Diploma Courses in Malaysia 2024: Your Essential Guide

What is a diploma?

As far as pre-university courses in Malaysia go, a diploma is one of the most popular choices. This can be largely attributed to its learning structure that emphasises practical skills in a specialised field.

Typically spanning two to two-and-a-half years, a diploma enables you to jump straight into the workforce upon completion. To enrol, candidates generally need to have at least passed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams or an equivalent, although specific entry requirements may vary based on the course and institution.

Students are often assessed via a combination of coursework, examinations, assignments and presentations, allowing for a more holistic evaluation of their knowledge and skills. The cost of pursuing a diploma in Malaysia can vary widely (between RM15,000 and RM50,000) based on factors such as the institution, course of study and duration.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics Malaysia reported a 5.5 per cent year-on-year growth in the number of diploma graduates in Malaysia. Out of 5.92 million graduates, 46.1 per cent of them are diploma graduates – a testament to the continued popularity of this type of programme.

What subjects can you choose for a diploma?

The subjects in a diploma programme generally cover the basics of your chosen field, as well as their practical applications.

Whether it’s business, engineering, healthcare or the arts, you will learn the fundamental theories and get hands-on experience.

This mix will help you get a foundational understanding of your field of study and prepare you for future career opportunities.

Example subjects by diploma type

Diploma type	Subjects
Diploma in Hotel Management	Hospitality Management Hotel Operations Food and Beverage Management Tourism Management Event Planning
Diploma in Business	Business Communication Marketing Accounting Management Principles Entrepreneurship
Diploma in Mass Communication	Media Writing Public Relations Broadcasting Journalism Advertising
Diploma in Information Technology (IT)	Programming Database Management Web Development Networking Operating Systems
Diploma in Education	Curriculum Planning Teaching Language Arts Philosophy of Education Critical Thinking Classroom Management

Diploma vs other pre-university programmes

Criteria	Diploma	Foundation	STPM
Duration	24 - 30 months	12 months	18 months
Structure	Focuses on a specific field of study, with greater emphasis on learning practical skills that boost one’s employability upon graduation	Tailored to degree courses offered by the university and a combination of compulsory, elective and general studies subjects	Modular format that continually assesses students of three six-month-long semesters. Beyond written exams, students are assessed via field study, projects and practical work
Assessment	Mix of assignments, practical assessments, coursework and examinations	Mix of coursework, exams, quizzes and final assessments	School-based assessment (20-40%), centralised examinations (60-80%) at the end of each term and co-curricular activities (10%)
Recognition	Recognised for degree acceptance at the university offering the diploma. Credit transfer may be applicable to other institutions	Recognised by the university that provides the programme and some other private universities (may vary from institution to institution)	Recognised by all local public universities, local private universities and over 2,000 foreign universities
Entry requirements	Course-specific requirements	Varies by university	Entry to public universities requires a minimum CGPA of 2.00, with grades of C and above in three subjects, including general studies. Entry requirements for local private universities and foreign universities vary according to institution
Number of subjects	Varies by course	Varies by course	4 - 5

Criteria	A-Levels	American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP)	WesternAustralian Matriculation (AUSMAT)	Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)
Duration	14 - 24 months	24 months	7 - 10 months	12 - 15 months
Structure	Has two levels called AS and A2, which foster critical thinking and in-depth knowledge of chosen subjects	Broad-based, learning-driven education	Assignment-based with continuous assessment	Interactive learning focus, with a progressive accumulation of marks
Assessment	Final examinations at the end of each level	Mix of exams, coursework, assignments, presentations, quizzes and research papers	50% coursework and 50% exams	70% coursework and 30% final examinations
Recognition	Widely recognised by local and international institutions	Recognised by American universities	Recognised by local and international institutions	Recognised by local and international institutions
Entry requirements	Subject-specific requirements that depend on the course	Completion of approximately 60 credits	Varies by university	Varies by university
Number of subjects	3 - 4	20	5	6

Fast facts about diploma studies
Many diploma programmes require only a minimum of three credits in SPM or equivalent, compared to other pre-university courses requiring five credits or more.*
Diploma programmes usually go for two to two and a half years.
Students are usually assessed via a mix of assignments, practical assessments, coursework and examinations.

*Requirements vary from institution to institution, so it is recommended to check with your desired college/university before proceeding.

Benefits of studying a diploma

Accelerates the completion of a bachelor's degree programme
Many institutions allow diploma holders to enter directly into the second year of a bachelor's degree programme, enabling them to skip the first year. However, this can vary depending on the specific policies of each institution.
Can be further specialised with majors and minors
Some diploma courses offer majors and minors, allowing for an even more specialised education. For instance, a Diploma in Mass Communication might offer a major in public relations. Minors provide a secondary specialisation and may require fewer modules to complete.
Qualifies you for entry into the workforce
A diploma certificate is valuable in the job market as it enables you to enter the workforce without any further education. However, note that the starting salary would be lower as most jobs require or prefer graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher. According to the 2022 Salaries and Wages Survey Report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, a degree holder earns 62 per cent more than a diploma holder on average.
Dual internship experience
Diploma courses often require you to do an internship. Completing a diploma and pursuing a bachelor's degree afterwards means you may get double the industry exposure, as an internship is sometimes required to complete a bachelor’s degree programme. This dual internship experience can boost your practical skills and your employability.
Enhanced employability in the fresh graduate job market
With a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and real-world experience gained through diploma studies and internships, graduates are better positioned to stand out in the fresh graduate job market.

Post-diploma pathways

Getting a diploma can open up many education and career opportunities.

On the career front, diploma holders can enter the workforce directly, securing entry-level positions in various industries. You may still resume your studies later to boost your qualifications. Some also choose to enter the workforce earlier with a diploma to gain a few years of working experience before continuing their educational pursuits.

For those aspiring to pursue a degree, a diploma can expedite the process of getting a bachelor’s degree, as you can immediately skip forward to the second year of your bachelor’s studies. With a bachelor’s degree, you can usually command a higher salary.

Those looking to deepen their knowledge and specialise in a particular field may want to continue with postgraduate studies after completing their bachelor’s. Similarly, you can work for a few years before returning to this.

Who should get a diploma?

If you have a strong passion or a clear idea of what you want to do career-wise, a diploma may be one of the most ideal pre-university options for you. It caters to those who wish to delve into a particular field of study, while acquiring industry-relevant, practical skills that make you workforce-ready.

While both a diploma and STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) are similar in that they take longer to complete than other pre-university courses, one notable distinction is that completing a diploma potentially enables you to enter the second year of a bachelor's degree programme, bypassing the first year. Upon completion of STPM, you will have to start from the first year of the course to get a bachelor’s degree.

A diploma is suitable for students who are decisive about their career path and wish to enter the workforce sooner.

It's worth mentioning that the specialised nature of a diploma may limit the range of viable bachelor's degree programmes or career options available to you later.

How to apply for a diploma

Aspiring students should identify the course and institution that fits their academic and career goals. Then, they can either consult an education counsellor from the institution to find out more or browse through the diploma courses available on StudyNext.

When applying for a diploma, students may need to show proof of English proficiency via the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online), IELTS or TOEFL results. Some institutions may also conduct interviews or aptitude tests as part of the selection process.

After your application is submitted and reviewed, you will receive an offer of admission if you are successful. This offer letter will detail the next steps, including payment of fees, enrolment confirmation and registration for classes.