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COURSE FOCUS
PRE-UNIVERSITY
Life-changing decision
From A-Levels to an American Degree Programme, there are multiple
pre-university courses available to school-leavers – each with its own
strengths in producing capable individuals. Turn the page to find out more.
2 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018
Be a global graduate
BRICKFIELDS Asia College (BAC) is
an award-winning institution that
has established itself as the fastest
and smartest way to more than 300
pre-university and UK degree
programmes.
Students can choose
programmes with 3+0, 2+1 or 1+2 in the world for A-Levels law in the lives through education. Its mission and instil in them the confidence to
options from 25 universities in the
United Kingdom in areas such as BAC’s A-Levels November 2016 examinations. is to provide a complete education
ecosystem that creates real impact
ride the wave of change in an
increasingly globalised
law, accounting, business,
economics and marketing.
students have Foundation in Arts by producing global graduates with
skills that transcend culture and
environment.
The BAC Education Fund grants
In today’s changing job market, received the Top BAC also offers the Foundation geographical borders. financial and merit scholarships of
employers are looking for a
versatile and multi-skilled in the World in Arts programme that focuses on
interdisciplinary studies. The
This ecosystem focuses on four
areas – student services,
up to RM10mil to assist deserving
students in achieving their dreams.
workforce.
Therefore, students seek
Outstanding programme provides an
alternative route that forms the
professional development, lifestyle
and skills – which give students a
Intakes are open for registration.
interdisciplinary courses, double Cambridge Learner base to any education or career strong grounding to navigate the n For more information,
majors and double degrees as
opposed to traditional degrees. Awards for law and and has been designed to provide a
learning experience
Fourth Industrial Revolution,
develop soft skills and creativity,
call 1800 881 222 or visit
www.bac.edu.my
BAC is revolutionising education
by offering multiple options in
business studies in strongly focused on the
development of
education as well as an emphasis 2012, 2013, 2014, academic skills. BAC aims to uphold an education
2015, 2016 and last
on real-life relevance to increase BAC’S pre-university
ecosystem that produces global
the marketability of graduates. programmes are a
graduates with skills that transcend
As being adaptable equals wider
career prospects, the combination
year. stepping stone to
degrees in diverse culture and geographical borders.
of versatility and multiple skill sets fields, including
offered at BAC ensures that accounting, actuarial
graduates will remain relevant. getting a head start in their careers sciences, biomedical
will find the BAC A-Levels express sciences, business,
A-Levels route the perfect option for them.
This unique programme coupled
computing, dentistry,
economics, English,
The Cambridge International with BAC’s UK Transfer Degree finance, human
A-Levels is the world’s most Programme in law or business resources, media
recognised pre-university allows students to graduate up to studies,
programme. two years ahead of their peers. medicine,
BAC provides a wide range of BAC’s A-Levels students have public
subjects in the arts and sciences, received the Top in the World relations
which students can pursue through Outstanding Cambridge Learner and
the express (11 months) or Awards for law and business veterinary
standard route (18 months). studies in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, science.
The subjects offered at BAC 2016 and last year.
include biology, chemistry, physics,
law, economics, accounting, English
Most recently, standard route
student James Tan scored the
Holistic
literature, mathematics and further highest marks in the world for education
mathematics, allowing students to
progress to a variety of degree
AS-Level law in November 2016
and A-Levels law in June 2017
ecosystem
programmes. while express route student Low BAC is dedicated
Students looking forward to Zhao Lin scored the highest marks to transforming
4 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018
Discovering
your interests
> FROM PAGE 2 you best as you would be
exposed to the general concepts
Students are responsible for within the various sub-fields
their own learning, from from the very first lecture.
choosing topics to devising their These courses aim to
own projects, while teachers complement the knowledge
function as supervisors or attained in secondary school
mentors instead of sources of while ensuring you reach a level
information. There is also the needed to be admitted into a
internationally popular A-Levels bachelor’s degree programme.
programme. Like all the You can expect examinations,
aforementioned programmes, presentations, individual
A-Levels is a good choice for any projects and group assignments
student who is still undecided to make up the assessment
on an undergraduate major. criteria.
All these qualifications are Among the main reasons
internationally recognised and students choose to enrol in
accepted as a sufficient form of foundation programmes in a
entry to many universities chosen university or partnering
across the world, allowing you institution is that it increases
to still have a wide selection of their chance of, if not
universities and courses to enrol guarantees, admission to a
in upon completion. degree at that university.
