Where to study Health & Science in Malaysia, and who funds it

Health & Science has many public routes in. The Health Ministry trains its own nurses and allied health staff, polytechnics and MARA colleges run lab and health-technology diplomas, and public universities take SPM leavers into diplomas and, after matrikulasi or Asasi, into degrees. This guide names real programmes on each route, where to check their entry rules, and who pays.

Key facts

• The Health Ministry trains health workers at its own institutes (ILKKM): 19 in Peninsular Malaysia, 3 in Sabah and 3 in Sarawak. You apply through SPA, the Public Service Commission, not through UPU.^[1]
• Applying straight from SPM, you must be at least 18 when the advertisement closes and no older than 25 when the course starts.^[1]
• SPA's page says Health Ministry training now starts in April and October, from the October 2026 intake. On 23 October 2026 it showed no application dates for the next intake.^[1]
• JPA's LSPM scholarship excludes nursing and paramedical (separa perubatan) study. Its DB40 grant for diplomas lists public universities, polytechnics, TVETMARA, IKTBN and ADTEC, and not the Health Ministry institutes.^[2][3]
• The UP_TVET intake for January 2027 takes applications from 1 October to 16 November 2026.^[4]

How to use this list

Each programme below comes from its official page as it stood on 23 October 2026. Entry rules change from one intake to the next, so treat them as a guide and check the page again before you apply.

Where we looked a programme up on the MQR (Malaysian Qualifications Register, MQA's list of accredited programmes), we say what the record showed. Where we did not, check it yourself: How to check a course is accredited shows how. "Credit" means a C or better in SPM.

Programmes to look at, by route

Health Ministry training (ILKKM, apply through SPA)

The Health Ministry decides which institute you train at.^[1] You register on SPA's SPA9 system and add the training under "Latihan Separa Perubatan". SPA9 accepts only your official SPM certificate, not a trial result or the results slip.^[5] SPA's FAQ still gives the old January and July intakes, so check the programme page in the month you plan to apply.^[6]

• Latihan Jururawat (nursing): diploma, 3 years. Taught at 14 ILKKM, including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Kuching and Sibu. Entry: credits in Bahasa Melayu, one Mathematics subject and one science subject, a pass (D) in English and passes in two other subjects.^[7] On the MQR, ILKKM Kota Kinabalu's Diploma in Nursing (MQA/FA12569) is accredited from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028, with the Nursing Board Malaysia as its professional body.^[8]
• Latihan Juruteknologi Makmal Perubatan (medical laboratory technology): diploma, 3 years. At ILKKM Kuching and ILKKM Kuala Lumpur. Entry: credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics, one science subject and two other subjects, and a pass in English.^[5] ILKKM Kuching's Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (MQA/FA12985) is on the MQR as accredited "starting 15/10/2019", with no end date shown.^[9]
• Latihan Penolong Pegawai Perubatan (assistant medical officer): diploma, 3 years. At six ILKKM, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Entry: credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics or Additional Mathematics, one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Science, and two other subjects, plus a pass in English. If your science credit is Chemistry or Physics, you also need a pass in Biology.^[10] Check it on the MQR.
• Latihan Pembantu Kesihatan Awam (public health assistant): certificate, 2 years. At ILKKM Sungai Buloh, ILKKM Sultan Azlan Shah and ILKKM Kuching. Entry: credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics and one science subject, and passes in English and two other subjects.^[11] Check it on the MQR.

TVET diplomas (apply through UP_TVET)

Most clinical jobs need a licence, so skills certificates rarely lead straight to them (the Health & Science guide explains which jobs). The TVET route here is health technology: looking after the machines hospitals depend on.

• Diploma Kejuruteraan Elektronik Bioperubatan (Radiologi dan Pengimejan): TVETMARA Ledang (KKTM Ledang), Johor, Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia level, 36 months. You learn to operate and maintain imaging equipment such as X-ray, ultrasound and MRI machines. It is for Bumiputera Malaysian citizens with no colour blindness; the academic rules on the page include Mathematics and a science or technical subject, and it offers a one-month remedial Mathematics course to SPM leavers without a Mathematics credit. UP_TVET says tuition is paid by MARA.^[12] Its MQR record (MQA/FA15665) shows accreditation from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2026, with the Board of Engineers Malaysia as professional body.^[13] A 2027 starter would graduate after that date, so ask the college whether the accreditation is being renewed.
• The same college lists four sister diplomas in biomedical electronics (diagnostics, therapeutics, laboratory, and ICT) in the January 2027 catalogue.^[14]

Polytechnic diplomas (apply through MyPOLYCC or UPU)

• Diploma Teknologi Makanan (food technology): 6 semesters. At Politeknik Sandakan (Sabah), Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS, Pahang) and Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail (Johor). Entry from SPM: a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah and 3 credits in any subjects; SKM Level 3 in a related field also counts.^[15] POLISAS's Diploma in Food Technology (MQA/FA13979) is accredited from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2030, with the Malaysia Board of Technologists as professional body.^[16] For the other two polytechnics, check it on the MQR.
• Diploma Bioteknologi (biotechnology): 6 semesters, Politeknik Nilai (Negeri Sembilan). Same SPM rule. The page lists jobs such as lab technician, quality-control supervisor and research assistant in pharmaceutical firms, food factories, hospitals and research centres.^[17] Check it on the MQR.
• Both pages said applications for Session I 2026/2027 had closed.^[15][17]

Public university diplomas (apply through UPU)

The general UPU rule for these diplomas is a credit in Bahasa Melayu, a pass (E) in Sejarah and two more credits; each programme adds its own.^[18] Search the programme code on e-Panduan UPUOnline(opens in a new tab) to see the full rules.

