MOHE Announces New IPTA Entry Pathways for UEC and Private School Students. Here's What's New.
UEC and tahfiz students now have new recognised pathways into IPTA.
Published 15 May 2026
On 14 May 2026, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) announced new entry pathways into public universities (IPTA) for students studying outside of the national SPM system, specifically those studying at Chinese Independent High Schools, private schools and tahfiz schools.
Here’s a quick rundown of what has changed.
#1. There are two pathways into IPTA
The announcement sets out two routes into IPTA.
- Those with full SPM qualification: If you have taken a full SPM qualification, you can apply for any programme through UPUOnline based on the merit calculation set by the Ministry of Education, and subject to the general and specific university entry requirements of each programme.
- Those with SPM Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah only: If you have taken just SPM BM and Sejarah subjects (which are compulsory to obtain an SPM certificate), you can apply for a specific list of programmes that are relevant to them and based on current needs. Note that this option applies to UEC and tahfiz students only, and there was no mention of this for private school (IGCSE) students.
The changes appear to mainly affect UEC students.
Based on the press statement, our understanding is that if you hold a full SPM qualification alongside your UEC (which is a Year 12 qualification equivalent to STPM and A Level), you may now apply for all IPTA degree programmes. Alternatively, you also have the option to sit for only SPM BM and Sejarah (without taking the full SPM), which will give you access to a specific list of pre-determined degrees (see below).
Note: This is based on our interpretation of the statement. We have reached out to MOHE for further clarification and will update this article once we receive a response.
#2. The identified programmes for UEC students are primarily Chinese-language focused
For UEC students with SPM BM and Sejarah, the list of identified programmes is as follows:
- Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies with Honours (Sarjana Muda Sastera Pengajian Bahasa Cina dengan Kepujian)
- Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics (Sarjana Muda Bahasa dan Linguistik Cina)
- Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies (Sarjana Muda Sastera Pengajian Cina)
- Bachelor of Chinese Language with Education (Sarjana Muda Bahasa Cina dengan Pendidikan)
All four programmes are Chinese language-focused, which are broadly aligned with the academic background of UEC graduates
#3. Tahfiz students will have access to Islamic-related programmes
For students from tahfiz schools or institutions, the identified programmes are:
- Diploma and Bachelor in Dakwah (Diploma dan Sarjana Muda Dakwah)
- Diploma and Bachelor in Al-Quran and As-Sunnah (Diploma dan Sarjana Muda Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah)
- Bachelor of Tahfiz Education (Sarjana Muda Pendidikan Tahfiz)
- Bachelor of Islamic Studies in Dakwah (Sarjana Muda Pengajian Islam (Dakwah))
#4. Applications still go through merit-based selection
MOHE has stated that applications will still be processed on merit, which means:
- Your academic results still matter
- You still need to meet the general and specific entry requirements for the programme you're applying to
- Final decisions still rest with each university's Senate
This means that while this is now a recognised route, it is still not a guaranteed one.
So, if you are a UEC student, sitting for SPM now opens up the full UPU system, with an option for Chinese-language focused programmes if you take just SPM BM and Sejarah.
Not sure what to do next? Leave your details to chat with our education advisors and we'll help you sort through your options.
Loh Sue May
Editor and writer. When I'm not busy putting words onto pages, I'm messing with spreadsheets and playing air guitar.
