Pre-University course such as STPM, A-Level, South Australia Matriculation (SAM), Foundations, and etc. all serve the same purpose - to prepare the students for university.  Which pre-university course to take is closely linked to the field you choose to pursue in and the university you plan to go to.

After having a rough idea on the type of course and university you’d like to pursue in, the next step would be to research on it. Choose a pre-university course that the university recognises. Determine the minimum score and subject requirement for your desired course. For example, Chemistry is a compulsory subject if you are to pursue a Pharmacy course in International Medical University, Malaysia.

Some of us want to take some time off the books after pre-university course while other prefers not to. Knowing when your pre-university course completes and when the next university intake is, enables you to plan your gap year efficiently.

It would also be wise to check the intakes of the course and whether the university allows application based on forecast results. Some universities accept students upon their forecast results instead of their original ones. This will prevent you from having to wait a few months for the next intake.

Some universities also offer their own foundation programmes. However, many of these foundation programmes are not recognised by other universities. Many of us change our minds and decide to pursue another course or attend another university after college. For those who have not made up their mind, who are slightly doubtful or who just simply want to keep their options open, it is best to play it safe and chose a pre-university course that is globally recognised.

Pre-university courses prepare us for university. It is also conveniently conducted when most of us are 18 or 19, an age when we step out of the conformity in high school, when we are exposed and open to more ideas. We start to listen patiently to that inner voice inside us. Many of us graduate from college as a different person from the one who stepped in. For these reasons, I would like to remind you that whichever pre-university course you choose make sure it opens more doors than it closes.