Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Southern University College · Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Diploma in Early Childhood Education (DECE) is a two-year full-time programme that trains students to understand young children’s physical and mental needs, along with their social, cognitive, creative, and emotional development.
The programme balances theoretical learning with practical experience and prepares graduates to manage children from baby to six years old by facilitating learning through appropriate pedagogical approaches.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Early childhood education theory and practice foundations
- Child growth and development and the learning needs of young children
- Early childhood curriculum planning and basic instructional approaches
- Language and literacy foundations for early years teaching
- Curriculum design and implementing activities for early childhood learners
- Assessment approaches and observation methods for young children
- Safety, health and nutrition for young children
- Guidance approaches and supporting young children with special needs
- Administration of early childhood programmes and classroom/professional responsibilities
- Computer in early childhood education to support learning activities
- Physical activities and creative activities for young children
- Work-integrated learning focus through teaching-related practice and consolidation
Curriculum
Diploma in Early Childhood Education (DECE) credit hours table extracted from the official DECE course list binder. Total credits: 90 credit hours.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core/major subjects plus practicum | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 30 |
| Social Studies in Early Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Curriculum in Early Childhood Education Malaysia | 3 | |||
| Early-Childhood Care and Education in Malaysia | 3 | |||
| Theory and Practice in Early-Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Language and Literacy | 3 | |||
| Sciences and Maths for Young Children | 3 | |||
| Creative Activities for Young Children | 3 | |||
| Practicum | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core/major subjects plus practicum | Curriculum Design for Childhood Education | 3 | 30 |
| Assessment for Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Safety, Health and Nutrition for Young Children | 3 | |||
| Guidance of Young Children | 3 | |||
| Young Children With Special Needs | 3 | |||
| Computer in Early-Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Administration of Early-Childhood Programs | 3 | |||
| Physical Activities for Young Children | 3 | |||
| Practicum | 6 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core/major subjects plus research and partnership | Leadership in Childhood Education | 3 | 30 |
| Ethics for Early-Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Basic Research in Early-Childhood Education | 4 | |||
| Home School Partnership | 3 | |||
| Becoming a Professional in Early-Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Multilingualism and Multiculturalism in Early- Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Behavioural and Emotional Challenges in Early- Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Issues in Early-Childhood Education | 3 | |||
| Children in the Changing World | 3 | |||
| Total | All compulsory and elective core/major subjects plus practicum and core electives listed in the official DECE course list binder | 90 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You can pursue roles such as kindergarten teacher and nursery educator by building practical early childhood teaching skills through the programme’s theory and teaching-oriented modules.
- You develop classroom-ready competencies in early childhood curriculum planning, assessment, and observation, helping you support children’s learning in real early-years settings.
- You gain guidance and inclusion knowledge for supporting young children with special needs, which strengthens your readiness for diverse early childhood classrooms.
- You build professional foundations in programme administration and child safety, health, and nutrition, supporting employability in centres that require both teaching and welfare-focused skills.
- You graduate with structured, education-focused training that supports further progression in early childhood education pathways in Malaysia or internationally.
Employability rate
Early childhood education graduates in Malaysia typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22% reflecting steady recruitment by kindergartens, nurseries, and early-years centres.
Together, these figures suggest a dependable career outlook when you build classroom competence and practical teaching readiness during your diploma.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification (international equivalents) | International applicants must have a school-leaving qualification equivalent to SPM or O-Level with a pass and a minimum of three credits in any subject, or its equivalent, for entry to the Diploma in Early Childhood Education. |
| Certificate in Early Childhood Education or related field | International applicants may apply with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education or in any field, with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 or its equivalent, subject to the university’s entry assessment. |
| Other qualifications recognized by the Malaysian Government | International applicants may also be considered with other equivalent qualifications recognized by the Malaysian Government, subject to meeting the stated admission requirements. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Education & Training | Direct match | This diploma includes early childhood education subjects such as Child Growth and Development, Theory and Practice in Early-Childhood Education, and Curriculum Design for Childhood Education. |
Language requirements
For international applicants, Southern University College requires an English competency score for admission to this diploma programme.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 30000 / total program | Southern University College 2023 Programme Fees for International Students (Diploma in Early Childhood Education). |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | Application Fee is listed as a separate charge in Southern University College international student programme fees sheet. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must be able to cover tuition and living costs for studying in Malaysia. Prepare your financial proof documents according to the documentation requirements you will receive during the student pass application process.
- Proof of available funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses for the study period, as required for Malaysia student pass processing
- Any additional evidence of payment or funding status requested by Southern University College during the international student process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Review entry requirements and prepare your documents
Check that your school-leaving or certificate qualification meets the university’s stated requirements for international applicants. Prepare your academic results and your English competency evidence for admission consideration. If any document is not in English, ensure you have the necessary certified documentation for submission as required by the university during the application process.
Submit the international application to Southern University College
Complete the university’s application for the Diploma in Early Childhood Education during the published intake period. Upload the required documents you are asked for, including academic results and English competency evidence. Pay the application-related fees if the university requests them before the application is processed.
Respond to university verification requests
After submission, Southern University College may request clarifications or additional information to verify your international qualification documents. Respond within the deadline provided by the university so your application can continue. Keep your supporting documents available in case additional verification is needed.
Complete student pass processing after admission
If you are offered a place, follow the instructions provided by Southern University College for the student pass process. Prepare financial and supporting documents as required for studying in Malaysia. Ensure your documentation matches what the university and processing requirements ask for during the international student onboarding stage.