Higher Education

As mentioned, post-secondary education prepares students for the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahn Malaysia–STPM) Examination conducted by the Malaysian Examinations Council, as well as matriculation examinations conducted by some local universities. Sixth Form and matriculation courses are offered for a duration of two years. Matriculation courses prepare students to meet specific entry requirements of certain universities while the Sixth Form is designed to meet the entry requirements of all universities.

Higher education provides opportunities for academic pursuit and the advancement of knowledge. It aims at producing professionals to meet national manpower needs and requirements besides providing facilities for research and consultancy services. Institutes of higher education include universities, colleges and polytechnics. University and college education is co-ordinated and monitored by the Higher Education Division, while the administration of polytechnics falls under the purview of the Technical and Vocational Division, Ministry of Education.

In 2002, there were ten public universities, four public university colleges and one international university funded by the Government. Of the fifteen universities, the International Islamic University is international in nature with international co-sponsorship; it is not limited to Islamic theological studies but is a comprehensive professional institution of higher learning where the teaching is infused with Islamic values and the Islamic philosophy of knowledge.


The Department of Student Admission, under the Ministry of Education, manages the admission of students into the 14 public universities for first bachelor degree and diploma courses. Generally, admission requirements and selection criteria are the prerogative of the individual universities. However, they need to conform to the minimum entry requirements prescribed by the Ministry of Education.

At the higher education level, the most important new development is the provision for the setting up of private universities. A number of public corporations have been invited to establish institutes of higher education offering courses in information technology and engineering. They are: Universiti Multimedia (formerly known as Universiti Telekom); Universiti Tenaga Nasional; Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Asian Institute of Medecine, Science and Technology; International Medical University; Universiti Tun Abdul Razak; Universiti Terbuka Malaysia; Universiti Industri Selangor; Univerisiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; and Malaysia Institute of Science and Technology. In addition, three foreign universities have established campuses in the country. They are: Monash University (MUSM), Curtin University, and Nottingham University-Malaysian Campus.