Where to study Technology & AI in Malaysia, and who funds it

You know you want to work in tech. This guide names real programmes you can apply to after SPM, from an 18-month skills course in Sabah to an AI degree in Melaka, with how long each takes and where to check its entry rules. Then it shows who pays for study in this area and which windows to watch.

Key facts

• Applications for the UP_TVET Perdana intake 1/2027, the main intake for public skills institutes, run from 1 October to 16 November 2026.^[1]
• ADTEC Kota Kinabalu and ADTEC Miri each run an 18-month SKM (Malaysian Skills Certificate) Level 3 computer networking course with free tuition, a hostel place, meals and RM100 a month.^[2][3]
• For 2026/27, a polytechnic diploma asked for 3 SPM credits and a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah; a community college certificate asked for 1 credit and the same passes.^[4]
• JPA's B40 diploma grant (DB40) took applications from 3 to 16 August 2026; the 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026.^[5][6]
• On the Malaysian Qualifications Register, TVETMARA Sik's computer security diploma is accredited until 31 December 2026, so check it has been renewed before you enrol.^[7]

Programmes to look at, by route

These twelve come from official listings fetched on 23 October 2026, spread across Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula. Entry rules are the 2026/27 ones, so check again for 2027/28. Where we looked a programme up on the MQR (the Malaysian Qualifications Register, MQA's public list of accredited programmes), we say what it showed. Where we did not, check it yourself: How to check a course is accredited shows how.

Skills certificates (SKM Level 3)

You apply for these through UP_TVET(opens in a new tab). They take Form 5 leavers with low grades, and some take applicants with no formal qualifications.

• ADTEC JTM Kampus Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: Sijil Teknologi Komputer Rangkaian (SKM Level 3). 18 months. Form 5 with at least a G in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah, or no formal qualification if you can read and write; ages 17 to 35. Free tuition, hostel and meals, RM100 a month and RM300 a month during practical training.^[2] Entry rules on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)
• ADTEC JTM Kampus Miri, Sarawak: Sijil Teknologi Komputer Rangkaian (SKM Level 3). The same 18-month course, entry rules and allowances.^[3] Entry rules on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)
• Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Seri Iskandar, Perak: Sijil Lanjutan Teknologi Maklumat (Rangkaian Komputer), SKM Level 3. 21 months. Ages 17 to 30, with SPM or with no formal qualification if you can read, write and count. RM100 a month, RM300 during industrial training, and a hostel place with meals.^[8] Entry rules on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)

The ADTEC listings say the certificate is recognised by JPK (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran, the Department of Skills Development).^[2]

Skills and MARA diplomas

• ADTEC JTM Kampus Kuala Langat, Selangor: Diploma Teknologi Komputer Rangkaian (DKM Level 4). 12 months, for holders of a related SKM Level 3 such as computer network services; ages 17 to 35.^[9] It is the next step after the network courses above, and a DKM counts as its own category (E1) when you later apply for a degree through UPU.^[10] Entry rules on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)
• TVETMARA Sik (Institut Kemahiran MARA Sik), Kedah: Diploma Teknologi Komputer (Sekuriti). 36 months, for Bumiputera applicants only. SPM with passes in Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, Mathematics and English and at least a C in three other subjects, or a related SKM Level 3. MARA funds the tuition.^[11] The MQR lists it as Diploma in Computer Technology (Security), MQA/FA9738, accredited from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026.^[7] Entry rules on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)

Community college certificate

• Kolej Komuniti Tawau, Sabah: Sijil Teknologi Maklumat. 4 semesters, covering software, assembling computers, programming basics, databases, networks, web design and mobile apps. Its listing names computer technician and web developer among the jobs it leads to.^[12] The 2026/27 rule for a community college certificate was 1 SPM credit and a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah.^[4] Check it on the MQR. Listing on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab), then the special requirements in e-Panduan UPU(opens in a new tab).

Polytechnic diplomas

You apply for polytechnic and community college places through UPU, and each programme's special requirements (syarat khas) are in e-Panduan UPU.^[4]

• Politeknik Kuching Sarawak: Diploma Teknologi Maklumat (DIT), Software and Application Development track. 36 months. The 2026/27 rule: 3 SPM credits and a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah.^[13][4] Politeknik Kuching and Politeknik Mukah also run the Networking System track.^[13] Check it on the MQR. Listing on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)
• Politeknik METrO Kuala Lumpur: Diploma Teknologi Maklumat, Digital Game Programming track. 6 semesters. It is the only polytechnic listed for the game development track.^[14] The MQR lists this polytechnic's Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) as accredited from 25 January 2019 (MQA/FA9062); the record does not name tracks.^[15] Listing on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)

University diploma

• Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM): Diploma in Computer Science. 5 semesters. Its listing asks for 3 SPM credits including Bahasa Melayu, a pass in Sejarah, a credit in Mathematics, credits in three subjects from a long list (it includes Additional Mathematics, the sciences, Computer Science, Economics and Visual Arts) and a pass in English.^[16] Check it on the MQR. Listing on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)

