled.  All public university programmes are accredited but not all private university programmes are. We know that many private universities are profit-driven and are willing to put students' lives at stake by offering unaccredited courses that will only scale down and limit their job options in future. For a comprehensive checklist of do's and don'ts, read our article on Important Tips You Should Know Before Selecting a Private University to Further Your Studies

Check for Eligibility Requirements

Before you decide to get yourself enrolled in a study programme, make sure that you follow and meet the eligibility requirements for the course you have chosen. Therefore, when you proceed to check for the accreditation, you can check based on the course. Do a university and course search. If the university or course is not on the list, contact the university and request for clarification. 

However, if you still do not know where and what field to pursue your studies in, you can  refer to courses at all public and private universities registered under MQA, including skills study programmes. 

That way, you can get an idea of what you want to study and at the same time, you cancheck whether or not the programme has an MQA qualification. To get started, review the MQA qualifications by visiting the links we have included in this article.

Public University 

• MQA accreditation qualifications for study programs offered at all Public Universities
• MQA accreditation qualification for study programs offered at all Polytechnics
• MQA accreditation qualification for study programs offered at all Colleges/Public Institutions

Private University 

• MQA accreditation qualifications for study programs offered at all Private Universities
• MQA accreditation qualifications for programs of study offered at all Private University Colleges
• MQA accreditation qualification for study programs offered at all colleges/institutions

Skills Institutions

• MQA accreditation qualifications for programs of study offered at all skills institutions

Finally, we hope that this article will prevent you from becoming a prey to fake certificates and falling for deceives. All you need to do is to make sure that the certificate is recognized by the MQA. Your chances of working with public and private sector will be wide open. We wish you all the best! 

If you are still unsure of which private university is best suited for the course you want to pursue, you can schedule a personalized 20 minutes FREE counselling with our Afterschool Expert Counsellors. Our counsellors will help you make the right choice according to your financial ability, interests and job prospects. 

Afterschool.my is Malaysia’s no 1 higher education website that provides helpful information on courses, institutions and scholarships for students transitioning from secondary school to university level.