Have you ever desired to study abroad for a top-notch education but been concerned about living in a dangerous area or breaking the bank? Pack your bags, though, since studying in Malaysia will take care of all these issues for you! With good cause, this dynamic country in Southeast Asia is fast emerging as a popular destination for international students. Were you aware? As per the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025, the country hopes to enrol more than 2,50,000 foreign students by the year 2025.
Studying in Malaysia will put you in a stable, secure atmosphere with cutting-edge facilities and dependable transportation. Are you up for the adventure?
Although not many people are considering studying abroad in Malaysia, there are enough indications to suggest that this country might soon be on the rise for those who do. Eight of its universities are now listed in the QS World University Rankings 2024, which is cause for hope. Additionally, students can get international degree credentials from universities in the UK and Australia, among other countries, for a far lesser cost because the majority of private institutions in the nation offer twinning or 2+1 degrees.
You have a winner right away when you combine it with Malaysia's cheap tuition costs and the fact that living expenses there are far cheaper than in the UK, USA, and Australia (which leads the FAIRFX list). Chemistry, Business & Accountancy, and Chemical Engineering are a few of Malaysia's best courses.
Part-time employment for international students is permitted in Malaysia at restaurants, small shops, gas stations and hotels; however, cashiers, singers, masseurs, musicians, guest relations representatives and any other occupation deemed immoral are prohibited. Malaysia is a popular location for overseas students for a variety of reasons, including its work flexibility.
Worldwide recognition of programmes offered by Malaysian universities, including the University of Malaya, guarantees that your degree will be acknowledged and regarded everywhere. MBBS in Malaysia is a popular alternative for Indian students because of the high esteem that medical education at Universiti Sains Malaysia have.
In Malaysia, the cost of tuition varies from INR 1.35 lakh to 4.50 lakh (MYR 7.5k to 25k) every semester, which is significantly less than in Western nations. On the other hand, annual tuition prices in the US vary from around INR 15 lakh to INR 37 lakh (USD 20k to USD 50k). If you are cost-conscious, the Malaysian education system is an appealing choice since it upholds high standards and offers exceptional value for the money.
You may study in Malaysia without taking the IELTS because several institutions there offer English-language programmes. International students find it simpler to fit in and achieve academic success as a result.
The following other English proficiency exams are accepted by colleges in Malaysia:
The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a well-liked substitute for the IELTS. The minimum score needed to pass usually falls between 79 and 95.
Pearson Test of English Academic, or PTE Academic, is another recognised exam with a typical cutoff score of 58 to 64.
Malaysian universities are the target audience for the MUET (Malaysian University English Test), which has a mandatory Band score of 4 or above.
Qualifications for Cambridge English: Scores of 169 and above for CAE and 180 and above for CPE are often required for C1 Advanced (CAE) and C2 Proficiency (CPE).
International students can apply for several scholarships at Malaysia's private and governmental colleges.
One such scholarship is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), which offers a MYR 1,500 (INR 27,000) monthly stipend. The cost of studying in Malaysia is greatly lowered by these scholarships.
Malaysia is a great place to study because of its excellent safety record and kind demeanour towards foreign students. Malaysia has a Safety Index score of 50.46, which places it as a reasonably safe country, especially when compared to many other countries in the area, according to Numbeo's 2023 Safety Index.
Choosing to study in Malaysia offers international students a comprehensive educational experience with plenty of support and possibilities, regardless of whether they attend a public or private university. Choosing to study in Malaysia offers international students a comprehensive educational experience with plenty of support and possibilities, regardless of whether they attend a public or private university.
Were you aware that EduCity, Johor, a 350-acre complex located only 5 km north of Singapore, is home to branch campuses built by Malaysia? Eight global campuses of esteemed institutions are housed in one educational centre, giving students access to top-notch resources and instruction in one convenient place.
That being stated, it's now time for you to review Malaysia's top 5 institutions. Here is a list of the top universities in Malaysia to take into consideration, based on their QS World Ranking 2025, whether you want to attend a public or private university. This will assist you in investigating all of your possibilities as an international student looking to study in Malaysia:
University |
QS World Ranking 2025 |
Average Annual Tuition Fees |
University of Malaya |
60 |
INR 4.5L – 7.5L (MYR 25k – 40k) |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) |
148 |
INR 3.6L – 6.3L (MYR 20k – 35k) |
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) |
181 |
INR 2.7L – 5.4L (MYR 15k – 30k) |
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) |
138 |
INR 3.6L – 6.3L (MYR 20k – 35k) |
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) |
146 |
INR 3.6L – 6.3L (MYR 20k – 35k) |
It should come as no surprise that business and accounting are included in our list of the best courses to study in Malaysia, given that business management is one of the most in-demand degrees and that finance and accounting have managed to hold their own. Malaysia (USM) is ranked 89 for Management Studies, whereas Universiti Malaya (UM) is ranked 101–150 for Accounting and Finance. These rankings show that Malaysia is a respectable destination for students pursuing any of the many specialisations offered by Business and Accountancy, including MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Finance, and Master of Management.
