The Complete Guide to Studying Matrikulasi in Malaysia

What degree can you study with a matrikulasi course? Browse study pathways, see entry requirements and what institution offer matrikulasi in Malaysia.

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If you are looking to further your studies at local public institutions, there is a number of options available to you. Apart from Asasi (similar to Foundation courses at private colleges), public university diplomas and STPM, we also have the Malaysian Matriculation programme as well, widely known as Matrikulasi.

The Malaysian Matriculation is one of the preferred choices for students who are eyeing for coveted spots at public universities, as it is an extremely cost-effective route.

But is Matrikulasi the right choice for you?

In this comprehensive guide, we explore what the Malaysian Matriculation programme is all about so that you can make an informed decision about your future!

#1. The Basics of Matrikulasi

What It Is?

Update Matrikulasi-The Basics

The Malaysian Matriculation Programme (in Malay, Program Matrikulasi Malaysia or more commonly known as just Matrikulasi) is a 2 or 4-semester pre-university course that allows you to pursue a degree upon successful completion.

Matrikulasi is one of the most sought-after pre-university programmes among Malaysians as it is an extremely cost-effective route into tertiary education. Students only need to pay a small registration fee, and the rest of the costs are borne by the Malaysian government. Matrikulasi students also receive an allowance every semester for their use.

Normally, students who opt for Matriculation will go on to pursue their degree with local public institutions. That said, the Malaysian Matriculation is also recognised by several foreign universities such as those from Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Update Matrikulasi-Programmes

Matrikulasi has two programmes with different durations:

  • One Year Programme (Progam Satu Tahun, in short, PST), or
  • Two Year Programme (Program Dua Tahun, in short, PDT).

The Program Satu Tahun (PST) operates on a 2-semester system (sistem dua semester, or SDS), while the Program Dua Tahun (PDT) follows a 4-semester structure (sistem empat semester, or SES)

In other words, the local matriculation typically lasts up to 12 months (for SDS) or 24 months (for SES).

The Matriculation Division under the Ministry of Education has the prerogative to determine which students enter the SDS and which students enter the SES.

Matrikulasi is primarily reserved for bumiputera students, with approximately 10% of the spots going to non-bumiputeras. The two-year SES is only for bumiputera students, while the one-year SDS is for both bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras.

How Is Matrikulasi Structured?

Update Matrikulasi-Stream Type 02

The Matrikulasi programme offers four streams, which are:

  • Science stream (one-year SDS or two-year SES)
  • Accounting stream (one-year SDS only)
  • Professional Accounting stream (one-year SDS and for Bumiputeras only)
  • Engineering stream (one-year SDS only)

If you are from the Science stream, you will be able to choose from all the four streams mentioned above. Students from the Arts stream can only opt for Accounting or Professional Accounting (if they are bumiputera). As for the Engineering stream, it is usually reserved for students from technical secondary schools.

There is no two-year programme for Accounting and Engineering streams. As such, bumiputera students who opt for Science stream will either be sorted into the one-year SDS or two-year SES, whereas non-bumiputera students will be sorted into the one-year SDS.

#2. How will you be evaluated?

Grading is similar to those of public universities, where Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is used to assess your performance. Your final CGPA grade is computed from all your Grade Point Averages (GPA) which you will obtain every semester. Your GPA is determined from the grade values associated with the grades that you obtain for each subject every semester (e.g. 4.00 for A, 3.67 for  A- and so on).

In order to graduate, you will need to obtain a CGPA of at least 2.00. A CGPA that’s less than that will risk you having to repeat a semester or be terminated from the programme entirely. The maximum score that you can achieve is a CGPA of 4.00.

Upon completion of the programme, you can apply for public universities through Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) online once you’ve obtained your Matrikulasi results.

If you are in the Professional Accountancy stream, you can further your studies in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) at UiTM. However, if you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may apply to other eligible courses at UiTM or at any university that meet your qualifications.

#3. What Are The Subjects You Can Choose In Matrikulasi?

In general, Matrikulasi students do not have as much flexibility in subject choices compared to STPM. Science stream Matrikulasi students have 3 modules to choose from. Engineering stream students have 4 modules to pick. Meanwhile, the subjects for the Accounting and Professional Accounting streams are already fixed.

Stream Desired Tertiary Degree Core Subjects

Science Stream

Life Science (Sains Hayat)

Biophysics, Medicine, or other applied or life science courses Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Mathematics

Science Stream

Physical Science (Sains Fizikal)

Information Technology, Engineering, or other applied science courses Chemistry
Physics
Computer Science
Mathematics

Science Stream

Computer Science (Sains Komputer)

Information Technology, Medicine, or other medical or life science courses Chemistry
Computer Science
Biology
Mathematics
Accounting Stream Accounting, Business, or other social science courses Mathematics
Accounting
Business Administration
Economics

Engineering Stream

Basic (Asas)

Engineering, or other technical courses Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Basic Engineering

Engineering Stream

Civil (Awam)

Engineering, or other technical courses Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Civil Engineering

Engineering Stream

Electric and Electronics (Elektrik & Elektronik)

Engineering, or other technical courses Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Electric & Electronics Engineering

Engineering Stream

Mechanical (Mekanikal)

Engineering, or other technical courses Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Mechanical Engineering
Professional Accounting Stream Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Business and Technology
Management Accounting
Financial Accounting
Mathematics

*In a sense, Chemistry and Mathematics are compulsory subjects for Science stream

There are also several compulsory subjects that you are required to take such as:

  • English Language
  • Pengajian Am Matrikulasi (General Studies)
  • Islamic / Moral Education

In total, you will be taking 7 subjects.

