University & College

University & College
After sitting for their STPM or SPM, Malaysian students who wish to acquire tertiary education (pendidikan tertiari) will enrol in colleges (kolej) or universities (universiti) of choice. Between the two, enrollment into a public university is the more coveted due to its limited admittance and the stiff competition. Almost all STPM candidates aspire to gain admittance into these public universities. Compared to earning a degree (ijazah) in an overseas university, public universities offer unparalled savings in tuition and education costs. Examples of these public institutions of higher learning (IPTA - Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam, Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi Awam) are Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Kolej Universiti Islam Malaysia (KUIM), Kolej Universiti Sains & Teknologi Malaysia (KUSTEM), Kolej Universiti Teknikal Kebangsaan Malaysia (KUTKM), Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Malaysia (KUKTEM), Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan Utara Malaysia (KUKUM) and Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn (KUiTTHO). The establishment of university colleges (kolej universiti) is a relatively recent development in Malaysia. While not enjoying the full status of a university, university colleges seek to combine the best of academic degree programs from universities with the best of practical diploma / certificate programs from colleges.

Apart from IPTA, there are also private institutions of higher learning (IPTS - Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta, Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi Swasta) offering quality tertiary education in Malaysia. Some of the more better-known IPTS are Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Open University Malaysia (OUM) - Universiti Terbuka Malaysia, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysian University of Science & Technology (MUST), University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Monash University Malaysia Campus, International Medical University (IMU), Asian Institute of Medicine, Science & Technology (AIMST), Kolej Universiti Teknologi & Pengurusan Malaysia (KUTPM) - University College of Technology & Management Malaysia and Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology. The private institutions of learning (IPS - Institusi Pengajian Swasta, Institusi Pendidikan Swasta) in Malaysia also include many colleges and institutes that offer programs lower than degree level. Examples are Kolej Damansara Utama (KDU), Sunway College, Nilai International College, Taylor's College, Sedaya College, INTI College, Metropolitan College, Asia-Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), IPG College, KBU International College, Informatics and PRIME College.

Internal Degree Programs (Program Ijazah Dalaman) are offered by universities and university colleges either of the IPTA or IPTS variety. The available levels of study span from Undergraduate Level (Tahap Prasiswazah) such as Bachelor's Degree, First Degree (Ijazah Sarjana Muda, Ijazah Pertama) to Postgraduate or Higher Degree Level (Tahap Pascasiswazah, Ijazah Lanjutan) such as Master's Degree (Ijazah Sarjana) and Ph.D / Doctorate Degree (Ijazah Doktor Falsafah, Kedoktoran). Graduate studies (pengajian siswazah) in Malaysian universities are accredited and recognized by the international academic community. On the other hand, Advanced Diploma, Diploma and Certificate programs are offered by university colleges, colleges and institutes of private learning (IPS). Some IPTS and IPS also conduct collaborative programs with overseas universities; for example: Twinning Programs (Program Berkembar), Credit Transfer Programs (Program Pemindahan Kredit), Advanced Standing Programs, External Degree Programs (Program Ijazah Luaran) and Distance Learning Programs (Program Pengajian Jarak Jauh,Program Pedidikan Jarak Jauh). Tutorial programs that prepare students for popular examinations are also available, such as for pre-university courses and for professional courses (kursus profesional). Examples of popular preuniversity exams are GCE 'A' Level (UK), SAM (Australia), OSSD (Canada), WATEE (Australia) and LCCI (UK). Examples of professional exams are AIA, AAT, ABE, CIM, ACCA, CLP, MACPA and IBBM.