Foundation Programme
(R2/0011/3/0089)(11/24)(A10955)
Course Overview
MODULES YOU STUDY
The modules studied help develop your study skills, introduce you to what you can expect on your degree and also allow you to discover what you can study depending on whether you choose a degree in Accounting, Banking, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Psychology, Business & Management, Computing & Technology, Engineering, Industrial Design, Animation and Visual Effects.
FLEXIBILITY OF CHOICE
Our 12-month Foundation Programme is designed to prepare students from SPM, IGCSE, O-Levels or similar qualifications with the knowledge and skills to progress into the first year of a degree of their choice.
On completion of the Foundation Programme, you will be able to make an informed decision about your interest and pursue your degree of choice.
During the Foundation Programme, you are able to choose different routes depending on your area of interest. This will allow you to progress onto a specific degree programme at APU, related to this area or other relevant areas based on your foundation experience.
ENRICHING EXPERIENCES - MORE THAN JUST A FOUNDATION
The APU Foundation Programme lays the pathway towards professional tertiary education. It is a vital transformation point for students; soft skills, general knowledge and preparatory subject fundamentals acquired at the Foundation lead to excellence in a student’s education performance, as well as career-readiness as they move on as global professionals eventually. This is achieved through 4 key areas:
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Social Skills & Responsibilities
- Practical Skills
The unique support system at APU Foundation Programme consists of helpful academic mentors who are committed in ensuring academic achievements, providing pastoral care, advising, mentoring, motivating students’ potential and performance, to ensure that they undergo a smooth transition from secondary education to tertiary learning.
Our Foundation Programme is designed to help students with SPM, IGCSE, O-Levels or similar qualifications to develop the skills and knowledge to progress into the degree of their choice.
ROUTES:
- BUSINESS, FINANCE & PSYCHOLOGY
- COMPUTING & TECHNOLOGY
- ENGINEERING
- DESIGN
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completing your study in this programme, you will be able to:
- Enter Level 1 of degree study.
- Make an informed choice about what degree you want to study.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the concepts which underpin the study of Accounting, Banking, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Business & Management, Computing & Technology, Engineering, Industrial Design, Digital Marketing, Animation and Visual Effects, Media and Communications, International Studies or Psychology.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a given audience.
- Work effectively in a team.
- Demonstrate English and other study skills appropriate to undergraduate learning.
- Apply skills in numeracy, technology and communications.
- Explain the essential elements of technology.
- Use appropriate application software and the Internet.
1 year (3 Semesters)
RM 27, 200.00
Total: Malaysian - RM 26,300 | International - RM 27,200
• 06 May 2024
• 04 Jul 2024
• 08 Aug 2024
• 19 Sep 2024
APU Foundation
| Areas of Study | Requirements |
| Business, Management, Marketing, Digital Marketing & Tourism Media and International Relations Industrial Design, Animation & Visual Effects |
• 5 Credits in at least 5 subjects at SPM level with a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History); • 5 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 5 subjects at IGCSE/O-Levels; • 3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects in UEC; • A qualification that APU accepts as equivalent to the above. |
| Psychology | • 5 Credits in at least 5 subjects at SPM level including Mathematics and Science OR Physics OR Chemistry OR Biology and a pass in English with a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History); • 5 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 5 subjects including Mathematics, Science OR Physics OR Chemistry OR Biology and a pass in English at IGCSE/O-Levels; • 3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects in UEC including Mathematics, Science OR Physics OR Chemistry OR Biology; • A qualification that APU accepts as equivalent to the above. |
| Computing, Technology & Games Development Accounting, Banking, Finance & Actuarial |
• 5 Credits in at least 5 subjects at SPM level including Mathematics with a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History); • 5 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 5 subjects at IGCSE/O-Levels including Mathematics; • 3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects in UEC including Mathematics; • A qualification that APU accepts as equivalent to the above. |
Malaysian Students who do not possess a Pass in English at SPM/IGCSE/UEC; will be required to sit for the APU English Placement Test, and based on the outcome of the test may be required to attend the APU Intensive English Programme (IEP) prior to commencement of the Foundation/Diploma/Certificate programme.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
International Students
| Programmes | General Requirements |
| Foundation Programme |
• IELTS : 4.0 • TOEFL IBT : 30-31 • Pearson (PTE) : 36 • MUET : Band 3 |
Please note that under Ministry of Higher Education regulations, only students who have achieved the minimum requirement in the English Language proficiency assessment as indicated above will be allowed to continue their studies in the main study programme. Students who do not have the required English Language achievement may apply for a student visa on conditional basis and are allowed to enrol in an English Language Certification programme at APU upon arrival in Malaysia and, subsequently, appear for the IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/MUET assessment.
