International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

School Name

Abedeen International School Acmar International School Alice Smith School Alnoor International School Arrow International Secondary School Asia Metropolitan International School Asia Pacific Schools

Aspiration International Secondary School Austin Heights Private & International Schools Australian International School Malaysia Axcel International School Baseerah International School Beaconhouse Schools Borneo International School Brainy Bunch International School Brighton International School The British International School of Kuala Lumpur Campus Rangers International School Cempaka Schools Charis International School City Harbour International School Cranbridge International School Crescendo-HELP International School Dalat International School Dwi Emas International School Eagles Grammar International School Eaton International School EdQuest International School Ekhlass International School elc International School Epsom College in Malaysia Fairview International School Garden International School GEMS International School Global Indian International School Global Modern International School Greenview Islamic International School Havil International School HELP International School Heritage International School Hibiscus International School Highlands International Boarding School Idrissi International School IGB International School Imperial International School Inspiros International School International Islamic School Malaysia International Modern Arabic School The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) The International School @ ParkCity The International School of Penang (Uplands) Kelantan International School Kinabalu International School King Henry VIII College Kingsgate International School Knewton Global Schools Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar Labuan International School

< RM10,000 RM10,001 - RM20,000 RM20,001 - RM30,000 RM30,001 - RM40,000 RM40,001 - RM50,000 RM50,001 - RM60,000 > RM60,000

School Name

Lodge International School MAHSA International School Malacca Expatriate School Maple Leaf Kingsley International School Marefat International School Marlborough College Malaysia Matahari International School Matrix Global Schools Melaka International School MITstem International School Mont' Kiara International School Mutiara International Grammar School Nexus International School Nilai International School Nobel International School Oasis International School - Kuala Lumpur Pelita International School Peninsula International School Australia Prince of Wales Island International School Qosmo International School R.E.A.L Schools Rafflesia International & Private Schools

Raffles American School

Regent International School Repton International School Sayfol International School, Kuala Lumpur Seri Botani International School Seri Jubli International School Seven Skies International School Shattuck St. Mary's School, Forest City Spectrum International Islamic School Sri Ara International & Private School (Sri Ara Schools) Sri Bestari Schools Sri Desa International Secondary School Sri Emas International School Sri KDU Schools Sri Kuala Lumpur International School St. John's International School St. Joseph's Institution International School Malaysia Stellar International School Straits International School Sunway International Schools Tanarata International School Taylor's International School Templer Park International School Tenby Schools Tunku Putra-HELP School Tzu Chi International School UCSI International School Victoria International School Vikas International School Vision International School Wadi Sofia Schools

Wesley Methodist Schools Westlake International School Woodlands International School Zenith International School

< RM10,000 RM10,001 - RM20,000 RM20,001 - RM30,000 RM30,001 - RM40,000 RM40,001 - RM50,000 RM50,001 - RM60,000 > RM60,000

Crafts person or Artisan (historically originating from a French word) - in the ancient times, artisans were revered for their skills. Many aspiring artisans apprenticed under masters for years.

Before the advent of the industrial revolution, artisans produced many consumer goods. Back in the medieval times, artisans who were renowned for their own trades, from making things to providing services, were revered as masters. These artisans were elevated in society, and enjoyed a higher status. However, the industrial revolution transformed many aspects of society and artisans faded into the background. We welcomed and celebrated mass production and automation for all its glory. Mostly because mass production allowed for more things to be affordable due to the economy of scale.

Today, we may hear of a revival of the word artisan, referring mostly to many handcrafted items as opposed to mass produced items. The trouble with mass produced items is mainly in the product’s generic and unoriginal nature. These products are made using automated systems that involve little care and may contain artificial additives (especially for food items). Thus, in contrast to mass produced items, we have come to expect something out of the ordinary when it comes to anything from scratch with the term ‘artisan’ attached to it. It may be better crafted, made with better ingredients, or have a more unique appearance or form. It is also not uncommon to expect that anything ‘artisan’ would be masterfully prepared, with the craftsperson being celebrated as well.

When it comes to food, we could be quite familiar with this concept of ‘hand-made’ or ‘hand-crafted’. Similarly, in the realm of bakery, we have the once high-and-mighty sliced loaves of bread and machine-made cakes being dethroned recently by artisan breads and home-made cakes, especially in the eyes of discerning consumers. As society becomes more affluent and aware, many are now choosing to have better quality when it comes to what we consume. Many people have come to appreciate the difference between something generic and something that is distinct in the quality of ingredients and flavour.

