Although there are many type of Pre-university courses available world wide. We try to list here the most common and recogised pre-university programs that are available.

They are

MALAYSIAN STPM
AUSTRALIAN YEAR 12
AUSTRALIAN & UK FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
UNITED KINGDOM A LEVELS
CANADIAN PRE UNIVERSITY

1. STPM in Malaysia

THE MALAYSIAN STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia) is the equavalent to the Pre-university qualifications of most countries.
It is a 2 year program normally attended by students of the ages of 17 and 18.

Entry into the STPM is through the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia - FORM FIVE).

2. AUSTRALIAN YEAR 12

The Australian Year 12 besides being taken by Australian students and PRs, is opened to International Students who would like a more recognised university entry pathway.

Students who are looking at undergraduate programs which have a high entry requirement and/or have limited places, should take this program instead of Foundation courses as Foundation programs may not necessary be recognised for university entry in some of the more prestigious universities world wide.

The Year 12 program is taught in ONE YEAR starting from January till the November exams with the results being released in Mid December so that students are able to start universities studies in February. This is because some courses only have a February intake.

3. AUSTRALIAN & UK FOUNDATION PROGRAMS

AUSTRALIAN

The Foundation Program has been specially designed to meet the of international students. There are three flexible entry dates needs available:-

The Standard Foundation Program is a 10-month course commencing in January and concluding in November. An April Start Foundation Program commences in April and also concludes in November.

A Fast Track Foundation Program commences in August and concludes in December of the same year.
Students undertaking the April Start have extended instruction times and shorter break in order to obtain the same class time as those in the Standard Program. In the April Start and Fast Track Foundation Programs a limited range of subjects will be offered.

To be eligible to enrol in any of the Colleges' programs an international student must meet the following entry requirements.

1. Age - Normally, a student should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of the program.
2. Academic achievement - The academic achievement criteria used to determine whether a student meets the Colleges' minimum entry requirements are:
the level of English language proficiency, and

the academic performance in three subjects that are likely to be studied in the Foundation/Year 12. Such subjects include Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Human Biology, Accounting, Computing, Economics, Geography and History.

Applications from students who are over the age of 19 at the commencement of their program will receive special consideration. Besides performance in public and school examinations, credit will be given for non-formal training, other qualifications and work experience.


UNITED KINGDOM - INTO UK - University Preparation for University Success

In the United Kingdom, there are a number of foundation programs which offer direct pathways into Universities in the United Kingdom. Amongst the most well-known relative to its young age, is INTO. INTO currently has campuses in THREE well known universities namely, EXETER UNIVERSITY, MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY and The University Of East Anglia.

In the year of 2008, INTO shall be in partnership with three more universities to offer students more choices of direct entry into the university programs of their choice.

The Foundation Program starts generally in January and September of each year gearing for entry into the normal university intakes of September each year. The program offers entry into courses like Business and typeering amongst others.

4. UNITED KINGDOM A LEVELS

The GCE A-Levels courses are examined by an external approved examination boards as bellow:-
Associated Examining Board (AEB)
University of Cambridge
University of Oxford
University of London

There is no difference in quantity (or difficulty) between the various examinations. These courses are normally of one,
two years or or 18 months duration offering a wide range of subjects. the length of the course duration depends on
the number and type of subjects being taken. There are FIVE grades at A-Levels: A, B, C, D, and E.

Generally, the entry to A Level courses requires four or more credit passes in O Levels or SPM. GCE A-Levels is accepted
as the direct entry requirement into universities in UK and other parts of the world. It is also accepted by the external
professional examination bodies (Local and Overseas).

5. CANADIAN PRE UNIVERSITY (CPU)

The Canadian Pre-University (CPU) is a program provides students with the entry requirements into University Levels courses.
Upon successful of the Canadian Pre University program, students receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma which is
accepted for university admission worldwide.

The Canadian Pre-University program is a one year course that follows a semester system with two semesters each year.
Each semester is approximately 20 weeks in length.

The CPU is based on the Ontario Secondary School system where continuous assessment is done throughout the course.

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