Study in Malaysia

“Malaysian education is currently ranked as the world’s 11th most preferred study destination by UNESCO.”

The Malaysian government is committed to its vision of turning the country into a high-quality education destination for students from all over the globe. The country’s Ministry of Higher Education monitors all institutions to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards.

As a result, many reputable foreign universities from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand have set up branch campuses in Malaysia or engaged in collaboration with Malaysian institutions.

Quality Assurance

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) monitors the quality of all areas of the education system. It is the main quality assurance and accrediting body and it has the responsibility of assuring the quality of both public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia. This ensures students gain the skills they need and obtain qualifications that are relevant for their future career.

Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF)

The Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) is Malaysia’s declaration about its qualifications and their quality in relation to its education system. MQF is an instrument that develops and classifies qualifications based on a set of criteria that are approved nationally and benchmarked against international best practices, and which clarifies the earned academic levels, learning outcomes of study areas and credit system based on student academic load. These criteria are accepted and used for all qualifications awarded by recognised higher education providers. Hence, MQF integrates with and links all national qualifications.

MQF has eight levels of qualifications which range from certificates to doctoral qualifications in three national sectors, Skills, Vocational and Technical as well as Higher Education.

Malaysia has:

  • More than 30 years of experience in international education
  • 2% of the international student population around the world
  • Close to 100,000 international students

Malaysia offer:

  • A wide range of courses ranging from English language programmes and diplomas, to degrees and post-graduate studies
  • A variety of study options in private higher educational institutions, foreign university branch campuses and public universities
  • Flexible external degree programmes that cater to different budgets and academic needs
  • Excellent internationally-recognised qualifications

If you opt to study in Malaysia, you can get the best of two worlds – a degree from a highly recognised international university, at a very affordable cost.

There are three ways to do this:

  • Study at a Malaysian Private University and earn a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree that is recognised worldwide
  • Study at a Foreign University Branch campus in Malaysia at a lower cost and get a degree issued by the parent university
  • Study at a private college under a split degree programme or 3+0 degree programme

Life Style Malaysia

Malaysia is one of South East-Asia’s most vibrant economies. Rich Asian culture and modern convenience converge to create a unique study experience. Investments in top quality infrastructure make it easy to find good quality accommodation and transportation. Rental prices are quite low, as are standard living costs. Malaysia is rich in agricultural resources, therefore high-quality food is cheap and plentiful.

  • Modern Amenities
  • Cosmopolitan Living
  • Paradis for Food Lovers
  • Holidays Attraction
  • Rich Heritage

Reasonable Cost of Living

Aside from affordable tuition fees, another great reason to study in Malaysia is the relatively low cost of living. Kuala Lumpur has been ranked one of the least expensive cities in the world to live in. Whether you choose to live on campus or off-campus, you will find that it is quite possible to live very comfortably within a budget of USD 5,000 per year. To give you an indication, here’s a breakdown of living costs for students in Malaysia:

Affordable Cost of Living

One of the main attractions Malaysia holds for foreign students is ‘affordability’. The major cost considerations when it comes to a foreign education are course fees and living expenses.

Once they calculate the cost of education and living in Malaysia, many international students discover that studying in Malaysia offers them real value for money. The affordable cost of quality tertiary education is one of many good reasons why international students choose Malaysia.

For example, you can acquire a UK engineering degree (3 years) in Malaysia through a franchised degree programme at an estimated RM51,000 (USD16,000), whereas the tuition fee of the same degree programme at the host university in the UK is about RM144,000 (USD45,000).

Estimated Cost of Education in Malaysia

1. Preparatory Courses for English Proficiency Tests

Type of Programme Estimated Tuition Fees in USD Duration
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 129 –229 2 months
Test of English as  a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 143 –229 2 months

2. Pre-University Programmes

Type of Programme Estimated Tuition Fees in USD Duration
GCE ‘A’ level, UK 3,100 – 4,800 18 months
Western Australian Matriculation 2,600 – 3,100 1 year
South Australian Matriculation 2,600 – 3,900 1 year
Canadian Pre-University 3,400 – 4,400 1 year
International Baccalaureate Diploma 8,000 – 16,400 2 years
Malaysian Pre-University 2,300 – 3,200 I year

3. Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

Area of Study

Paths of Study

Cost in USD for Private College 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 years) Cost in USD for Foreign Branch Campus University Degree Programme (3 years) Cost in USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years)
Business 11,100 –14,300 13,700 – 24,000 8,600 – 11,400
Engineering 13,000 – 15,000
(3 yrs., UK; 4yrs., Aust)
21,100 – 40,000
(3 yrs., UK; 4yrs., Aust)
12,900 – 14,300
(4 yrs.)
IT 9,700 – 12,900 13,400 – 25,100 9,400 -12,300
Hospitality & Tourism 13,700 – 18,600

12,000 -14,300
Medicine 114,300 (5 yrs.) 62,900 -108,600

Business

cost in USD  for Private College 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 years) 11,100 –14,300
Cost in USD for Foreign Branch Campus University Degree Programme (3 years) 13,700 – 24,000
Cost in  Cost USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years) 8,600 – 11,400

Engineering

Cost in Cost USD for Private College 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 years) 13,000 – 15,000
(3 yrs., UK; 4yrs., Aust)
Cost in Cost USD for Foreign Branch Campus University Degree Programme (3 years) 21,100 – 40,000
(3 yrs., UK; 4yrs., Aust)
Cost  in USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years) 12,900 – 14,300
(4 yrs.)

Information Technology

Cost

 Cost in USD for Private College 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 years) 9,700 – 12,900
Cost in USD for Foreign Branch Campus University Degree Programme (3 years) 13,400 – 25,100
Cost in USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years) 9,400 -12,300

Hospitality & Tourism

Cost  in USD for Private College 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 years) 13,700 – 18,600
Cost in USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years) 12,000 -14,300

Medicine

Cost in USD for Foreign Branch Campus University Degree Programme (3 years) 114,300
(5 yrs.)
Cost  in USD for Malaysian Private University Degree Programme (3 years) 62,900 -108,600

 

All figures are estimates

4. Preparation for External Professional Examinations

Type of Programme Estimated Tuition Fees in USD
Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) 3,300 – 4,300
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) 3,700 – 4,500
Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administration (ICSA) 2,900 – 3,400

We represent the following institutions in Malaysia:

  • Asia Pacific University, APU
  • Cyberjaya Medical University & College
  • City University,Malaysia
  • FTMS Global College
  • INTI University & Colleges, (A Laureate Group)
  • International University of Malaya Wales, IUMW
  • KDU, Malaysia
  • MAHSA University
  • Swinburne University of Technology, (Australian University)
  • SEGI University & Colleges
  • University Technology Malaysia, UTM ranks in Top 50 list According to QS 2018
  • UCSI University, The Praxis University
  • Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, USIM