General Studies - Spi (Generalstudies) (Monash Malaysia)

Malaysia’s geographic location at the centre of Southeast Asia and along popular maritime routes has produced a country rich in history and culture. Since its birth in 1963, the country has had to contend with its fractured past and diverse people. Explore the rich heritage of Malaysia, develop intercultural competencies, and delve into the contemporary issues facing this rapidly developing nation with the General Studies program.

Enrolment in General Studies is a Malaysian government requirement for all students studying in Malaysia. At Monash University Malaysia, we see this as an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and experience of Malaysia as well as to engage critically with issues relevant to the country. Please explore our site for more information on General Studies, or visit your School Course Management Office. For a quick rundown on GS matters, you may also check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

What do I need to study?

As a student at our Malaysian campus, it is a Ministry requirement for you to successfully enrol in and complete some of the General Studies units. Before you graduate, Malaysian and International students will have to complete the following:

General studies for all courses (except Diploma of Business)

In addition to the above units, Bachelor Degree students must also complete one U2, one U3, and one U4 unit.

For the Diploma of Business, you will need to complete the following units:

At Monash University Malaysia, units within our various degrees have been recognised by the government as meeting the U2, U3 and U4 General Studies requirements (you can see the full list of units here). The Course Management Office in each School will help ensure that the units you undertake during your degree cover the U2, U3 and U4 requirements.

When do I enrol?

The GS U1 units can be undertaken at any time and in any sequence before the end of the course / upon graduation.

How do I enrol?

To successfully complete one of your General Studies units, you need to make sure that you are already enrolled in them first. How do you enrol? Well, the same as you would for any other unit!

Step 1: Log into your Web Enrolment System (WES) account, and choose your General Studies unit from the list of available sessions.

Step 2: Where applicable, check the timetable for availability and indicate the preferred lecture slot by selecting the option(s) provided in Allocate+ after enrolling.

Watch the instructional video here for guidance and assistance (required to log-in to my.monash). Alternatively, students may seek further information or assistance from the Course Management Offices in enrolling / registering for GS U1 unit(s).

Be mindful that spaces may be limited each semester, so enrol quickly to secure your spot!

Can I get an exemption?

As a rule of thumb, you can only obtain an exemption from General Studies if:

1. You are a local student who has scored a minimum Credit “C” for your SPM Bahasa Melayu (only applicable for MPU3212 National Language A).
2. You have already completed your General Studies requirements at another institution (applicable for all General Studies units).

Eligible exemptions for MPU 3212 National Language A will be processed upon admission to Monash University Malaysia, while exemptions for other units can be handled on a case-by-case basis by your respective Course Management Offices. You will need to provide a copy of your transcript showing that you have completed the same U1 unit to the Course Management Office.

Do I have to complete the U2, U3 and U4 units?

If you are enrolled in a Bachelor Degree course then, yes.

However, if you are enrolled in a Diploma of Higher Education Studies or a 1 Year Honours Degree, then you only need to complete the required U1 units. You do not need to enrol in U2, U3 or U4 units.

I obtained an A for Malay in IGCSE O'level, can I apply for exemption?

Unfortunately not. The Ministry of Education Malaysia does not consider Malay language assessed at IGCSE O'Level to be equivalent to SPM Bahasa Melayu.

Do I have to pay if I enrol for General Studies unit?

No fees are required to be paid as your General Studies U1 Units enrolment has been included into your course fees.

What are the implications of my performance in General Studies on my degree?

Simply put, none. Although it is compulsory for you to pass these units, your General Studies grades are not included in the calculation of your overall GPA.

However, if you have done well in these units and would like to have them reflected in your academic transcript, you can put in a request to have them included prior to your graduation.