Why study a diploma?

by StudyMalaysia on December 27, 2016 | Top Stories

You might not think that a diploma is your cup of tea but a diploma qualification can open up many more doors and opportunities than you think! Diplomas cost less, take a shorter time to complete and give you flexible learning options.

As an alternative to taking the pre-university pathway, you can apply for a diploma programme after you've completed your O-Level/SPM/IGCSE.

Diploma programmes usually take 2 years to complete, with some requiring 2.5 to 3 years. The programme is generally regarded as less academic in approach compared to a degree. A typical diploma curriculum may contain 60% academic and 40% practical or course assignment.

The entry requirement for a diploma is a recognised certificate (MQF Level 3) or a pass in O-Level/SPM/ICGSE with 3 credits.

There are many reasons to choose diploma over bachelor’s degree. Some of them are:

1. The entry requirements are less rigid

The general entry requirements for a diploma is a pass with three credits in SPM (with the exception of a nursing diploma which requires five credits). Some diplomas may have additional requirements – do check with the college you’re interested in.

2. Diplomas cost less

Let’s face it. Not everyone has the means to fork out funds for a bachelor’s degree. To acquire a bachelor’s degree, the pathway after SPM involves a pre-u qualification for 1 to 1.5 years of study (50 credits) followed by 3-4 years of bachelor degree study (120 credits). In comparison, a diploma takes 2 to 2.5 years (min 90 credits) right after SPM.

Diplomas cost way less than what a degree programme would – the course fees for a diploma programme ranges from RM20,000 – 40,000, with many courses falling in the range of RM25,000 – 35,000.

3. Diplomas make you ready for the job market

Unlike pre-university programmes that focus more on rigorous academic study, diploma programmes are designed to equip students with the necessary skills required to meet the job requirements in a particular industry. The curriculum often includes lots of hands-on work that allows you to practise these skills. You’ll be able to enter the workforce within your target industry right after you graduate.

4. You'll love it if you like practical work

As mentioned in the previous point, a diploma prepares you with the specific skills that you need in a target industry. Whether you choose graphic design, culinary arts, automotive technology or medical imaging, you would have completed plenty of practical training in the core area of your study by the time you graduate.

If you like more hands-on work and practical experience, you’ll enjoy the curriculum of a diploma course which is usually 60% academic and 40% practical.

5. You complete your studies sooner

If you choose the pre-U route after SPM followed by a bachelor’s degree, you’d take about 5-6 years to graduate. In contrast, a diploma generally takes 3 years, allowing you to enter the job market and begin earning sooner.

6. Your learning options are flexible

There’s probably no other study route that offers the flexibility of a diploma. Here are some awesome advantages:

First, unlike pre-U courses and degrees, diplomas don’t necessarily follow a rigid academic calendar. That means that intakes are open several times a year. If you miss an intake, you won’t have to wait too long for the next one.

Second, diploma programmes are offered in different study modes like distance learning, part-time, and full-time. That means that diplomas are not just for conventional students. You can choose to work and study, and you might have the chance to build up your contacts in the working world through your fellow classmates.

Third, when you come to the point where you feel you need to further your studies to improve your career opportunities, you’d be glad to know that many diplomas offer advanced standing status with many overseas universities that lead to a bachelor’s degree. Here’s your chance to earn a foreign degree at a much lower cost.

Here are some examples of diploma courses offered at private higher educational institutions in Malaysia.

