What should I do after SPM? What pre-U/foundation course or programme do I take? If you’re one of the thousands of students who have just finished this mega exam and are waiting for your SPM results, we bet you’re asking this question.
And we get it—you thought you could finally chill and relax. Now, just after you’ve completed this challenge, you have to think about the next option.
But hey, don’t worry! There are so many pre-university options after SPM, and we’re here to help you decide on what to study.
SPM Results 2023
Wondering when the SPM results will be released? Let’s take a look at the SPM results from the past three years, which were impacted by COVID-19. The SPM 2020 results were announced on June 10, 2021, followed by the SPM 2021 results on June 16, 2022. In contrast, the SPM 2019 results were released on March 5, 2020, before the pandemic disrupted the usual timeline. Considering the recent trends, it is likely that the SPM 2022 results will be available sometime after June, similar to the previous year.
UPDATE: The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the 2023 SPM results will be made available on May 27, 2024. Candidates are advised to check their results through the designated portal at 🔗http://myresultspm.moe.gov.my/.
Foundation After SPM
Foundation programmes allow you to experience that exciting university life straight after your SPM. It also only takes one year, so you can fast-track your progress to a Bachelor’s degree.
Most universities offer many different options, including Foundation in Science, Foundation in Business and Foundation in Arts. No matter what you want to study, they will have something for you.
Once you join a Foundation programme, it becomes much easier for you to join that university’s degree programme. But don’t worry, because the option is still there for you to change if you’d like.
We’ve got the full explanation of the Foundation programme here—from scholarships to subjects and career pathways. Check it out!
Diploma After SPM
Some of us feel like we want to enter the job market quickly. If this describes your feelings, a diploma could be perfect for you.
You can take up fields of study that are similar to a degree, but you will spend less time—a degree can take 4 to 5 years with one year of Foundation, but a Diploma will only take 2.5 to 3 years.
Once you’ve completed your diploma, you can choose to start working right away or continue into a degree programme. Your Bachelor’s degree will take a shorter time then.
You’ll also be able to enjoy university life, as most universities offer Diploma programmes.
Want to know more about what a Diploma programme offers? We’ve got a full guide here, talking about financial aid, fields of study, and how it’s different from Foundation.
Matriculation After SPM
Matriculation is a really interesting option because the costs are really low, and it gives you a fantastic chance of getting into a public university.
But there are two sides to every coin. It’s a bit more difficult to get into matriculation. And if you do get into a public university, it might also be tougher to get the course or programme of your choice.
STPM/Form 6
Just like Matriculation, the STPM choice is another cheap option after SPM. Also, the chances of you making it to a public university are much higher.
An STPM qualification is accepted around the world, so you’ll have a lot more options for further studies beyond Malaysia.
If you’re looking for a taste of university life though, this isn’t the direction you should be looking at. You’ll be heading back to school, but the upside is that you’ll be one of the seniors. Time to act like a boss (of course the teachers will still be the bigger boss lah).
ACCA
There are always those people who are lucky enough to know exactly what they want to do from the beginning. If you know that you want to be an accountant, you could decide to get the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) certification.
How can you get there from SPM? Here are a few ways:
- Join a Diploma programme, a Bachelor’s degree and then take 4 ACCA papers.
- Sign up for A-Levels or STPM and once you’re done, take 13 ACCA papers.
- Complete a Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) programme, before taking 10 ACCA papers.
Keep in mind though, that all these options require you to gain 3 years of experience as well.
We’ve saved the best way for last though. Quest International University gives you the chance to take up a four-year degree. Once you graduate, it will only take two years before you qualify as an ACCA member.
The details of this fast-track are right here. And you can sign up here!
A-Levels
Are you one of that rare group who doesn’t mind exams? Are you looking for opportunities to study or work overseas? A-Levels might be exactly what you need.
This is a UK-based pre-university programme that is widely accepted in colleges and universities around the world. It’s basically 100 per cent exam-based, and you can choose the subjects you want based on what you want to do in the future.
However, you should definitely make those choices based on the entry requirements of whatever option you want to take after the A-Levels.
Job/Gap Year
But ultimately the choice is yours. You could even choose to make the choice after taking a year off to work.
There are a lot of exciting internships and jobs that will give you precious hands-on knowledge of the job market. You’ll be able to build a solid network and gather experience before making the big decision.
QIU offers a variety of programmes at Foundation, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree and Postgraduate levels. If you need help deciding on your next step after your SPM, email us at enquiries@qiu.edu.my, visit our website at www.qiu.edu.my or give us a call at 019-830 0881.