Electrical and electronic engineering, which is well represented by UM and UTM and was placed 37 and 51-100, respectively, in the QS report, easily makes it to the list of the best courses to study in Malaysia. Your degree is globally recognised according to the QS ranking, and you can be guaranteed of a secure job because engineering degrees are highly regarded in all major economies. The best institutions in Malaysia also provide resources designed to help with teaching and research.
Several engineering programmes offered by Malaysian universities have cracked the top 100, including chemical engineering, civil and structural engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering. This suggests that engineering is the country's main strength in higher education. The 2016 QS World University Rankings: By Topic.
In particular, chemical engineering merits special attention since it is one of the safest and best courses to study in Malaysia. Chemical engineering has cracked the top 100 at many universities, and in one case, it even cracked the top 50 (USM's Chemical Engineering was placed 46th). UM is ranked 51st through 100th on the ranking, making it your second-best choice for chemical engineering. For a chemical engineer, positions in the design, operation, construction, and technical marketing sectors are among the most sought-after employment options.
Chemistry is one of those topics that never goes out of style, especially if you are studying for a degree at one of the best institutions in the world, Universiti Malaya (UM) or Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which are respectively placed 151-200 and 251-300 in the QS Ranking 2015–2016 for the subject. Chemistry is one of the best subjects to study in Malaysia as most institutions have a wide range of chemical programmes to pick from, including those focused on teaching or research, which reflect the shifting demands of the modern world. Furthermore, you can usually count on some of the greatest academics at major colleges to provide you with excellent instruction and supervision.
Financial engineering is one of the degrees that Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya offers as a Bachelor of Financial Engineering (Hons). It is in great demand both in Malaysia and internationally. The text covers the foundations of the framework for financial research and development, as well as the multimedia and ICT literacy needed for today's financial employment. It basically compares the most recent technological advancements with the financial business.
One of the innovations that has completely changed the IT, computer science, and associated industries is cloud computing. The advent of cloud computing technologies has made it possible for quick networking, smooth workflows, and memory-light document sharing. The top colleges in Malaysia provide specialised master's degrees in cloud computing. With the institutions' leading-edge infrastructure, admitted students will study about cutting edge cloud computing techniques, concepts, and practical applications. They will also be exposed to other industries. Cloud computing jobs are in high demand in Malaysia and are considered recession-proof.
Because of encouraging advancements in the industry, computer science is only predicted to become more and more popular in the years to come. The curriculum for computer science is extremely active and always changing, covering topics like robots and artificial intelligence. Malaysian universities are among the top venues to study computer science programmes that are relevant to the industry. Prospective students can select computer science as their high value course and travel to Malaysia at the same time. Apart from engaging in a dynamic curriculum, computer science graduates might potentially find employment in Malaysia due to the presence of several corporations such as IBM, Concentrix, DXC, and so on.
Malaysian institutions also offer courses in International Business Management, one of the most popular MBA specialisations. There are forms for bachelor's and master's degrees. One university that provides IBM in the UG and PG levels of study is University of Nottingham Malaysia. The three-year BA (Hons) in International Business Management programme is offered by Asia Pacific University. The University of Nottingham offers MA (Hons) International Business Management intercampus transfer programmes.
Is Malaysia luring you into dreams of roti canai and teh tarik? It's now time to start working on those apps. Start your academic career in Malaysia and take advantage of reasonably priced tuition at internationally renowned institutions such as the University of Malaya. Savour a diverse range of programmes offered in English, without the need for an IELTS score.
Utilise scholarships to help pay for expenses, and be grateful for Malaysia's stability and safety. Utilise part-time employment options to supplement your study and gain experience. With its affordable costs, outstanding academic reputation, and dynamic culture, Malaysia is a great place to further your education!
1. Is studying in Malaysia worthwhile?
Malaysia is a reasonably priced country to live and study in. Additionally, Malaysia is home to 28 QS-ranked colleges worldwide for 2024. When it comes to affordable, high-quality education, Malaysia is unquestionably a wise choice.
2. Which course in Malaysia is best to take?
Although there are many excellent courses available, such as computer science, MBA, cyber security, etc., students must carefully consider the colleges that provide the course as well as their employment chances after completing it.
3. Is studying in Malaysia or Singapore preferable?
It is contingent upon the accessibility and cost of relevant courses. Compared to Malaysia, Singapore is often one of the most expensive countries in the world.
4. For Malaysia, which course is best for the future?
Prospects need to select courses that provide the best job chances both globally and in Malaysia. In that sense, among the courses offered in the nation are those in computer science, chemical engineering, international business management, and chemistry.
5. . Which degree programme in Malaysia is the shortest?
Some of the shortest degree programmes to study in Malaysia include Cyber Defender Associate, Fundamentals of Big Data, Creative Writing - Place, Travel, Tourism Management, and Events Management. These programmes range in length from 14 days to one month.