MALAYSIA

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Educational Snapshot of Malaysia
• Gross and Net Enrolment Ratio : Pre-primary school
participation gross enrolment ratio, according to OECD
statistics 2012 was 66% for the male while the female gross
enrolment ratio was 71.4%. According to United Nations
UNESCO Institute of Statistics, the gross enrolment ratio for
2011 was 70.36% for pre-primary education.
Survival rate to last primary grade as per UNICEF for 2012 was
99.2%.
Total enrolment ratio according to UNESCO Institute of
Statistics for lower secondary duration in 2011 in Malaysia
was 91.87%. According to this UN estimate, female gross
enrolment ratio in lower secondary education was 87.74%,
while the male gross enrolment ratio was 96.24%.

18
Educational Snapshot of Malaysia
Gross enrolment ratio for upper secondary education was 49.35%
according to UNESCO Institute of Statistics. Female gross
enrolment ratio in upper secondary education was 50.66%, while
male gross enrolment ratio was 47.98%.
Gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education according to UNESCO
Institute of Statistics was 35.97% in 2011. Female gross
enrolment ratio was 39.08% while male gross enrolment ratio
was 32.70%.
Net enrolment ratio in pre-primary education was 62.13% in 2011
as per the UNESCO institute. Female enrolment ratio was 59.43%
while male enrolment ratio was 64.99%. According to the United
Nations UNESCO Institute of Statistics, net enrolment ratio for
secondary school students is 66.32% for 2011. While female
enrolment ratio was 65.60%, the male enrolment ratio was
67.09% for secondary school students in Malaysia.
19
Educational Statistics, Facts and Figures
• Preschools: 5,857 preschools exist in Malaysia, attended by
186,298 preschoolers and 8169 preschool teachers.
• Primary Schools: Malaysia has 7,723 primary schools with
2,804,405 primary school students and 236,313 primary
school teachers. Primary schools in urban areas equal 2,087
while it is 5,636 in rural areas equalling a total of 7,723. Of
the 2,296 secondary schools in Malaysia, 1143 are located in
rural areas, while 1,153 are in urban areas. Enrolment rate for
primary school students was 94.42% in 2012
• Secondary Schools: Around 2,296 secondary schools exist
with 2,281,775 secondary school students and 176,407
secondary school teachers. From the secondary school
students of 2,281,775, around 1,139,198 were male students
while 1,142,577 were female students in 2012. Enrolment
rate for 86.07% for lower secondary student and 77.75% for
upper secondary students. While it was 15.77% for post
secondary schools. 20
Language of Instruction
• Bahasa Melayu is the primary language of instruction in
Malaysian public schools.
• In 2003, the government introduced a policy of using English as
the language of instruction for science and mathematics;
however, this policy was discontinued in 2011.
• English is taught as a second language in both primary and
secondary schools.
• In Chinese and Tamil national-type primary schools, Bahasa
Melayu is taught as a second language and English is taught as a
third language.

• In public universities, the language of instruction in Bachelor

Degree programs is Bahasa Melayu except for subjects related to
science, mathematics and computing and IT subjects, which are
generally taught in English.
• Most graduate studies are also conducted in English. In private
higher education institutions, English is usually the language of
instruction.
Academic Year

• The school year runs from

January to November.
• In higher education, subjects are
usually taught over semesters
rather than years.
• Some universities have a third
semester of 8-12 weeks, allowing
students to complete programs in
a shorter time.
School hours and holidays

• The school year in Malaysia starts in

January and goes to the third week of
November. The minimum number of
schooling days per year is 190.
• Malaysian students have 5 holidays
which sum up to an amount of 11
weeks. The regulations of how the
holidays are distributed throughout the
year are supervised by the individual
states. 23
School hours and holidays

The school hours in Malaysia are another of

the issues of the educational system. Due to a
too large number of students and a shortage
of schools, the students are taught in a two-
session system. This means that the first
session goes from approx. 7.30 a.m. to 2.30
p.m. and is mostly followed by compulsory co-
curricular activities. The afternoon session, on
the other hand, lasts until approx. 6.45 p.m. As
some student live in a large distance to the
schools, they arrive home at around 8 or 9
p.m. and this already in primary schools. 24
School Structure

• The school system is structured

on a 6+3+2+2 model, with six
years of compulsory primary
education beginning at age
seven, followed by three years of
lower secondary education, two
years of upper secondary, and
two years of pre-university senior
secondary study.
PRE-TERTIARY EDUCATION

