Not too sure whether one can get a degree upon completion of vocational cert. Vocational studies run parrallel with academic route, and they don't intersect. The level of qualification...say at MLVK Level 4 may be equivalent to a diploma but they are not the same.

That is true in the case of a foreign qualification taught and offered in most jurisdictions outside Malaysia. For example, universites int he UK accept the HND diploma, which is a 2 year programme, for articulation into the final year of the engineering degree.

Howeer, it is not the case in malaysia. The current LAN system wants to streamline entry into diploma with that of degrees and study period. LAN is concerned that students may short-circuit the system by getting a diploma (a 2-year 3 month programme under a 2 1/2 semester system) after SPM, and proceed to the final year of a degree/ or top-up degree. If this is allowed , students may graduate in a short period of just about 3 1/2 years after SPM. Entry qualifications into a diploma is also lower - only 3 SPM credits. Therefore, LAN stipulates that a Diploma can only articulate into the 2nd year of a degree. It means Diploma only allows for exemptions for first year of the degree.

This would effectively streamline the routes to obtaining a degree.
- Diploma route after SPM: 2 years 3 months at diploma and further 2 1/2 years for the final 2 years (in the case of a 3 year degree): 4 years plus
- Degree route after SPM: 1-2 year(s) foundation/ A-Level/ STPM and a further 3 1/2 years at degree level.: 4 years plus.

Sounds fair....... but it's not in line with the practice in most countries like Australia and the UK. It is also difficult to reconcile this with adult entry requirements, and top-up degrees (which are not recognised by LAN).

The proposed Malaysian qualifiactions framework (MQF) seeks to address this but is yet to be approved and effected.

\
A-Levels is a pre-university qualification, and naturally, the academic requirements are higher. The bar set by LAN is 5 credits at SPM (although different universities may require better results).

The wisdom is that those who do not have 5 credits are not cut-out for degree level studies, and should really think of aiming for a diploma. The LAN standard for diploma is just 3 credits.

Diploma students are expected to hit the job market upon completion of the diploma. Period. However, universities and private colleges have begun to recognise the need for continuining education, especially for adult learners who have graduated with diploma and have substantial work experience to upgrade themselves. Before long, some have begun to accept fresh diploma holders.

Foreign universities even designed top-up degrees for these diploma holders. However, these degrees are not recognised by LAN (since the Malaysian system is behind in sophistication, and for political reasons, Tan Sri Musa...the Education Minister when LAN adopted its closed door policies, was from a local public university and does not accept the liberal practices of foreign universities), and had to be offered as distance learning programmes.

Am waiting for the MQA/ MQF to sort this out once and for all.