Malaysia opens public university access for tahfiz, UEC, private school graduates

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The Cabinet has approved a new, alternative entry pathway for students from religious schools, private schools, and Chinese independent secondary schools into the nation’s public universities (IPTAs).

In a statement today, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) announced that the decision creates clearer and more inclusive access for students from outside the national education system, including holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

Under the new framework, two distinct pathways are now available.

First, students from these streams who possess a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate may apply for any study programme offered through the standard UPUOnline system.

Their applications will be considered based on merit alongside all other candidates, subject to meeting the general and specific programme requirements.

Second, for those without a full SPM but who have passed the SPM papers for Bahasa Melayu and History, a new pathway has been created for them to apply to a specific list of relevant degree and diploma programmes.

For religious and tahfiz school graduates under this second pathway, the identified programmes include studies in Dakwah (Islamic Outreach), Al-Quran and As-Sunnah, and Tahfiz Education.

Meanwhile, for graduates of Chinese independent secondary schools, the available courses focus on Chinese language and cultural studies, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies and a Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics.

The ministry stressed that all applications will be processed based on the principle of meritocracy and are subject to the final approval of each university’s Senate.