Students who are unable to obtain the required level of English Competency during the maximum 12 months’ period, will not be allowed to pursue their studies in the main programme and will have to return to their home country.
Students from English speaking countries and those with qualifications taught in English (IGCSE, A-Levels, IB, American High School Diploma etc) are exempted from English requirements. Applications for exemption must be accompanied by supporting documents.
Note: The above entry requirements may differ for specific programmes based on the latest programme standards published by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
The qualification and entry requirements for the programmes will be determined based on the "Comparison List of Equivalency of International Qualifications with SPM (O-Levels equivalent) and STPM (A-Levels equivalent)" published by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
COMMON MODULES SEMESTER 1 (12 weeks)
- English for Academic Purpose
- Communication Skills
- Personal Development & Study Methods
- Essentials of Web Applications
- Mathematics
SPECIALISED MODULES SEMESTER 2 (12 weeks)
- Introduction to Business
- Fundamental of Finance
- Global Business Trends
- Public Speaking in English
- Introduction to Business
- Introduction to Computer Architecture & Networking
- Introduction to Visual & Interactive Programming
- Public Speaking in English
- Fundamentals of Drawing
- Life Drawing
- Design Studies
- Public Speaking in English
- Major Project 1
SPECIALISED MODULES SEMESTER 3 (12 weeks)
- Academic Research Skills
- Economics for Business
- Perspectives in Technology / Further Mathematics**
- Co-Curricular
- Principles of Accounts
- Discovering Media in the Digital Age
- Psychology & Behavioral Science
- Academic Research Skills
- Further Mathematics
- Introduction to Multimedia Applications
- Co-Curricular
- Perspectives in Technology
- Discovering Media in the Digital Age
- Psychology & Behavioral Science
- Academic Research Skills
- History of Design and Media
- Introduction to Digital Photography
- Major Project 2
- Co-Curricular Studies
** Further Mathematics module is Compulsory for students who choose to progress to Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies.
Upon completion of your Foundation, you may then proceed to Level 1 of a Degree of your choice in the following pathways
| BUSINESS, FINANCE & PSYCHOLOGY PATHWAY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
PRIMARY PATHWAYS | |
- Business & Management - Accounting, Finance, Banking & Actuarial Studies - Media, Communications & Psychology |
 |
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS Students may also choose the following: |
|
- Computing & Technology - Multimedia & Games Development - Industrial Design, Visual Effects, Animation & Digital Advertising - International Relations |
| COMPUTING & TECHNOLOGY PATHWAY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
PRIMARY PATHWAYS | |
- Computing & Technology - Multimedia & Games Development |
|
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS Students may also choose the following: |
|
- Business & Management - Accounting, Finance, Banking & Actuarial Studies - Industrial Design, Visual Effects, Animation & Digital Advertising - International Relations - Media, Communications & Psychology |
| DESIGN PATHWAY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
PRIMARY PATHWAYS | |
- Industrial Design, Visual Effects, Animation & Digital Advertising |
|
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS Students may also choose the following: |
|
- Computing & Technology - Multimedia & Games Development - Accounting, Finance, Banking & Actuarial Studies - Business, Management & Tourism - Media, Communication & International Relations - Psychology Note: Please refer to individual course brochure for Alternative Pathways details. |
| SPECIALISED MODULES FOR DESIGN ROUTE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Drawing | |||
| Drawing is an essential skill in the field of art and design. You will learn variety of practical exercises made to help understand the thought processes involved in learning how to draw. The module will provide opportunities to practice the traditional approaches to pencil and paper drawing. The module will also introduce the foundational principles of drawing that are key for any designers. The module expects a development of a portfolio to showcase comprehension in design elements and principles such as shape, perspectives, shadow, shade & light as well as composition. | |||
| Life Drawing | |||
| You will be introduced to life drawing or figurative drawing involves drawing the human form in any of its various shapes and postures using a variety of media. The module will cover a series of techniques that will provide more confidence in drawing in various to future skill settings such as character designs for animation, concept art and/or games. | |||
| Design Studies | |||
| You will learn the different ways in which design has been characterised and practiced. It also covers the contexts and systems on how designs operate and the responsibilities that come with the power of designing. In this module, there will be a series of sessions to learn the elements and principles of design. With this knowledge, there will be expectations of application in order to produce a portfolio or body of work that can be applied across the art and design spectrum. | |||
