Best universities in Malaysia 2024

In recent years, higher education in Malaysia has seen rapid development, positioning the country as a base for some of Asia's leading institutes. Currently, about 19,000 foreign students are enrolled in Malaysian universities and colleges, comprising 2.4% of the total student population in the country’s educational institutions.

Wide Range of Educational Options for Foreign Students

For international applicants, Malaysia offers an extensive array of educational institutions:

• 53 public universities and polytechnic schools
• 16 private university colleges
• 50 private universities
• 10 branches of foreign universities.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university? Subjects, employer value, percentage of employment in the first year after graduation?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Malaysia is home to world-renowned universities offering high quality education at significantly lower costs than prestigious Western universities. The Institute for Economics and Peace confirms Malaysia's status as one of the most peaceful countries globally, thanks to its stable political regime. Some Malaysian universities offer scholarships to the foreign tstudents, and obtaining a student visa for Malaysia is relatively straightforward compared to other Asian countries.

Tuition fees at universities in Malaysia vary. For international undergraduate students, annual fees range from 2,040 to 70,900 MYR , and for postgraduate degrees, the cost of studying range from 1,470 to 100,000 MYR.

Examples of annual undergraduate tuition fees for the foreign students at public universities in Malaysia (2023 data):

• International Islamic University: 15,000 – 50,000 MYR
• National University of Malaysia: 21,500 MYR
• Technical University of Malaysia: 7,000 – 8,000 MYR
• University of Malaya: 11,800 – 58,200 MYR
• Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia: 6,000 MYR.

Examples of annual undergraduate tuition fees for the foregn students at private universities in Malaysia (2023 data):

• Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship: 19,500 MYR
• HELP University: 18,800 – 24,300 MYR
• Multimedia University: 20,800 – 25,800 MYR

Malaysian universities have various admission requirements, but some common prerequisites include academic performance (transcripts, previous academic degree certificates) and travel documents (passport and visa).

For master's programs, some universities may additionally require a statement of purpose, a CV or resume, and recommendation letters. Some degree programs might require an entrance test before application.

Moreover, universities in Malaysia, where English is the primary language of instruction, may require non-native English speakers to demonstrate proficiency through standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Some Malaysian universities accept Duolingo test scores as proof of language proficiency.

The application process for the foreign students to Malaysian universities can take from a week to several months, depending on nationality, degree level, and other factors.

For undergraduate and graduate programs, IELTS 6.0 and above is required.

1. Completed introductory form;

2. Copy of passport;

3. Certificate/diploma;

4. Transcript of grades;

5. Motivation letter;

6. Certificate confirming English language proficiency;

7. Summary;

8. Letters of recommendation.

The average cost of a year of study for a bachelor's or master's degree in Malaysia is $7,000-9,000.

To study in Malaysia, you must obtain a student visa. The process of reviewing a student's application and confirming a student visa takes approximately 10 weeks. Upon arrival in the country, the student will also be required to undergo a medical examination.

In Malaysia, students have several accommodation options: campus, hostel, off-campus accommodation, apartments and studio apartments. On-campus accommodation: Most universities offer on-campus accommodation to international students. There are rooms for 1 and 2 people. Hostel: Student hostels are quite popular in Malaysia. The hostels are furnished, connected to Wi-Fi, and equipped with restrooms and restrooms on each floor. Students can live in shared or single rooms. Off-Campus Accommodation: In Malaysia, off-campus accommodation is common among both local and international students. For example, students can rent a room or studio apartment on their own or a whole house with friends in close proximity to the educational institution. Homes often have swimming pools and gyms that only residents have access to.

Private universities in Malaysia offer dual degree programs. After graduation, the student will have a Malaysian diploma and a UK/Australia/US diploma. Universities also offer to study at partner educational institutions for 1-2 years.

It is allowed to work on weekends and holidays, no more than 6 hours a day. The work must be related to the specialty of study. Almost every university provides internships for students.

Studying in Malaysia is different in that classes usually start three to four times a year. This allows you to prepare for the entrance language requirements and collect all the necessary documents.

Bachelor's studies last from 3 years. The master's degree course lasts from 1 to 3 years, the duration depends on the chosen program.

The average cost of living in Malaysia is about $6,000 per year.