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Study in Malaysia

Higher Education Structure in Malaysia

Study In Malaysia

There are nearly 600 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia, with almost 300,000 local and international students enrolled in tertiary education degrees. About 75% of them are Private Universities, which are home to most of the foreign students in Malaysia. Ten notable international universities have their campuses in different cities in Malaysia, adding to the cosmopolitan nature of the country's higher education system.

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. It is extremely diverse both in terms of culture and landscape, and has a very well developed education system. Its capital and largest city, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most prominent urban agglomerations in the region, and Malaysia is a notable member of the ASEAN and UN alliances. As a growing industrial economic power and an important tourism destination, it is a popular destination with international students, particularly those from other parts of Asia, for its University education system which ensures value for money spent.

The Perks of Studying in Malaysia

Malaysia is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #65 in the world in the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #17 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #56 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #12 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in Malaysia

There are four kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia. Together, they educate nearly 300,000 students at any given time, and the total number of HEIs is close to 600.

1. Public Universities: There are 20 such HEIs in Malaysia, including the University of Malaya, which has been in existence for over 110 years. They obtain their funding from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, and are authorized to award a wide range of part time and full time degrees: from diplomas and certificates to undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

2. Public Polytechnics: There are 36 of these in Malaysia, spread across the major cities of the country. Their main aim is to provide high quality technical education to ensure that there is a steady stream of qualified professionals entering the workforce.

3. Public Community Colleges: They fulfill many functions related to short term Associate degrees and adult / continuing education. They aim to extend the benefits of higher education to those who cannot afford or who do not have time for formal full time UG and PG degrees. There are 105 Community Colleges in Malaysia.

4. Private HEIs: There are 434 Privately Owned Institutions of Higher Education in Malaysia. These are of four types: 54 Universities, 39 University Colleges, 331 Colleges, and 10 branches of international Universities, including Nottingham, Monash, and Southampton.

Certificate Programs

Most Public and Private Universities in Malaysia offer short term certificate programs. These can be taken by full time Bachelor’s and Master’s students to make up required credits from different fields of study. They can also be taken by working professionals in the part time or virtual mode. They are usually related to useful workplace skills e.g. Business Communications, Hotel Operations, Artificial Intelligence.

Undergraduate Programs

Most undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs in Malaysia last four years, and involve an intensive course of education in a specialized field of study. After the first year, in which foundation courses are taught (for example, science courses are taught to engineering students), the last three years of the degree are spent on basic courses that teach the student the basics of their undergraduate major. Honors students may also spend the final year of their study in Malaysia on a Bachelor’s thesis project.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master’s students in Malaysia form the basis of the high rankings of their Universities, due to their training in advanced subjects and introductory research work. Each course has a combination of academic assignments, practical work, and examinations; students must perform well in continual assessment to score good grades. The final semester is taken up by a Master’s thesis project; this can either be an in-depth study of one of the latest trends in the field, or a basic research project.

Doctoral Programs

The apex degree in Malaysian HEIs is the PhD. It can only be offered by full Universities, and not Community Colleges. Doctoral Programs in Malaysia are designed to be completed in 3-5 years, and start with a year’s worth of coursework and training in research and analytical techniques. The final few semesters focus on original research work, in which a faculty guide works with the PhD student to ensure publication of original research and composition of a PhD thesis which must be defended before a panel of external examiners.

Popular Disciplines Available in Malaysia

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Malaysia are-

Chemical & Process EngineeringEconomics & ManagementMalay Language and Literature
Information TechnologyCivil and Structural EngineeringMedicine and Surgery
Fashion DesignComputer AnimationInternational Relations
Business EntrepreneurshipMass CommunicationElectronics and Systems Engineering
Cultural StudiesEnglish as a Second LanguageCulinary Arts

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Malaysia

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Malaysia.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Kuala Lumpur14
Seberang Perai2
Petaling Jaya7
Johor Bahru2
Shah Alam6
George Town9
Subang Jaya5
Ipoh3
Iskandar Puteri4

Average Monthly Expenses in Malaysia for International Students

Undergraduate program fees at the flagship University of Malaya range from approximately 50,000 to 100,000 Malaysian Ringgit (RM) per year, with the highest tuition fees corresponding to Engineering programs. Postgraduate fees are in the same range.  Fees at Private Universities in Malaysia are even higher. Therefore, the tuition fees are slightly higher than in India, but in line with many other Asian countries (e.g. China).

The Malaysian Government estimates that the cost of accommodation in Malaysia is at least 235 RM (50 USD) per month, for a room in a shared apartment; a college dormitory is usually associated with lower rents. In addition, food costs add up to more than 200 RM per month, with internet, laundry, entertainment, and travel adding up to more than 100 RM per month.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Malaysia.

Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Malaysia must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • One passport size photograph.
  • A copy of the student’s passport, showing the identity page and all visa pages. The period of validity must be at least 12 months more than the expected duration of the program.
  • A Letter of Admission from a University in Malaysia.
  • A Health Declaration Form, proving that the student has no infectious diseases.
  • Academic certificates and transcripts.
  • Payment of a Personal Bond to the University, which functions like a security deposit.
  • Certificate of English Language Proficiency (test scores).
  • Filled up Malaysian Student Visa application form.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For international students, the Malaysian student visa application fee varies by country. For example, the fee is 50 RM for Indian applicants, whereas it is 6 RM for students from the United States.

Students must submit a single photo with their Malaysian student visa application. It must satisfy these requirements: (1) The photograph must be in color. (2) The background must be white. (3) The dimensions should be 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm. (4) The eyes should be clearly visible, with no reflection or glare on the face. (5) The expression on the face must be neutral. (6) The shoulders and face of the candidate must cover the frame, and should be sharp and in focus.

A Malaysian student visa application may be rejected if there are any errors in the details submitted, or if the student has a criminal record. In the former case, the candidate should understand the reasons for rejection, and submit a new application after paying the fees again. In the latter case, it is unlikely that any course of action will work.

More than 150,000 international students are enrolled in various HEIs in Malaysia. They are allowed to take up part time employment only if the jobs are approved by their University Careers Office. International students may not work more than 20 hours per week.

Malaysian University degrees are recognized worldwide, with the country having eight HEIs in the top 500 in the world according to the QS 2024 rankings. The highest ranked HEI (Universiti Malaya) holds the 65th position worldwide in the latest rankings.

The MBBS degree in Malaysia lasts five years, unlike in many other Asian countries (six years). This one year gain, combined with the fact that the fees are lower than in European countries, makes Malaysia an attractive destination for international students who wish to study medicine.

The top ranked Public Universities in Malaysia have strong MBA programs and ties with industry that ensure 100% placement statistics for their graduating batches. The Universities which are located in Kuala Lumpur usually have the highest average pay for MBA graduates.

The cost of University education in Public Universities in Malaysia is on par with that in most other Asian countries, and the Universities are highly ranked, leading to a strong return on investment. However, Private Universities in Malaysia have higher tuition fees. In particular, local branches of international Universities have the highest average fees, and many international students prefer to apply to the parent University instead.

Malaysia is ranked in the top 20 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review. International students will find the country tolerant of different cultures, and safe to study and travel in. However, students must be careful that they do not break any laws of Malaysia, and that they abide by the rules of their University.