ACADEMIC PARTNERS

ACADEMIC PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

HELP (Higher Education Learning Philosophy) University is a leading private institution in Malaysia, established in 1986. It pioneered psychology and UK twinning programmes outside the UK, offering globally credible education with strong international linkages.
The university houses six academic faculties, a graduate school, a CPD centre, and a criminology institute.

 
Wawasan Open University (WOU), one of Malaysia’s foremost, private institutions of higher education, was founded in 2006, with a commitment to the expansion of opportunities in higher education, and to teaching excellence aimed at increasing the level of knowledge and scholarship among all Malaysians. We offer open distance learning (ODL) to enable working adults to pursue their educational dreams without disrupting their professional and personal commitments, and affordable on-campus full-time degree programmes in Penang for school-leavers and diploma holders. We equip our students with industry-relevant knowledge and skills that serve them incredibly well in today’s competitive work environment.
 
WOU programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
 
 
Griffith College enjoys a national and international reputation for student success. Established in 1974, it has grown into Ireland’s largest independent third-level institution, welcoming just under 8,000 students to Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. 
 

IMI International Management Institute, Switzerland is a private hospitality school offering programmes from Foundation level to Master of Science.

It offers students the opportunity to undertake paid, practical internships as part of their programme either in Switzerland or internationally. It is one of Switzerland’s smaller private hotel schools (with a maximum of 200 students per semester) and aims to offer students a highly personalised educational experience.

The school has over 25 years of offering Swiss hospitality education and was named in the top 20 providers of hospitality management education in the 2019 QS rankings.

 

Heriot-Watt University is a global institution with a proud heritage dating back to 1821. Renowned for pioneering research and world-class teaching, we specialize in business, engineering, science, and design. With campuses in the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, and partnerships in over 150 countries, they empower more than 30,000 students worldwide.

 

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) is the international branch campus of Newcastle University, UK, located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Established in 2011, NUMed offers world-class UK medical education at an affordable cost, with programmes identical to those in the UK, including the MBBS and BSc (Honours) Biomedical Sciences, as well as a foundation pathway. Graduates earn UK-recognised degrees from a prestigious Russell Group university, with opportunities for study in the UK and global career prospects.

 

Northumbria University is a research-intensive institution based in Newcastle upon Tyne, with an additional campus in London. Recognised as UK University of the Year 2022 and Modern University of the Year 2025, we are ranked among the UK’s top 25 for research power and graduate employment. Originating from Rutherford College in 1880, Northumbria attracts students from over 130 countries and partners with leading global employers such as Nike, IBM, and the NHS. Their mission is to unlock potential and transform lives through world-class teaching, impactful research, and strong industry collaboration.

 

RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC), formerly Penang Medical College, is Malaysia’s first accredited private medical university and the only Irish Foreign University Branch Campus in Asia. Established in 1996 through a partnership between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University College Dublin (UCD), RUMC offers globally recognised medical degrees from the National University of Ireland (NUI), accredited by both the Irish and Malaysian Medical Councils. Our programmes provide students with a transnational education experience, including guaranteed pre-clinical training in Ireland, preparing graduates to practise medicine worldwide. With over 2,100 alumni serving globally, RUMC combines Irish excellence with local accessibility to deliver world-class healthcare education.

 

RMIT University is a global university of technology, design and enterprise, ranked among the top 1% worldwide. Established in 1887 in Melbourne, Australia, RMIT offers industry-connected, practical education across disciplines such as business, engineering, design, and technology. With campuses in Melbourne and Vietnam and partnerships across Asia—including Malaysia—RMIT provides students with world-class learning, global mobility opportunities, and strong industry links. Our mission is to empower people and communities through transformative education, research, and innovation, preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

 

The University of Canterbury (UC), located in Ōtautahi Christchurch, is one of New Zealand’s leading research-intensive universities, ranked among the world’s top 300. Established in 1873, UC has been delivering world-class education for over 150 years, guided by values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and tiakitanga. With a vibrant, diverse community of more than 26,000 students from over 100 countries, UC offers cutting-edge research opportunities, global partnerships, and a future-focused learning environment. Our mission is to empower people and communities through accessible, innovative education and impactful research that makes a positive difference locally and globally.

 

Credit Transfer Partner Universities

As an internationally connected college, DISTED offers a number of planned transfer and articulation pathways for students who wish to complete their studies elsewhere in the world. DISTED College articulation partners comprise of globally well-known universities in countries such as the UK, Australia and in the US. Our close relationships allow students to maximise the amount of credit/advanced standing/recognition of prior learning that they can be offered by these different institutions.

Each programme’s transfer and articulation partners are listed given below. Details of each articulation/transfer will change over time, and are also dependent on the specific course being studied at DISTED and the transfer/articulating partner institution. Please consult the relevant School or PPA on the specific details of each arrangement, and the amount of credit/advanced standing that is awarded.

HELP University

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
 

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Heriot-Watt University

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
  • South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
  • Cambridge A – Level
  • Diploma in Business Studies
  • Diploma in Accounting
  • Diploma in Computer Science
 

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Wawasan Open University

Programmes accepted:

  • Diploma in Business Studies (DBS)
  • Diploma in Accounting (DIA)
  • Diploma in Hotel Management (DHM)
  • Diploma in Creative Multimedia Production (DCMP)
  • Diploma in Computer Science (DCS)
 

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NUMED Malaysia

Programmes accepted:

  • Cambridge A Level
  • Foundation in Science
  • South Australian Certificate of Education(SACE)
 

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RCSI and UCD Malaysia

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Science
 

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AIMST University

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Science
 

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Griffith College

Programmes accepted:

  • Diploma in Accounting
 

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RMIT University

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
  • Diploma in Business Studies
  • Diploma in Accounting
 

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University of Canterbury

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Arts
  • Foundation in Science
  • South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
  • Cambridge A – Level
  • Diploma in Business Studies
  • Diploma in Accounting
 

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IMI Switzerland

Programmes accepted:

  • Foundation in Arts
  • Diploma in Business Studies
  • Diploma in Hotel Management
 

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Northumbria University

Programmes accepted:

  • Diploma in Computer Science
  • Diploma in Information Technology
 

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Introduction to Information Technology & Information System

This course provides an introduction to information technology and Information systems. The student will be introduced to computer software, hardware, and networking technologies, Information systems, databases as well as information security and privacy. The subject also teaches students to maximize their use of mobile devices, make the most of online tools for collaboration and communication, and fully utilize today’s Internet capabilities. It highlights today’s most current technology trends and developments.