Referees

What is a 'reference'?
References are testimonials of character and academic ability written by either your GCE A’ level subject tutors or CCA tutors from the college on your behalf - we call them your 'referees'. References serve as a valuable source of information from tutors you have worked with who will comment on your work ethics, academic abilities, attitude and relevant transferrable skills.

Why is a reference needed?

Higher institutions, universities ( international and sometimes local ) and post A’ level work applicants often require tutor references. These will be looked at carefully by higher institutions’ admissions tutors/ employers as they consider to offer you a place to study or work.

Please note that your referees will be basing their references on their observations from working with you and also the information that you provide on your MS Careers Student Profile. Therefore, please make sure you have more content on your profile and look for opportunities to develop your skills and experiences from PU 1 and PU 2.

In addition to this, it will be very helpful for your referees if you are clearer about your career pathways by October of your PU2. This will help them to write a more accurate reference and increase your chances of being offered a place in the universities of your choice.

Procedure for application to referees:

1. In June/ July of PU2, you will be informed to enter your subject/ CCA tutors on either google form or on Career Centre’s computers.

2. 1 month later, the referee list will be informed. Please understand that Career Centre will try to distribute equal number of references for tutors to write for. From experience, certain tutors have higher number of requests, so their number of reference writing will be distributed to other tutors who also teach the same student.

3. The referee list will be placed inside Career Centre. Your signature of acknowledgement will be required.

4. You are responsible to :

   • Discuss with your assigned referee your course/ career plan and email them your Maktab Sains Student Career Profile.

   • Inform your referee immediately of any changes of courses/ applied institution / work plans so they can make necessary adjustments.

5. Your referees will email their references to the Career Centre. Normally, references to overseas universities, particularly UCAS ( UK applicant ) will be sent from the Career Centre. In certain instances, certain universities require your referee’s email so they can communicate directly with them. Please inform your referees should this need arise.