Malaysia, education & tuition:

A background guide

This guide is written to help those who are not familiar with Malaysia understand better the
articles posted on this website. Many of the articles assume, on the part of the readers, a
comfortable level of knowledge in educational and societal norms of this country. For these and
also other country-specific references found elsewhere on this site, an introduction will be
helpful for foreigners. If you are a Malaysian, you might want to skip this guide and go straight
on to the collection of education & tuition articles or go to our main site. Whenever possible,
equivalent popular terms will be provided in the Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa
Malaysia) in italicized font.

Malaysia
To begin with, Malaysia is a constitutional
monarchy consisting of 13 states (negeri) and 3 federal
territories (wilayah persekutuan). The country is
geographically separated into two regions, West
Malaysia (Malaysia Barat) and East Malaysia (Malaysia
Timur), by the South China Sea (Laut China Selatan).
East Malaysia forms part of the Borneo island and
consists of 2 states, Sabah and Sarawak, and the Federal
Territory of Labuan (Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan).
West Malaysia, which is also known as Peninsular Malaysia (Semenanjung Malaysia) hosts the
remaining 11 states, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala
Lumpur), and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya (Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya). The capital
(ibu negara) of Malaysia is the City of Kuala Lumpur (Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur) - usually
abbreviated as KL; while Putrajaya is referred to as the country's administrative capital. On the
other hand, Labuan is a free port and also an offshore financial center. Following lists all the
states and their respective state capitals:

State (Negeri) - State Capital (Ibu Negeri)

• Johor (Johor) - Johor Bahru, or JB • Perlis (Perlis) - Kangar (Kangar)

(Johor Baru)
• Kedah (Kedah) - Alor Star (Alor Setar)
• Kelantan (Kelantan) - Kota Bharu (Kota
Bharu)
• Melaka (Melaka) - City of Malacca
(Bandaraya Melaka)
• Negeri Sembilan (Negeri Sembilan) -
Seremban (Seremban)
• Pulau Pinang (Pulau Pinang) - George
Town (Georgetown)
• Sabah (Sabah) - Kota Kinabalu, or KK
(Kota Kinabalu)
• Sarawak (Sarawak) - Kuching (Kuching)
• Selangor (Selangor) - Shah Alam (Shah
Alam)
• Terengganu (Terengganu) - Kuala
 • Pahang (Pahang) - Kuantan (Kuantan) Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu)
• Perak (Perak) - Ipoh (Ipoh)

The Malaysian people is a multi ethnic society made up of three

major races; the Malays and the Indigenous Peoples (Melayu &
Bumiputera, or Bumiputra); the Chinese (Cina); and the Indians
(India). By and large, the west coast (pantai barat) of Peninsular
Malaysia is dominantly populated by the Malays, while the east coast
(pantai timur) reflect a more heterogenous mixture of ethnicity. The
most extensive co-minglings occur in urban areas like the Klang
Valley (Lembah Kelang, or Lembah Klang); specifically in places such as Kuala Lumpur (KL),
Petaling Jaya (PJ), Subang Jaya (SJ), Cheras, Bangsar, Brickfields, Ampang, Damansara, Shah
Alam, Sri Hartamas, Selayang, Kepong, Kelana Jaya, Gombak, Rawang, USJ, Sri Petaling,
Puchong, Sunway etc. The national language (bahasa kebangsaan) is the Malay Language
(Bahasa Melayu, or Bahasa Malaysia, or BM), although English (Bahasa Inggeris, or BI) is
spoken extensively as a second language. Among the various ethnic groups, their mother tongues
(bahasa ibunda) are also used, such as Mandarin (Bahasa Mandarin, or Bahasa Cina),
Cantonese (Bahasa Kantonis), Tamil (Bahasa Tamil), Punjabi (Bahasa Punjabi) & etc. The
national currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (Ringgit Malaysia, or RM).

