It is important to consider the majors and programmes offered when choosing a college. You should of course choose a college or university that has the course you are interested in, but that’s not all. Consider the following points: 

Is your desired course accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)? As the main role of MQA is to oversee the quality assurance of higher education, choosing a course accredited by MQA assures that your course has met the standards and criteria set by the organisation. 

What is the institution’s SETARA or MyQUEST rating? Use this information to get a rough idea of the institution’s reputation instead of relying on it solely for decision making. 

Does the institution offer your preferred specialisation? Let’s say you are interested in Mass Communication, which can be divided into several branches like Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, and Broadcasting. So it’s important to check and see if the institution offers the specialisation that you want.  

What is the quality of the lecturers? Do they have the credentials and experience you are looking for?  

What kind of qualifications are you looking for? Do you want an honours, non-honours, single award or dual award degree? Are you interested in doing a double major, or is a major with a minor degree more appealing to you?  

Another factor to consider is the location of the college. This is especially important if you wish to attend college in another state. Here are some points to consider: 

Do you want to experience city life or a place that is more relaxing and slow-paced? 

 

How will you get around? Do you own a car? Is your college accessible by public transport? Does it offer its own free bus service? 

 

What kind of amenities are available surrounding your college (e.g. restaurants, convenience stores, banks, clinics, malls)?  

One shouldn’t break the bank just to attend college. So, it’s important to research the costs involved (including hidden fees) and make comparisons before coming to a decision. You’ll want to ask yourself these questions as you do your research: 

Some of the common fees are registration fee, deposit fee, tuition fee, insurance, facilities fee, lab fee, and exam fee. 

Do you qualify for any scholarships or bursaries offered by the college? You may be able to enjoy early bird rebates or fee waivers if you apply during the college’s Open Day event. 

 

You could also consider getting a financial loan like PTPTN, but make sure to check that your course is eligible for the loan. 

Aside from academics, you would want to have an enjoyable experience at your campus. So, you should take into account the facilities and amenities provided at your campus and see if they have what you need. 

Does the institution provide well-equipped facilities and labs specific to your major (e.g. Obstetrics & Gynaecology simulation room for medical students, Automation & Robotics lab for engineering students)? Is the library comprehensive, and does it feature a large collection of books and journals? 

 

What kind of sports and fitness facilities are you looking for on campus (e.g. gym, futsal court, badminton court, basketball court, football field, swimming pool)? If those offered by your college is limited, is there a sports complex nearby that you can take advantage of? 

Are student lounges available? Are there enough seatings on campus for you to hang out with your friends or study and work? 

 

How many cafeterias are there on campus? Are there any food courts or restaurants within walking distance from the campus? 

 

Does the college offer mental health services to students? 

 

What clubs and societies are available there? Do you hope to start your own club? 

 

One of the most exciting experiences for students is to move away from home for the first time in their life. Here are some questions for you to consider to ensure a pleasant accommodation experience: 

Do you prefer to live on campus or off campus? While living on campus is more convenient due to the shorter walking distance, off-campus accommodation can be a more affordable option. 

 

The cost of your accommodation will depend on the location and type of room. A single room can give you greater privacy, but a double or triple sharing room is more cost-effective and grants you the opportunity to expand your social network. 

 

Are the rooms furnished? Do they have facilities such as a kitchen, laundry area, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, study spaces, gyms and swimming pool? Does the management provide services such as weekly cleaning? 

 

Many students are interested in studying abroad, but few would choose to do that from the get-go. Nevertheless, there are many private universities that offer students the chance to study overseas for several semesters of the programme via transfer programmes linked to partner universities abroad. Consider the following questions: 

Does the institution offer transfer programmes or student exchange programmes? How many semesters or years can you stay in another country under that programme? 

 

What is your study destination? Which countries and institutions are involved in the programme? 

Many institutions have an in-house career services centre to help students explore new opportunities and develop skill sets for their future career. Be sure to check if your preferred institution offers such services, and take a moment to think about the following questions: 

Are career counselling services offered to students? This is crucial for those who may feel uncertain about their future major or career goals and need clarification to move forward. 

 

Does the university provide opportunities for students to prepare them for internship such as workshops on writing resumes and cover letters and interview skills? 

 

Does the university have strong connections with industry partners? How does the centre help students to find internship and job opportunities? Are career fairs regularly hosted? 

 

We hope that this article serves as a basic guideline and is helpful to you, but there’s another alternative and faster way that many students take advantage of.  

Our education consultants have guided many students in selecting their courses and universities for free! Get personalised advice, and leave the calculation of fees and matching of scholarships to us. We are there to support you throughout the entire process so that you can kickstart your higher education with ease.  

Contact us to schedule your appointment with us!