Education in Malaysia

Home to reasonable education in Asia

Ever wondered what education was like in Malaysia?

Worry not! The answers to your questions and doubts lie here. May you be from the Asian regions, Middle East or Europe, the solution to your preferable college or university lies at the tip of your fingers. I'm here to lend a hand (probably lift that burden of your chest too!). Before I begin on why Malaysia should be your preferred choice, let me share a wee bit on what the lifestyle of a student in Malaysia is like. 

Why Malaysia?

Malaysia is a country of diversity. Being diverse in a variety of aspects from culture to festivals, (let's not forget about the food.) Food in Malaysia is aplenty so be sure to feast yourself on a delicious meal that is surely to tantalize your taste buds and of course the rich aroma that tickles your nose. You wouldn't want to miss that now would you? 

One of the best reasons as to why you should study in Malaysia is non-other than its cultural background. Due to the variety of ethnic groups in the country, Malaysia is a country you'd want to explore and experience at first hand. In the year 2016, there were a total of 172,886 foreign students in Malaysia in colleges and universities, private and international schools as well as language centres. Don't worry about burning a hole in your pocket as the cost of living in Malaysia is reasonable in comparison to other countries. Food, accommodation and leisure activities are affordable too!

The government of Malaysia has taken steps towards its goal in making Malaysia one of the major education hubs in Asia. Apart from our very own universities, Malaysia has a couple of foreign university branches too which enable you to study at an affordable price as well as retrieve the best of education it has to offer. 

Higher Education

As a foreign student, I must say you do have the best of both worlds as you're given an opportunity to either enroll yourself in either one of our public or private universities. 

Home to our very own KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur lie a variety of prestigious universities to choose from; University of Malaya (UM), National University of Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) and the list goes on.

Up in our Northern regions, we have Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Sintok, Kedah, Universiti Teknologi Petronas in Perak.

In our very own favourite laid-back state of Johor lies Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). For a more lavish educational experience, we have Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, Monash University and Sunway University in Selangor. 

Institutions in Malaysia

When it comes to higher education in Malaysia, choices are aplenty. There are a variety of universities and colleges to choose from and you may need a hand with that. Do allow me to guide you through the options and do bear in mind that the institutions differ from the other. 

Private Institutions

These are institutions that are not funded by the government and rely solely on the tuition fees contributed by the student. With that being side, their fee structure may be more than that of public universities. Here are a few of the private institutions in Malaysia;

• SEGI University
• Brickfields Asia College
• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation
• HELP University
• Management and Science University
• Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Design
• International Medical University
• Multimedia University
• Inti International University
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
• Nilai University College
• UCSI University

Foreign University Branches 

There are a couple of international universities that work closely with Malaysian institutions. Students who study in these universities are accredited by the university while they are based in Malaysia. So, if you were to study in one of this universities, the accreditation gained is internationally known and you didn't have to study abroad for it. How cool is that? 

Among our foreign universities that have rose to fame are:-

• University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih
• Monash University, Selangor
• Taylor's University, Selangor
• Curtin University, Sarawak
• Herriot-Watt University, Putrajaya
• Raffles University Iskandar, Johor
• University of Reading 

Public Institutions

When it comes to Public Institutions, students do still fund themselves but public institutions receive funding for most of the operational costs. Public institutions usually gather more students than private institutions and the reason behind this is affordability. 

Our Public Institutions are divided into three categories; Research University, Focused University and Comprehensive University.

Research Universities

These universities focus on research and are characterized by quality lectures, competitive entries and academic orientation. The following research universities in Malaysia are;

• University of Malaya (UM)
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Focused Universities

These institutions focus on specialized fields pertaining to their establishment. With top grade education and excellent educational standards, these universities are oriented towards specialized research. Among the focused universities are;

• Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
• Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
• Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
• Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
• Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)
• Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
• Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
• National Defense University of Malaysia (UPNM)

Comprehensive Universities

These universities offer various courses and different fields of study. Quality education is imparted here and entrance is a highly competitive process. The comprehensive universities in Malaysia are;

• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
• Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA)
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
• Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Polytechnic Campuses

Now these campuses offer vocational and technological subjects and are well-known for their skills in heavy workforce. 

Community Colleges

Community colleges in Malaysia provide development of local communities through development of human capital. The training programmes provided by these institutions are oriented towards the creation of Lifelong Learning Environment (LLE).

Education Pathway in Malaysia

Wondering how long your duration of study is going to take? Here's a basic guideline to guide you through the pathway of study in Malaysia. The length of study differs for each pathway. 