• UiTM Diploma Kejururawatan (UE4723001): 6 semesters, UiTM Bertam (Penang) or UiTM Samarahan (Sarawak). Adds credits in English, in Mathematics or Additional Mathematics, in one of Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Science, and in one more subject. It is open only to applicants of Malay, Anak Negeri Sabah, Anak Negeri Sarawak or Orang Asli descent.^[19] Check it on the MQR.
• UniSZA Diploma Teknologi Makmal Perubatan (UD4725002): 6 semesters, UniSZA Gong Badak (Terengganu). Adds credits in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English.^[18] Check it on the MQR.

Degrees after matrikulasi or Asasi (apply through UPU)

These need a pre-university year first (Matrikulasi, Asasi or Form 6). The rules below are for matrikulasi and Asasi science students.

• UMS Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sains Kejururawatan dengan Kepujian (UH6723001): 4 years. A matrikulasi or Asasi CGPA of at least 2.50, SPM credits in a science subject and Mathematics (one option also asks for English), MUET Band 3.0, a test or interview, and a medical check within a month before classes start.^[20] Check it on the MQR.
• UNIMAS Doktor Perubatan (UW6721001): 10 semesters, Kota Samarahan (Sarawak). A CGPA of at least 3.00; at least B in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics at matrikulasi or Asasi; SPM grade B or better in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Additional Mathematics and one more subject, with a credit in English; MUET Band 3.0; and a test or interview.^[21] Its MQR record (MQA/FA0518) is accredited from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031, with the Malaysian Medical Council as professional body.^[22]
• UPM Bacelor Sains Bioperubatan dengan Kepujian (UP6421001): 8 semesters, Serdang (Selangor), no interview. A CGPA of at least 3.00, at least B in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, and MUET Band 3.0.^[23] Check it on the MQR.

We have not listed a private college. If you look at one, check its exact programme and campus on the MQR, and ask in writing whether its graduates can register with the board for the job you want.

Who funds study in this area

Health Ministry training

SPA's pages list each programme, its entry rules and where it is taught, but say nothing about allowances, fees or a service bond, and we could not open the Health Ministry's own pages on 23 October 2026. Before you accept a place, ask SPA (03-8091 9000) or the institute what support comes with it and whether you must serve afterwards. SPA also says graduates may be appointed to the matching public-service post, permanent or contract, subject to vacancies, so a job is not guaranteed.^[1]

JPA (Public Service Department)

• LSPM sponsors top SPM scorers (at least 9A+) from a preparatory programme to a first degree in Malaysia, as a merit-based convertible loan. It covers all fields except education, aviation, nursing, paramedical study, twinning programmes and professional courses, so medicine, pharmacy and biomedical science can qualify but nursing and allied health cannot.^[2]
• PPN sponsors top SPM scorers to universities in the QS top 20 overall or top 10 by subject, in any field.^[24]
• DB40 is a grant (dermasiswa) for SPM leavers from B40 households, with a per-capita income of RM5,249 a month or less, studying for a diploma at a public university, polytechnic, TVETMARA college, IKTBN or ADTEC. Science is among its listed fields.^[3] That covers the university, polytechnic and TVETMARA diplomas above, but the page does not list the Health Ministry institutes.
• JPA students may not take money from another sponsor at the same level of study.^[3][2]
• The 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026: JPA's portal listed no 2027 student programmes that day.^[25]

MARA

MARA pays tuition for the TVETMARA Ledang diploma above.^[12] Its TESP loan for diplomas and first degrees is for Bumiputera students with at least one Bumiputera parent, on courses recognised by the government and Malaysian professional bodies; diploma applicants must be under 30, and B40 and M40 families get priority.^[26] MARA's page showed no application window on 23 October 2026.^[26]

Your state, and loans

Yayasan Sabah, Yayasan Sarawak and other state foundations fund study for their own residents: see Scholarships and help by state. Scholarships and loans covers the national sponsors, Who qualifies for aid, and the cash you need before it arrives explains income tests and the costs that come first, and PTPTN basics explains the national study loan.

What this means for you

• The Health Ministry route and the UPU route are separate applications on separate calendars, so you can keep both open.
• Check the age rule for Health Ministry training early: at least 18 when the advertisement closes, no older than 25 at the start.
• Get your official SPM certificate as soon as it is issued. SPA9 does not accept the results slip.
• An accreditation period can end before you graduate, as the Ledang record shows. Look at the dates on every MQR record, not just whether the programme is listed.
• Funding depends on the route. JPA's LSPM leaves out nursing and allied health, and DB40 does not list the Health Ministry institutes, so ask each institution what support comes with its place.

Your next step

1. Shortlist three programmes on different routes, for example ILKKM nursing through SPA, the UniSZA medical lab diploma through UPU and a polytechnic food technology diploma. For each one, open its official page, write down the entry rules, and look up its record on the MQR(opens in a new tab).
2. Watch one window: SPA's Latihan Separa Perubatan page(opens in a new tab). It showed no dates for the next intake on 23 October 2026, so check it every week.