Foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Southern University College · Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Southern University College is a 1-year, full-time foundation programme designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and sciences, while supporting progression into the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours).
The programme includes compulsory foundation subjects such as Introduction to Cell Biology, Fundamental of Biology, Fundamental of Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Communicative English, together with core subjects in TCM and related learning such as Introduction to Basic Theory of TCM and Introduction to Human Anatomy.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Introduction to Cell Biology
- Fundamental of Biology and Fundamental of Physiology
- Organic of Chemistry and Physical Chemistry
- Communicative English and Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Basic Theory of TCM and Introduction to Yellow Emperor’s Classic
- Fundamental of Physical Education (Qigong) and Introduction to History of TCM and Foreign Medicine
- Selected Ancient Chinese Proses
- Elective Subjects such as Introduction to Malaysian Culture, General English, and Introduction to Psychology
- Elective Foundations such as Foundation in Statistics
- Foundation work that builds basic knowledge in TCM and science subjects for a smooth transition to the Bachelor pathway
- Core preparation for progression to Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours) offered by Southern University College
Curriculum
Total Credits: 50 credits (Foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme duration (1 year) | Compulsory, core, elective (select any three), and university college compulsory components | Introduction to Cell Biology | 8 | 50 |
| Fundamental of Biology | 8 | |||
| Fundamental of Physiology | 8 | |||
| Organic of Chemistry | 8 | |||
| Physical Chemistry | 8 | |||
| Communicative English | 2 | |||
| Introduction to Basic Theory of TCM | 2 | |||
| Introduction to Human Anatomy | 2 | |||
| Introduction to Yellow Emperor’s Classic | 2 | |||
| Fundamental of Physical Education (Qigong) | 2 | |||
| Introduction to History of TCM and Foreign Medicine | 2 | |||
| Introduction to Malaysian Culture | 1 | |||
| General English | 1 | |||
| Introduction to Psychology | 1 | |||
| Foundation in Statistics | 1 | |||
| Selected Ancient Chinese Proses | 2 | |||
| Total | Compulsory, core, elective (select any three), and university college compulsory components | 50 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You build core TCM fundamentals and foundational science knowledge that prepares you to progress into the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours) pathway offered by Southern University College.
- You develop communication strength through Communicative English, helping you better understand course materials and support professional communication in future TCM study and practice.
- You gain early exposure to anatomy, physiology, and chemistry topics alongside TCM theory, which supports stronger readiness for more advanced health-science modules in the Bachelor programme.
- You receive structured exposure to classical TCM learning through Introductory study of the Yellow Emperor’s Classic and introductory TCM history, helping you build a base for culturally grounded TCM learning.
- You strengthen wellness and mind-body practice readiness through Qigong-focused learning included in the foundation structure.
Employability rate
Employability and unemployment figures for Foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine graduates are not consistently published as a single national statistic because most graduates typically progress into further accredited study.
Overall, you should expect a more stable pathway-to-employment outcome by continuing into the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours), where deeper training supports clearer career readiness.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements with foreign qualifications | International applicants must meet the programme entry requirements listed by Southern University College, including relevant school-leaving results. The programme page states SPM entry routes (including mathematics and science subjects) and UEC entry routes (including mathematics and science subjects). For UEC applicants who did not take a science subject, the programme states that an admission test is required before enrolment. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese Medicine and science foundation subjects | Direct match | Applicants should have mathematics and science subjects at the school level as reflected in the published programme entry requirements; this supports readiness for the Foundation’s science and TCM introductory modules. |
Language requirements
International students must meet the programme’s English competency requirement as published by Southern University College for entry into this Foundation programme.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions test (conditional) | conditional | If an applicant is applying with UEC and did not take any science subject, the programme states that the candidate is required to sit for an admission test before enrolment. |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 31000 / total program | Tuition & miscellaneous fees for international students are published in the Southern University College student programme fees list (International). |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | Other charges section in Southern University College international student programme fees list shows an Application Fee of RM 500. |
Proof of financial resources
You must be able to cover tuition and other study-related costs for the Foundation programme, including payments required by the university and costs needed for your student pass and living expenses.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare eligibility and documents
Review the published Foundation entry requirements to confirm your school-leaving qualifications meet the programme’s stated routes for international applicants. Ensure you have your academic results and any required admissions test condition (for UEC applicants without science subjects). Keep your documents ready for upload during the online application window.
Submit the international student application
Submit your application through Southern University College’s official intake application process during the published intake period. Upload the required academic documents and any other materials requested by the admissions team. If your case includes a conditional admissions test requirement, ensure you follow the instructions provided by the university before enrolment.