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No two students learn the same way or have the same ambitions. A great Sixth Form experience recognises this and offers the right balance of academic challenge, personal support, and future-ready opportunities. In Asia, Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar International School (KTJ) does this best. The proof? Though they come from over 24 countries, all students consistently excel academically and gain entry into top universities in the UK, US, Australia, and around the world.
Take Areena Iman Binti Azam, Class of 2024, for example. Originally from Selangor, Malaysia, Areena joined KTJ in 2019 after seeing the positive impact the school had on her brother, who had joined a year earlier. She embraced the opportunity to be part of this prestigious institution, drawn to the idea of boarding school and being closer to her sibling. After completing her IGCSEs, she continued at KTJ for her A Levels, confident that the school’s proven academic structure and close-knit community would spur her to achieve her best.
That decision paid off. Areena scored outstanding results — Economics A*, History A*, English Literature A*. These grades, along with her “Top in Malaysia in A Level History” award, secured her place at the University of Oxford to study economics. Oxford is ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, marking its ninth consecutive year at the top.
“I believe KTJ’s holistic view on education was very beneficial to me, and the support given to me by both the staff and students was a large part of my success,” she says.
Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar International School is a leading international school in Southeast Asia for students aged three to 19. Source: Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar International School
From KTJ to the Ivy League
Journeys like Areena aren’t isolated cases at KTJ. In 2024, 45% of A Level entries were graded A*, and 86% received A*-B — well above the global average.
Iyad Thaqif Bin Khairuddin, another Class of 2024 student, earned A* in Economics and Biology and A in History and Mathematics. He is now majoring in Economics and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.
To Iyad, his spot at the US Ivy League would not have been possible without his enthusiastic expert teachers and subject combination at KTJ. “KTJ fostered my passions in these various fields simultaneously without giving me extended fatigue through different talks, supportive teachers and diverse clubs,” he says. “This love manifested through my university applications, where I connected the dots from these various subjects.”
Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar International School emphasises academic excellence, support, and pastoral care, guiding students toward both achievement and personal growth. Source: Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar International School
Thriving on the tracks and stages
Co-curricular activities at KTJ play a crucial role in its students’ personal growth and university applications. For Iyad, it was a chance to embrace new experiences and challenges.
Before joining KTJ, he had always been intrigued by theatre but never had the chance to explore it. That changed just two weeks into KTJ when he auditioned for “Percy Jackson: The Musical.” He was met with overwhelming reception from the cast and crew, eventually landing him the lead role.
“I can say confidently that the bravery I mustered to become part of a theatre club here in UPenn was a result of my debut in KTJ,” he says.
Through KTJ’s “robust roster” of offerings, Iyad amassed various experiences that made his university applications and personal statements stand out from thousand others. “My endeavours outside KTJ classrooms also allowed me to position myself as an active community member beyond academics, which is a trait often sought by university admission officers,” he says.
Making dream universities a reality
University application season can be daunting, but at KTJ, the Sixth Form Team provides expert guidance to make the process smoother. In Lower Sixth, students take a test to identify suitable careers and university courses. By the second semester, they join mentoring groups led by specialists, ensuring they receive relevant and informed support.
The team includes staff who not only specialise in specific subjects — such as Finance and Accounting, Engineering, Medicine, and Law — but also have previous work experience in these fields, offering students practical insights into their future careers. There are specialists for specific groups of universities as well, adding another layer of tailored support for each student. KTJ has two Oxbridge specialists, a UK university specialist, a US university specialist, and an expert in application to universities located beyond the aforementioned countries, such as Seoul National University and The University of Hong Kong.
“The university counselling team, including Mr. Mark Disney, who was also my English Literature teacher for A2, were quite instrumental in providing me an outlet to talk about my plans for moves in my application and my strategies for getting into the university I wanted,” Areena says.
Iyad shares a similar experience: “Miss Susan Renaud’s mentorship began a year before I started writing my essay. She took the time to remember my passions, my personality, and my perspective on the world, which largely manifested itself in her superbly personalised feedback when she reviewed my essays.”
Such experiences show how KTJ supports students every step of the way. With expert guidance and plenty of opportunities, they leave ready for top universities and bright futures — just like Areena, Iyad, and many others.
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