DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme aims to provide a foundational understanding of preschool education for aspiring early childhood educators. The programme equips students with the knowledge, skills and competencies for them to work in industries that involve children at preschools, childcare and development centres, children enrichment centres as well as at play centres. 

Looking for a suitable, affordable Diploma in Early Childhood Education in Malaysia? Here are great reasons why UNITAR’s ECE diploma programme is worth considering to enrol:  

• Preschool Simulation Room for ECE Students 

At UNITAR, we want our students to go beyond physical learning in a lecture hall or online learning. Hence, our ECE diploma students are given the opportunity to conduct lessons and activities in a simulation room to get the feel of a preschool or kindergarten teacher.

• Experienced Academicians with Relevant Industry Knowledge

Some of our lecturers come from a preschool teaching background, which students can greatly benefit from during the diploma programme. They will learn the ins and outs of preschool operations and real-world challenges.  

The diploma syllabus covers different curriculum references, including KSPK and GENIUS (previously known as PERMATA). Among the subjects covered are storytelling, creative movement, puppet and role play. 

• Areas of Knowledge

Here are some areas that will be covered by ECE lecturers:  

1. Early Childhood Education Management

The fundamentals and methodology of teaching and learning for young children. 

       2. Children’s Development 

The vital role of adults in creating a stimulating, explorative learning environment for young learners since their birth to preschool age. 

       3. Children’s Activities 

The conducive design of “play classrooms” with safety protocols as well as resources and teaching methods to encourage children’s creativity. 

• Use Your Work Experience to Enrol at UNITAR! 

Through APEL, working adults in Malaysia can take advantage of their work experience to gain admission to UNITAR International University. Additionally, there is an opportunity to reduce the study duration and costs. 

If you’re applying via APEL, the entry requirements to gain admission into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Level 5, MQF) are as follow: 

(a) being a Malaysian citizen

(b) being more than 20 years of age

(c) have relevant work experience / prior experiential learning

(d) have passed the APEL assessment

• Career Prospects 

With a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, you can either teach general or specific subjects. For example, you may be keen on becoming a children’s language educator, but if you want to advance your expertise it’s best to continue your higher education with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) (Hons). Apart from that, you can consider the role of a childcare assistant or education centre assistant for young children. Employers in this industry not only need qualified children educators but also capable administrative and management officers.
 

The programme is available in both English and Bahasa Malaysia (BM) (teaching medium of instruction and learning materials).

UNITAR has fostered strong industry partners and project partnerships through various collaborations to offer internship placements for our students. That way, they can graduate with confidence knowing that they have acquired prior work experience from their internships.

Get the opportunity to nurture young minds through learning and playing with our Diploma in Early Childhood Education today!

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Introduction to Child Development-Program Core 
• Family and Community in Early Childhood Education-Programme Core 
• Curriculum for Early Childhood Education-Programme Core 
• Guiding Child Behaviour-Programme Core 
• Teaching and Learning Approaches in Early Childhood Programme-Program Core 
• Health and Nutrition for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Approaches in Teaching Arts and Creativity for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Approaches in Teaching Science and Mathematics for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Movement and Physical Intelligence for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Safety and Environmental Management for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Teaching English for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Creative Learning Through Play-Programme Core 
• Approaches in Teaching Affective Development for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Pendekatan Pengajaran Bahasa Melayu untuk Kanak-Kanak-Programme Core 
• Approaches in Teaching Music for Young Children-Programme Core 
• Planning and administering in Early Childhood Programme-Programme Core 
• Assessment in Early Childhood Education-Programme Core 
• Entrepreneurship in Early Childhood Programme-Programme Core 
• Micro Teaching-Programme Core 
• Practicum-Programme Core 
• Critical Thinking-Programme Core 
• Community Service -Programme Core 

English Core Modules

• English 1
• English 2
• English 3 

Elective

• Basic Mandarin / Arabic

MPU Modules

• Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban / Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 (International)
• Skills Enhancement
• Culture and Society
• Community Service
• Critical Thinking

Career Prospects

• Childcare Assistant
• Children’s Art Educator
• Children’s Language Educator
• Education Centre Assistant
• Teacher

Programme Entry Requirements

• A pass in SPM with a minimum of 3 credits in any subject or its equivalent;OR​
• “A pass in Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with a minimum of Grade C
  (GP 2.0) in any subject or its equivalent; ​OR​”
• A pass in Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) with a minimum grade of Maqbul; OR
• “A pass in SKM Level 3 in Early Child Care/Preschool and pass SPM with a
  minimum of 1 credit in any subject​; OR“
• A Certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or its equivalent;
• A Certificate in any field or its equivalent
• Entry requirements for admission into the Diploma’s program (level 4, MQF) through APEL A . Applicants must be/have:
  1. A Malaysian citizen; and    ​
  2. The candidate should be more than 20 years of age in the year of application​
  3. Relevant work experience / prior experiential learning; and​
  4. Pass the APEL Assessment​

Language Requirements

International students

• Minimum score of 5.0 for IELTS OR
  Minimum score of 40 for TOEFL iBT OR its equivalent.

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university