Kindergarten
Kindergarten or pre-schooling is compulsory for 6-year old
children in Malaysia. Pre-school (pra-sekolah, prasekolah)
institutions of this country are often known as Tadika (Taman didikan
kanak-kanak), Tabika (Taman bimbingan kanak-kanak), Taska
(Taman asuhan kanak-kanak), Nursery, Kindergarten etc. They all
follow the National Pre-school Curriculum (Kurikulum Prasekolah
Kebangsaan). Subjects taught under this curriculum include:

National Preschool Curiculum (Kurikulum Prasekolah Kebangsaan)

• Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu) • Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam); or

• English Language (Bahasa
Inggeris)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina);
or
Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil)
• Science (Sains)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• Socio-emotional Education (Pendidikan
Sosioemosi)
• Physical Education (Pendidikan Jasmani)
• Arts, Music & Creative Movement
(Pendidikan Seni, Muzik & Pergerakan
Kreatif)

Primary School
At age 7, children begin their formal education (pendidikan) in primary schools (sekolah
rendah). Primary schooling lasts 6 years altogether. Pupils advance
from Tahun 1 (Darjah 1, Primary 1, Standard 1, Year 1) through
Tahun 2 (Darjah 2, Primary 2, Standard 2, Year 2), Tahun 3 (Darjah
3, Primary 3, Standard 3, Year 3), Tahun 4 (Darjah 4, Primary 4,
Standard 4, Year 4), Tahun 5 (Darjah 5, Primary 5, Standard 5, Year
5) & Tahun 6 (Darjah 6, Primary 6, Standard 6, Year 6). Primary
schools can usually be recognised by the prefixes in their names, such
as SK - Sekolah Kebangsaan; SJK - Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan; SJK(C) - Sekolah Jenis
Kebangsaan Cina; SJK(T) - Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil; SRJK - Sekolah Rendah Jenis
Kebangsaan; SRJK(C) - Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina; SRJK(T) - Sekolah Rendah
Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil; and SA - Sekolah Agama. The multitudes of variations is due to the
fact that schools use different ethnic languages as their medium of instruction. However, they all
subscribe to the same national curriculum known as KBSR (Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Rendah /
Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah), or New Curriculum for Primary School / Integrated
Curriculum for Primary School. Using this scheme, primary schooling is separated into Level I
(Tahap I) and Level II (Tahap II). Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 are grouped as Level I; while Year 4,
Year 5 and Year 6 are grouped as Level II. The academic subjects (matapelajaran, mata
pelajaran) taught under KBSR are listed below:

Subjects in Level I - Years 1, 2 & 3 (Subjek dalam Tahap I - Tahun 1, 2 & 3)

• Malay Language (Bahasa • Music Education (Pendidikan Muzik)

Melayu) • Visual Arts Education (Pendidikan Seni Visual)
• English Language (Bahasa
• Physical Education (Pendidikan Jasmani)
Inggeris)
• Health Education (Pendidikan Kesihatan)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa
Cina) • Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa • Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
Tamil)
• Science (Sains)
• Mathematics (Matematik)

Subjects in Level II - Years 4, 5 & 6 (Subjek dalam Tahap II - Tahun 4, 5 & 6)

• Malay Language (Bahasa • Integrated Living Skills (Kemahiran Hidup

Melayu) Bersepadu)
• English Language (Bahasa • Music Education (Pendidikan Muzik)
Inggeris) • Visual Arts Education (Pendidikan Seni Visual)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa
• Physical Education (Pendidikan Jasmani)
Cina)
• Health Education (Pendidikan Kesihatan)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa
Tamil) • Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• Science (Sains) • Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
 • Mathematics (Matematik)
• Local Studies (Kajian
Tempatan)

Secondary School
After primary schooling, pupils will move on to secondary
schooling. However, those from ethnic primary schools who wish to
enter national schools will undergo a year in a remove class / remove
form (kelas peralihan / tingkatan peralihan). Secondary schooling
takes 5 years altogether. Students advance from Form1 (Tingkatan 1)
through Form 2 (Tingkatan 2), Form 3 (Tingkatan 3), Form 4
(Tingkatan 4) & Form 5 (Tingkatan 5). Similar to primary schools,
secondary schools can usually be recognised by the prefixes in their names, such as SMK -
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan; SMJK - Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan; SMJK(C) -
Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina; SMJK(T) - Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan
Tamil; SMB - Sekolah Menengah Bantuan; and SMA - Sekolah Menengah Agama. However,
they all subscribe to the same national curriculum known as KBSM (Kurikulum Baru Sekolah
Menengah / Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah), or New Curriculum for Secondary
School / Integrated Curriculum for Secondary School. Using this scheme, secondary schooling is
separated into Lower Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Rendah - SMR) and Upper
Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Atas - SMA). Form 1, Form 2 and Form 3 are grouped as
SMR; while Form 4 and Form 5 are grouped as SMA. The academic subjects (mata pelajaran)
taught under KBSM are listed below:

Subjects in Lower Secondary School - Forms 1, 2 & 3

(Subjek dalam Sekolah Menengah Rendah - Tingkatan 1, 2 & 3)

• Malay Language (Bahasa • Integrated Living Skills (Kemahiran Hidup

Melayu)
• English Language (Bahasa
Inggeris)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa
Cina)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa
Tamil)
• Science (Sains)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Geography (Geografi)
• History (Sejarah)
Bersepadu)
• Music Education (Pendidikan Muzik)
• Visual Arts Education (Pendidikan Seni Visual)
• Physical Education (Pendidikan Jasmani)
• Health Education (Pendidikan Kesihatan)
• Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
• Malay Language Practice (Amalan Bahasa
Melayu) - for Remove Class (Kelas Peralihan)
only
 Subjects in Upper Secondary School - Forms 4 & 5
(Subjek dalam Sekolah Menengah Atas - Tingkatan 4 & 5)

• Malay Language (Bahasa • Malay Literature (Kesusasteraan Melayu)

Melayu)
• English Language (Bahasa
Inggeris)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa
Cina)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa
Tamil)
• Science (Sains)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Geography (Geografi)
• Physics (Fizik)
• Chemistry (Kimia)
• Biology (Biologi)
• Sports Science (Sains Sukan)
• English for Science and Technology - EST
(Bahasa Inggeris untuk Sains dan Teknologi)
• Music Education (Pendidikan Muzik)
• Visual Arts Education (Pendidikan Seni Visual)
• Additional Mathematics (Matematik Tambahan)
• Physical Education (Pendidikan Jasmani)
• Health Education (Pendidikan Kesihatan)
• Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
• Basic Economics (Ekonomi Asas)
• Information Technology (Teknologi Maklumat)

Apart from the subjects listed above, Form 4 and Form 5 students in vocational
(vokasional, vokesyenal) schools can also select the following subjects:

Subjects in Vocational School - Forms 4 & 5

(Subjek dalam Sekolah Vokasional - Tingkatan 4 & 5)

• Domestic Construction (Pembinaan • Aquaculture and Recreational Animals

Domestik)
• Furniture Making (Membuat Perabot)
• Signage Design (Seni Reka Tanda)
• Food Planting (Tanaman Makanan)
• Facial Care and Hairdressing
(Penjagaan Muka dan Dandanan
Rambut)
• Domestic Electrical Appliances
Servicing (Menservis Peralatan Elektrik
Domestik)
• Clothing Design and Sewing (Rekaan
dan Jahitan Pakaian)
• Catering and Serving (Katering dan
Penyajian)
(Akuakultur dan Haiwan Rekreasi)
• Cooling and Air-Conditioning
Equipment Servicing (Menservis
Peralatan Penyejukan dan Penyamanan
Udara)
• Basic Interior Design (Hiasan Dalaman
Asas)
• Early Childhood Education and Care
(Asuhan dan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-
Kanak)
• Multimedia Production (Produksi
Multimedia)
• Computer Graphics (Grafik
Berkomputer)
 • Landscape and Nursery (Lanskap dan • Food Processing (Pemprosesan
Nurseri) Makanan)
• Domestic Wiring (Pendawaian
Domestik)
• Automobile Servicing (Menservis
Automobil)

In addition to Forms 1 to 5, there is also a Form 6 (Tingkatan 6) which serves as a pre-

university (pra-universiti) level. Form 6 students comprise of two stages - Lower 6 (Tingkatan 6
Bawah) and Upper 6 (Tingkatan 6 Atas). Students in Form 6 are usually aiming to enter one of
the several local universities in Malaysia. In order to achieve that, they will have to do well in the
STPM examination. The subjects available in Form 6 will be covered in the section on STPM
below.

