Under FiMI, its film production incentive, the government offers Malaysian production companies a 30 per cent cash rebate, the New Straits Times reported in April 2025. The money goes to production companies, not students, but it tells you the government wants more films and shows made here. If you are an SPM leaver who wants to work behind the camera, the next step is choosing a video production school that trains you for that work.
Start with what you want to do after the course
Video production covers many jobs. Some people want to edit. Some want to run the camera and lights. Others want to do colour grading, motion graphics or content for brands.
You do not need to know your exact job yet. But you should know which kind of work pulls you in. Write it down in one line, such as "I want to edit music videos" or "I want to shoot events". Then judge every school by whether it teaches that work in depth.
If you are not sure yet, choose a school whose course covers several areas, so you can find out what you are good at before you specialise.
Check 1: What the course actually teaches
Ask for the module list, not just the course name. Two courses with similar names can teach very different things.
A good video production course should cover the full chain: planning a shoot, camera work, lighting, sound, editing, colour and finishing. Look at which software is taught too. Our guide to editing software for your first film course explains the main programs and why schools teach them.
As an example, one video production school in Skudai, Johor, lists Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, colour grading and motion graphics. Its list goes on to visual effects in After Effects, camera work, lighting and framing, brand design and AI tools in media, plus real projects.
Check 2: How much time you spend making things
Video production is learned by doing. Ask each school how many hours a week students spend shooting and editing, compared with sitting in lectures.
Then ask what students make. Short films, music videos, adverts and event coverage all count. Projects for real clients are worth even more, because they teach you to meet a brief and a deadline. Ask to see finished student work, and look at it closely.
Check 3: The equipment and the rooms
You will learn on the school’s gear, so look at it. Are the cameras, lights and audio kit in good condition? Are there enough for every group, or do students wait their turn for days? Is there an editing room with computers that run the software well?
You do not need a school with the newest camera on the market. You need a school where the gear works, is available, and is the kind of gear you will meet on real jobs.
Check 4: The certificates you receive
Ask what you get at the end, and who issues it. Certificates in this field differ a lot from school to school.
Some courses give only the school’s own certificate. Others add an outside award. The full programme at the school in Skudai runs for 18 months and ends with two: a UK Advanced Diploma and the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia, a national skills certificate. We explain the second one in what the SKM certificate is.
Write down each certificate’s name and issuer exactly as the school gives them, so you can compare schools fairly.
Check 5: Entry rules, fees and payment
Ask for the entry requirements in writing. Some schools ask for a set number of SPM credits. Others look at your interest and your work. The school in Skudai lists SPM, STPM and UEC students, people who left school at 16 or older and working adults among those who can join. It needs no prior experience.
Fees are often not on the website, so ask for the full cost in writing, including anything extra such as equipment or travel for shoots. Then ask about payment. The school in Skudai says it may offer scholarships, instalment plans or payment packages, depending on what is available.
Check 6: Location and timetable
You will spend a year or more travelling to the campus, so make sure the trip is realistic. If you are torn between two cities, our comparison of studying film in Johor or KL sets out what to weigh.
Ask about the timetable too. If you need to work while you study, ask whether part-time or online study is possible. At the school in Skudai, those options depend on its arrangements and schedule, so ask what is running for your intake.
A checklist for every campus visit
Take this list with you and fill it in for each video production school you visit.
- Which modules and software are taught?
- How many hours a week do students shoot and edit?
- Can I see finished student work?
- Is the equipment in good condition and easy to book?
- Which certificates will I receive, and who issues them?
- What are the entry rules, in writing?
- What is the full fee, and what payment plans exist?
- Can I study part-time if I need to?
When you have two or three filled-in lists side by side, you can compare them line by line. For a wider set of questions on comparing courses, see our guide to comparing cinematography courses in Malaysia.
Plan your campus visits
Book a visit to at least two schools before you decide, and take the checklist with you. One option for your list is a video production school in Skudai, Johor, where you can tour the campus and ask for a demo class.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a video production school in Malaysia?
Compare at least two schools on six things: what the course teaches, how much time you spend making videos, the equipment, the certificates, the entry rules and fees, and the location and timetable. Visit each campus and ask to see student work.
Can I join a video production school right after SPM?
Yes, many schools take students straight after SPM. Entry rules differ, so ask each school for its requirements in writing. Some do not ask for a minimum number of credits.
What certificate does a video production school give?
It depends on the school. Some give only their own certificate. One programme in Johor ends with a UK Advanced Diploma and the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia, a national skills certificate.
How long does a video production course take?
Short workshops can take a day or a few sessions. Full programmes vary by school. One full programme in Johor runs for 18 months.
What software will I learn at a video production school?
Schools often teach a professional editing program and a colour tool, such as Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and After Effects. Ask each school for its software list.
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