Under the Education Act 1996, pre-tertiary

education for schooling children is provided at
four levels. They are:
• Level 1: Pre-school education for children
aged 4 to 6;
• Level 2: Primary education from age 7 to 12
(Standard 1 to Standard 6 for 6 years);
• Level 3: Secondary education from age 13
to 17 (Form 1 to Form 5 for 5 years); and
• Level 4: Post-secondary education from age
18 (Sixth Form/Matriculation for 1 to 2
years) 26
Primary
• Primary schools, regardless of institution type, follow the
Malaysian National Curriculum. The curriculum includes
study of a first language (Bahasa Melayu, Chinese or Tamil),
English as a second language, Islamic education
(compulsory for Muslims), mathematics, science,
civics/moral education, local studies, physical education,
health education, music and visual arts.

• At the end of primary school, students take the

Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (Primary School
Achievement Test) which rates achievement in
written and spoken Malay and English,
mathematics, and science concepts. All students
automatically progress to secondary school.
Lower Secondary
• Students attend national secondary schools with
instruction in the national language (Bahasa
Melayu). Students from Chinese or Tamil national-
type primary schools do a transitional year before
beginning lower secondary schooling. This year is
called the ‘Remove Class’ and involves intensive
language studies to prepare them for studies in the
national language.
• Students study a minimum of eight subjects. Core
compulsory subjects include Bahasa Melayu,
English, science, history, geography and
mathematics. Elective subjects include Islamic
studies, moral education, life skills, European
languages and mother tongue.
Lower Secondary
• At the end of the lower secondary cycle,
students take the Penitaian Menengah
Rendah (PMR, Lower Secondary
Assessment). Students take tests in
seven to nine subjects, including Bahasa
Melayu, English, history, geography,
mathematics and science. Students must
pass the examinations to continue on to
upper secondary school, and may be
streamed according to their results.
Upper Secondary

• Forms 4 and 5 make up the upper

secondary level, and students typically
attend one of three types of school:

• Academic (arts or science stream)

• Technical and Vocational (technical,
vocational or skills training stream)
• Religious
Upper Secondary
• Students are streamed according to choice and
results on the lower-secondary leaving examination.
They are required to take four core subjects
regardless of streaming: Bahasa Melayu, English,
mathematics, Islamic studies or moral education and
history.

• Students in the academic science stream must take:

chemistry, biology, physics, additional mathematics
and English for science and technology. Those in the
arts stream take integrated science and a range of
other non-science subjects as electives. Students can
take no more than 13 total subjects.
Upper Secondary
• In the technical and vocational streams,
students generally take courses geared
towards employment and trades at technical
secondary schools. Fields offered in the
technical stream include: mechanical
engineering, civil engineering, electrical
engineering, agriculture, commerce, food
management and fashion studies. In the
vocational stream, students can choose from:
electrics, automotive, catering, computer
programming.
Upper Secondary
• Students in the technical and vocational
streams can also prepare for the Sijil
Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM – Malaysian Skills
Certificate). The SKM does not lead to entry
into programs in higher education; however,
there is a five-level Skills Qualification
Framework that certifies tradesmen up to the
management level (SKM Level 5), which is
considered comparable to degree level.
Upper Secondary
• The Department of Skills Development
establishes the criteria for approval of
Accredited Centers offering SKM
programs and ensures that Accredited
Centers offer, administer and maintain
the quality of Malaysian Skill Certificates
for specific jobs covered by the National
Occupational Skills Standards.
Upper Secondary
• At the end of the upper secondary cycle (Form 5),
students from all streams take the Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM – Open Certification
Examination), which is administered by the
Malaysian Examination Syndicate. The minimum
condition for awarding the certificate is a ‘pass’ in the
national language.

• Students who are awarded the SPM can go on to pre-

university or matriculation studies, or they can enter
private colleges or universities for pre-university
programs to advance to Bachelor Degree studies or
other programs of their choice.
Chinese Secondary Schools
• Students from Chinese-language primary schools can
also enroll in Chinese secondary schools, which
provide a parallel track to national schools (with an
additional year of upper secondary) through the
Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School
system. Instruction is offered in Mandarin and follows
the national curriculum.