UPSR
UPSR, short for Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah or Primary School Achievement Test is
a compulsory national examination (peperiksaan kebangsaan) for Year 6 primary school
students. These pupils will sit for the exam at the end of their academic year. Not all subjects that
are taught in school will be tested though. Only selected subjects considered as important are
covered in the UPSR. These subjects are:

Subjects in Primary School Achievement Test, UPSR - Year 6

(Subjek dalam Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, UPSR - Tahun 6)

• Malay Language - Comprehension • Chinese Language - Comprehension

(Bahasa Melayu - Pemahaman)
• Malay Language - Composition
(Bahasa Melayu - Penulisan)
• English Language (Bahasa Inggeris)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Science (Sains)
(Bahasa Cina - Pemahaman)
• Chinese Language - Composition
(Bahasa Cina - Penulisan)
• Tamil Language - Comprehension
(Bahasa Tamil - Pemahaman)
• Tamil Language - Composition
(Bahasa Tamil - Penulisan)

PMR
PMR, short for Penilainan Menengah Rendah or Lower Secondary Assessment is a
compulsory national examination (peperiksaan kebangsaan) for Form 3 secondary school
students. These pupils will sit for the exam at the end of their academic year. Not all subjects that
are taught in school will be tested though. Only selected subjects considered as important are
covered in the PMR. These subjects are:

Subjects in Lower Secondary Assessment, PMR - Form 3

(Subjek dalam Penilaian Menengah Rendah, PMR - Tingkatan 3)
 • Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu)
• English Language (Bahasa Inggeris)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil)
• Arabic Language - Communication
(Bahasa Arab - Komunikasi)
• Punjabi Language (Bahasa Punjabi)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Science (Sains)
• History (Sejarah)
• Geography (Geografi)
• Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
• Integrated Living Skills
(Kemahiran Hidup Bersepadu)
• Iban Language (Bahasa Iban)

SPM / SPMV
SPM, short for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Malaysian Certificate
of Education is a compulsory national examination (peperiksaan
kebangsaan) for Form 5 secondary school students. These pupils will
sit for the exam at the end of their academic year. For vocational
schools, the equivalent examination will be SPM(V), short for Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia (Vokasional) or Malaysian Certificate of
Education (Vocational). Subjects offered in the SPM / SPVM are:

Subjects in Malaysian Certificate of Education, SPM / SPMV - Form 5

(Subjek dalam Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM / SPMV - Tingkatan 5)

• Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu) • Electrical Technology (Teknologi