#1 Institutions in Malaysia

Higher education in Malaysia grows and improves annually and we always hear of top institutions. Now, these institutions have received recognition both local and worldwide. Wondering which are the best universities in Malaysia? Have a look below:- 

Job Opportunities?

Just graduated out from university and you don't have the heart to leave Malaysia just yet? No worries, I feel you dear! Should you wish to apply for a job in Malaysia, you may send out an application for a job to obtain your work permit.

As long as you have the necessary qualifications, you are qualified for a job here in Malaysia. Once your application is approved, the employer of your company will then make necessary arrangements for your working visa which will enable you to work legally in the country. (No hassle!) The working visas available in Malaysia are the Employment Pass, Temporary Employment Pass and Visitor Pass (Professional). Do bear in mind that the options vary in length as well as in terms and conditions so be sure to check your eligibility beforehand. 

Thinking of Studying in Malaysia?

You have thought about it, pondered upon and finally came to a decision to study in Malaysia? Awesome! Here's a guideline to guide you through the procedure of application. 

Studying in another country is indeed exciting but there are a couple of things to take account. Brace yourself, it's important! 

Language (Oh Man!)

Should you decide to study in Malaysia, English language is important. You

should be able to communicate in English as most courses offered in Malaysia are in the English language. Some institutions may require you to take an English proficiency test such as TOEFL or IELTS. 

Note! Don't be disheartened if your proficiency in English is not all that good. Most universities offer Intensive English Programmes to aid students with their difficulties in the English language. Besides, there is no better way to learn it than to surround yourself with English speakers in campus. Universities in Malaysia do not require international students to sit for an admission test prior to study. Students are able to send out an application for study with your high school certificate/diploma or letter of recommendation. 

What to Study?

Not really sure of what to study? Well, that can sometimes be a nerve wrecking thought but that's why I'm here (To help you out!) 

Options vary per institution so you may find that certain institutions offer your programme of choice while others do not. 

Thinking about pursuing your postgraduate studies in Malaysia, here are a few course options for you to check out from our well-known public institutions in Malaysia; Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Eager to know more? Click on the link below to be directed to their website.

Universiti Utara Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi MARA

Visa Oh Visa.. 

Well, there are a couple of things to take into account as before your life as a student begins in Malaysia and what's most important is your visa. 

Once you have accepted your letter of offer from the institution of your choice, your next step would be to apply for a visa for you to study in Malaysia. You will need a couple of documents to ensure a successful visa application. 

You're given two options to apply for a visa: - Through your institution or Online.

The documents that you will need for your application are as follows:-

• A passport sized photo (A recent one please!)
• A copy of your passport (Your passport data page which shows your name and etc, the visa information, observation page, passport validity and special pass or exit stamp if applicable.)
• Offer letter from your institution
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Pre-arrival medical examination report
• Personal bond
• No-objection certificate (NOC)
• English language requirement (TOEFL, IELTS or etc certificate)

Online Visa Application

This depends on your institution actually. If you were given this option, you may apply for your visa directly through the website given to you by your institution.

Visa Application via Institution

Once you have submitted all required documents as well as the payment to the institution, they will proceed with the process of your Visa Approval Letter (VAL). The procedural for approval usually takes up to a minimum of 14 working days. Once that's settled, the institution will then proceed in applying for a Student Pass for you. The Immigration Department of Malaysia will have a look at this application and send out a Student Pass approval letter to you. And now my friend, you're ready to get on-board a flight to Malaysia! But before that, you will need to notify the institution of your flight details. 

A representative from your institution will be waiting for you at the immigration check-point at the airport where you will be given a Visa with a validity of six months. The Immigration Department will issue you a Special Pass which is needed for you to retrieve your Student Pass. Within a couple of days after your arrival, you may collect your Student Pass from the nearest Immigration Department. 

Okay, I know this is a lot to take in but don't sweat, your institution will guide you through the procedure so you don't get lost in the process. 

Tuition Fees (Ka..Ching! $)

Making Malaysia the choice for higher education is the best choice you can make as institutions in Malaysia hold high reputation and fees are reasonable. 

The fee structure is always a major concern for not only international students but local students too. (Yes, it affects us too.. ) As a solution to that concern of yours, I have provided the range per level below so you pretty much have a rough idea of how much it costs. 

It is with hope that you find a university where you're comfortable in and fits you perfectly. Studying abroad (in Malaysia) may be a big step and I understand your worries well and I hope I was helpful throughout the process. So what are you waiting for? Get on-board the study boat to Malaysia!