Guide · Mont Royale International College

How to check a diploma is MQA approved in Malaysia

MQA approval check for a private college diploma in Malaysia: what the MQA/FA and MQA/PA codes mean and how to look them up on MQA's registers.

By Mont Royale International CollegePublished

A parent and a student seen from behind at a dining table in daylight, looking at a laptop together with a printed brochure beside it
Illustration: checking a programme's records before enrolling.

To check whether a private college diploma in Malaysia is MQA approved, note its MQA code and search the programme on the Malaysian Qualifications Agency's registers: the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) for an MQA/FA code (full accreditation), or the Provisional Accreditation Portal for an MQA/PA code (provisional). Then check that the programme name, institution and code match what the college gives you.

Key takeaways

  • MQA says fully accredited programmes are listed on the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR), and provisionally accredited ones on its Provisional Accreditation Portal (PASP).
  • An MQA/PA code means provisional accreditation, given before a programme is offered; an MQA/FA code means full accreditation, assessed when the first cohort is in its final year or semester.
  • MQA says accreditation under the MQA Act 2007 is "perpetual" from the date a programme is accredited; if it is withdrawn, the end date is shown in the MQR.
  • Mont Royale International College shows the KPT approval reference and MQA code on each of its eight diploma pages.
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How does KPT approval relate to MQA accreditation?

MQA's FAQ explains how the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) connect: in principle, the Ministry considers approving a programme on the basis of the quality assurance MQA carries out through accreditation. Provisional accreditation is taken into account when a college applies to offer a new programme, and keeping accreditation is one of the conditions for renewing the programme's approval.

MQA adds that provisional accreditation qualifies a programme for approval from the Department of Higher Education (JPT) before it can be offered to students.

How do you check a diploma on MQA's registers?

MQA advises checking a qualification's status on three portals: the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) at www2.mqa.gov.my/mqr for full accreditation, the Provisional Accreditation Portal (PASP) at www2.mqa.gov.my/pasp, and eSisraf at www2.mqa.gov.my/esisraf for recognition for the public service.

  1. Note the code the college shows for the diploma: MQA/FA or MQA/PA and its number.
  2. For an MQA/FA code, search the MQR. The register lets you search private institutions by type (university, university college, college or institution) or by keyword.
  3. For an MQA/PA code, search the PASP. The MQR itself says that if a programme is not found there, it may be listed on the Provisional Accreditation Portal.
  4. Compare the programme name, the institution and the code with what the college gives you.

The MQR lists only accredited programmes offered by higher education providers in Malaysia. It says a "No such record" result may mean the programme has provisional accreditation but is not yet ready for full accreditation, the provider did not apply, the programme ran before 1997, or the programme did not achieve full accreditation.

What do MQA/FA and MQA/PA mean?

MQA describes accreditation as continuous. Provisional accreditation comes first, before a programme is offered, and is based on the soundness of its curriculum and the plan for running it. Full accreditation is assessed when the first cohort of students is in the final year or semester, and checks the programme against the Malaysian Qualifications Framework using evidence of how it is actually run. The full comparison is in MQA full vs provisional accreditation.

Why does accreditation matter to a student?

MQA lists the benefits of accreditation to students, including:

  • recognition by the Public Service Department (JPA) for a first appointment in the public sector;
  • recognition by professional bodies for professional practice;
  • study funding from sponsors such as PTPTN and MARA;
  • further study at a higher level, and easier credit transfer.

MQA's list does not say which of these apply while a programme holds provisional accreditation, so ask the college and the body concerned.

MQA also says that accreditation under the MQA Act 2007, in force from 1 November 2007, is "perpetual" from the date a programme is accredited, and that if a programme's accreditation is withdrawn, the end date is stated in the MQR.

What codes do Mont Royale's diplomas carry?

Mont Royale International College says: "We provide the relevant KPT approval reference, MQA code, programme duration, semester count and credit hours on each diploma programme page." These are the eight diplomas' records as the college lists them.

Mont Royale International College diplomas: KPT approval references and MQA codes, as the college lists them
DiplomaKPT approval referenceMQA code
AccountingR2/0411/4/0019MQA/FA 3744
Business ManagementR2/345/4/0158MQA/FA 0886
Cabin Crew ManagementN/1041/4/0017MQA/PA 18150
Computer ScienceN/0613/4/0026MQA/PA 16857
Hotel ManagementN/1013/4/0143MQA/PA 17997
Law EnforcementN/1032/4/0029MQA/PA 17552
Multimedia DesignR2/0211/4/0023MQA/FA 3745
Technology ManagementN/0414/4/0131MQA/PA 16858

For the Diploma in Cabin Crew Management: "Airline recruitment, safety certifications and professional employment requirements are determined by the relevant employers and authorities." For the Diploma in Law Enforcement: "Entry into the Royal Malaysia Police, Immigration Department and other government enforcement agencies remains subject to their independent recruitment and eligibility requirements."

Durations, semesters and credit hours for each are in compare our diplomas, and every programme is on the courses page.

What does a "proposed" programme mean?

A proposed programme is one the college is developing, not one approved for delivery. Mont Royale says: "Where programmes are under development, we clearly distinguish these from programmes already approved for delivery." Its proposed programmes are listed separately on upcoming programmes.

What should you ask before you enrol?

Ask the college for the diploma's KPT approval reference and MQA code, then check them on MQA's portals yourself. Mont Royale says: "Programme availability, academic status, admissions requirements and relevant accreditation information are communicated according to current institutional and regulatory records." To confirm that a person holds a qualification, MQA says it must be checked with the institution concerned.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a diploma is MQA approved?

Search the programme on MQA's Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) for full accreditation (MQA/FA), or on its Provisional Accreditation Portal (PASP) for provisional accreditation (MQA/PA), and compare the programme name, institution and code with what the college gives you.

What is the difference between KPT approval and MQA accreditation?

KPT approval lets a private college run a programme; MQA accreditation is the quality assurance that approval is based on. MQA says keeping accreditation is one of the conditions for renewing a programme's approval.

Why is my diploma not on the MQR?

MQA lists possible reasons: the programme has provisional accreditation but is not yet ready for full accreditation, the provider did not apply, the programme ran before 1997, or it did not achieve full accreditation. Check the PASP for provisional accreditation.

Does MQA accreditation expire?

MQA says accreditation under the MQA Act 2007 is perpetual from the date a programme is accredited. If it is withdrawn, the end date is stated in the MQR.

Which Mont Royale diplomas have full accreditation?

Accounting (MQA/FA 3744), Business Management (MQA/FA 0886) and Multimedia Design (MQA/FA 3745) carry full accreditation codes. The other five diplomas carry provisional (MQA/PA) codes.

Sources

  1. Malaysian Qualifications Agency, Soalan Lazim (FAQ) mengenai MQA, questions 3, 4, 8, 13, 14 and 19 (our English rendering of the Malay).
  2. Malaysian Qualifications Agency, Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR), search page notes.
  3. Malaysian Qualifications Agency, Provisional Accreditation Portal (PASP).
  4. Mont Royale International College, programme and recognition information (web content, October 2026).

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