Fresh out of SPM and not sure what your next step should be? Choosing your college or university is an incredibly important decision, so throwing caution to the wind is not an option!

If you’re pretty much set on the degree you want to pursue, need a solid introduction to your field of interest and want the quickest route to obtaining your bachelor’s degree, then you might want to consider HELP University’s Foundation in Arts or Foundation in Science programmes where you can have your cake and eat it too.

In this article, we’re giving you 5 reasons why you should consider HELP’s Foundation programmes as your next step after SPM. Let’s go!

#1. Kickstart your pathway to an international qualification

If you’ve always wanted to continue your tertiary studies abroad, HELP’s Foundation programmes allow you to seamlessly continue your studies abroad upon successful completion. This is thanks to its well-established partnerships with universities worldwide.

This includes universities in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, the United States of America (USA), Russia and even Grenada.

This means that with a HELP Foundation, you can enjoy direct entry into degree programmes at top-rated universities such as the Australian National University (ANU) and University of Queensland in Australia, as well as University of Sheffield and University of Leeds in the UK.

In addition, HELP also provides you with a variety of degree transfer programmes after you complete your foundation, such as 1 + 2 (i.e. 1 year in Malaysia and 2 years abroad), 1.5 + 1.5 (i.e. 1.5 years in Malaysia and 1.5 years abroad) and 2 + 1 (i.e. 2 years in Malaysia and 1 year abroad), making it a flexible programme depending on your budget.

#2. Take a peek at what university life will be like

A foundation programme is ideal if you’re confident about the degree you hope to pursue in the university. Students who take a foundation can enjoy a smooth transition to their degree as they’ll be equipped with the basics of their field of interest.

HELP’s Foundation in Arts, for example, provides you with a glimpse of potential disciplines by offering elective subjects related to psychology, information technology, education, communication, hospitality and a multitude of business-related majors, such as accounting, marketing and economics.

Additionally, HELP’s Foundation programmes have a good balance of coursework and exams, ensuring students enjoy a holistic education.

#3. Tailor your subject combination based on your interests

HELP’s Foundation offers a broad-based education that will give you exposure to different disciplines through the flexibility to mix and match your electives. This can help you make better decisions when deciding your future career.

The programme consists of 9 core subjects and 4 electives for the Foundation in Arts programme, and 8 core subjects and 5 electives for the Foundation in Science programme.

You can choose from an array of subject offerings for your electives, from C Programming and Psychology for Personal Development to Finite Mathematics and Microeconomics, equipping yourself with a wide skill set upon completing the programme.

#4. Enjoy a conducive learning environment

If you’ve always enjoyed an interactive learning experience, you’ll be pleased to note that HELP’s Foundation courses are held in small classrooms to ensure a more effective and engaged learning environment.

A controlled staff-to-student ratio also promises better academic support and allows you to forge personal relationships with your lecturers. This makes it a relaxed learning environment where you’ll feel less intimidated to ask questions.

The Foundation programme is spearheaded by a team of experienced and committed academic staff with expertise in an extensive range of fields to ensure that you are given the guidance you need in order to excel.

#5. You’ll leave with more than just an academic qualification

To ensure students receive a holistic education, HELP hosts a variety of extracurricular initiatives to nurture students to not only be academically capable but also equipped with the soft skills to compete with the swelling number of university graduates.

Notably, this includes the HMC Leadership Programme — a camp introduced to inculcate students with effective communication, leadership and teamwork skills, as well as the HMC Community Service initiative which requires students to complete 10 hours of community service as part of their Foundation programme.

That’s not all — HELP has also made headlines with other activities led by and for students, such as the AniHELP campaign, which is aimed at creating awareness about animal cruelty, as well as the Cosplay, Comics, Anime and Games Exhibition (C2AGE) with appearances from world renowned cosplayers from the USA, Ukraine and Australia.

These events introduce students to leadership, interpersonal and event management skills, which are fast becoming prerequisites to entering an increasingly demanding workforce.