A. Graduate Diploma Programmes

1. About Wawasan Open University’s Graduate Diploma

a. What is a graduate diploma?
b. What are the aims and objectives of a graduate diploma programme?

2. About The Programmes
a. What are the programmes you will be offering?
b. What are the course components of a graduate diploma?
c. What is the graduation requirement of a graduate diploma programme?
d. What certification will I get upon completion of a graduate diploma programme?
Will there be a graduation ceremony and will I be informed when I have completed this programme?
e. Can I change my intended graduate diploma programme during my study at WOU?
f. If I’m studying for a WOU Bachelor’s degree, can I exit halfway with a graduate diploma? What is the procedure like?
g. After getting my graduate diploma, can I pursue further with a WOU degree? How long will that take?
h. What happens if I wish to pursue my higher education elsewhere? Can I pursue it further as well?
i. What is the difference between a graduate diploma programme and a degree programme?  

3. Approval And Accreditation
a. Is the graduate diploma approved by MOHE?

4. Duration Of Studies & Study Load
a. How long do I need to study to obtain my graduate diploma?
b. How many courses do you advise I take every semester?
c. What is the prescribed limit to how many courses I can take per semester?
d. Can I accelerate my programme? I have the time and would like to finish faster.
e. Is there a limit on the maximum period of time for me to finish a graduate diploma programme?
f. Do I have to pass all the courses that I have enrolled in before I can enrol for another semester?

B. About Our Learning System
1. Academic Calendar And Principal Activities
a. What is a typical graduate diploma semester like in WOU?

C. Application And Admission
1. Entry Requirements
a. What are the entry requirements for this programme?

D. Advanced Standing & Credit Transfer
1. Will I be granted exemption:
a. If I have a certificate that is related to my intended graduate diploma of study?
b. If I have a diploma in a different field from my intended graduate diploma of study?
c. If I have studied for a diploma previously midway?

E. Financial Information
1. Fees And Payment
a. What are the current tuition fees rates for a graduate diploma programme?
b. How do I calculate the total fees I have to pay for one semester?

A. Graduate Diploma Programmes

1. About Wawasan Open University’s Graduate Diploma

a. What is a graduate diploma?

The academic standing of this graduate diploma (Band 6) is considered higher than an advanced diploma but lower than a bachelor’s degree as stipulated in the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) defined by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).  To understand the levels of various academic qualifications by their band level, see table below.

Not to be confused with a postgraduate qualification, a Wawasan Open University graduate diploma is a recognised diploma awarded to students who have attained a prescribed level of knowledge and skills in WOU and is a subset of our undergraduate degree programme.

b. What are the aims and objectives of a graduate diploma programme?

This programme gives students an opportunity to achieve an intermediate qualification in shorter term en route to a Degree qualification as well as supply them with the necessary knowledge and sub-professional skills in a specified field of study.

2. About The Programmes

a. What are the programmes that you will be offering?

We will be offering the following 7 graduate diploma programmes.

School Of Business and Administration

• Graduate Diploma in Business Accounting
• Graduate Diploma in Corporate Administration
• Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing
• Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management

School Of Science and Technology

• Graduate Diploma in Database Management
• Graduate Diploma in Electronics
• Graduate Diploma in Telecommunication

b. What are the course components of a graduate diploma programme?

The components are:

c. What is the graduation requirement of a graduate diploma programme?

The graduation requirement of a graduate diploma programme is to complete at least 70 credit hours of the prescribed courses and to achieve a CGPA of at least 2.0.

d. What certification will I get upon completion of the graduate diploma programme? Will there be a graduation ceremony and will I be informed when I have completed this programme?

You will get transcripts detailing your performance throughout the semester and a Graduate Diploma. Yes, there will be a graduation ceremony and once your students records show that you have met the graduation requirements mentioned above, you will be informed of your accomplishment.

e. Can I change my intended graduate diploma programme during my study in WOU?

Yes, however you should be aware that the courses that you have completed and the credits you have obtained may or may not be credited into the graduate diploma programme you wish to pursue next.

f. If I’m studying for a WOU Bachelor’s degree, can I exit halfway with a graduate diploma? What is the procedure like?

