Our 12-month Foundation Programme is designed to prepare those with SPM, ‘O’ Levels or similar qualifications with the knowledge and skills to progress into the first year of a degree of their choice.

On completion of the Foundation Programme, you will be able to make an informed decision about your interest and pursue your degree of choice.

During the Foundation Programme, you are able to choose different routes depending on your area of interest. This will allow you to progress onto a specific degree programme at APU, related to this area or other relevant areas based on your foundation experience.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing your study in this programme, you will be able to:

• Enter Level 1 of degree study
• Make an informed choice about what degree you want to study
• Demonstrate an awareness of the concepts which underpin the study of Accounting, Banking, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Business & Management, Computing & Technology, Engineering, Design Innovation & Brand Management, Animation and Visual Effects
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a given audience
• Work effectively in a team
• Demonstrate English and other study skills appropriate to undergraduate learning
• Apply skills in numeracy, technology and communication
• Explain the essential elements of technology
• Use appropriate application software and the Internet

What You Will Study:

The modules studied help develop your study skills, introduce you to what you can expect on your degree and also allow you to discover what you can study depending on whether you choose a degree in Business, Accounting & Finance, Banking & Finance, Actuarial Studies, Media, Information Technology or Engineering. 

Semester 1 (12 weeks)

Note: This is a common Semester 1 across all pathways

• English for Academic Purpose
• Communication Skills
• Personal Development & Study Methods
• Essentials of Web Applications
• Mathematics    

Semester 2 (12 weeks)

• Introduction to Business
• Introduction to Computer Architecture & Networking
• Introduction to Visual & Interactive Programming
• Public Speaking in English        

Semester 3 (12 weeks)

• Academic Research Skills
• Further Mathematics
• Introduction to Multimedia Applications
• Perspectives in Technology
• Co-Curricular

A credit pass in Mathematics at SPM/O-Levels is required for some programmes for entry to Degree after Computing & Technology Pathway. For detailed entry requirements for Degree programmes, please visit ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.

Upon completion of your Foundation, you may Enter the following areas of your Degrees of your choice:

Computing, Technology & Games Development Programmes

• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Information Systems Security
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Cloud Computing
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Network Computing
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Mobile Technology
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Internet of Things (IoT)
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Financial Technology (FinTech)
• BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Business Information Systems
• BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering*
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science*
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with a specialism in Data Analytics*
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with a specialism in Digital Forensics*
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Cyber Security)*
• Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) Intelligent Systems*
• BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Technology*
• BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Technology with a specialism in VR/AR*
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Development

*Student who choose to progress to BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering, BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) (Intelligent Systems) or BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Cyber Security) will require Foundation from Computing & Technology route or Engineering route if the student do not have a credit in Additional Mathematics at SPM / IGCSE / O-Level OR do not have a credit in Mathematics and Science subject at SPM / IGCSE / O-Level.

Business, Management, Marketing & Tourism & International Relations Programmes

• BA (Hons) in Business Management
• BA (Hons) in Business Management with specialism in E-Business
• BA (Hons) in International Business Management
• BA (Hons) in Marketing Management
• BA (Hons) in Marketing Management with a specialism in Digital Marketing
• BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management
• BA(Hons) in Tourism Management
• BA (Hons) in International Relations

Accounting, Banking, Finance and Actuarial Programmes

• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance
• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance with a specialism in Forensic Accounting
• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance with a specialism in Taxation
• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance with a specialism in Forex and Investments
• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance with a specialism in Internal Audit
• Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons)
• Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons) with specialism in Investment and Risk Management
• Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons) with a specialism in Financial Technology
• BSc (Hons) in Actuarial Studies

Design, Advertising & Animation Programmes

• BA (Hons) in Industrial Design
• BA (Hons) in Visual Effects
• BA (Hons) in Animation
• BA (Hons) in Digital Advertising

Note: Portfolio Required

General Requirement

The Foundation programme gives you an opportunity to sample your future areas of study. This helps you choose which Degree programme to pursue.

• 5 credits in at least 5 subjects at SPM level including a credit in Mathematics and a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History); or
• 5 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 5 subjects at IGCSE/O-Levels including a credit in Mathematics; or
• 3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects in UEC including a credit in Mathematics; or
• A qualification that APU accepts as equivalent to the above.

Malaysian Students who do not possess a Pass in English at SPM/IGCSE/UEC; will be required to sit for the APU English Placement Test, and based on the outcome of the test may be required to attend the APU Intensive English Programme (IEP) prior to commencement of the Foundation/Diploma/Certificate programme.

English Requirement

International Students

Diploma in Information and Communication Technology

• IELTS : 4.0
• TOEFL PBT : 397
• TOEFL IBT : 30-31
• Pearson (PTE) : 30
• MUET : Band 2

Please note that under Ministry of Education regulations, only students who have achieved the minimum requirement in the English Language proficiency assessment as indicated above will be allowed to continue their studies in the main study programme. Students who do not have the required English Language achievement may apply for a student visa on conditional basis and are allowed to enrol in an English Language Certification programme at APU upon arrival in Malaysia and, subsequently, appear for the IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/MUET assessment.

Students who are unable to obtain the required level of English Competency during the maximum 12 months’ period, will not be allowed to pursue their studies in the main programme and will have to return to their home country.

Students from English speaking countries and those with qualifications taught in English (IGCSE, A-Levels, IB, American High School Diploma etc) are exempted from English requirements. Applications for exemption must be accompanied by supporting documents.

Note: The above entry requirements may differ for specific programmes based on the latest programme standards published by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

13 May 2020 / 14 July 2020 / 21 Sep 2020 / 09 Nov 2020