Programme Approval Guide
MQA Full vs Provisional Accreditation
Education. Industry. Opportunity.
The difference in short
Provisional accreditation is the Malaysian Qualifications Agency's first evaluation, made before a programme is offered and based on its curriculum and delivery plans; full accreditation follows when the first cohort reaches its final year or semester, checking the programme against actual delivery. At Mont Royale International College, Business Management (MQA/FA 0886), Multimedia Design (MQA/FA 3745) and Accounting (MQA/FA 3744) carry full accreditation codes; the other five diplomas carry provisional (MQA/PA) codes.
Three of Mont Royale's eight diplomas carry full accreditation (MQA/FA) codes and five carry provisional (MQA/PA) codes. This guide sets out what MQA checks at each stage and how to check a code yourself.
01Two stages, side by side
How do MQA provisional and full accreditation compare?
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) describes accreditation as a continuous process rather than a one-off evaluation: provisional accreditation comes first, before a programme is offered, and full accreditation follows once the programme is running.
| What differs | Provisional accreditation | Full accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| MQA's own term | Akreditasi sementara | Akreditasi penuh |
| When MQA carries it out | Before a programme is offered | When the first cohort of students is in the final year or semester of study |
| What it is assessed on | The soundness of the curriculum developed and the plan for running the programme; MQA calls it a candidacy evaluation | Evidence of how the programme is actually run, checked for compliance with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the set education standards |
| Code on a Mont Royale diploma | MQA/PA | MQA/FA |
| Mont Royale diplomas with this code | Five of our eight diplomas | Three of our eight diplomas |
| Where MQA lists it | Portal Akreditasi Sementara (PASP) | Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) |
Source: MQA, Soalan Lazim (FAQ), last updated 2 October 2019, questions 3 and 19; our English rendering of the Malay. The codes are our own records.
02What MQA's FAQ says
What does each stage check, and what comes after?
MQA explains that its quality assurance has two levels of assessment, provisional accreditation and full accreditation, and that compliance audits follow for as long as a programme stays accredited.
Phase 1
Provisional accreditation
An assessment to ensure that a programme meets the minimum quality requirements before it is awarded full accreditation. (Question 15)
MQA/PAOn our Diplomas in Hotel Management, Cabin Crew Management, Law Enforcement, Computer Science and Technology Management. See the codes
Phase 2
Full accreditation
An assessment to ensure that the teaching, learning and all other activities of a programme offered by a higher education provider meet the quality standards and comply with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework. (Question 15)
MQA/FAOn our Diplomas in Business Management, Multimedia Design and Accounting. See the codes
Phase 3
Accreditation compliance audit
MQA carries out an accreditation compliance audit at least once in every five years, depending on the needs of the field of study, for as long as the programme keeps its accreditation. (Question 3)
Who carries out the assessment?
MQA's assessment involves a panel of experts in the programme's field of study. The panel's report is coordinated by a panel chair and presented to MQA's Accreditation Committee meeting, which finalises the accreditation decision. For professional programmes, the accreditation assessment is carried out by the relevant professional body. (Question 5)
Source: MQA, Soalan Lazim (FAQ), last updated 2 October 2019, questions 3, 5 and 15; our English rendering of the Malay.
03Approval and accreditation
How does the Ministry of Higher Education use MQA accreditation?
MQA says that, in principle, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) considers approving a programme of study on the basis of the quality assurance MQA carries out through accreditation.
- 1
Provisional accreditation is taken into account by the Ministry when it considers a higher education provider's application to offer a new programme. (Question 4)
- 2
Accreditation, and keeping accreditation status, is one of the conditions for a provider to renew a programme's approval from the Ministry. (Question 4)
- 3
The Ministry's consideration of an application for programme approval also takes into account other conditions set under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act (Akta IPTS 555). (Question 4)
- 4
MQA adds that provisional accreditation qualifies a programme for approval to run from the Department of Higher Education (JPT) before it can be offered to students. (Question 13)
Where accreditation is used
taken into account by
Source: MQA, Soalan Lazim (FAQ), last updated 2 October 2019, questions 4 and 13; our English rendering of the Malay. MQA's FAQ names the Ministry Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPM); we write KPT, as our approval records do.
04The codes on our diplomas
Which Mont Royale diplomas carry MQA/FA and MQA/PA codes?
All eight of Mont Royale's diplomas carry an official Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) approval reference and an MQA code; the table gives each one as we publish it, in our own order.
