Changing Course at a Malaysian University: Rules, Steps and PTPTN
You can, but not at every university and not at any time. UKM, UPM and UTM allow one change of programme under set conditions, while UiTM's academic regulations (2021 amendment) do not allow it for full-time students. Your old CGPA is usually not carried over, and PTPTN only considers continuing your loan if the change does not make you repeat a semester.
By Degreemate Editorial · Education research teamPublished 4 min read
You are a month or two into campus life and the course does not feel right. Before you do anything, three facts matter: a UPU offer itself cannot be swapped, changing programme after you register is your university's decision, and every university writes its own rule.
The UPU offer cannot be changed
In its media statement on the 2026/2027 UPU results for STPM and equivalent applicants, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) said offers are final and that requests to change programme or public university are not allowed. So a "course change" can only happen after you have registered, under your university's academic regulations, not through UPU. The UPU appeal is a separate process for applicants without an offer.
The rule depends on the university
There is no national rule for changing programme. This is what the regulations of four universities say:
| University | When you may apply | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| UKM (Bachelor's Study Regulations 2024) | Within two weeks after the semester starts | Already registered in the original programme; apply to the Deans of both faculties; subject to faculty conditions; once only |
| UPM (Undergraduate Academic Matters Rules 2014) | After completing at least two semesters | "Good" standing with a CGPA of at least 2.000; decided at the discretion of the Deans |
| UTM (Bachelor's Academic Regulations, 2025 amendment) | After at least one semester and no later than the fourth; within two weeks of exam results | Not in Failed Standing (KG); approval of both faculties; once only; sponsored students need the sponsor's permission |
| UiTM (Academic Regulations, 2021 amendment) | Not applicable | Change of programme is not allowed, except when moving into part-time mode |
These documents are amended from time to time, so read the current edition on your own university's academic office page.
A UKM guideline, based on an earlier edition of the regulations, spells out the conditions that sit behind "faculty approval": the recommendation of the new faculty's Dean, places being available, and meeting the entry requirements of the new programme. The same guideline says students may not transfer into Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy or Education. Check the entry requirements of the programme you want in the programmes catalogue before you apply.
What happens to your credits, CGPA and graduation date
- CGPA. UKM and UPM both state that the CGPA from your original programme is not carried into the new one.
- Credits. MQA's credit-transfer FAQ says there is no cap on horizontal credit transfer inside the same institution, but each course must have at least a grade C, the same credit value, and at least 80% curriculum equivalence. UKM lets you apply for credit transfer within the first year after the change.
- Academic record. At UTM, a change to a closely related field keeps your original record and your study is counted as continuous. A change to a different field closes the old record and opens a new one.
- Weak results. At UPM, a student on warning or probation status may still apply, but gets no course exemptions and is treated as a new student.
The further the new field is from the old one, the fewer courses will match, so plan for extra semesters.
PTPTN and sponsors
PTPTN states that the next semester's disbursement is made only if you are still studying at the level, course and institution it approved. A change of programme therefore has to be reported. The myPTPTN service list includes an appeal for change of course or programme.
PTPTN's change-of-course form says a request to continue the loan is considered if the change does not involve repeating any semester, and is subject to PTPTN having sufficient funds. It asks for the university's approval letter, a letter confirming you are not repeating a semester, and your results.
If you hold a scholarship, get the sponsor's written permission first. UTM's regulations do not allow a sponsored student to change programme without it.
How to apply
- Read your university's current academic regulations and note the application window.
- Confirm you meet the new programme's entry requirements.
- Speak to your academic adviser and the new faculty's academic office about places.
- Get your sponsor's permission in writing, if you have one.
- Submit the form within the window, through both faculties.
- If approved, fix your course registration, apply for credit transfer, and update PTPTN.
If the change is refused
- Stay and adjust. Ask the faculty which electives or minor are open to you.
- Pause. Read deferring your studies first; a deferred semester has funding consequences.
- Move. See changing university and credit transfer.
Before you choose, make sure the next course is a better fit, not just a different one. Take the Future Me quiz, run your results through /plan, and read how to choose a course when you are unsure of your career.
Sources: the KPT media statement on 2026/2027 UPU results; the academic regulations of UKM (2024), UPM (2014), UTM (2025 amendment) and UiTM (2021 amendment); MQA's credit-transfer FAQ; and PTPTN's loan FAQ and change-of-course form. University rules differ and are amended. Verify with your faculty's academic office and the PTPTN portal before you act.
Not sure this suits you?
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I change course in my first semester?
- It depends on the university. UKM accepts applications within two weeks after a semester starts once you have registered, UTM only after at least one semester of study, and UPM only after at least two semesters.
- Does my CGPA follow me to the new programme?
- Usually not. The UKM and UPM regulations both state that the CGPA from the original programme is not carried into or counted in the new programme.
- Will PTPTN continue my loan if I change course?
- Not automatically. PTPTN's change-of-course form says continuing the loan is considered if the change does not involve repeating a semester and PTPTN has sufficient funds, so you must apply and attach the university's approval letter.
- Can UiTM students change programme?
- UiTM's Academic Regulations for Diploma and Bachelor's programmes (2021 amendment) state that a change of programme is not allowed except when entering part-time mode. Check the current edition with your faculty.
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