Study in Malaysia

About Malaysia

Malaysia has partnerships with many leading universities around the world; many of them have a local campus in Malaysia. This opens up the opportunity to earn a degree of international status and significance of the parent universities. The wide choices of over 500 internationally accredited institutes and their accredited disciplines, is the proverbial cherry on the top. Tuition expenses and the living expenses are much lesser in Malaysia; it offers a less of a financial burden to international students and their providers. While the tuition fees are significantly less the study module, marking procedure and training regimen are exactly as their international counterparts.

Malaysia has long announced 2020 vision; Malaysia plans to become a self-sufficient industrialized country by 2020. One of the main goals of this vision is provide International quality of education. Now with three more years to go these goals have created a hub for vast number of national and international students who are interested to pursue and earn a higher degree from Malaysian Education Institutes. Due to the 2020 vision plan, Malaysia is developing at a rapid pace making it a huge market for skills and expertise. That’s why Malaysia is in need of skilled graduates in certain sectors of the fast growing economy. Students are exposed to a thriving world of international networks and contact through their field training. In future this helps in expanding career pathways.

The procedure to obtain student visa to study in Malaysia is very straight forward and hassle free. The success rate for visa approval is also very satisfactory. Malaysia is unique in giving work permits for students in hassle free and simple procedure, this enables the students and their providers to be under much less financial pressure. Students therefore can concentrate more on the studies and extracurricular activities. Students are permitted to work 20 hours a week.

As of 2011 census Malaysia is on the top 20 safest and stable countries in the world. A multicultural hub offering beautiful sties to explore and enjoy a variety of social and cultural activities. Earning a world class degree with a minimal pay, as well as able to experience a multitude of culture and experience makes Malaysia one of the top choices to study abroad.

Why Study in Malaysia

  • The local universities are getting better

While it is not yet a rival to Singapore, Hong Kong, China or Singapore, Malaysia's domestic universities are fast improving. University Malaya in the capital Kuala Lumpur is ranked 167th in the 2013/14 QS World University Ratings and its computer science, education and engineering programmes preside in the world’s top 100. University Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, Selangor, close to Kuala Lumpur, is well renowned in the education, politics, engineering, law and mathematics fields. And University Saint Malaysia is the only institution in Malaysia to boast a subject in the top 50 - its environmental studies programme is ranked joint 28th.

  • You can get a US, UK and Australian degree there

A major part of Malaysia's state investment in higher education is its growing partnerships with universities in other countries. Many foreign universities, especially Australian and British, have branch campuses in Malaysia. For example, Monash University (Australia) and the University of Nottingham (UK), both of which are in the top 100 universities in the world, have branch campuses in Malaysia. KBU International College is partnered with Anglia Ruskin, Nottingham Trent and Sheffield Hallam universities in the UK. 

In the southern Malaysia city of Johor, developers are building EduCity Iskandar, a giant international student village and campus shared by eight leading universities. Four are operational and the others will be completed by the year 2018. They will include the universities of Reading, Southampton and Newcastle (medicine) in the UK, the Netherlands’ Maritime Institute of Technology, Singapore’s private Raffles University and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts from the US. An Olympic-sized swimming pool and14,000-seat sports stadium are among the impressive facilities the campus will boast when it is completed in 2018.

  • Lower cost

While an undergraduate course at the UK Campus of the University of Nottingham would cost £13,470, the same course at the Malaysia campus would cost just under half as much (39,990MYR/ approximately £7,000). The course is the same module content, has the same evaluation criteria and the same marking scheme which results in receiving the same degree with the same status, but at a significantly lower cost. Also take into consideration that the cost of living in Malysia in comparision to that of the UK is considerably lower too which means your maintenance costs are less of a financial burden too. It's a win-win situation.