Our eight diplomas by MQA code
5 MQA/PA · Provisional3 MQA/FA · Full
| Diploma | MQA code | Accreditation stage | KPT approval reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Hotel Management | MQA/PA 17997 | Provisional | N/1013/4/0143 |
| Diploma in Cabin Crew Management | MQA/PA 18150 | Provisional | N/1041/4/0017 |
| Diploma in Law Enforcement | MQA/PA 17552 | Provisional | N/1032/4/0029 |
| Diploma in Business Management | MQA/FA 0886 | Full | R2/345/4/0158 |
| Diploma in Multimedia Design | MQA/FA 3745 | Full | R2/0211/4/0023 |
| Diploma in Accounting | MQA/FA 3744 | Full | R2/0411/4/0019 |
| Diploma in Computer Science | MQA/PA 16857 | Provisional | N/0613/4/0026 |
| Diploma in Technology Management | MQA/PA 16858 | Provisional | N/0414/4/0131 |
We provide the relevant KPT approval reference, MQA code, programme duration, semester count and credit hours on each diploma programme page. To set durations and credit hours side by side, see Compare Our Diplomas.
Programme availability, entry requirements, fees, accreditation status, intake dates, study arrangements, training benefits and university pathways are subject to confirmation and applicable approvals.
Last updated
05Check a code
How do I check an MQA code myself?
MQA advises students, parents and sponsors to check and confirm a programme's accreditation status before enrolling; the MQA code of each Mont Royale diploma is in the table above and on its own programme page. (Question 21)
Ask about a code
+60 12-457 7209Have a question about one of our codes? Our admissions team can help on WhatsApp.
MQA says the validity of programmes and qualifications accredited under the MQA Act 2007 (in force from 1 November 2007) is “perpetual” from the date the programme is accredited; if a programme's accreditation is withdrawn, the end date is stated in the MQR. (Question 8)
Source: MQA, Soalan Lazim (FAQ), last updated 2 October 2019, questions 7, 8, 19 and 21; our English rendering of the Malay. The search fields are those of MQA's MQR and PASP search pages, read 21 October 2026.
06Questions
What do students ask about MQA codes?
What does MQA/PA mean on a Mont Royale diploma?
MQA/PA marks a provisional accreditation code from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). MQA carries out provisional accreditation before a programme is offered, assessing the soundness of its curriculum and the plan for running it. At Mont Royale International College, the Diplomas in Hotel Management, Cabin Crew Management, Law Enforcement, Computer Science and Technology Management carry MQA/PA codes.
What does MQA/FA mean?
MQA/FA marks a full accreditation code. MQA carries out full accreditation when a programme's first cohort of students is in the final year or semester of study, checking the programme against evidence of how it is actually run. At Mont Royale International College, the Diplomas in Business Management, Multimedia Design and Accounting carry MQA/FA codes.
Are Mont Royale's diploma programmes approved?
All eight diploma programmes at Mont Royale International College have KPT approval references and MQA codes: three carry full accreditation (MQA/FA) codes and five carry provisional accreditation (MQA/PA) codes. The applicable details are provided individually on the programme pages.
Is a diploma with an MQA/PA code lower in quality than one with an MQA/FA code?
MQA describes provisional and full accreditation as two levels of assessment in one continuous quality assurance process (Questions 3 and 15). Provisional accreditation checks that a programme meets the minimum quality requirements before it is awarded full accreditation, and qualifies it for approval to run from the Department of Higher Education (Question 13); full accreditation is assessed when the first cohort reaches its final year or semester. Each of Mont Royale International College's five MQA/PA diplomas also carries its own KPT approval reference.
I'm applying for a diploma with an MQA/PA code. What should I ask?
MQA's FAQ sets out the order: provisional accreditation comes before a programme is offered, and full accreditation is assessed when its first cohort is in the final year or semester of study (Question 3). It gives no timetable for any one programme. Before you enrol at Mont Royale International College, ask our admissions team three things:
- the date the programme's MQA/PA code was granted;
- when its full accreditation assessment is due;
- how to find its entry on MQA's Portal Akreditasi Sementara (PASP).
What is an MQA accreditation compliance audit?
The accreditation compliance audit is the third phase of MQA's accreditation process, after provisional and full accreditation. MQA carries it out at least once in every five years, depending on the needs of the field of study, for as long as a programme keeps its accreditation (Question 3).
Where can I check a diploma's MQA code?
MQA names the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) for full accreditation and its Portal Akreditasi Sementara (PASP) for provisional accreditation, and advises students, parents and sponsors to check a programme's accreditation status before enrolling. Each Mont Royale International College diploma's KPT approval reference and MQA code is in the table on this page and on its own programme page.
Where can I read more about Mont Royale's diplomas and approvals?
- All programmesExplore Our ProgrammesEvery Mont Royale programme, each on its own page.
- Side by sideCompare Our DiplomasDurations, semesters and credit hours of the eight diplomas together.
- Institutional qualityRecognition and QualityOur registration, MyQUEST recognition and programme approvals.
- AdmissionsHow to applyThe steps from enquiry to enrolment.
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Have a question about an MQA code or a KPT approval reference? Ask us before you apply.
- +60 12-457 7209
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