Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have become a significant development in the field of lifelong learning and distance learning, particularly in the improvement of teaching and learning methodologies in Malaysian higher education institutions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the level of awareness of MOOCs among youthful individuals who are not pursuing higher education, as well as their perceptions of the appeal of utilizing MOOCs. It is also crucial to evaluate the level of acceptance of educational opportunities in the field that course designers can improve for prospective learners. The study’s findings indicated that most young people are oblivious of MOOCs, and only a small percentage have ever utilized them. Nevertheless, MOOCs are favorable to the majority as a platform for them to pursue their future academic pursuits. These results emphasize the necessity for higher education institutions to establish policies that enhance the awareness and preparedness of secondary school students for MOOCs, as well as their comprehension of the applications of MOOCs. This will promote the acceptance and readiness of students to utilize online learning platforms in Malaysian higher education institutions, thereby fostering their aspirations to pursue higher education. The results also imply that there are obstacles to the expansion of MOOCs among local students and recommend strategies to enhance the knowledge of MOOCs and the attitudes of secondary school teachers and students toward their applicability for mass learning.