• English Language (Bahasa Inggeris)
• Islamic Education (Pendidikan Islam)
• Moral Education (Pendidikan Moral)
• History (Sejarah)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Science (Sains)
• English Literature (Kesusasteraan
Bahasa Inggeris)
• Malay Literature (Kesusasteraan
Melayu)
• Geography (Geografi)
• Advanced Arabic Language (Bahasa
Arab Tinggi)
• Arts Education (Pendidikan Seni)
• Music Education (Pendidikan Muzik)
• Additional Mathematics (Matematik
Elektrik)
• Electrical Control and Installation
(Pemasangan dan Kawalan Elektrik)
• Electrical and Geometrical Drawing
(Lukisan Geometri dan Elektrik)
• Electronics Technology (Teknologi
Elektronik)
• TV and Radio Servicing (Menservis
Radio dan TV)
• Electronics and Geometrical Drawing
(Lukisan Geometri dan Elektronik)
• Metal Fabrication and Welding
Technology (Teknologi Kimpalan dan
Fabrikasi Logam)
• Welding Work (Kerja Kimpalan)
• Metal Fabrication and Geometrical
Drawing (Lukisan Geometri dan
Fabrikasi Logam)
 Tambahan)
• Agricultural Science (Sains Pertanian)
• Commerce (Perdagangan)
• Accounting Principles (Prinsip Akaun)
• Basic Economics (Ekonomi Asas)
• Household Economics (Ekonomi Rumah
Tangga)
• Engineering Drawing (Lukisan
Kejuruteraan)
• Mechanical Engineering Studies
(Pengajian Kejuruteraan Jentera)
• Civil Engineering Studies (Pengajian
Kejuruteraan Awam)
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Study (Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik
dan Elektronik)
• Design (Reka Cipta)
• Engineering Technology (Teknologi
Kejuruteraan)
• Information Technology (Teknologi
Maklumat)
• Physics (Fizik)
• Chemistry (Kimia)
• Biology (Biologi)
• Additional Science (Sains Tambahan)
• Sports Science Knowledge
(Pengetahuan Sains Sukan)
• Islamic Tasawwur (Tasawwur Islam)
• Al-Quran and As-Sunnah Education
(Pendidikan Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah)
• Syariah Islamiah Education (Pendidikan
Syariah Islamiah)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil)
• Arabic Language - Communication
(Bahasa Arab - Komunikasi)
• Machine Workshop Technology
• Automotive Technology (Teknologi
Automotif)
• Vehicle Repair and Servicing (Menservis
dan Membaiki Kenderaan)
• Automotive and Geometrical Drawing
(Lukisan Geometri dan Automotif)
• Air-Conditioning and Cooling
Technology (Teknologi Penyejukan dan
Penyamanan Udara)
• Air-Conditioning and Cooling Work
(Kerja Penyejukan dan Penyamanan
Udara)
• Air-Conditioning and Geometrical
Drawing (Lukisan Geometri dan
Penyamanan Udara)
• Basic Information Processing (Asas
Pemprosesan Maklumat)
• Catering Technology (Teknologi
Katering)
• Food Preparation and Service
(Penyediaan dan Perkhidmatan
Makanan)
• Clothes Making and Fashion Design
Technology (Teknologi Rekaan Fesyen
dan Membuat Pakaian)
• Clothes Making and Fashion Design
(Rekaan Fesyen dan Membuat Pakaian)
• Cosmetics Technology (Teknologi Seni
Kecantikan)
• Make-Up and Hairdressing (Persolekan
dan Mendandan Rambut)
• Confectionery and Bakery Technology
(Teknologi Bakeri dan Konfeksioneri)
• Patisserie and Bread Making (Membuat
Roti dan Patisserie)
• Child Care (Asuhan Kanak-Kanak)
• Minding and Caring for Children
(Mengasuh dan Membimbing Kanak-
kanak)
• Plants Production (Pengeluaran
 (Teknologi Bengkel Mesin)
• Grinding and Machining Work (Kerja
Menggegas dan Memesin)
• Machine and Geometrical Drawing
(Lukisan Geometri dan Mesin)
• Building Construction Technology
(Teknologi Binaan Bangunan)
• Wood and Brick Work (Kerja Kayu dan
Bata)
• Building Construction and Geometrical
Drawing (Lukisan Geometri dan Binaan
Bangunan)
Tanaman)
• Poultry Production (Pengeluaran
Ternakan)
• Decorative Horticulture and
Landscaping (Hortikultur Hiasan dan
Landskap)
• Farming Machines (Kejenteraan
Ladang)
• Farm Management (Pengurusan
Ladang)
• Chinese Literature (Kesusasteraan Cina)
• Tamil Literature (Kesusasteraan Tamil)
• Bible Knowledge (Pengetahuan Kitab
Injil)
• French Language (Bahasa Perancis)
• Punjabi Language (Bahasa Punjabi)

The large number of subjects on offer is due to the existence of multiple streams (aliran) of
study. Choosing a certain combination of subjects constitues a 'package' (pakej). Among the
'packages' are Pure Science (Sains Tulen / Sains Tulin), Professional Arts (Sastera Ikhtisas),
Islamic Studies (Pengajian Islam), Humanities (Kemanusiaan), Vocational (Vokasional /
Vokesyenal), Additional Science (Sains Tambahan), Information Technology (Teknologi
Maklumat) & etc.

