FAQs

General

Are the UUM courses recognized? Yes, all courses from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) are recognized. All degrees from Public Universities are recognized by the Malaysian government.

What is the difference between the degree scroll I would obtain and the scroll that is given to UUM's full time students? Would the degree scroll mention that I have completed the course off-campus? There is no difference. There will not be any mention of the off-campus center on the degree scroll.

Can you explain what blended learning means? Part of the course is conducted through face-2-face meetings; the rest of the course is taught through web tutorials. For each of the fourteen (14) modules taught in the Master degree, there are thirty (30) hours of face-to-face meetings and twelve (12) hours of web tutorials.

How are the courses conducted? Face-to-face meetings are conducted during alternate weekends. Students would have to attend classes on Saturdays (3pm to 8pm) and Sundays (9am to 2pm). You would complete one module every two months. So in one session, you will complete 2 modules. You would also have to attend web tutorials, through our facilitated chat rooms, for each module. These chat rooms can be accessed from the online Learning Management System (LMS).

How long are the semesters? The course is run in sessions, an alternate name for semesters. Each session is four (4) months long.

Is there a limit to the number of classes I can miss? If so, how many classes can I miss? UUM's policy is for students to maintain an 80% attendance rate.

What is the medium of teaching – English or BM? Classes are conducted in English. The examination would also be in English.

How many students are there in a class? There are normally no more than thirty (30) students in a class.

What happens when I am accepted, but do not want to start immediately? Once you are accepted for the course, you are allowed to defer registration for one (1) session. You would need to write in your request officially to UUM. Please submit a copy of the letter to Rezzen for verification purposes.

Can I take a break in the middle of the course? Yes, you are allowed to defer for three (3) sessions during the entire duration of your course.

Can I transfer my credit hours to degrees that I wanted to apply (UUM)? Transfer of credits is done on a department or faculty basis. However there are rules to follow. Usually credits to be transferred need to be for qualifications at the same degree levels. We cannot for instance recognize bachelor degree credits for Masters level courses. Also, the faculty also has to examine whether the submit domain covers the same area as the course which is to be exempted. In addition the university may have additional rules to be complied with. In UUM, credits can only be transferred from programs for which a degree is awarded. Credits therefore from programs which have not been completed cannot be accepted.

If I enroll at the Rezzen KL center, and I am transferred by my company to work in Penang, will I be able to change my learning center to Penang? Yes.

I’m from Penang so i would like to do the course in Penang. As stated in the advertisment there is a class in PSDC, penang. Yes, this is correct.

Master’s Degrees

Is the MSc IB degree internationally recognized? There is no international mechanism for recognition of degrees across countries. This is usually done on an institutional basis. Universities can decide to recognize other university’s degrees. Using this criteria, UUM degrees have been recognized worldwide through its graduates being admitted to various international universities for advanced work.

Are all the other degrees you offer internationally recognized? The same answer above applies to all other UUM degrees.

Can you describe how the MBA course is structured? You are required to take 14 modules and there is no thesis or project paper. Part of the course is conducted through face-to-face meetings and the rest of the course is taught through web tutorials. UUM mandates that each course should be assessed 30% through exams. The remaining 70% is through assignments. Anyway, this part depend on the individual lecturer’s decision. The classes are conducted during alternate weekends, and there will be 3 weekend meetings on Sat (3-8pm) & Sun (9-2pm) per module. You have to attend, preferably all the 6 face-to-face meetings. On the 4th weekend will be the exam.

I am 36 years old. I want to take your Masters degree. The qualifications stated that I have to pass my Bahasa Melayu/Mathematics/Accounting subject during SPM/STPM. If I have not passed the subjects, do I have re-sit the exams? The life long learning rule allows those who are 35 years and older to apply directly to the MBA degree program with only a recognized diploma qualification. Such applicants can bypass the need for a bachelor degree.

How long does it take to complete the course? It would take a student a minimum of 24-28 months to complete the MBA course. [24 months in the case of MSc in IT and ICT students]. At Rezzen center, there is a fast-track option where students take modules every weekend. They can choose 3 or 4 modules and finish the course earlier.

What is the difference between a general MBA and one with specializations? A general MBA usually offers 14 courses covering all aspects of business. Specialisation sacrifices some of these courses so that you can take a few more courses in a chosen field. There is general debate over which is better for the graduate. Some companies prefer to recruit those who do not specialize but actually learn their specialization while on the job. The same reasoning goes that specialization while at school will require any amount of unlearning before adopting a company’s culture or practices. Hence these companies prefer their recruits to be trained in ALL aspects of business, not to specialize. Again, there might be those companies that argue for more specialization so they will have to do less training. The choice is the students which kind of MBA to enroll in. Specialisation is expensive when offered to off-campus students unless each center has many students and many different classes.