| Introduction to Digital Photography | |||
| This module introduces you to the world of photography. It will cover the history and the technological shift from analogue to digital cameras. The module will also review various case studies to explore the various famous photographers and their works. It will cover practical hands-on sessions and requirements to follow a set of instructions to produce own images. As every photo/image will have its own stories to tell, a portfolio will be produced to and showcase final works to reflect interpretation of outdoor photography and studio photography. | |||
Business, Management, Marketing & Tourism and Media, International Relations & Psychology Programmes
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management with a specialism in E-Business
- BA (Hons) in Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management with a specialism in Digital Leadership
- BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Marketing Management
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Marketing Management with a specialism in Digital Marketing
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media and Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Tourism Management
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Tourism Management with a specialism in Hospitality
Leading from APU Foundation to your Choice of Degree Studies; please note that a Credit Pass in Mathematics and Science OR Physics OR Chemistry OR Biology and a Pass in English at SPM / O-Level / IGCSE is required for the following programme:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology
Computing, Technology & Games Development Programmes
Leading from APU Foundation to your Choice of Degree Studies; please note that a Credit Pass in Mathematics at SPM / O-Level / IGCSE is required for the following programmes:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Information System Security
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Cloud Engineering
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Mobile Technology
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Internet of Things (IoT)
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Digital Transformation
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Financial Technology (FinTech)
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Business Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology with a specialism in Sustainable Computing
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science*
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science with a specialism in Data Analytics*
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science with a specialism in Digital Forensics*
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cyber Security)*
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Engineering*
- Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) (Artificial Intelligence)*
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Multimedia Technology**
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Multimedia Technology with a specialism in VR/AR**
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Games Development**
* Students who choose to progress to Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Digital Forensics and Intelligent Systems programmes will be required to undertake Foundation Pathways from the Computing & Technology route or Engineering route if the student does not have a credit in Additional Mathematics at SPM / O-Level / IGCSE or equivalent.
* Students who have completed Foundation from other routes apart from the above are required to do a Pre-Requisite module in Further Mathematics or equivalent in the first semester of the Degree Programme, provided they also still have Credit in Maths and Science or ICT subject at SPM/O-Level/IGCSE or equivalent.
** A Pass in Mathematics at SPM / O-Level / IGCSE is required for these programmes. (Strong Mathematics would be an added advantage).
Accounting, Banking, Finance & Actuarial Programmes
Leading from APU Foundation to your Choice of Degree Studies; please note that a Credit Pass in Mathematics at SPM / O-Level / IGCSE is required for the following programmes:
- Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours)
- Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours) with a specialism in Forensic Accounting
- Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours) with a specialism in Forex and Investments
- Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours) with a specialism in Accounting Technology
- Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons)
- Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons) with a specialism in Investment Analytics
- Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons) with a specialism in Financial Technology
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies with a specialism in Data Analytics
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies with a specialism in Financial Technology
Design, Advertising, Animation & VFX Programmes
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Industrial Design
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Effects
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Animation
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital Advertising
Note: Portfolio Required 