• The Junior Middle Examination is taken at the end of

junior middle school (year 3). The United Examination
Certificate for Independent Chinese Secondary
Schools (UEC) is taken at the end of senior middle
school (year 6).
Chinese Secondary Schools
• The UEC can only be used for entry into
private tertiary institutions. Students
looking to enter public institutions must
take the SPM, held in the Bahasa Melayu
language. For this reason, many students
from Chinese-medium schools choose to
continue their studies in China or other
overseas higher education institutions.
Senior Secondary
• Pre-University
• Entry to pre-university studies is based on the results
of the SPM. Also known as Sixth Form, this cycle lasts
two years and is divided into Lower Sixth Form and
Upper Sixth Form. It is offered at national secondary
schools, technical secondary schools, pre-university
or sixth form colleges, Islamic schools, and some
universities.

• Students enter one of two streams: humanities or

science. They typically take a general studies course
and three other subjects.
Matriculation
• The matriculation cycle is just one year in
length (two semesters) and designed to
prepare well-qualified upper secondary
graduates, as gauged by performance in
the SPM, for entry into top-ranked
universities. Students are streamed into
Science, Accountancy and Technical
streams.
Matriculation
• And compulsory instruction is offered at
Matriculation Colleges and MARA Colleges
only. The curriculum is uniform and dictated by
the Ministry of Education. Core subjects
include: mathematics, chemistry, physics,
biology and computer science (science
stream); mathematics, accounting, business
management and economics (accountancy
stream); and mathematics, engineering
chemistry, engineering physics and
engineering studies (technical stream).
Matriculation
• Additional compulsory subjects for all students
include: English, Islamic studies or moral
studies, Malaysian studies, communication
skills and information technology.

• Examinations delivered by the Ministry are

taken at the end of each semester. The final
examination is known as the Matrikulasi
(Matriculation), and final results will also
include scores from in-class assessment.
Higher Education
• Under the ‘Vision 2020’ initiative set
by the government, Malaysia seeks to
become a high-income nation by
2020. One of the means of achieving
this goal is education and the
development of quality graduates,
with a net tertiary enrollment ratio of
40 percent.
Higher Education
• In recent years Malaysia has been focusing
heavily on developing the research quality and
quantity of its major universities, and the
country currently spends 1 percent of GDP on
research and development. Five of the
country’s 65 universities and university
colleges have thus far been granted ‘research
university’ status, which means additional
government funding and increased autonomy.
The five research universities are:
Higher Education

• Universiti Malaya
• Universiti Putra Malaysia
• Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia
• Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Higher Education
• According to statistics from Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the
number of PhD students in Malaysia
has increased from about 4,000 in
2002 to almost 40,000 in 2012.
About half of these students are
attached to the five research
universities.
Malaysian Qualifications Framework
• The Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF
– Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia) is a unified
system of postsecondary qualifications offered
on a national basis by both public and private
institutions of education and also professional
organizations.

• It was introduced in 2007 and is administered

by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA),
a statutory body under the Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE).
• The Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF
– Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia) is a unified
system of postsecondary qualifications offered
on a national basis by both public and private
institutions of education and also professional
organizations.

• It was introduced in 2007 and is administered

by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA),
a statutory body under the Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE).
Credits
• The MQA also operates a credit system which it uses
to help provide uniformity and to aid in comparisons
of qualifications within Malaysia and with overseas
providers. The system allows 40 hours of academic
load for each credit.

• Academic load includes all learning activities

undertaken to achieve a defined set of learning
outcomes. Learning outcomes are linked to the credit
system, which gives value to all students’ learning
time not just on the contact hours between lecturers
and students.
• The MQA also operates a credit system which it uses
to help provide uniformity and to aid in comparisons
of qualifications within Malaysia and with overseas
providers. The system allows 40 hours of academic
load for each credit.

• Academic load includes all learning activities

undertaken to achieve a defined set of learning
outcomes. Learning outcomes are linked to the credit
system, which gives value to all students’ learning
time not just on the contact hours between lecturers
and students.
Private Colleges
• Private colleges that do not have partnership
agreements with Malaysian or foreign universities
offer sub-degree qualifications. Those that do have
partnership agreements with domestic or foreign
universities can offer teaching programs leading to
undergraduate degrees conferred by the partnering
university. These programs are offered through
twinning and franchise agreements typically,
although other credit transfer and advanced standing
programs also exist.

Institution Types
Community Colleges
• Community colleges provide professional training
through a variety of formal and non-formal courses
and programs. They have been in existence in
Malaysia since 2003. Formal programs lead to the
award of Diplomas and Certificates, with a mix of
practical (75 percent) and theoretical (25 percent)
instruction. Oversight is through the Community
College Department. A government list of Malaysia’s
97 public community colleges is available here.

