Study in Malaysia for International Applicants

Study in Malaysia is an attractive destination for foreign candidates due to its world class education, affordable tuition cost and vibrant culture. Malaysia has 22 institutes in term of QS world ranking. This country has 100 higher study institutes, and they give admissions to almost 250,100 foreign students. Malaysian universities offer undergraduate (3 yrs.), graduate (3 to 4 yrs.), diploma (12 to 24 months), and doctoral (4 yrs.) degrees. The teaching language of Malaysia is English.

Famous disciplines for foreign applicants to study in Malaysia are engineering, marketing, medicine, business, architecture, tourism, hospitality, arts, computer science, and hospitality. The cost of studying in Malaysia for overseas students is around 20k to 35k RM, 25k to 50k RM, and 30k to 55k RM per year for bachelors, postgraduate, and PhD students, respectively.

Furthermore, the average monthly living expense is approximately 2600 RM, including accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, internet, and other utilities. The admission intake months are February and July of every year. The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5-7.0. To apply, international students need to submit their academic transcripts, a copy of their passport, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Malaysian institutes offer partially funded scholarships to students for their great future. They also allow part-time jobs for 20 hours weekly. 

The visa success ratio in Malaysia for foreign candidates is around 90%. A minimum bank statement of 42,000 MYR is required to secure a student visa in Malaysia.

Advantages of studying in Malaysia

Malaysia gives multiple benefits, making it an incredible destination for foreign candidates.

World Class Education:  Malaysia has the world's best universities, such as Malaya University, which is famous for its educational excellence and advanced teaching strategies. Malaysian institutes' degrees are globally identified and good for future opportunities.

Affordable Education: In Malaysia, the cost of tuition is remarkably affordable, ranging between 1500$ - 11,000$ yearly. This, coupled with the reasonable average living cost of around 2600 RM monthly, including accommodation, entertainment, food, transport, health insurance, internet, and other utilities, provides a sense of financial security to international students.

Cultural Diversity: Malaysia is a melting pot of diverse cultures, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students. This cultural diversity is celebrated through numerous multicultural events, fostering a sense of belonging among students from all backgrounds.

Language Benefit: English is commonly spoken in Malaysia, and many courses are offered in English to help candidates without language problems.

Safe Environment: Malaysia is renowned for its hospitality and safety, providing a secure and friendly environment for international students. This ensures that students can focus on their studies and personal growth, knowing that they are in a welcoming and secure environment.

Work Chances: Malaysia offers part-time jobs of 20 hours per week to international students during their studies. These jobs are usually in the service industry, such as retail or hospitality, and can help students cover their living expenses.

Travel Chances: Due to Malaysia's advantageous location in Southeast Asia, applicants can comfortably travel to the nearest states during their free time.

Advanced facilities: They provide modern campuses, research sites, and learning strategies.

Scholarships in Malaysia

Almost 175 scholarships are given to overseas applicants by Malaysian universities. Malaysian scholarships cover air tickets, tuition costs, bonuses, and monthly wages. The most common scholarships are given below:

• ASEAN Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies
• Malaysian International Scholarship
• Malaysia-APEC Scholarship
• Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program Scholarship
• Albukhary Foundation Scholarship
• UCSI University Graduate Scholarship Program
• MyBrainSc Scholarship
• APU Merit Scholarship 
• Taylor’s College Scholarship Program

1. ASEAN Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies

This scholarship is for postgraduate study in subjects such as social science, humanities, technology, and science. It covers air tickets, living costs, and tuition expenditures. The scholarship duration differs according to the study program, such as 2 years for a master's and three years for a PhD.

2. Malaysian International Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the Malaysian government to foreign students who have leadership traits, brilliant educational achievements, a bachelor's degree with a 3.5 CGPA, three years of working experience, and an English language proficiency certificate. It covers monthly b, health insurance, tuition costs, b, and air tickets. Additionally, it is for postgraduate programs in fields such as arts, humanities, fisheries, economics, agriculture, social sciences, and engineering.

3. Malaysia-APEC Scholarship

This scholarship is for students at the bachelor's level who pursue a brilliant educational experience. It offers accommodation and tuition costs.

4. Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program Scholarship

This government-based scholarship covers air tickets, living expenses, and tuition costs. Eligibility criteria include a bachelor's degree, work experience, and language proficiency results. This scholarship offers courses in social sciences, agriculture, Islamic finance, engineering, technology, and science. The duration of the scholarship differs depending on the study level; for example, it is 5 years for a doctoral program.

5. Albukhary Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is valid for a bachelor's program for international students. It offers full tuition and accommodation costs.

6. APU Merit Scholarship

This scholarship is given to excellent undergraduate and master's degree international students. An enrollment letter is needed for the APU scholarship. It is fully funded depending on the student's CGPA of 3.7 and good educational performance.

