Study Early Childhood Education in Malaysia

Courses usually cover child development, learning through play, language and early reading, mathematics for young children, health, safety and nutrition, working with families and the planning of activities. Time with children in nurseries or kindergartens is part of the course, and some courses ask students to build a portfolio of their practice.

Titles include early childhood education, early childhood care and education, and courses on teaching young learners. Some are practical diplomas for people entering nurseries and kindergartens, and others are degrees with more theory. Education and psychology are related subjects, linked below.

Early childhood education suits students who enjoy the company of young children, who are patient and playful and who can plan activities that keep children interested and safe. It is practical, with much of the learning in nurseries and kindergartens. If you are interested in children's development as a science, read the psychology page, and if you want to teach older children, read the education page.

Study levels in Malaysia follow a ladder. A foundation course is a pre-university year for students whose school qualification does not give direct entry to a bachelor's degree. A diploma is shorter and more practical, and some universities let diploma graduates join a degree in a later year; each university decides how much credit it gives. A bachelor's degree is the main undergraduate qualification, a master's degree follows it, and a PhD is a research degree.

A diploma is a practical qualification and is the usual first step, and some universities allow diploma graduates to join a degree in a later year. A bachelor's degree adds more theory and research and is often taken by people who want to lead a setting or to teach. Master's courses build on a first degree.

Ask how much time is spent with children, where the placements take place and who arranges them. Check whether the course is accepted by the authority that registers or licenses early childhood teachers where you plan to work, since the rules differ by country. Ask how many weeks of the course are spent in a nursery or kindergarten, whether the university finds the placement for you, and whether you need a police or health check before working with children, since requirements differ between countries and settings.

• Entry requirements. They differ between universities and courses. Compare the entry requirements on the course page with your own certificates.
• English language. Most courses state a minimum score in a test such as IELTS. The scores stored for these courses are in the summary above.
• Recognition. Each university states how its courses are approved or accredited. Zawqari does not confirm a university's status, so ask the university to confirm it in writing if it matters for your plans.
• Fees and intakes. Fees and intake months are set by the universities and can change. Each course page shows the source and date of every figure.

Listed alphabetically. The order is not a ranking.

• City University Malaysia3 courses
• Lincoln University College2 courses
• MAHSA University1 course
• UCSI University1 course
• University of Cyberjaya2 courses

• Study Education in Malaysia

  Education and teaching courses, including postgraduate teacher education.

• Study Psychology in Malaysia

  Psychology courses, including counselling and applied psychology.

Need to improve your English first? See English courses at language centres in Malaysia.