School Advisor Articles

How HIS and an International Foundation Programme Shaped Andrea's University Success

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Feb 05, 2025

You don't just need to do an A Level or IB to pursue education at universities abroad. Many students choose to take an International Foundation Programme (IFP), which is designed to bridge the gap between high school and university-level studies. The IFP is an excellent option for students who may not meet the direct entry requirements for a degree programme. It provides foundational knowledge in business, science, engineering, or the humanities and helps students develop essential academic skills. 

Completing an IFP opens up a pathway to undergraduate degrees at universities in the UK, Australia, and other countries, offering a smoother transition into higher education. 

Andrea Ee Syuen Wong’s story shows how helpful the IFP can be. After finishing her IGCSEs with 10 A*s in Malaysia, Andrea moved to the UK at 16 to study the Warwick International Foundation Programme in Economics. The programme gave her the skills and confidence she needed, and she did well, earning a High Distinction with 96% in Statistics and Further Mathematics. Thanks to the IFP, Andrea is now studying for a BSc in economics at the University of Warwick, ranked 5th in the UK for Economics, and is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the country. 

However, before she went there, she spent considerable time at HELP International School (HIS).

 

Andrea joined Year 2 at HIS in 2014, the year the school opened, as part of its first-ever batch of students.

Studying at HIS

Growing up in Malaysia, Andrea has always sought out new opportunities and immersed herself in a variety of experiences. Her journey began at Maple Leaf Kingsley International School, where she spent a year in Primary School. At just six years old, she moved to HIS when it first opened in 2014 and became part of the inaugural batch of students.  

“I enjoyed my time at HIS, primarily because of the close-knit community that the school fostered, especially through big events and house spirit that the school cultivated, as well as through the teachers and student community,” she says. 

With a positive learning environment and small class sizes capped at 25, teachers could offer personalised attention, ensuring every student felt supported.

Thus, it’s no wonder Andrea scored 10 A*s, excelling in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Economics, Psychology, Malay as a Foreign Language, First Language English, and English Literature.

One of her proudest achievements was being awarded “Top in Malaysia” for both Malay as a Foreign Language and First Language English as part of the prestigious Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards. “Being recognised as the top student in Malaysia for First Language English was an incredible moment for me. It’s a tough subject, and to achieve this was something I’ll always be proud of.”

Andrea’s journey to these awards began early. At just 13, she took the Malay exam in 2021, scoring a perfect 100% PUM (Percentage Uniform Mark). “I was so young then, but I loved the challenge. Seeing that perfect score was surreal.” 

In 2023, she earned the “Top in Malaysia” title for First Language English, which she describes as “one of the hardest subjects to excel in”, making this award even more meaningful.

Andrea credits much of her success to her teachers at HIS. “My teachers were incredibly supportive throughout my IGCSE years,” she says. 

Mr. Balachandran Palaniandy, her Biology teacher, and Ms. Manmeet Kaur, her Physics teacher, were especially impactful. “They were generous with resources and always encouraged me to do my best. Their belief in me made all the difference.” 

She also highlights Ms Tracy Lee (Additional Mathematics) and Ms Caris Liew (Economics) for their dedication. “Their classes were enjoyable and motivating, and they always ensured we were well-prepared.”

Beyond academics, Andrea built strong connections with her teachers in other areas. Mr Mathavan Thiyagarajah, her PE teacher, guided her through athletics competitions. “He gave me so much advice and support during my training. He celebrated my wins and helped me learn from my losses.” 

Ms Yi Tien Chiew, her music teacher, also played an important role. “She gave me amazing opportunities to perform, like singing at the Year 13 graduation ceremony. Those moments helped me grow my confidence and express my love for music.”

Beyond academics, HIS provided a range of facilities, including a football field, swimming pool, music rooms, computer labs, and a drama room. These resources encouraged holistic development, allowing Andrea to explore interests she might not have otherwise.