You would also have an edge
Laying the right over other students who come
from other pre-university
foundation programmes as you would
already be accustomed to the
Knowing your interests even teaching styles, assessment
before you leave secondary standards and study
school is beneficial as it would environment of the university.
allow you to narrow down your Making a pre-university
pre-university options. decision should not be rushed,
Among the most popular so only make your decision after
programmes are foundation you have carefully considered
studies, designed to prepare your options. Make the effort to
students for the various read about different industries
bachelor’s degrees that are and, where possible, speak to
directly related to their fields of people who have experience in
interest. the industry.
For example, if you are Do not let your decisions be
thinking about a career in influenced by what your friends
management, human resources, have chosen to study. After all,
marketing or even accounting, a your future happiness is on the
business or commerce line so who better to make the
foundation programme will suit decision than you?
THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018 Course Focus 5
Arm yourself
for success
A NEW chapter of your life people may become your
begins when you step into the lifelong friends.
first semester of college. As
whatever you do will affect your l Make Google your best
future chapters, it is crucial that friend – When in doubt, Google
you are well prepared to face it. In a new environment, there
whatever comes your way. will be many things that you do
Here are some useful tips. not know or understand.
l Improve your time However, fear not because most
management – In college, you information is just a click away.
will be swarmed with As soon as your lecturer
assignments and deadlines. It is hands you the syllabus
important to have good time overview, you should read it and
management to be able to meet do a simple research on your
all due dates without exhausting subjects or assignment topics so
yourself. that it will be easier for you
All work and no play makes when the time comes to
Jack a dull boy, so it is necessary complete them.
to create a balance in your life. With Google, you can produce
Start your assignments early some of the best notes that is
and study ahead of time to free and not be fully dependent
prepare for upcoming classes so on boring, costly textbooks.
you can use your free time for Though, be sure to verify all
self-improvement or simply your sources.
doing something relaxing.
It is also essential to prioritise l Look around and take
a healthy sleep routine and note – The food joint just across
other healthy habits. Remember the street, the book shop beside
that procrastination will lead the mini market, the ideal place
nowhere. to study – you ought to
remember them all.
l Get to know your Being familiar with your
classmates – It is close to surrounding will come in handy,
impossible to survive college especially when you need to get
alone. Make your classmates something done urgently or look
your friends, because, like it or for an obscure material for your
not, you will be going through a assignment. Some restaurants
lot of things together. and shops are even kind enough
If you miss a class, you can to give you discounts if you are
count on them for notes or there frequently, so be sure to
updates. Furthermore, these reap all the benefits you can get.
6 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018
Swinburne
Sarawak’s
foundation
courses equip
students with
skills to excel in
tertiary studies
and be well-
prepared for
the working
world.
Pathway to an
Australian degree
SWINBURNE University of (double major) or accounting and Upon successful completion of the
Technology is one of Australia’s top finance (double major). foundation course, students may
universities based in Melbourne The Swinburne Foundation proceed to the degree course of their
with an international branch Studies (Information Technology/ preferred disciplines at the Kuching
campus in Kuching, Sarawak. Multimedia) prepares students for or Melbourne campuses.
Last year, Swinburne was ranked further studies in information and Swinburne offers higher
in the Next 50 under 50 by QS communication technology education that is uniquely Australian
World University Rankings and (majoring in software technology or where students graduate with
placed 61st in the Times Higher network technology) or computer degrees that receive worldwide
Education’s Young University science (majoring in software recognition. Both campuses deliver
Rankings 2017. development, cybersecurity or identical programmes and teaching
Swinburne started as a technical Internet of Things). materials. Testamurs are awarded
college in 1908 and celebrated its Students who opt for the by the Melbourne campus.
25th anniversary as a university last Swinburne Foundation Studies Swinburne Sarawak has students
year. (Engineering/Science) will be from more than 40 countries and a
Its Sarawak campus was opened equipped with knowledge and skills range of on-campus residential
in 2000 and sits on 16.5 acres (6.7ha) for further studies in biotechnology options for students to choose from.
of land with modern teaching and and various engineering fields such Kuching, one of the most racially
learning facilities, surrounded by as civil, chemical, electrical and diverse cities in Malaysia, is a
many public and commercial electronic, mechanical, robotics with rapidly growing, modern place
amenities. mechatronics, civil and business shaped by a unique blend of
Swinburne University of (double major), or robotics with sophisticated development and
Technology Sarawak Campus mechatronics and computer science cultural appreciation with direct
(Swinburne Sarawak) is among the (double major). flights from Kuala Lumpur, Johor
few selected universities in Malaysia In addition, students who are keen Baru, Penang, Kota Baru, Langkawi
to be awarded self-accreditation to pursue their undergraduate and Kota Kinabalu.
status by the Malaysian studies in multimedia design can The university’s advanced
Qualifications Agency and has been choose to start with Swinburne facilities include campus-wide high-
rated 5 Star: Excellent for the fourth Foundation Studies (Design). speed Internet access, a 24/7 library
consecutive time in the Higher Grounded in the use of real-world and laboratories equipped with
Education Ministry’s Rating for scenarios, Swinburne Sarawak’s cutting-edge equipment.