Yes, you can exit if you have satisfied the programme regulations as stipulated in the graduate diploma programme. You have to apply to the University for consideration to graduate in the programme.

g. After getting my graduate diploma, can I pursue further with a WOU degree. How long will that take?

Certainly. You are encouraged to continue your studies by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. That will take approximately 2 to 3 years depending on your perseverance to complete a certain amount of courses each semester.

h. What happens if I wish to pursue my higher education elsewhere? Can I pursue it further there as well?

That would depend on the institution you plan to apply to and their advanced standing regulations. Generally, for the easiest transition to a degree, it is advisable to continue with the institution that awarded you your diploma.

i. What is the difference between a graduate diploma programme and a degree programme?

A graduate diploma will prepared you for sub-managerial positions while a degree will allow you to reach for higher positions. Academically, graduate diplomas share some common courses with the degree programmes.

3.  Approval And Accreditation

a.  Is the graduate diploma approved by MOHE?

Yes, for the following programmes:

• Graduate Diploma in Business Accounting
• Graduate Diploma in Corporate Administration
• Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing

As for the others, we have already submitted the necessary documents to MQA and should receive an answer from them soon sometime this year before it is forwarded to MOHE for approval.

4. Duration Of Studies & Study Load

a. How long do I need to study to obtain my graduate diploma?

Because we adopt an open distance learning system which keeps in mind the work and family commitments of our students, the majority being working Malaysian adults, the programme is to be completed at a slightly slower pace when compared with conventional diploma programmes. It usually takes 3 years or 6 semesters to complete.

b. How many courses do you advise I take every semester?

Wawasan Open University offers you the flexibility to set your own pace as long as you do not exceed the prescribed limit.

c. What is the prescribed limit to how many courses I can take per semester?

You can take up to 4 courses as long as you don’t exceed the total of 15 credits.

d. Can I accelerate my programme? I have the time and would like to finish faster.

As for now, acceleration on the programme is not envisaged as a possibility.  The credit load of the programme and the time period of completion have been worked out keeping in mind the various commitments of working Malaysian adults.

e. Is there a limit on the maximum period of time for me to finish a graduate diploma programme?

No, there isn’t. You can complete the programme at your own pace.

f. Do I have to pass all the courses that I have enrolled in before I can enrol for another semester?

In general, no, but some courses have advisory pre-requisites which you are advised to complete before taking a particular course.

For example, completing Business Accounting II as the advisory prerequisite will give you the prior knowledge needed for Cost and Management Accounting.

B. About Our Learning System

1. Academic Calendar And Principal Activities

a.  What is a typical graduate diploma semester like in WOU?

A typical semester at WOU consists of the following:

C.  Application And Admission

1. Entry Requirements

a. What are the entry requirements for this programme?

Similar to our current degree programme, candidates with the following criteria will be eligible to be considered for admission into the graduate diploma programme. 

Regular Entry

a. For candidates who possess a minimum of two (2) Principals in STPM or equivalent qualifications. (eg. A-Levels, Matriculation etc.)

     OR

b. An approved/accredited diploma by MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency)

    Open Entry

    (I) Age

        Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on 1st January of the year of application.

    (II) Academic Qualification

a. STPM/HSC/A-Levels with at least one (1) Principal or other equivalent qualifications can be accorded direct entry into the degree programmes. 

    OR

b. PMR/SPM/MCE/UEC or equivalent qualifications subject to an assessment of work experience, prior learning experience and/or a diagnostic test to assess the academic aptitude, interest and suitability for tertiary level studies. 

Candidates who are found not to have demonstrated the capacity to undertake tertiary studies will be required to undergo and successfully complete a Headstart programme.

D.  Advanced Standing & Credit Transfer

1. Will I be granted exemption:

a. If I have a certificate that is related to my intended graduate diploma of study?

If there is a 70% or more similarity in both the content as well as the level of the courses you previously studied with the ones we currently offer, you are eligible to apply for exemptions. This depends, of course, on your examination grade achievements.

b. If I have a diploma in a different field from my intended graduate diploma of study?

Same as above.

c. If I have studied for a diploma previously midway?

Same as above.

E.  Financial Information

1. Fees and Payment

a.   What are the current tuition fees rates for a graduate diploma programme?

The rates are similar to our bachelor’s degree programme.

b.  How do I calculate the total fees I have to pay for one semester?

Just follow the simple table below.