You are also expected to participate and be active in co-curricular activities which are classified into:

  • Sports / Games
  • Clubs / Societies
  • Uniform Units
Important Note: For entry into public universities, only the grades from your 4 core subjects plus marks from your participation in co-curricular activities will be taken into account. As for the compulsory subjects (e.g. General Studies, Islamic / Moral Education), these will not be considered for your public university admission.

#4. Why Should You Take Matrikulasi?

Matrikulasi - Why Matrikulasi

Compared with other national pre-university programmes available in Malaysia, the Malaysian Matriculation programme is hugely popular. Here are some reasons why it’s so popular and why you should consider this programme.

(1) Matrikulasi is extremely affordable

Matrikulasi is perhaps the most affordable pre-university programme in Malaysia. All you need to pay is the registration fee. The fees are as illustrated below:

Streams Two-Semester System (SDS) MARA College Four-Semester System (SES)
Science RM599.60 N/A

RM599.60
(Semester 1)

RM284.60
(Semester 3)

Engineering RM599.60 N/A N/A
Accounting RM546.60 N/A N/A
Professional Accounting RM546.60 + RM600 (books) = RM1,146.60
(Semester 1)
N/A N/A
RM546.60 + RM1,690 (ACCA fees) = RM2,236.60
(Semester 2)

All the other costs are subsidised by the government and best of all, you will also receive a generous stipend every semester!

(2) Matrikulasi gives you a better edge in getting your desired degree at public universities

Apart from having a comprehensive list of public university degrees to choose upon completion, Matrikulasi students also tend to have a better edge in landing their desired courses compared to their STPM peers. Not only will you be graduating earlier from Matriculation compared to your friends in STPM, but you will also be handling toned-down syllabuses for your subjects compared to STPM. That said, you still need to put in the rightful effort in your studies (no reason to slack)!

(3) Matrikulasi gives you wide selections for your degree

Compared to other short pre-university courses like Asasi, Matrikulasi gives you a broader selection of courses that you can choose later on for your public university application. For example, if you are in Science stream, you can opt for a range of courses from Medicine to Engineering and even IT. For Accounting stream, you can apply for anything from Law and Economics to Human Resource Management!  

(4) Matrikulasi is recognised by selected institutions overseas

Although the majority of Matrikulasi students pursue degrees in local public universities, there are selected universities abroad that recognise the local matriculation qualificationThe Malaysian Matriculation programme is recognised and accepted by foreign countries like the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

#5. Who Is Matrikulasi For?

Matrikulasi - You Are Suited If You

You should consider taking Matriculation if:

  • You want a quick route to a public university degree
  • You are very cost-conscious on your education
  • You want to have a broad range of degree courses to pick
  • You are self-initiated with your studies
  • You are still generally unsure about which degree to pursue
  • You want to aim for competitive public university degrees

Matrikulasi - You Are Not Suited If You

You should NOT consider taking Matriculation if:

  • You want to have an extensive choice for overseas degrees
  • You are looking for a challenging environment to prep you for degree
  • You want a richer pre-university experience
  • You don’t like to don formal attire to class every day

#6. How To Apply To Study Matrikulasi In Malaysia?

Beginning from the 2020/2021 session, you will have to complete your application online through the UPU website to apply for a placement in Matrikulasi.

As with most pre-university courses, Matrikulasi is only applicable for SPM-leavers who have met their minimum requirements.

Stream Minimum Requirements
Science Stream

Two-Semester System

  • C for Bahasa Melayu
  • C for English
  • B for Matematik (Mathematics)
  • C for Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
  • C for Kimia (Chemistry)
  • E for Sejarah (History)
  • C for any ONE subject:
    • Fizik (Physics)
    • Biologi (Biology)

