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Key information

The Malaysia Foundation Programme uses an innovative challenge-based learning approach to provide students with an enhanced and engaging experience.

Programme code
KPT/JPS (R2/0011/3/0223) (MQA/FA3952) 07/30
Level
Foundation
Delivery type
Full Time
Qualification
Cert of Higher Education
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
Location
Malaysia
Start date
September, December, January, April, July

The Foundation in Science is a focused programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language training designed to provide you with a direct route into a professionally relevant and internationally recognised degree at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

The tailored programme of courses is a direct pathway to your choice of a range of professionally relevant degrees. The focused academic content is taught in a way that introduces you to independent learning. Your development is monitored through regular assessments and feedback.

On achieving the required grades to complete the programme successfully you will progress to your chosen degree, in one of these subjects, starting in September of the following year:

  • MA (Hons) Accounting and Business Finance
  • BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science
  • BBA (Hons) Bachelor of Business Administration
  • MA (Hons) Business and Finance
  • BSc (Hons) Computing Science
  • MEng Chemical Engineering
  • MEng Civil Engineering
  • MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • MA (Hons) International Business Management
  • MA (Hons) Marketing
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Management
  • BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
  • BSc (Hons) Statistical Data Science

Your student experience

University-style teaching

The Malaysia Foundation Programme uses an innovative challenge-based learning approach to provide students with an enhanced and engaging experience.

This approach ensures that our students are supported with the following ie:

  • Holistic and authentic learning experience in their academic journey framed around a global narrative
  • A linked learning pathway with challenges and learning activities that reflect the subject content for each week's topic(s)
  • Social learning experience using our Virtual Learning Environment which encourages learners to build their knowledge together through sharing ideas, answers and reflections
  • Ease of transitioning to new study environment with the Fit-For-Future orientation programme that prepares students for success at the start of their academic journey with fun and impactful activities that help boost self-awareness and confidence, raise emotional well-being and form new friendships

Successful completion of the foundation programme enables entry to the first year of your undergraduate degree at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia or the equivalent level offered in the UK and Dubai campuses.

Mentoring

Our academic staff are not only teaching professionals but are also key to the student support system. From day one you will be introduced to a member of the teaching team who will be your mentor and will be able to provide general guidance and support.

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Dubai.

Inter-Campus Transfer: United Kingdom

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to the UK.

Course content

September Intake - Malaysia

The programme content is taught over three semesters (each semester is 14 weeks) through lectures, seminars and group work. You will be supported and mentored throughout your studies to ensure a smooth academic and cultural transition to higher education, and the British university style of teaching and learning. All the subjects relate directly to the progression degrees offered with strong emphasis on English language skills appropriate to the pathway (spoken, written and academic English). You will develop an awareness of the links between the subjects and the world of work in general.

You will learn to use English effectively to perform a variety of academic tasks, such as delivering oral presentations, managing group discussions, conducting research, and writing essays. You will also be exposed to a range of study skills essential to succeed at university.

Mandatory September

  • Academic Skills
  • Essential Mathematics for Sc
  • Fundamentals of Physics

Optional September

  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Discovering Psychology
  • Principles of Chemistry

Mandatory January

  • Foundation English
  • Mathematics for Science
  • Further Mechanics

Optional January

  • Chemistry in Materials
  • Data Structures and Software Design
  • Psychology and the Human Mind

Mandatory May

  • Foundation English for Science and Engineering
  • Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics
  • Advanced Mathematics for Science

Optional May

  • Web Development and Databases
  • Research in Action
  • Organics and Chemical Energetics

January intake - Malaysia

The programme content is taught over three semesters (each semester is 14 weeks) through lectures, seminars and group work. You will be supported and mentored throughout your studies to ensure a smooth academic and cultural transition to higher education, and the British university style of teaching and learning. All the subjects relate directly to the progression degrees offered with strong emphasis on English language skills appropriate to the pathway (spoken, written and academic English). You will develop an awareness of the links between the subjects and the world of work in general.

You will learn to use English effectively to perform a variety of academic tasks, such as delivering oral presentations, managing group discussions, conducting research, and writing essays. You will also be exposed to a range of study skills essential to succeed at university.

Mandatory January

  • Academic Skills
  • Essential Mathematics for Sc
  • Fundamentals of Physics

Optional January

  • Principles of Chemistry
  • Discovering Psychology
  • Object Oriented Programming

Mandatory (January) April

  • Foundation English
  • Mathematics for Science
  • Further Mechanics

Optional (January) April

  • Chemistry in Materials
  • Psychology and the Human Mind
  • Data Structures and Software Design

Mandatory (April) July

  • Foundation English for Science and Engineering
  • Advanced Mathematics for Science
  • Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics

Optional (April) July

  • Organics and Chemical Energetics
  • Research in Action
  • Web Development and Databases

Fees and funding

StatusFull Time
LocalMYR 27,132
InternationalMYR 33,360

Scholarships and bursaries

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Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

  • Minimum 5 credits (C's), in SPM or O-Levels, including Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry and Additional Mathematics - or equivalent global qualifications.
  • IB MYP: 3 subjects with Grade 6 (English, Maths & Physics/ Chemistry) & 2 subjects with Grade 5 (Add Maths & Physics/Chemistry)
  • Conditional offers will be made to students with forecast results. Advance standing may be available for those with appropriate pre-university qualifications. Final results need to be submitted before programme commencement.

Note: Progression to your chosen undergraduate programme may require pre-requisite subjects with specific grades at the SPM/O-Level/Equivalent levels in addition to your Foundation results. 

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.

We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.

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