Higher Education Institutions in foundation courses not only equip Where financial aid and
Malaysia. students with essential academic scholarships are concerned, students
Upon completing their Sijil and communication skills but also who meet the selection criteria may
Pelajaran Malaysia examinations, critical and analytical thinking skills apply for assistance or scholarships
school-leavers have many paths to necessary to succeed in tertiary offered by state and government-
choose from for their higher studies. linked agencies such as the National
education journey. Its core units encourage creativity Higher Education Fund Corporation
A foundation is a pre-university and innovation while its stream- (PTPTN), Majlis Amanah Rakyat,
course that offers a quick and specific units develop further Yayasan Sarawak or other private
supportive pathway to pursuing understanding of the majors and charitable bodies.
undergraduate studies in their available. Swinburne Sarawak will be
preferred discipline. Combined with Swinburne holding open days this Sunday at
At Swinburne University of Sarawak’s experienced lecturers, Tanahmas Hotel, Sibu, on March 17
Technology, its foundation courses well-equipped classrooms and and 18 at the Swinburne Sarawak
lead to a host of degree programmes. world-class laboratories for campus and on March 18 at Pullman
The four choices offered by engineering, science and computing, Miri Waterfront, Miri.
Swinburne’s specialised School of foundation students receive a The open days will include
Foundation Studies are business, well-rounded education to ensure highlights such as free on-the-spot
engineering/science, design and they are prepared to face the applications, course counselling by
information technology/multimedia. academic rigours of undergraduate academic staff and advice about
The Swinburne Foundation study. scholarships and financial aid
Studies (Business) leads to majors in The next foundation intake is in options for eligible students.
accounting, finance, human April with all-in tuition starting from
resource management, international RM16,344 for Malaysian students n For more information, call
business, marketing, management, and RM23,598 for international 082-415 353 or visit
management and digital media students. www.swinburne.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018 Course Focus 7
Chong Kai Ling (second from left) and Woon Le Yu (second from right)
with their awards and certificates, accompanied by TAR UC’s vice-
president Assoc Prof Dr Ng Swee Chin (left) and CPUS’ former head
Looi Li Chin at the A Level and AS Level High Achievers Certificate
Presentation Ceremony held in TAR UC.
Towards a
brighter future
STUDENTS who have just AS-Level examinations. The
completed their Sijil Pelajaran A-Level cohort accumulated a
Malaysia examination will have 92% passing rate, of which 23%
to face another test and this achieved excellent scores of AAB
time, it is finding an answer to and above.
their next step in education. “Being generously equipped
Tunku Abdul Rahman with many facilities amidst
University College (TAR UC) lush hilly greenery, TAR UC
offers the globally recognised has provided us with an
four-semester Cambridge GCE environment conducive to study
A-Levels programme to equip unlike any other,” says Woon Le
students with the requisite Yu, who was awarded the Best
knowledge to seamlessly Overall Performance Award for
transition to undergraduate A-Levels (Science) and CPUS Top
studies. Achievement Cup for scoring
Delivered by the Centre for 3A*s and 1A.
Pre-University Studies (CPUS) According to Chong Kai Ling
since 1987, TAR UC has built a who topped the A-Levels Arts
strong reputation for providing stream by scoring 2A*s and 2As,
an excellent A-Levels the key to TAR UC’s stellar
programme with outstanding A-Levels programme is its
teaching standards. “healthy competitive
In every A-Levels environment and
examination, TAR UC students encouragement to strive for
have consistently registered perfection”.
impressive pass percentage as With lecturers of decades of
well as high percentage of teaching experience forming
students achieving excellent the backbone of CPUS, students
score. are provided with nothing short
This feat was reinforced when of the best in their higher
72 students from TAR UC education experience.
emerged as high achievers in
the May/June 2017 A-Levels and > TURN TO PAGE 8
8 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2018
Dedicated academic staff and an environment conducive to study make TAR UC’s Cambridge
GCE A-Levels programme stand out from the rest.