7. MyBrainSc Scholarship

This scholarship is given to excellent undergraduate and master's degree international students. An enrollment letter is needed for the APU scholarship. It is fully funded depending on the student's CGPA of 3.7 and good educational performance.

Top Malaysian Universities

The best universities in Malaysia are as follows:

• Sunway University
• MAHSA University
• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation
• Taylor's University
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
• UCSI University
• University of Malaya
• Multimedia University
• Universiti Tenaga Nasional
• Universiti Kuala Lumpur
• Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology
• HELP University
• SEGi University
• INTI International University 

1. Sunway University

This is a private sector university, founded in 2011. It offers variety of bachelor's and postgraduate courses such as technology, management, leisure, business, arts, hospitality and science in English language. Moreover, this university has a 539^th world ranking, while IELTS is needed with a 6-band score. The average tuition fee is around 7,000 to 15,000 $ yearly with a 78% acceptance rate.

2. University of Malaya

Malaya university is a public sector university, founded in 1905. It is situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This university is one of the highest and oldest. Additionally, this university has a world ranking of 60 with an acceptance rate of 34% and with IELTS demand of 6.0. The average tuition cost is around 33,500-98,400 RM yearly.

3.Asia Pacific University

This university was founded in 1993 and is popular due to its focus on technology. This is the top designation for the foreign candidates. It is taking applicants from 130 states. This university provides various courses like engineering, business, media studies and IT for postgraduates and bachelor's degrees.

4. Taylor's University

This is private university situated in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. It offered bachelor's and postgraduate programs in different courses such as social sciences, computer science, information technology, medicine, finance, hospitality, management, and accounting. Moreover, it is the 251 world-ranked university. IELTS is required with a minimum band score of 6.5.  The average tuition fee is approximately 9,000 to 16,000 $ yearly with an acceptance rate of 75%.

5. UCSI University

This university is a leading private sector university, situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is taking almost 10k applicants from 110 different states. Furthermore, it provides more than 150 programs such as hospitality, medicine, engineering, applied sciences, computer science, pharmacy and medicine.

6. MAHSA University

This university is popular due to its medical disciplines. Instead of this, it also provides computer science and engineering courses. Furthermore, IELTS requires at least a band score of 6.0.  The average tuition fee is around 5,500 to 13,000 $ yearly, with an acceptance rate of 99%.

7. INTI International University

This private university is situated in Putra Nilai, Malaysia. It offers postgraduate and bachelor's business, computer science, life sciences, and engineering courses. It is the 516^th-ranked university in the world. Moreover, IELTS is required with a band score of 6.5. The average tuition fee is about $6,000 to $15,000 yearly. The acceptance rate is about 70%.

8. University Kuala Lumpur

This is a private, leading university situated in Kuala Lumpur. It was founded in 2002. This university offers more than 140 disciplines and has 12 campuses around Malaysia. Study programs at this university are PhD, diploma, undergraduate, and master's. Moreover, this university has a world ranking of around 1201-1400, an acceptance rate of 75%, and an IELTS demand of 6.5. The average tuition fee is around $3,500 to $12,000 yearly.

Admission requirements and document list

The following documents are required for enrollment in Malaysian universities:

• Valid passport
• Two passport-sized pictures
• Filled application form
• Previous academic certificates
• CV
• English language proficiency
• Purpose of statement
• Medical insurance
• Research paper
• Work experience certificates
• Paid admission cost
• At least two recommendation letters
• Acceptance letter

Visa requirements and documents list

The following documents are required for the student visa process:

• Educational certificates
• Acceptance letter
• Passport and passport-sized pictures
• Filled out the visa application form
• Health certificates
• English proficiency certificate
• Proof of financial funds of about 40k RM yearly.
• The Bank statement of 760 RM covers living and tuition fee
• Personal bond
• Visa fee
• Support letter
• Yellow fever vaccination card
• Eligibility letter is needed only for Iran applicants

Cost of living 

Living costs differ according to lifestyle and location. The average monthly living expense for international students is approximately 1300- 2500 MYR, which covers meals, transport, healthcare, entertainment, utilities, and accommodation.

Part-time working hours and income

Part-time working hours in Malaysia are 20 hours per week during semester breaks and holidays. Various kinds of jobs are allowed to international students, such as guest relations officers, event staff, tutors, restaurant workers, retailers, cashier, and singers, etc. The minimum wage is around 15 to 25 RM per hour.

After study work-permit

After study, a work permit in Malaysia is called a graduate pass. This visa is given to international students who have completed their studies in Malaysia. With the initiation of this Pass, the Malaysian government has made it easy for international graduates to stay in Malaysia for one year after graduation and find jobs easily.

However, this visa is just eligible for 23 states students, some of which are UK, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and France etc.