STPM / STAM
STPM, short for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia or Malaysian Higher School
Certificate is a pre-university (pra-universiti) national examination (peperiksaan kebangsaan)
for Form 6 students. These pupils will sit for the exam at the end of their academic year. Subjects
offered in the STPM are:

Subjects in Malaysian Higher School Certificate, STPM - Form 6

(Subjek dalam Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, STPM - Tingkatan 6)

• General Studies (Pengajian Am) • Literature In English (Kesusateraan Bahasa

• Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu) Inggeris)
• Malay Literature (Kesusasteraan Melayu)
• Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina)
• Business Studies (Pengajian Perniagaan)
• Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil)
• Mathematics S (Matematik S)
• Arabic Language (Bahasa Arab)
• Mathematics T (Matematik T)
• Syariah (Syariah)
• Further Mathematics T (Matematik Lanjutan T)
• Usuluddin (Usuluddin)
 • History (Sejarah) • Computing (Perkomputeran)
• Geography (Geografi) • Physics (Fizik)
• Economics (Ekonomi) • Chemistry (Kimia)
• Accounting (Perakaunan) • Biology (Biologi)
• Visual Arts (Seni Visual)

Students from Islamic Secondary Schools (Sekolah Menengah Agama - SMA) will sit for
the STAM, short for Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia or Malaysian Higher Religious Certificate to
secure admission into Islamic universities. Subjects offered in the STAM are:

Subjects in Malaysian Higher Religious Certificate, STAM - Islamic Pre University

(Subjek dalam Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia, STAM - Pra Universiti Agama)

• Hifz Al-Quran & Tajwid • Nahu

• Fiqh • Sarf
• Tauhid • Insya'
• Tafsir & Ulumuhu • Adab & Nusus
• Hadith & Mustolah • Mutala'ah
• Mantiq • Arud & Qafiyah
• Balaghah

All pre-university students are also required to sit for the Malaysian University English
Test - MUET (Ujian Bahasa Inggeris Universiti Malaysia). Not only STPM students, but
Matriculation (Matrikulasi) and Diploma (Diploma) students who wish to enter a local university
have to take MUET. The test is intended to assess the achievement and proficiency level of these
students in the English language.

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.

Tuition
Malaysians use the word "tuition" in a different way from Americans. In the USA, tuition is
what you pay to a college (kolej) or a university (universiti). In this country, tuition (tuisyen)
means supplementary academic coaching. Pupils attend tuition classes on their own volition and
pay for the tutoring service. It is a service operated by the private sector (sektor swasta), and is
therefore a type of profit-oriented education. Tuition can best be described as the shadow
education system of Malaysia. It has "shadowy" characteristics because tuition has never been
part of the government sanctioned public schooling system; yet it is as widespread as the official
one. Tuition is also shadowy in other ways as well. Its existence is solely reliant on the
continuation of the schooling system in its current form. The emphasis on examination in
Malaysian education both gives birth to and sustains the tuition industry. The range of subjects
offered in tuition mimics those in schools. Teaching techniques are geared towards helping pupils
do well in the national exams. The slightest change in syllabus (silabus, sukatan pelajaran) or
exam formats will be met with the swiftest of response by the tuition industry, often even
capitalising on the situation. No matter what, tuition shadows the schools without fail.

There are two types of tuition - institutional tuition (tuisyen

institusi) and private tuition (tuisyen peribadi, tuisyen persendirian,
tuisyen perseorangan). Institutional tuition refers to tutoring that takes
place in a dedicated establishment. These institutions are variously
known as Tuition Centers (Pusat Tuisyen), Guidance Centers (Pusat
Bimbingan) & Learning Centres (Pusat Pembelajaran). In the 1980's
tuition centres began mushrooming in Malaysia. The tuition 'boom' was so sudden that many of
these early operators had to pioneer the assimilation of the word "tuition" into the Malay
Language. Hence several non-standard variants were adopted, such as "tiusyen" and "tusyen".
Since then, however, the proper term has come into usage. The second type, known as private /
personal tuition occurs on a smaller scale. A tutor (pengajar) or tuition teacher (guru tuisyen,
cikgu tuisyen) will guide a small group of students or even a single student only. In the latter
case, it is known as 1-to-1 tuition (one-to-one tuition). In the former case, it is called group
tuition (tuisyen berkumpulan). Regardless of which, private tuition usually takes place at the
tutor's home or the student's. Therefore, private tuition are sometimes referred to as home tuition
(tuisyen di rumah). Home tutors and their students are usually matched by tuition agents (agen
tuisyen) or tuition agencies / agency (agensi tuisyen). The popularity of personal / private tuition
is on the rise. Together with institutional tuition, they are both evidence that tuition is here to stay
in Malaysia.