How to get a foreign degree even if you think you can

by StudyMalaysia.com on July 20, 2014 | Top Stories

"I want to study abroad but I can't afford it."

How many of you are thinking this right now?

You might have dreams of studying in the UK, the US or Australia, but the reality is that studying abroad takes substantial funding. Not only do you have to think about the tuition fees and hefty currency exchange that doesn't add to your favour, most of the cities in these countries have a high cost of living.

So what can you do besides hunting and hoping for a scholarship, buying a lottery or robbing a bank? (Er, I'm totally kidding on the last one!) Feeling discouraged? Don't be too quick to dash your dreams. Here are five ways you can get a foreign degree without having to bust your bank (or any bank, for that matter).

1. Do a '3+0' degree in Malaysia
2. Study at a foreign university branch campus
3. Twinning degree programmes – do it here and there
4. Transfer Programmes – American, UK and Australian
5. Advanced standing – flexibility at its best

1. Do a '3+0' degree in Malaysia

This is probably one of the most affordable ways of getting a foreign degree. What a '3+0' degree means is that students enrol for a degree programme at a Malaysian college or university that collaborates with a foreign partner university. The student completes the entire degree at the Malaysian college or university (and pays relatively cheaper tuition fees) but will be awarded with a foreign degree qualification from partner universities in the UK, the US, Australia or France. The qualification will be the same as if you studied at the partner university abroad. The syllabus and assessment methods will also be the same as the partner university.

Here are some examples of '3+0' collaboration between Malaysian colleges and universities and their partner universities.

(Source: StudyMalaysia Research Team (StudyMalaysia.com)
(Note: The collaboration arrangement may not be up-to-date and is subject to change)

2. Study at a foreign university branch campus

What was that saying about if someone doesn't go to the mountain, then the mountain will come to him? Or was the saying the other way round? Whatever the case, in this option, the mountain has come to you. In fact, you have eight mountains to choose from and we believe there will be more in the near future.

What am I talking about? Well, seeing that you can't afford to go abroad, why not consider a foreign university that has come to you right here in Malaysia?

There are currently eight foreign university branch campuses in Malaysia. These branch campuses offer degrees identical to those at the main campus overseas. As such, students will be awarded the same qualifications but pay the affordable 'Malaysian' fees.

Here is a list of the foreign university branch campuses in Malaysia.

(Source: StudyMalaysia Research Team)

Note: A top university in China, Xiamen University, will be setting up its first overseas branch campus in Malaysia. The branch campus will be built on a 150-acre site in Salak Tinggi, Selangor and is expected to be begin operations in September 2015.

3. Twinning degree programmes – do it here and there

Since the early 1980s, Malaysian private higher education institutions (PHEIs) have collaborated with reputable universities from countries like the UK, the US, New Zealand and Australia in providing transnational education programmes such as the undergraduate '2+1' and '1+2' twinning degree arrangement.

So what is a twinning degree programme?

• The student registers with both the local private college and the foreign university (dual registration), and upon successful completion of the local segment he/she is guaranteed admission to the next level at the campus of the twinning university.
• The student attends part of the course locally and the balance at the twinning partner university overseas. Twinning can be on a 1+2 arrangement (1 year at the PHEI and 2 years at the overseas twinning university) or 2+2 (2 years local and 2 years overseas) or 2+1 (2 years local and 1 year overseas).
• Students undergo the same course curriculum as the students at the twinning partner university, although in some cases, some local content of the subject is introduced to meet the local authority's requirements.
• The degree is awarded by the twinning partner university.

Some examples of twinning programmes offered by PHEIs in Malaysia:

(Source: StudyMalaysia Research Team)

4. Transfer Programmes – American, UK and Australian

If you have always wanted the American dream then of course, it is only fitting that you get your degree in the USofA. The American Degree Transfer Program (ADP) allows SPM and O-Level students to pursue a 4-year American Bachelor's Degree in Malaysia for an average of two years (or 50 to 60 credit hours) before moving on to their intended university in the US to complete the remaining part of the degree programme. An American degree usually requires a student to read a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate with a degree. Students can select from more than 200 universities in the US where they can transfer the credits they earned in Malaysia.

The general entry requirement for a 4-year ADP is SPM or O-Level with 5 credits. ADP is offered at KDU University College, HELP University, INTI International University, Nilai University, Sunway University and Taylor's University.

Examples of ADP for various study disciplines via credit transfer to American universities:

(Source: StudyMalaysia Research Team and Study in Malaysia Handbook 8th International Edition)

If the US is not really your thing then you can consider other programmes such as Australian Degree Transfer Programmes and UK Degree Transfer Programmes. These programmes are offered by PHEIs through collaboration with overseas universities.

The general entry requirements for these Australian and UK university credit transfer programmes are STPM, A-Levels, or its equivalent. Among the providers of Australian and UK transfer programmes are KDU University College, HELP University and INTI International University.

Examples of Australian and UK Credit Transfer Degree Programmes offered by PHEIs:

(Source: StudyMalaysia Research Team and Study in Malaysia Handbook 8th International Edition)

5. Advanced standing – flexibility at its best

If you want a foreign degree, and want the chance to study abroad, but you're yet to be sure if you can support yourself financially abroad, then this could be the option for you.

'Advanced standing' means that recognition (full or part) is given by a foreign university of a particular course pursued at a Malaysian PHEI (such as a diploma or year 1 or year 2 of a bachelor's degree) that allows a student advanced entry into the foreign university's degree programme. 'Advance standing' arrangements with universities from the UK, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, and others have been developed by private colleges in Malaysia since the early 1980s.

The features of this programme are:

• Local PHEIs cooperate with a consortium of overseas universities
• The course curriculum of local PHEIs are recognised with either full or part exemption for a foreign degree programme
• Students of local PHEIs have a choice of overseas universities (within the consortium) to complete their degree programmes
• The degree qualification is awarded by the overseas university

So here are five awesome options to explore if you want a foreign degree but think you can't afford it. Find out more about colleges and universities that offer these programmes and updates on all things new and different in the education scene.

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