What Are the Top Choices for Pre-University Among Students Today?

With SPM finally coming to an end, students would begin to look for pre-university options. There are various programmes offered in institutions across Malaysia such as Foundation, A-Levels, Australian Matriculation, American Degree Program (ADP), Canadian Pre-University (CPU) among others.

However, two of the most popular options among students that have remained constant are A-Levels and Foundation. Below, we’ll break down the two pre-u options to figure out exactly what makes them so attractive.

Foundation studies

Foundation programmes, often considered a ‘fast track’ option, are a popular choice for students who have already set their hearts on a particular course and institution to pursue their degree programme in. Because of its specific structure leading into the degree stage, your foundation qualification may not be recognised if you decide to switch universities. The assessments for foundation programmes may vary with universities, though students are typically assessed through a mix of coursework (e.g. assignments, tests, research projects, presentations) and exams.

Advance Tertiary College (ATC), located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, offers a Foundation in Arts programme that provides a smooth transition into its degree courses. The programme is one year long and comprises core subjects within the arts and business field such as Business Communication, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, Introduction to Law, Principles of Economic as well as Mathematics and English. Accounting, Commerce and other Law subjects are also available as electives.

The entry requirements for ATC’s Foundation in Arts programme are; a pass in SPM, SPMV, O-Levels or an equivalent with at least 5 credits, or a pass in UEC with at least grade B in 3 subjects.

The Foundation in Arts programme intakes at ATC are in January, April and September.

Why study Foundation in Arts at Advance Tertiary College (ATC)?

The Foundation in Arts programme at ATC provides a seamless academic pathway into various degree programmes, such as Bachelor of Accounting (Hons), Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), University of London Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), and any other degrees that are related to the business and arts field.

On top of that, ATC’s Foundation in Arts programme also provides a comprehensive syllabus that is specific to the area of study. Thus, choosing the right subject combination is important so that the subjects you choose can overlap and be linked with one another to ensure a smooth structure. The programme also equips students with critical thinking and independent learning skills to help students understand and adjust themselves to the needs of the modern world.

As a preparatory programme before the degree stage, students of the foundation programme also get a glimpse of the higher education environment before jumping straight in.

A-Levels

A-Levels are a globally-recognised qualification accepted by most, if not all, universities in Malaysia and beyond. The assessments are 100% exam-based, which is similar to the structure of SPM exams.

This sense of familiarity may be why many post-SPM students tend to lean toward choosing A-Levels as their pre-u option. A-Levels are widely accepted by most, if not all, universities in Malaysia and beyond.

ATC offers a unique take on A-Levels, providing a course structure targeted to pursuing a degree in business or arts upon completion. There are seven subjects to choose from, namely Law, Business, Literature in English, Psychology, Economics, Mathematics, and Accounting. With A-Levels, it is entirely up to you to choose the best combination of subjects based on the course you want to pursue for your degree. The programme duration is between 15-18 months long.

The entry requirement for ATC’s A-Levels programme is a minimum of 5 credits in SPM, O-Levels or an equivalent.

The A-Levels programme intakes at ATC are in January, March, July and September.

Why study A-Levels at Advance Tertiary College (ATC)?

ATC’s A-Levels programme is guaranteed to be globally recognised, and so students have a chance to pursue their studies at leading universities worldwide, and eventually even work abroad with these qualifications.

Although the A-Levels programme is a short one with a maximum of 18 months, ATC provides a platform for students to learn and master the subjects that they take within that period of time, with an emphasis on communication and research in English. A-Levels as an international syllabus is conducted locally in ATC Kuala Lumpur. Thus with this setup, students are able to gain knowledge just as those studying A-Levels outside of Malaysia are, while retailing a local relevance.

On top of that, despite being 100% exam-based, ATC’s A-Levels programme challenges students to think critically on a range of issues that will be relevant in the real world.

Scholarships offered by Advance Tertiary College (ATC)

There are several scholarships offered by ATC, such as the Advance Tertiary College Management Scholarship. Besides that, ATC also offers a full 100% merit scholarship for school leavers attaining 8A's and above. Partial scholarships are awarded for students with other merit achievements on a case-by-case basis.

If you’re interested in applying for a place at ATC for their January 2020 intake, click on the link below to get more information and begin your application!

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For more information about ATC, do visit http://www.atc2u.edu.my/.