  • Majorly multicultural 

Malaysia is amulti-ethnic melting pot. Just half the population is Malay while almost a quarter is Chinese and over seven per cent is Indian. Whilst Malay is the official language of Malaysia, English is a recognised language and widely spoken. Such a setting is a great foundation for international students to make them feel at home in addition to having a sense of belonging. The global community allows for religious, cultural and social acceptance and is testimony to the fact that Malaysia is home to just under 100,000 international students. Studying at university is not solely an academic experience and having the opportunity to appreciate the different facets, cultures and religions that make up the Malaysian identity is a learning curve in its own right.

  • It needs skilled graduates

With certain industries on the rise and a growing economy, Malaysia is in need of skilled workers. Industry makes up a significant part of the country’s GDP with oil, gas and palm oil making leaps and bounds in the export markets. In addition, there is a particular demand for graduates in accounting, biotechnology and computer science sectors. Being able to witness the development of these industries will keep you ahead of the game as well as to having the opportunity to network to make the all-important contacts to get your first step on the career ladder.

  • Simply beautiful

Being a student may well be a full time occupation but a break every now and then is surely well deserved! Why not set off and explore the beautiful and diverse landscape Malaysia has to offer? You can wade through the jungle in Taman Negara National Park or head to the rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. Find a reprieve from the humid heat in addition to getting peace and quiet by heading up to the Cameron Highlands. Or walk through a UNESCO Heritage site in the form of the colonial streets of George Town in Penang before savouring the culinary delights there. But if you wish to escape it all, paradise is found in the form of the Perhentian Islands. Wherever you wish to explore, Malaysia has somewhere that will cater to your tastes.

Study Cost

  • Undergraduate Bachelor Degree: $14,000 to $43,000*

  • Postgraduate Masters Degree: $6500 to $9,500*

Note: High value courses like medical and veterinary are not included

Living Cost

  • Accommodation
    You should estimate about RM300 (USD94) to RM450 (USD141) for your accommodation per month. The rental will vary depending on the geographical area, the type of accommodation (on-campus living in a hall of residence; or off-campus living in an apartment, condominium, single-storied house, double-storied house, etc.), the facilities provided in the house (e.g. with or without air-conditioning) and of course, the number of people sharing the room (or the apartment/house).

  • Food / Housekeeping 
    Your food and housekeeping expense is estimated to be around RM400 to RM450 (estimated USD133). This is based on about RM12 to RM15 (USD4.2) for three meals per day. Naturally, if you cook and share the cooking expenses with your friends, it would be cheaper.

  • Clothing 
    Your clothing expenses like washing, ironing, dry-cleaning, etc. may cost around RM60 (USD19) per month.

  • Public Transport
    Students who stay on campus or near campus may not incur any cost of travelling to and from classes. However, other travelling may cost approximately RM30 to RM50 (estimated USD13) per month.

  • Telecommunication / Mobile Phone Bills and Utilities 
    The mobile phone packages in Malaysia are very competitive. How much you spend will depend on your usage and the promotional package you choose. The average student may spend about RM30 to RM80 (estimated USD17) per month.

  • Books, Reading Materials and Stationery
    We have estimated the cost to be around RM50 to RM100 (estimated USD24) per month, but it would largely depend on the course you have signed up for and and the number and nature of projects in your course.

  • Medical / Hospitalization Insurance 
    Although you may not need to pay for medical expenses every month, if you keep aside RM50 (USD16) per month, it would be sufficient for you in case you need outpatient treatment at a private clinic during the year. This estimate includes the amount you will have to pay for your medical and hospitalization insurance (from your institutions).

  • Personal Expenses 
    How much your personal expenses would be per month would depend on your personal lifestyle. However, the cost can be estimated to be between RM100 (USD32) and RM200 (USD64). This includes your socializing needs, toiletries, haircut, clothes, movie, etc.

Using the estimate above, the total cost of living will average from between RM1,000 and RM1,500 (USD313 to USD469) per month or about RM12,000 to RM18,000 (USD3,750 to USD5,625) per year (12 months) for one student.

It is important to remember that the above estimate is only a guide in planning your budget to study in Malaysia. Individual expenses will vary according to the location you are at, course taken and your personal lifestyle.