With natural attractions, rich culture and gorgeous scenery, Malaysia attracts people from all over the world. The country has a unique combination of ancient and modern architecture, inspired by their mix of cultures and ethnicities. Its location makes it the perfect destination for any international student looking for a new experience for their studies.
The recent rapid development of the country has made it an attractive destination for all sorts of people. This has led to the culture and people being incredibly diverse, with lots of different ethnic groups and religions. You will find bustling cities, beautiful beaches and never-ending rain-forests all located in Malaysia, and lots of wildlife too. Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, which means it is home to around 20% of the world’s animal species.
The system and structure of tertiary education is run by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education. Individuals who choose to study in Malaysia for higher education can take certificate, diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate courses. There are 9 Malaysian universities in the 2023 QS World University ranking top 500. The highest ranked of these is Universiti Malaya (UM) which comes in at 70th place. Universities in Malaysia can offer high quality education alongside a unique experience.
Malaysia uses the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) as its currency.
Tuition fees will vary at each institution, but will be lower at one of the many public universities. On average, an international student can expect to pay around MYR 7,000 per year for a bachelor’s degree. Masters degrees will cost an international student around MYR 11,000 per year. Private and foreign institutions may have higher tuition fees, particularly for specialist subjects such as medicine.
There are scholarships available for people undertaking postgraduate studies, which would help with funding. Your institution will be able to provide you with information about this.
The cost of living in Malaysia is low in comparison to other tourist destinations like America and the UK. It is recommended that you budget for between MYR 10,000 and MYR 15,000 per year. This includes food, travel and accommodation. If you are living in a bigger city such as Kuala Lumpur, your living costs will be higher than if you are living in a smaller city or town. You will also need to make sure you have health insurance for your time in Malaysia, your institution can give you advice on the best policies for students.
International students are not permitted to work during term-time, but you will need to prove you have sufficient funds to be able to enter Malaysia. This means that ensuring you have the required funding in place in plenty of time.