If ‘artisan’ strikes a chord with you, now is the ideal time to ride on this wave and fill a need. You can learn how to make your own artisan bread from the world’s best chef instructors at Sunway Le Cordon Bleu. The institute offers an immersive short course as well as a comprehensive 6 months diploma programme (Diplôme de Boulangerie), all catered to help you develop the necessary skills in this revival of ‘old is gold’.

Find out more about our courses here:

Malaysia offers a variety of options for students seeking to continue their studies beyond secondary school. This section highlights some popular pre-university pathways and university programmes that you can consider.

Advanced Level, or A Level as it is often referred to, is a subjectbased qualification based on the British education system. It is recognised as the standard assessment of a student’s suitability to enter university, and it prepares students for alternative higher education avenues, training, and even work. In international schools that follow the British curriculum, this programme would usually be taken up by students aged 16 to 19 years (Year 12 & 13) since it follows the completion of the IGCSEs (in Year 11). However, students who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations and received the Malaysian Certificate of Education, can also follow the A Level programme after Form Five.

The duration of an A Level programme, consisting of the Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) and the A2 Level, can be anything between 18 and 24 months. Institutions can follow one of two main structures, namely a ‘staged’ programme where students complete the AS Level exam (50%) in their first year and the A2 Level exam (50%) in their second year, or students can sit for one final A Level examination at the end of the programme. Some subjects, however, do not allow for the staged assessment route so it is advisable to do your research and confirm the specific options available. Students also have a third option and that is to only sit for the AS Level examinations, which is half of the syllabus content, but this will not allow for a full qualification.

International A Level subjects are reported on a grade scale from A* (highest) to E (minimum required performance), which is slightly different than the A*-G scale used for the IGCSE. The only exception is the AS Level, which has no A* grade and thus only consists of A-E. Assessing students’ work and assigning a particular grade in each subject is a very complex process. Grade thresholds, which are the minimum number of marks that a student needs to obtain for a specific grade in a subject, are therefore put in place to ensure that it is no more difficult and no less difficult to obtain a particular grade than it was in the previous year. These grade thresholds are published every year after each examination series (June and November) and results are available approximately two months after the conclusion of each examination.

A Level students have a choice between 40 and 55 different subjects, depending on the specific A Level examination board a school or institution is registered with (for example, Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel). Subjects cover a range of disciplines including Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Creative and Professional subjects, and the Humanities and Social Sciences. Besides these traditional fields, students also have the option to take subjects like Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives and Research that prepare students for a positive engagement with our rapidly changing world. It offers students the opportunity to reflect on global issues, considering different perspectives and modes of inquiry. These subjects can be offered in any combination to suit a student’s particular interests and career prospects, which makes it a highly individualised curriculum.

The advantage of A Levels is that it is a globally recognised programme that offers students a qualification that is highly regarded by higher education institutions in Malaysia and across the world. With A Levels, students do not have to take foundation courses at university but can start immediately with a degree course. It serves as excellent preparation for university since it allows students more options in various academic fields, develops students’ in-depth subject content and critical thinking skills, and teaches students to handle and evaluate different types of information sources. The programme also encourages students to think logically, make coherent arguments, and present judgements and explanations reasonably. All these skills are essential for success at university level, whether students find themselves studying locally or abroad.

A child should consider to sit for the A Levels if they are academically-inclined and enjoy challenges in their learning, want to keep their career options open, prefer exam-based assessments in determining their grades and is looking to gain entry into top tier universities, specifically in the UK.

A Levels are not the only pre-university programme that students in Malaysia can enrol in. Other institutions offer a range of pre-university programmes like the Australian Matriculation, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and foundation courses. These programmes can differ from A Levels in terms of how long they run for, the structure of the course, how they are assessed and the universities that will accept the qualification. It is important to research any pre-university programme carefully before making a decision on which to study, especially knowing the specific entrance requirements of courses you may want to take for university.

Before choosing any pre-university programme, it is important to ask the following questions: • Do I want to study locally or abroad? • Do I know which career I would like to pursue? What subjects do I need to study for this career?

Would a skills-based course better prepare me for my future job? • How do I prefer to learn? Do I like to sit for examinations or complete coursework? • How much does it cost? Would I need financial aid or a scholarship?

The A Level is recognised as the standard assessment of a student’s suitability to enter university, and it prepares students for alternative higher education avenues, training, and even work. It is a globally recognised programme that offers students a qualification that is highly regarded by higher education institutions in Malaysia and across the world.

For more information, please visit www.matrixschools.edu.my