The Doctorate in Business Degree

What are the main differences between a PhD and a DBA degree? Traditionally, universities offered a PhD degree for all fields including Business Administration. More recently, it was felt that a PhD degree might not be appropriate for this field and that a different degree should be offered. Hence, the DBA degree was created with different emphasis. Research was given slightly less weightage, requiring instead a small thesis or a dissertation. In place of this, students were given exposure to consultation, playing the role of an actual business consultant. However, the DBA is no less rigorous than a PhD in the work that is required to earn the degree, and has quite quickly moved to gain at least equal acceptance in both the academic and business world.

Why are your fees for the DBA degree so inexpensive? Only the coursework part of the degree is charged at privatized rates. Once this is completed, students register back with UUM at government fee rate. This brings down the cost tremendously. The degree is in every way a fully fledged UUM degree, equivalent in quality to that of any public university. The difference in cost is significantly less than that of any other privatized private sector program.

Is the DBA E-learning supported? Yes, although not to the same extent as the more established MBA degree. The modules are being put together and although there are incentives to do so, each lecturer is being given the liberty of using as much or as many of the E-learning tools that are available.

What are the entry requirements: (a) A recognized bachelor’s degree AND a recognized master’s degree from UUM; OR (b) A recognized bachelor’s degree AND a recognized master’s degree from other university recognized by UUM.

Requirements

I only have a diploma/certificate and not a bachelor's degree, but I have working experience. Do I qualify for the MBA course? In the case of those without a first degree, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is able to relax this requirement for those who are at least 35 years old and above. For those with this age qualification, they only need a recognized diploma qualification. Working experience is preferred, but is not required for admission.

My bachelor's degree is not in Business Administration. Would I be able to catch up? A first degree in Business Administration is not necessary. Those recruited for the MBA class can come from different disciplines.

How do I know if I have been accepted for the course? The offer letter would be sent from UUM to successful candidates. Rezzen would also send an e-mail out to successful candidates. This e-mail would include details of the registration procedures. Intake and closing date In a year, there will be three intakes; Jan, May and September. The closing date for the May 2012 intake is 27th March 2012. For other intakes, the closing date is approximately 1 ½ months earlier than the intake date.

I am not a Malaysian citizen. How do I apply for your degrees? Student visas are now only issued to applicants for full time courses. Since UUM has the same courses offered full time on their campus, foreign students can only get visas for on-campus courses. However, if they get admission and later decide they have to transfer to off campus centers, they can apply to UUM for such a transfer.

Fees

Individual fees have their fee structure but bear in mind there is an imminent increase in fees for the February 008 intake onwards. Funding sources available

(a) EPF/KWSP withdrawal Candidate must be registered as UUM’s student first. This means you have to pay the 1st registration and tuition fees in order to be registered. Then, they need to submit the following documents to KWSP:

1) Copy Letter of offer (do not give them the orig) (Approximately one month after, UUM will provide you)

2) Surat Pengesahan from UUM

3) Registration Form / Matric Card

4) KWSP Education Withdrawal Form We will get the Surat Pengesahan & Registration Form/matric card from UUM and distribute to them as soon as we receive from UUM. They can download the KWSP form at www.kwsp.gov.my and submit all 4 documents above to any KWSP office.

(b) Bank Rakyat We have an MOU with Bank Rakyat. Please go to any Bank Rakyat’s branch to check the latest interest rate and get the form from the branch.

(c) PTPTN Loan Please go to www.ptptn.gov.my. Create a password, then log in to apply online. All public university programs including part time programs qualify for loans.

(d) HRDF HRDF refunds can be done on a module by module basis on a corporate training basis, or on a degree basis. Procedures for claiming HRDF:

1) Your company must be a member & subscribe to HRDC.

2) You must get your company’s approval first by signing & returning a form to us.

3) Your company must apply online for approval first to HRDC for their staff to attend corporate training program under SBL Khas program by Rezzen. Once the approval is given, then only can you start the respective modules.

What percentage of the fee is claimable? The fee is 100% claimable.

What degree courses are claimable? All 3 courses we offer, MBA, DBA & MSc IB are all claimable.

If my credits from previous diploma are exempted, then will my fees be decreased as well? Yes, to the extent to which your credits have been exempted.

If you still have any doubts that has not been answered, kindly click here. < answers@rezzen.com.my >