Institution Types
Polytechnics
• Polytechnics offer programs leading to the award of
Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, with instruction
including periods of work placement. Although these
are considered comparable on the MQF to
community college awards, entry standards are
typically higher for polytechnics than they are for
community colleges. Polytechnics are supervised by
the Department of Polytechnic Education and the
Department of Higher Education.

Institution Types
University Colleges
• University colleges award their own
Bachelor’s Degrees and Diplomas. They
are smaller than universities, and
typically offer a limited number of
programs in specialist fields.

Institution Types
Universities
• Public universities offer the full range of
academic degrees from Diploma to
Doctorate. The government maintains
close control over the sector, although
there are plans to increase university
autonomy in the coming years under the
2013 Education Blueprint reform
process.

Institution Types
Universities
• Five universities have been designated research
universities, a title that comes with increased
autonomy and funding to undertake research
collaboration with industry and foreign universities
(see list above). There are two other types of public
universities: Focused Universities (technical,
education, management and defense), which enroll
equal numbers at the undergraduate and graduate
levels, and Comprehensive Universities, which enroll
larger numbers of undergraduates and offer a broad
range of programs.
Institution Types
Universities
• The Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996
allowed for the establishment of private universities,
branch campuses of foreign universities as well as for
the upgrading of existing private colleges to
universities. The sector is regulated by the Private
Education Department within the Ministry of
Education.

• There are currently 21 public (5 research, 5

comprehensive and 11 focused) and 44 private
universities, including 9 international branch
campuses.
Institution Types
Professional Education
• Vocationally oriented Certificate and Diploma
programs are offered at polytechnics, private colleges
and community colleges.

• Diploma programs take at least two years, usually

three, and must include a minimum of 90 credits.
Diplomas grant entry to further study leading to an
Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree.

• Certificate programs typically require two years of

study and the completion of 60 credits.

Structure and Qualifications

Higher Education
• At the sub-university level, polytechnics, private
colleges, community colleges and some universities
offer programs in professional fields leading to the
following credentials:

• Certificates require 1.5 to two years of

full-time study (60 credits) following the
Certificate of Education (SPM).

Structure and Qualifications

Higher Education
• Diplomas require at least two years of full-time study,
but typically three years of study (90 credits).
Programs include both theoretical and practical
studies and are focused in professional disciplines.
Some Diploma programs provide advanced standing
or transfer credit into Bachelor Degree programs.
Entry is based on the Certificate of Education (SPM).

• Advanced Diplomas require an additional 40 credits

after a Diploma and are designed for managerial
training in a professional context.

Structure and Qualifications

Bachelor Degrees
• Bachelor Degrees require at least three years of full-time
study and 120 credits. Degrees in professional fields
require a higher number of credits and a longer period of
study. Programs in accounting, dentistry, engineering, and
law require four years. Programs in architecture, veterinary
medicine, and medicine require five years of study.

• Programs are generally structured with a year of generalist

courses and core courses in the general field of study,
with the remainder focused on compulsory core courses
and elective courses in the area of specialization.

Structure and Qualifications

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas
• Considered equivalent in level to a Bachelor’s
Degree on the MQF, Graduate Certificates require
at least 30 credits and Graduate Diplomas
require at least 60 credits. The qualifications are
awarded following completion of education or
formal training, recognition of work experience,
inclusive of voluntary work or in combination.
They are used for continuing professional
development, changing a field of training or
expertise, and as an entry qualification to a
higher level with credit transfer.

Structure and Qualifications

Master's Degree
• Master’s programs last one to two
years following the completion of a
Bachelor’s Degree. Programs can be
undertaken as a pure research
degree, pure coursework and
examination or a mix of coursework
and minor thesis.

Structure and Qualifications

Doctoral Degrees
• Doctoral degrees are offered
mainly at public universities
although some private universities
offer a limited number of
programs, typically in applied
disciplines and in collaboration
with industry.

Structure and Qualifications

Admission Standards
• Entry to three-year Diplomas is
based on the Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (Malaysian Certificate of
Education). Conferral of the
Diploma can lead to advanced
entry to some Bachelor Degree
programs.

Structure and Qualifications

Admission Standards
• Entry to Bachelor Degree programs typically
requires at least a Grade C (2.00) in
General Studies and two other subjects on
the Malaysian Higher School Certificate
(STPM). Students must also have a pass in
Bahasa Melayu in the Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM) and a Malaysian University
English Test Band Level 1.

Structure and Qualifications

Admission Standards
• At public universities, an Honors Degree
with a high level of academic achievement
is required for admission to Master’s
programs. At private universities, a
Bachelor Degree or equivalent, such as a
professional qualification considered to be
at Bachelor Degree level, is required.

