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Are all Pre-U Courses the Same?

December 21, 2013 | Editor's Desk

Are all pre-university programmes (pre-u) the same? Here's how to choose the most suitable pre-university programme after your SPM.

Before you begin an undergraduate degree, you would most likely enrol in a pre-university programme. Besides university foundation studies, popular courses in Malaysia are A-levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), SAM, AUSMAT and the Canadian matriculation. So what are some key differences between these programmes and how does your choice of pre-university programme affect what you want to pursue at undergraduate level?

Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

• Choice of subjects – this may largely depend on the type of course you plan to pursue at bachelor's degree level so do find out if there are any pre-requisites before deciding on your choice of subjects
• Duration of study – some programmes are longer than others but may offer more options for undergraduate study, so weigh your pros and cons
• Where (which country) you plan to pursue your bachelor's degree after completing your pre-university programme also matters as some universities could give preference to students with a particular pre-university qualification
• You may also want to consider the timing of when the pre-university results are released and the intake date of the bachelor's degree programme you intend to pursue (e.g. the intake for most UK universities is in September; and February for most Australian universities)
• Assessment method – are you the type who prefers to sit for one exam at the end of the programme; would you rather have a combination of course work and examinations; or do you prefer a continual assessment throughout the programme?
• Tuition fee – the fee of pre-university programmes can vary significantly – some courses are more affordable than others, however, choosing a programme where you spend less does not have to mean compromising on the quality of the university or your study experience

A Comparison of Various Types of Pre-university Programmes:

(Note: All figures are estimates and merely serve as a guideline)

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