Diploma in Accountancy	KDU University College Kolej TAFE Seremban Quest International University Perak (QIUP) UNITAR International University HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) International Open College (IOC) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Management & Science University (MSU) Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
Diploma in Accounting	Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) Open University Malaysia (OUM) MAHSA University Terra College Han Chiang College Erican College Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU)
Diploma in Advertising	SEGi College, Subang Jaya The One Academy of Communication Design Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology
Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering/Technology	Nilai University Kolej TAFE Seremban Management & Science University (MSU)
Diploma in Automotive Engineering/Technology	Nilai University Kolej TAFE Seremban Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) TOC Automotive College
Diploma in Business Administration	First City University College Nilai University Sunway College Ipoh Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) KFCH International College (Kolej Antarabangsa KFCH) MAHSA University Manipal International University (MIU), Malaysia KDU University College Erican College Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL)
Diploma in Business Management	Olympia College - KL (Headquarters) Quest International University Perak (QIUP) LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology BERJAYA University College of Hospitality Kolej Kemahiran Minda Isbauk (Isbauk Thinking Skills College) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU)
Diploma in Business Studies	Raffles University Iskandar Malaysia Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC)
Diploma in Civil Engineering	Kolej TAFE Seremban Manipal International University (MIU), Malaysia UTMSPACE (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology
Diploma in Computer Science/Studies	Nilai University Kolej Universiti KDU Penang HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) UTMSPACE (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) SEGi College, Sarawak SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur KDU University College Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
Diploma in Culinary Arts	BERJAYA University College of Hospitality City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Erican College HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) KDU University College KFCH International College (Kolej Antarabangsa KFCH) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) Management & Science University (MSU) Nilai University SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Sarawak SEGi University Sunway University Taylor's University UCSI University UNITAR International University
Diploma in Early Childhood Education	Alfa International College City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) Management & Science University (MSU) Open University Malaysia (OUM) SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur SEGi College, Sarawak SEGi College, Subang Jaya SEGi University UNITAR International University
Diploma in Education (TESL)	Management & Science University (MSU) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU)
Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering	KDU University College UCSI University SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Subang Jaya AIMST University HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) Kolej TAFE Seremban Management & Science University (MSU) Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL)
Diploma in Fashion Design	Equator College LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology UCSI University Management & Science University (MSU) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) The One Academy of Communication Design Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) Alfa International College
Diploma in Graphic Design	Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) UCSI University Management & Science University (MSU) SEGi College, Sarawak SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology Erican College City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) IACT College Alfa International College Equator College Sunway College Ipoh SEGi College, Subang Jaya The One Academy of Communication Design Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU)
Diploma in Healthcare	SEGi College, Subang Jaya Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kota Kinabalu) Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kuching) SEGi University SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur SEGi College, Sarawak Asia Metropolitan University (AMU)
Diploma in Hospitality Management	First City University College Management & Science University (MSU) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC)
Diploma in Human Resource Management	SEGi College, Sarawak Open University Malaysia (OUM) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) International Open College (IOC) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur
Diploma in Information Technology	First City University College Sunway University SEGi College, Subang Jaya Nilai University Kolej TAFE Seremban Olympia College – KL (Headquarters) Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) Open University Malaysia (OUM) Management & Science University (MSU) SEGi College Penang UNITAR International University UCSI University SEGi University LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology Quest International University Perak (QIUP) Taylor’s University HELP University Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Erican College
Diploma in Interior Architecture	SEGi College, Subang Jaya UCSI University Alfa International College
Diploma in Interior Design	First City University College Equator College Sunway College Ipoh Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) The One Academy of Communication Design Taylor’s University LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology Raffles University Iskandar Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Erican College
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering	Nilai University Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Kolej TAFE Seremban Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) Manipal International University (MIU), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU) UTMSPACE (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC)
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology	Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kota Kinabalu) Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kuching) SEGi College, Subang Jaya Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) Management & Science University (MSU) SEGi University SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur MAHSA University SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Sarawak Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Nilai University
Diploma in Multimedia/ Diploma in Multimedia Design/ Diploma in Creative Multimedia	Equator College German Malaysian Institute (GMI) SEGi College, Subang Jaya LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology SEGi College, Sarawak Terra College Management & Science University (MSU) City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) Han Chiang College Alfa International College Taylor’s University The One Academy of Communication Design Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC)
Diploma in Nursing	Nilai University KPJ Healthcare University College Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kota Kinabalu) AIMST University Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) Management & Science University (MSU) MAHSA University SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur International Medical College (IMC) Subang Jaya International Medical College (IMC) Melaka City University College of Science & Technology (CUCST) UCSI University
Diploma in Pharmacy	Kolej Masterskill (Kampus Metro Kota Kinabalu) Management & Science University (MSU) MAHSA University
Diploma in Tourism Management	First City University College Sunway University Nilai University Management & Science University (MSU) Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) KDU University College BERJAYA University College of Hospitality Quest International University Perak (QIUP) SEGi College, Kuala Lumpur UNITAR International University KFCH International College (Kolej Antarabangsa KFCH) Taylor's University SEGi University LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology SEGi College Penang SEGi College, Sarawak Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMU) Erican College

Search for hundreds more diploma courses here.

Source:

Study in Malaysia Handbook, 10th edition

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