Foundation: A Guide for Malaysian Students

What To Study

2023-08-23 | 8 MINS READ

What is Foundation?


Foundation is one of the popular Pre-University programmes available for students. The purpose of foundation is to help you transition smoothly into your degree programme by offering modules designed to increase your knowledge on specific subjects and hone crucial skills like languages and public speaking.

After finishing SPM / O-Levels, you can proceed to foundation, and then enter the degree programme of your choice.


What Are the Various Types of Foundation Programmes?


Nowadays, universities offer a wide range of foundation programmes, all of which are tailored to their corresponding fields and degree programmes.

Let’s explore them here:

Programme TypeDescriptionEntry Requirements
Foundation in Science 

A foundation programme with a general focus on science-related subjects. Modules cover Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computing topics. 

 Degree options: computer science, engineering, medicine, etc. 

SPM/O-Levels: Min. 5 credits including Mathematics and 2 Science subjects

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah

UEC: Min. 3Bs including Mathematics and 2 Science subjects

Foundation in Arts 

A foundation programme with a general focus on subjects related to arts and humanities. Modules may cover topics on business, programming, and communication.

Degree options: business, mass communication, IT, hospitality, etc. 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits 

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah 

UEC: Min. 3Bs 

Foundation in Business 

A foundation programme focusing on business-related subjects such as accounting, economics, and marketing. 

Degree options: human resource management, international business, marketing, logistics, etc. 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits 

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah 

UEC: Min. 3Bs

Foundation in Engineering 

A foundation programme concentrating on engineering-related subjects like mechanics, calculus, and thermal physics. 

Degree options: electrical & electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, etc. 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits including Mathematics and 1 Science subject  

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah 

UEC: Min. 3Bs including Mathematics and 1 Science subject 

Foundation in Design 

A foundation programme featuring design-related subjects like drawing fundamentals, design studies and photography. 

Degree options: animation, graphic design, fine art, game design, etc. 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits 

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah 

UEC: Min. 3Bs 

Foundation in Computing 

A foundation programme focusing on subjects related to computing / IT like programming, multimedia, and computing mathematics. 

Degree options: computer science, information technology, software engineering, etc. 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits including Mathematics 

*SPM holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah 

UEC: Min. 3Bs including Mathematics 

Foundation in Law 

A foundation programme concentrating on subjects related to law such as tort law, criminal law, and contract law. 

Degree options: law 

SPM / O-Levels: Min. 5 credits including Bahasa Melayu and English

*SPM holders must have a pass in Sejarah 




Structure and Assessment of Foundation Programmes


Foundation is 12 months long with three semesters of academic studies. Instead of being purely exam-based, Foundation features a combination of continuous assessment (50%) and final exams (50%) to measure your academic performance. For the continuous assessment component, you can be involved in various tasks like projects, assignments, lab work, and presentations. Final exams are conducted at the end of each semester.

The course syllabi of foundation programmes vary across universities because the programmes are created and managed by the universities themselves. However, they usually comprise a list of core and elective subjects, equipping you with a strong foundation of knowledge and critical skills to succeed in university.


Advantages of Foundation Programmes


  1. Smooth Transition Into Degree
    2. Pursuing a foundation programme is a great way to help you transition into your degree. This is because foundation programmes are tailored to suit the degree programmes in each university. Foundation also gives you the opportunity to adapt to university life so that you’ll be ready to handle the demands of undergraduate study.

  2. Mixed Assessment Methods
    3. Foundation is an option you should consider if you really dislike the idea of measuring your grades through exams alone. Yes, you still need to sit for your papers in foundation, but you also get to earn your grades through different activities like assignments and presentations. Juggling these tasks can hone your time management and organisation skills, making you an effective student.

  3. Fast Pathway to Degree
    4. There are many awesome Pre-U options out there, but they tend to take a longer time to complete (STPM, A-Levels, and International Baccalaureate can take up to 1.5 - 2 years). However, you can finish your foundation in just 12 months, making this a quick option to kickstart your degree.

  4. Affordable Fees and Financial Aids
    5. Foundation programmes, which can range from RM8000 – RM30,000, are generally known to be more affordable compared to some of the other Pre-U courses like A-Levels (fees can start from RM30,000 onwards). Besides that, many universities offer merit scholarships (fee waiver is based on your results) and progression scholarships (fee waiver is applied to your degree if you pursue both foundation and degree at the same university). You’ll get more bang for your buck with this pathway.


Disadvantages of Foundation Programmes


  1. Difficulty Switching to Other Pathways
    2. Can you switch to a pathway that is different from your chosen foundation programme? The answer—it depends. Generally, students from Foundation in Science will find it easier to switch to a non-science degree like business. However, those from Foundation in Arts (or any non-science foundation programmes) cannot switch to a science-related degree. If you have chosen a more specific foundation like Foundation in Engineering, you can switch to non-engineering degrees except for those that have specific requirements like medicine and pharmacy. Long story short, it’s best to choose your foundation that corresponds to your degree major from the get-go.

  2. Difficulty Transferring to Another University
    3. Can you transfer to a different university for your degree after completing your foundation? Well, the answer isn’t so straightforward. You see, foundation programmes are created and managed by their respective universities, resulting in varying course syllabi. If you apply to a different university, you’ll need to submit documents including your course syllabus for evaluation. This means that the decision of whether to approve your application rests with the university, and there’s always a risk that they may not recognised your qualification. To avoid such hassle, do your foundation and degree at the same university.

  3. Limited Options for PTPTN Loan
    4. Did you know that Pre-U courses are generally not eligible for PTPTN loans? Unfortunately, this includes foundation programmes as well. However, hope is not lost. There are four institutions that offer PTPTN loans for foundation and these are: Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), and UNITAR International University. So, those are the options you can consider if you really intend to apply for PTPTN to study foundation.

  4. Fewer Work Opportunities
    5. If you want to start working without doing a degree, a diploma programme is a better choice than foundation. This is because a qualification in foundation alone isn’t enough to start your career. On the other hand, a diploma has a higher qualification compared to a foundation programme and is deemed acceptable for entering the workforce. Do note that some fields require at least a bachelor’s degree for entry, so make sure to do your research before making a decision.


So, What’s Next?


Now that you’ve read this post, you have a better idea about what foundation programmes are like. Whether you want to explore your Pre-U options, or you feel confident that foundation is right for you, get in touch with us for your FREE education counselling—we can guide you to get good deals and secure your spot in your dream university.
#Foundation #Pre-University
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