APEL helps you pursue your Master without a Bachelor’s degree
If you're between 30 to 55 years old and interested in becoming a Mantissa College Master of Business Admin (MBA) student, you'll need a Bachelor's Degree in a business or non-business related field. Don't have a degree? No problem! You can still apply with an APEL certificate
What is APEL?
APEL stands for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning. It's a process set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) to systematically identify, document, and assess an individual's previous learning experiences. The aim is to determine if the person has achieved the necessary learning outcomes to pursue higher education or gain credits. APEL was introduced for admission to Master's programmes on 18th February 2014."
Why choose APEL?
If you don't have a Bachelor’s degree, APEL offers a pathway to higher education. It recognises the skills and knowledge you've gained through life experience, giving working adults the opportunity to pursue a higher education programme without the necessary academic qualifications.
Why APEL is Necessary
As stated earlier, if you don't have a Bachelor's degree, APEL is the solution. APEL offers working adults the opportunity to pursue a higher education programme without possessing the necessary academic credentials. Put simply, APEL recognises all the life experiences you've gained that were not officially certified.
What are the entry requirements for MBA through APEL?
To apply for MBA or level 7 of the MQF through APEL, you must be a Malaysian citizen who is at least 30 years old in the year of application. You must have a minimum qualification of STPM, Diploma, or any equivalent qualification, along with relevant work experience or former experiential learning."
What are the stages of APEL?
To apply for an APEL certificate, you must first meet the requirements, such as being a Malaysian at least 30 years old and having relevant working experience or former experiential learning. Afterwards, you need to assess whether you have the necessary skills and experience to pursue an MBA.
Once you are ready, you can submit your application to MQA and take an aptitude test. If you pass, you can prepare your portfolio by compiling all your relevant experiences. MQA will notify you of the result via mail, and if you pass, you will be awarded the APEL certification that can be used to apply for MBA at Mantissa College.
However, if you fail the portfolio stage, you can appeal to MQA to resubmit it six months after the notification of the result.
What does the APEL aptitude test involve?
The aptitude test takes two and a half hours to complete and constitutes 40% of the entire assessment. It aims to determine your suitability and preparedness for the MBA programme. The test evaluates your proficiency in Mathematics, English, Bahasa Malaysia, and General Knowledge or Critical Thinking. Each area comprises two sections, with the first containing 12 to 25 objective questions, and the second containing one question, except for the General Knowledge or Critical Thinking section, which has two questions.
The test assesses your ability to comprehend written material, your knowledge of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and your ability to identify and correct language errors in both languages. The Mathematics section assesses your proficiency in basic mathematics and algebra, including your ability to solve related problems. In the General Knowledge or Critical Thinking section, you will need to demonstrate your skill in classification, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning.
What do you need to prepare for the APEL portfolio?
The APEL portfolio is divided into four parts. The first part is your personal particulars, including your intended field of study and a recent photograph of yourself.
The second part is your learning experience, which is further divided into five sections. You will need to fill in a table with your formal learning experience, providing details such as the name of the certificate, where and when it was acquired, and the duration of study. You will also need to attach a copy of the certificate. The next sections require you to list your informal learning through working or social environments, as well as non-formal learning through training, seminars or workshops. Finally, you must rate your language proficiency on a scale of one to four and reflect on your decision to pursue an MBA.
For part three, you will need to provide a list of referees who can vouch for your work experience, such as people you have worked with or for, or individuals in your social circle.
Lastly, you will need to declare that the information you have provided to MQA is authentic, accurate and true. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.
In addition to the lists of your learning experiences, you must attach all related documents that serve as direct or indirect evidence of your experience. Direct evidence includes certificates, work samples, records of activities, and media articles related to your work. Written records, such as journals and diaries, are considered indirect evidence. Other examples of indirect evidence include e-mails, letters, communication with customers, and verification of the workplace.
Once you have completed the portfolio, you will present it to a panel of assessors who will review it in detail. Marks provided by the panel will contribute to 60% of the overall assessment.'
Why Case Studies are Crucial in Business Education: Mantissa College's MBA Programme
At Mantissa College, our Master of Business Administration Programme, a programme by Ecole de Commerce International (ESGCI) place a significant emphasis on case studies, which comprise 50% of assessments, while the remaining 50% is designated for assignments. The result is an active, engaging and hands-on business degree that is hard to match.
Mantissa College’s MBA program boasts a dynamic global network of more than 80,000 alumni. One recent alumnus, Harrison Jub, says, “I took the 15-month Master of Business Administration course and in the first week, I was discussing the Real Case Study with groups of working professionals from different fields. And so I was learning from real people with real problems. Thanks to the case study-based learning approach, I am now capable of taking up more projects because I had been exposed to a wider perspective on handling matters from my learning experience.”
Undoubtedly, evidence attests to the tremendous value of case studies in business education. With its focus on this learning style and other desirable attributes, Mantissa College’s Master of Business Administration offers an invaluable edge for aspiring business leaders.
To find out more, enquire the form below or click here to apply online with your scan copy of your highest qualifications
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