• A Master Degree is usually required for

entry to doctoral programs.
Structure and Qualifications
Grading Scales
• There is some variation in the grading systems used for
individual subjects. Many universities use a 4-point
grading system for individual subjects and the cumulative
grade point average (CGPA). Others use percentage
grades. The following is WES’ suggested equivalency for
degree classifications:

Structure and Qualifications

 There is a different academic grading system for
different levels of education in different countries.
For each of the national level examinations at
various points in the schooling system in Malaysia,
a particular system of grading exist. University level
grades also differ based on the type of educational
institution though most follow a system similar to
the US system of grading.

ACADEMIC GRADING 68
SYSTEM
 There is a different academic grading system for
different levels of education in different countries.
For each of the national level examinations at
various points in the schooling system in Malaysia,
a particular system of grading exist. University level
grades also differ based on the type of educational
institution though most follow a system similar to
the US system of grading.

ACADEMIC GRADING 69
SYSTEM
School Level Grading System in Malaysia
Primary school students follow the grading system which is associated
with UPSR or Primary School Achievement Test.

• When the student obtains marks between 80 and 100, a grade of A

and a status of “Pass” is assigned
• For students scoring between 60-79, a grade of B and a “Pass”
status is assigned
• For marks of 40 to 59, a grade of C and a status of “Pass” is given
• Marks between 20 to 39 mean a score of D and a status of “Fail”
• Marks of 1 to 19 mean a grade of E and a status of “Fail”
• Absentee students or those scoring even lower are also declared
failed.

ACADEMIC GRADING 70
SYSTEM
Lower Secondary School Grading System
For lower secondary school students. forms 1 to 3, the national
examination system known as PMR or Lower Secondary Assessment is
followed.

• Students who score between 80 to 100 in this exam obtain a grade of

A and a status of “Pass”
• Those scoring between 65 and 79 are assigned grade B and declared
Pass
• Students scoring between 40 to 49 obtained a grade D and a “Pass”
status
• Students scoring between 1 to 39 obtain the grade “E” which
indicates failure as do all scores below this.

ACADEMIC GRADING 71
SYSTEM
Upper Secondary School Grading System
SPM is the Malaysian Certificate of Education for upper secondary
school students. The grading system followed by upper secondary school
students (grades 4 to 5) is given below:

• Marks 90 to 100 : Grade A (Excellent)

• Marks 80 to 89: Grade A (Excellent)
• Marks 70 to 79: Grade A- (Brilliant)
• Marks 65-69: Grade B (Highest Honours)
• Marks 60 to 64: Grade B (High Honours)
• Marks 55 to 59: Grade C (Top Honours)
• Marks 50 to 54: Grade C (Praiseworthy)
• Marks 45-49: Grade D(Upon Graduation)
• Marks 40 to 44: Grade E(Pass)
• Marks 1 to 39: Grade G (Fail)
• Scores Lower than This: Fail
ACADEMIC GRADING 72
SYSTEM
Upper Secondary School Grading System
For Form 6 students who take up the STPM, the following grading system
is applicable:
• Marks from 80 to 100: Grade A with CGPA of 4.00 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 70 to 79: Grade A- with CGPA of 3.67 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 60 to 69: Grade B with CGPA of 3.33 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 55 to 59: Grade B with CGPA of 3.00 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 50 to 54: Grade B- with CGPA of 2.67 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 45 to 49: Grade C with CGPA of 2.33 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 40 to 44: Grade C with CGPA of 2.00 declared “Pass”
• Marks from 35 to 39: Grade C- with CGPA of 1.67 declared “Partially Pass”
• Marks from 30 to 34: Grade D with CGPA of 1.33 declared “Partially Pass”
• Marks from 25 to 29: Grade D with CGPA of 1.00 declared “Partially Pass”
• Marks from 24 to 0: Grade F declared “Fail”

ACADEMIC GRADING 73
SYSTEM
Grading System in Higher Education in Malaysia

Malaysian university grades are the same as the US

grading system. Many Malaysian institutions do not
assign or - grades. Quite specifically, A, A or A-
grades are equivalent to Grade A in the US
university. Similarly, B , B- or B grades are
equivalent to B grade in the Malaysian universities.
C, C and C- grades are equal to C grade in US
universities. D, D- or D grades are equivalent to D
grade in the US. F stands for Failed across
Malaysian and US universities.

ACADEMIC GRADING 74
SYSTEM