Degrees, after matrikulasi, Form 6, asasi or a diploma

The 2026/27 UPU rules for SPM leavers cover asasi, diploma and certificate places, not degrees. You apply for a degree later, in the categories for STPM, matrikulasi, asasi or diploma holders.^[4][10]

• UTeM: Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sains Komputer (Kepintaran Buatan) dengan Kepujian (Bachelor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with Honours). 7 semesters. Its listing names AI engineer, machine learning engineer, data analyst and software developer among the careers.^[17] The MQR lists it as MQA/FA1888, with full accreditation kept at a July 2020 review.^[18] Listing on UP_TVET(opens in a new tab)
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu: Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours (Data Science), programme code UH6481005. 4 years (8 semesters), full time.^[19] The MQR lists it as MQA/FA9581, accredited from 15 September 2023.^[20] UMS programme page(opens in a new tab)

We have not listed private colleges here. If you look at one, ask for its fees in writing and find the programme on the MQR before you pay a deposit.

Who funds study in this area

Little funding is reserved for tech. Most of it comes from three places: support built into public skills courses, national sponsors open to many fields, and your state. Scholarships and study loans after SPM explains how each kind works, and B40, M40 and study aid shows who qualifies and the cash you need before any aid arrives.

Support built into the course

• The ADTEC and IKBN courses above come with free tuition or allowances, and TVETMARA Sik's diploma has its tuition funded by MARA.^[2][8][11]
• ADTEC Kota Kinabalu's listing says you can apply for a training loan through PTPK (Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran, the Skills Development Fund Corporation), whose site lists training loans for school leavers.^[2][21]

National sponsors

• JPA Dermasiswa B40 (DB40). A grant for diploma study, including TVET diplomas, at public universities, polytechnics, TVETMARA institutes, IKTBN and ADTEC. It is for households with per-capita income of RM5,249 a month or less, and asks for credits in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah plus at least a C in three other subjects (one other subject for TVETMARA, IKTBN and ADTEC), and an offer from the institution.^[6] The 2026 round ran from 3 to 16 August 2026 for SPM 2025 leavers; the 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026.^[5][6]
• JPA PPN, LSPM and JKPJ. These are merit-based convertible loans (PBU) for top SPM results. PPN asks for at least 9A+ in listed subjects for engineering, science and technology; LSPM asks for at least 9A+ and is for study in Malaysia; JKPJ covers engineering, science and technology and social science in Japan, Korea, France or Germany.^[22][23][24] The 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026.^[22]
• MARA Tertiary Education Loan (TESP). A loan for a diploma or first degree at institutions MARA approves, for applicants who, with at least one parent, are Malaysian Bumiputera. Diploma applicants must be under 30, and B40 and M40 families get priority.^[25]
• PTPTN. The national study loan for most accredited programmes. PTPTN basics explains how it works and what repayment looks like.

Company foundations that name tech fields

• Yayasan TM. Its scholarship covers courses related to telecommunications, including IT, Computer Science, Data Security and VR, alongside accounting, management and engineering. Applications open after SPM results; the 2026 round closed on 30 September 2026. If TM Group hires you, the bond is 5 years for local study or 7 years for overseas study.^[26] The 2027 window was not announced on 23 October 2026.^[26]
• PETRONAS Education Sponsorship (SPM leavers). Its disciplines include Software Engineering or Computer Science and Data Science. Local programmes ask for at least 8A in SPM and CEFR B1 in English. On 23 October 2026 the page said applications were closed.^[27]

Your state

• Sarawak. The Sarawak Government's Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which it said takes effect in 2026, covers 64 selected courses at four Sarawak universities, with a focus on science and technology.^[28] Yayasan Sarawak also lends to anak jati Sarawak (at least one parent Sarawakian) for technical courses at skills institutes on its panel.^[29]
• Sabah. The PTPS portal is where you apply for Sabah state sponsorship, including the State Government scholarship (BKNS) and the Yayasan Sabah Group; BKNS applications for 2026 closed on 31 August 2026.^[30]
• Other states. Scholarships and loans from your state lists each state foundation and what it asks for.

What this means for you

• You can start in tech without top results. The SKM courses ask for a G in two subjects or less, cost little or nothing, and lead to a DKM and later to a degree.
• Where you study shapes what you learn. Pick the polytechnic for the track you want, and remember that the network courses are about hardware and systems, not app building.
• An accreditation record has dates. Look each programme up on the MQR yourself, and ask the institution about any record that ends soon, such as TVETMARA Sik's.
• The big company scholarships want straight As and close by September. For most families, DB40, MARA, PTPTN and the state foundation are the realistic money, so check those first.
• Some routes are for Bumiputera applicants only, including TVETMARA and MARA's loan. ADTEC, IKBN, polytechnics and universities are open to every Malaysian citizen who meets the rules.

Your next step

1. Shortlist three programmes on different routes, for example one SKM course, one polytechnic or university diploma, and one degree to aim for later. Open each official listing above, check its entry rules, and look it up on the MQR(opens in a new tab).
2. Note one funding window. If a skills course fits, the UP_TVET Perdana intake closes on 16 November 2026. If you are aiming for a diploma, check the JPA sponsorship portal(opens in a new tab) weekly from June 2027 for the next DB40 round.