Four-Semester System

  • C for Bahasa Melayu
  • C for English
  • C for Matematik (Mathematics)
  • E for Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
  • E for Kimia (Chemistry)
  • E for Sejarah (History)
  • E for any ONE subject:
    • Fizik (Physics)
    • Biologi (Biology)
    • Sains Komputer (Computer Science)
Accountancy Stream
  • C for Bahasa Melayu
  • C for English
  • C for Matematik (Mathematics)
  • E for Sejarah (History)
  • C for any THREE subjects:
    • Fizik (Physics)
    • Kimia (Chemistry)
    • Biologi (Biology)
    • Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
    • Sains (Science)
    • Sains Tambahan (Additional Science)
    • Asas Kelestarian (Basic Sustainability)
    • Pertanian (Agriculture)
    • Sains Rumah Tangga (Home Science)
    • Reka Cipta (Design)
    • Sains Komputer (Computer Science)
    • Sains Sukan (Sports Science)
    • Lukisan Kejuruteraan (Engineering Drawing)
    • Grafik Komunikasi Teknikal (Technical Communication Graphics)
    • Prinsip Perakaunan (Accounting Principles)
    • Ekonomi (Economics)
    • Perniagaan (Business)
    • Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah (Quran and Sunnah Studies)
    • Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah (Islamic Education)
    • Tasawwur Islam
    • Usul Al-Din
    • Al-Syari'ah
    • Geografi (Geography)
    • Pendidikan Seni Visual (Arts)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam (Civil Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (Mechanical Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik & Elektronik (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies)
Engineering Stream
  • C for Bahasa Melayu
  • C for English
  • B for Matematik (Mathematics)
  • C for Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
  • C for Fizik (Physics)
  • E for Kimia (Chemistry)
  • E for Sejarah (History)
  • C for any ONE subject:
    • Biologi (Biology)
    • Kimia (Chemistry)
    • Asas Kelestarian (Basic Sustainability)
    • Pertanian (Agriculture)
    • Sains Rumah Tangga (Home Science)
    • Reka Cipta (Design)
    • Sains Komputer (Computer Science)
    • Sains Sukan (Sports Science)
    • Lukisan Kejuruteraan (Engineering Drawing)
    • Grafik Komunikasi Teknikal (Technical Communication Graphics)
    • Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah (Quran and Sunnah Studies)
    • Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah (Islamic Education)
    • Geografi (Geography)
    • Pendidikan Seni Visual (Arts)
    • Prinsip Perakaunan (Accounting Principles)
    • Ekonomi (Economics)
    • Perniagaan (Business)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam (Civil Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (Mechanical Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik & Elektronik (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies)
Professional Accountancy Stream
  • C for Bahasa Melayu
  • A- for English
  • A for Matematik (Mathematics)
  • C for Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
  • E for Sejarah (History)
  • A for any THREE subjects:
    • Fizik (Physics)
    • Kimia (Chemistry)
    • Biologi (Biology)
    • Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics)
    • Sains (Science)
    • Sains Tambahan (Additional Science)
    • Asas Kelestarian (Basic Sustainability)
    • Pertanian (Agriculture)
    • Sains Rumah Tangga (Home Science)
    • Reka Cipta (Design)
    • Sains Komputer (Computer Science)
    • Sains Sukan (Sports Science)
    • Lukisan Kejuruteraan (Engineering Drawing)
    • Grafik Komunikasi Teknikal (Technical Communication Graphics)
    • Prinsip Perakaunan (Accounting Principles)
    • Ekonomi (Economics)
    • Perniagaan (Business)
    • Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah (Quran and Sunnah Studies)
    • Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah (Islamic Education)
    • Tasawwur Islam
    • Usul Al-Din
    • Al-Syari'ah
    • Geografi (Geography)
    • Pendidikan Seni Visual (Arts)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam (Civil Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (Mechanical Engineering Studies)
    • Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik & Elektronik (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies)

(You will also need to pass an aptitude test and attend an interview session)

Remember: SPM Additional Mathematics is compulsory to apply for the Science, Engineering and Professional Accounting streams. You do not need to have studied Additional Mathematics to pursue the Accounting stream.

How Is the Selection Process?

Matrikulasi - Selection Process

Students are selected via a meritocratic process, where your merits will be calculated by taking into account 90% of your academic results and 10% of your co-curricular performance. Your family will also be taken into consideration.

Note that the Professional Accountancy stream is only open for bumiputera students and you must pass the aptitude test and the interview. If your application does not meet the eligibility requirements of the aptitude test and/or interview, you will be consider for your second choice as long as you meet the entry requirements.

The results of your application to Matrikulasi is typically 21 working days from the release of SPM results.

You can also appeal online through UPU.

#7. Where Can You Go?

There are currently 17 matriculation colleges in Malaysia. The list of colleges/universities are as below:

Matriculation Colleges
Peninsular Malaysia
Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis
Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah
Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang
Kolej Matrikulasi Perak
Kolej Matrikulasi Selangor (Professional Accounting stream)
Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan
Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka
Kolej Matrikulasi Johor
Kolej Matrikulasi Kelantan
Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang
Matriculation Colleges
East Malaysia
Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan
Kolej Matrikulasi Sarawak
MARA Colleges Kolej MARA Kuala Nerang (Accounting stream)
Kolej MARA Kulim
Engineering Matriculation Colleges Kolej Matrikulasi Kejuruteraan Kedah
Kolej Matrikulasi Kejuruteraan Pahang
Kolej Matrikulasi Kejuruteraan Johor

PRO TIP

Matrikulasi students who wish to change their programme streams can make an appeal to the director of their respective colleges. The change in streams is subject to availability of the streams.

Looking for other Pre-U courses? Check out these pages: A-Level, Australian Matriculation and STPM.

Still can’t tell which one is right for you? Try our Course Recommender quiz and find out which course suits you - in no time at all!

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