“This was a place I genuinely wanted to be at everyday because I loved the environment there created by the teachers. I looked forward to going to classes and then engaging in my CCAs (co-curricular activities) after school since I had friends in all of them and enjoyed participating.”

 

Andrea was an active member of various societies at HIS and represented the school in inter-school competitions.

Thriving in co-curricular activities

Sports played a massive role in Andrea’s school journey. She excelled in athletics, football and basketball, representing HIS in competitions like KLISS, KLSL and the FOBISIA Games. As the captain of the secondary athletics team, she led by example, setting records and earning medals in events like the 100m, 200m, and 4x400m relay. She even represented Selangor at the national level and coached juniors for the FOBISIA Games, focusing on relay techniques — a role she found incredibly rewarding.

Outside of sports, Andrea thrived in other activities. She participated in the World Scholar’s Cup, winning gold medals for writing and debate and representing HIS globally at Yale University’s Tournament of Champions. Her love for debate grew from there, leading her to represent Malaysia as part of the Malaysian World Schools (MWS) Junior Team in international tournaments.

Andrea also explored her creativity by performing at school concerts and events, singing and playing the piano. Her involvement in student council and as a prefect further developed her leadership and teamwork skills. 

“All of these taught me a lot of invaluable skills, which have shaped me into not only an all-rounder but also someone with immense discipline, responsibility and desire to help others as well.”

She believes they helped her build strong friendships and transferable skills, making her stand out among university applicants. “I became a very versatile person, very able to work with different people, and one who was able to handle challenges and problems easily if they ever arose.”

 

Andrea's background at HIS equipped her with many skills which enabled her to cope very easily with the new environment she was placed into at the University of Warwick.

Taking a foundation programme instead of A Levels

Andrea’s decision to pursue a Foundation programme instead of A-levels wasn’t the conventional route her peers in Malaysia took. Most of her friends opted for A-levels, and the thought of moving abroad alone at just 16 was daunting. However, Andrea knew this leap would allow her to grow in ways she couldn’t if she stayed within her comfort zone.

"I already had a very clear idea of what I wanted to study around the time I finished my IGCSEs, which was Economics. I fostered a passion for reading it at university, mainly through debating, which opened my eyes to economic concepts and how they can shape the world across different avenues. "

Andrea’s parents supported her decision, encouraging her to step out into the world, build her independence, and face challenges early on. Their belief in her fueled her confidence, and the move proved invaluable. “I’ve gained so much maturity and discipline from this move a year ago, and I am immensely grateful for the continuous support my family has given me."

In 2023, Andrea’s efforts were recognised when she secured the prestigious Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship. This partial scholarship for her Foundation and undergraduate studies placed her among the top 200 scholars out of over 2,000 applicants. The award recognises the excellence of the scholar through academic attainment, extracurricular success and personal achievement.

Her Foundation programme in the UK focused on subjects tailored to her degree: Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Further Mathematics, Economics, and a Research Module. These modules have been beneficial for her degree, which she is embarking on. 

 

Andrea is currently doing her first year of BSc in Economics at the University of Warwick.

Studying at the University of Warwick

Andrea's experience at HIS was key in her smooth transition to the University of Warwick. The skills she developed there made it easy for her to adapt to her new environment and thrive in both academics and extracurricular activities. One of the biggest advantages was her comfort with meeting new people, something she honed during her time at HIS. This made connecting with others and making new friends at Warwick feel natural.

"Growing up in a competitive environment, especially through the general environment in HELP but especially through playing sports, taught me how to learn from my peers and thrive under pressure."

Andrea is pursuing a BSc in Economics at the University of Warwick, where she has taken on several key roles. She was selected from over 60 applicants to be the Sponsorships and Partnerships Executive for the Warwick Economics Summit and serves as an Associate Consultant at 180 Degrees Consulting Warwick. 

Looking ahead, Andrea aims to explore career opportunities in consulting or investment banking. However, she's open to different fields and wants to experience as much as possible before settling on a path that suits her.

"Above all, I just want to do work that positively impacts the lives of others and for the greater good of the community."