A Guide to the Best Study Abroad Options After SSC/O-Levels

Completed your Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination and stand in a boundless doubt about your next step? 

Studying abroad after SSC with a foundation program can be a logical solution in this aspect, as it ensures a high-quality education and a bright professional path. You can explore numerous pathways to study abroad and choose a perfect one that suits you best. Upon completing a foundation program, you can progress to an undergraduate program and reach your dreams.

After completing your SSC, you can choose to study in a variety of countries, including Malaysia, the UK, the USA, Canada, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, France, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and many others. Among these, the UK and Malaysia are the top preferred destinations for Bangladeshi students to continue their studies after SSC/O-Levels.

There are various convincing reasons to study abroad. As we know, quality education empowers upward socioeconomic mobility and is a vital element in escaping poverty, so investing in quality education, both time and money, can bring a prosperous future for us. For a bright future, we need to be imaginative, ambitious, and curious, and must be experienced in a unique approach to teaching-learning, which boosts analytical thinking skills, creativity, and solution-focused mindsets. In developed countries, Universities usually have solid links with varied industries–from science to arts to management and more–ensuring huge opportunities to learn from real-life experience that enhances professional connections and provides an unbeatable edge over the competition. Therefore, this journey may bring you both conceptual understanding and empirical application, which are vital for solving problems, while also allowing you to interact with people from varied backgrounds and cultures, which will broaden your global outlook.

After completing the Foundation Program, you will shift into undergraduate programs based on your subject choice. Foundation programs at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation solidify the concepts that underpin the study of Accounting, Banking, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Business and Management, Computing and Technology, Engineering, Industrial Design, Digital Marketing, Animation and Visual Effects, Media and Communications, International Studies, or Psychology. At Taylor’s University, the Foundation Programs are committed to providing a range of opportunities, including intensive guidance, learning beyond the classroom, mentoring, internships, training, and projects. The main feature of the Foundation Program at Segi University is its approach of “Industry into Classroom” which intermingles real industry projects into coursework and assignments, giving students practical learning opportunities from both academic lecturers and industry professionals. Universities in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, New Zealand, and other countries recognise Foundation Programs of HELP University. Upon completion of the International Foundation Program at the University of London, you can progress to most UK universities. Let’s see these opportunities in a concise –

1. Progression into the desired undergraduate program
2. Internships and projects
3. Learning with industrial engagements
4. A gateway to study in multiple countries and universities

There are various options available to study abroad after SSC/O-Levels. You can have a look at some programs & key points, which are mentioned below:

Minimum 5 credits at SSC/O-Levels (including Mathematics for most programs; Science subjects required for Science/Engineering/Computing foundations).

IELTS 4.0 / TOEFL iBT 30–31 / PTE 36 (many universities also accept internal placement tests).

1 year (3 semesters)

RM 18,000 – RM 28,000 for the full program

Leads directly to Bachelor’s degree programs

• 3–5 credits at SSC/O-Levels (varies by program).
• Mathematics required for Engineering/Computing; Science subjects for Health/Science diplomas.

IELTS 4.0 or equivalent

2–2.5 years (depending on university & major)

RM 25,000 – RM 40,000 for the full program

Can enter directly into Year 2 of a Bachelor’s degree (credit transfer option)

• Generally, up to 5 years gap is accepted after SSC/O-Levels for Foundation/Diploma.
• Longer gaps may require additional justification (work experience, short courses, etc.)

• Minimum: 16 years old (at the time of enrollment).
• No strict maximum, but most students are 16–24 years old for Foundation/Diploma.

Here are some of the top universities in Malaysia that offer excellent foundation courses after SSC/O-Levels

Academic Requirements:

• O-Levels/SSC with 4–5 subjects passed at grades A to C in relevant subject
• Relevant subjects may be required (Maths & Sciences for STEM, etc.).

English Requirements:

• UKVI IELTS 4.5–5.5  Must achieve a minimum of 4.0 in each of the four components

Program Duration:

• 1 year (9–12 months).

Progression:

Leads to Year 1 of a Bachelor’s Degree at the host university.

[Note: not all universities offer this, but many UK universities do via Study Centres like INTO, Kaplan, Navitas, Study Group]

Academic Requirements:

• O-Levels/SSC with good grades A to grades C in relevant subjects
• Slightly higher than Foundation requirements.

English Requirements:

• UKVI IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall.

Program Duration:

• 1 year (equivalent to Year 1 of university)

Progression:

• Direct entry into Year 2 of Bachelor’s Degree.

Foundation Program (International Foundation Year / Pathway):

2500 GBP– 6000 GBP (depending on university and subject, e.g., Arts vs STEM/Engineering).

Living Cost:

1500 GBP per month (UKVI requirement; varies by location)

Study Gap:

• Foundation/Pathway programs usually accept up to 3–5 years gap after SSC/O-Levels.
• Longer gaps may require strong justification (work experience, further study, etc.).

Age Requirement:

• Minimum: 17 years old (by 31 December of enrollment year).
• No strict maximum, but most students enter Foundation between 17–20 years old

Here are some of the top universities in UK that offer excellent foundation courses after SSC/O-Levels

A valid passport, academic certificate and transcript, proof of language proficiency, and other necessary documents required by the programmes. 

Universities in English-speaking countries and other universities that hold a medium of instruction in English require proof of your English level for admission. This guarantees that you are able to participate in classes, understand lectures, make conversations with teachers and peers, write essays, give presentations, and communicate with others when necessary. Therefore, you must sit for a language test and achieve the required score. There are varied language proficiency tests, including IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, TOEIC, CELPIP, Cambridge English, and so on. Among these tests, IELTS and TOEFL are the most popular around the world. Generally, these tests measure four skills, such as Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You should take preparation to sit for a test if you wish to study abroad.   

As we know, studying abroad is expensive, excluding full-funded scholarships and other similar opportunities; therefore, it is wise to prepare a financial plan to study. Tuition fees and living costs are two major expenditure parts, together with travel, insurance, and other expenses. Take a calculator and make a calculation and finalise the decision if it seems affordable to you. 

Upon completing the earlier steps, you can submit an application. You should be very careful while applying to avoid unwanted mistakes, which can lead to your refusal and further complications. So be careful and check every information you provide before finally submitting. You can also take our assistance from Career Paths in properly submitting applications and finding suitable programmes for you. Career Paths ensures a smooth admission aids, and consulting support with more than 17 years of experience. It is the most authentic and reliable Education Consultancy Firm in Bangladesh. It maintains transparency in every step and is committed to making fast admission and visa procedures, along with other supports.