Canadian Pre-University & Matriculation
You should choose the Canadian pre-university programme if you want to further your studies in Canada, the US or in overseas universities that accept it.
In Malaysia, students can opt to take one of the two Canadian pre-u programmes currently offered by local private colleges and universities. Both types lead to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), which is the qualification awarded to Canadian students who successfully complete the 12th grade or final year of high school.
The OSSD is widely recognised and accepted as a pre-u qualification in Canada, the US, and in selected universities in the UK, Singapore and elsewhere in the world.
A Canadian pre-university programme can take anywhere between one and 1.5 years to complete (which is equivalent to about two to three semesters). There are usually two intakes in a year, specifically in January and July, but some institutions offer a third intake in March.
The names of the subjects and courses vary from institution to institution, but in general students are required to pass a total of six subjects plus one English course. In most cases, students take up three to four subjects a semester (on top of the three compulsory subjects required by the Education Ministry).
Giving Credit To The Canadian Community Before Graduation
Students who take a Canadian pre-university or matriculation programme must complete at least 10 hours of community service in addition to fulfilling academic requirements in order to graduate.
The entry requirement for Canadian pre-u programmes is SPM, O levels or an equivalent qualification with a minimum of five credits, including English and mathematics or science.
International Canadian Pre-University (ICPU)
The ICPU programme has enjoyed a surge in popularity in the past several years. Factors that have contributed to the attractiveness of this course include the flexibility to select modules from a wide range of disciplines, specifically medicine, biotechnology, business, actuarial science, engineering, architecture and computer science.
Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)
The CIMP programme requires students to complete a total of six modules, with one of them being an English module which can be circumvented if the student passes an English placement test. The modules available are business, social sciences, mathematics, science, computer science and English.
Pre-University Subject list
Students who study in the Canadian pre-university programmes can choose from these subjects:
- advanced functions
- analysing current economic issues
- biology
- bridge to English
- business leadership: management fundamentals
- calculus and vectors
- Canadian and world issues: a geographic analysis
- Canadian and international law
- chemistry
- communications technology
- computer and information science
- English literacy skills
- financial accounting principles
- individuals and families in a diverse society
- international business fundamentals
- mathematics of data management
- physics
- study skills in English.
Apart from their subjects of choice, Malaysian students are required to take interdisciplinary studies, which is a mandatory subject.
A Canadian Pre-University Programme Is Right For You If...
- you have an interest in pursuing studies in Canada or universities in countries such as the US that accept the OSSD
- you want to be assessed based on coursework (70% of total marks) throughout the duration of your study
- you want extra-curricular activities to play a bigger part in your course
- you want to improve your English during your pre-u studies to prepare for undergraduate studies overseas.
This article first appeared in doctorjob's CoursesNOW! Pre-University 2011.
