Is a Diploma a Degree? Diploma, Degree and Certificate Levels in Malaysia (2026)

Many parents and students ask: "What level is a diploma?" Here's the short answer.

Short answer: A diploma is not a degree. It's a professional qualification one step below a degree. In the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF), a diploma is Level 4 and a bachelor's degree is Level 6, with the Advanced Diploma at Level 5 in between.

Malaysian qualification levels (MQF)

• Level 3, Certificate: entry-level skills, usually about 1–1.5 years.
• Level 4, Diploma: professional and practical, usually about 2–2.5 years for local MQA programmes.
• Level 5, Advanced Diploma: an advanced qualification above the diploma.
• Level 6, Bachelor's Degree: usually 3–4 years.
• Levels 7 and 8: Master's and Doctorate.

So "a diploma is a degree" is a common mix-up. A diploma can take you straight into work, and it's also a step towards a bachelor's degree.

Diploma vs degree: the differences

• Level: diploma is MQF Level 4, degree is Level 6.
• Duration: a local diploma usually takes 2–2.5 years, a degree 3–4 years.
• Entry: local MQA diplomas usually need relevant SPM passes; degrees usually need SPM plus Foundation/STPM, or a completed diploma.
• Fees: total diploma fees are usually lower than a degree.
• Next steps: diploma graduates can work or continue to a degree; some universities give credit transfer, which shortens the degree (depends on the university and programme).

How to judge a diploma

• Local programmes: check the programme on MQA's Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR).
• Diplomas issued by overseas universities: check who issues it and which framework level it maps to (for example the European EQF). For use in Malaysian government jobs or public universities, you can apply to MQA for an equivalency assessment.
• Ask about progression: which degrees can you continue to, and how long will it take?
• Look at the content, not the name: the syllabus, internship and graduate work say more than the course title.

What level is a Nova Academy diploma?

Nova Academy diplomas take 18 months (15 months of study plus a 3-month internship stage). The diploma is issued by our partner university, UITM Poland, at European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 5. Some programmes offer a dual diploma with IKMa. You can enrol from 16, no SPM needed.

Fees can be covered with a bank education loan plus Nova's 3-semester instalment plan. If a government job or a local public university is your top priority, an MQA-registered diploma will suit you better.

After the diploma, you can continue to a 12-month top-up bachelor's degree (EQF Level 6), about 30 months from your first day. See our recognition and verification page.