Straddling the South China Sea and home to an array of cultures, a diverse geography, and a futuristic capital city, Malaysia is a truly unique country, in both its landscapes and its citizens.
Choose to study in Malaysia and you’ll discover that the country’s natural beauty extends way beyond its ancient rainforests, national parks, and glorious beaches. In the cities too, there’s plenty to keep all the senses occupied, from colorful and varied markets to the mosques, Buddhist temples, and Hindu shrines that are often found side by side, and the profusion of annual festivals celebrating both traditional and modern aspects of Malaysian culture.
One of the world’s most politically stable countries, Malaysia may be second to Singapore in terms of regional economic clout, but it offers a much more organic lifestyle than its city-state rival. One-half of the country, situated on the southern tip of the peninsula below Thailand, is known as Peninsular Malaysia. This is where the highest-ranked universities in Malaysia can be found, along with the most diverse and vibrant urban areas. The other half, Malaysian Borneo, shares an island with Indonesia and remains the quieter of the two halves, offering solitude, authenticity, and jungle life.
The highest-ranked and oldest university in Malaysia, Universiti Malaya (UM) is ranked 70th in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and is based in central Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is home to several international branch campuses of universities from other countries, a plan aimed at expanding and improving the country’s range of higher education options. Existing branch campuses include those operated by the UK’s University of Nottingham and Australia’s Monash University.
Popular Cities of Malaysia for International Students
1) Kuala Lumpur.
2) Penang.
3) Selangor.
4) Johor Bahru.
5) Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Why study in Malaysia ?
1) It is affordable.
One of the best reasons to study in Malaysia is the affordable tuition fees. While tuition prices are course-dependent, studying in Malaysia allows one to receive almost the same quality of education compared with other more developed countries. Public universities are cheaper, with international students typically paying about RM7,000 per year for a degree course. Private universities are much more costly, and students can expect to pay anywhere from RM15,000 and above per year.
Malaysia is also an affordable country to live in. Compared to many other nations, monthly rent is considerably cheaper – it’s still possible to obtain a non-sharing room with an attached bathroom for RM500 monthly. Of course, accommodation prices will be even lower if you don’t mind having roommates. Food is affordable too. If you’re not keen to cook or your accommodation doesn’t have kitchen facilities, a simple hawker meal costs about RM5 to RM8, depending on your area. Additionally, public transportation such as the LRT, buses, and trains are inexpensive, so you’ll be able to move around easily.
2) Available English Spoken Community.
Even though the official language in Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia (BM), English is spoken widely, along with numerous other languages such as Mandarin and Tamil. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about communicating with the locals. While basic BM can be quite useful, you’re all set as long as you have a good understanding of English.
3) Rich and Diverse Culture.
Malaysia is home to numerous races and religions, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Orang Asli (indigenous) people groups. Mainstream religions practiced in the country are Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. As such, you’ll be able to experience and rich culture that comes from the diversity of Malaysia’s people. Don’t miss out on the festivals celebrated throughout the year. You’ll want to be part of the ‘semagat muhibbah,’ or in English, the ‘spirit of togetherness’ as Malaysians come together for national, religious, and cultural holidays.
4) Perfect Weather
Malaysia is a tropical country, with a mean temperature of 25.4°C. It’s sunny year-round, except during the monsoon season when tropical rain showers hit. So Malaysia is the perfect place to study if you’re not keen on cold weather or love being outdoors.
5) Leading Education System in Southeast Asia.
Because Malaysia is affordable and English is widely spoken here, Malaysia has become one of the leading education hubs in Southeast Asia. Students from Southeast Asia and as far as Africa come here to complete their tertiary studies as they know that Malaysia’s universities offer top-notch quality education.
Cost of Education in Malaysia
1) Undergraduate Program: 15,000 – 30,000 Malaysian Ringgit.
2) Graduate Program: 15,000 – 30,000 Malaysian Ringgit.
Required Documents for Application
1) Scan copy of passport.
2) Scan copies of Academic certificates.
3) Scan copies of the Academic Marksheet.
4) Statement of purpose/ Motivation Letter(SOP).
5) Letter of Recommendation(LOR).
6) Updated Resume/CV.
7) Scan a copy of the IELTS certificate(if required).
8) Job experience letter(if required).
9) Extracurricular activity/ECA Certificate(If any).
10) Research/Publication Experience(If any).
11) Other supporting documents(If required).
What is an insurance policy ?
An insurance policy is a legal contract between an insurance company and an individual or organization that outlines the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage being..
What is a deductible ?
A deductible is a predetermined amount of money that a policyholder must pay out of pocket before their insurance coverage kicks in and the insurance company begins..
Why do I need insurance ?
Helps you comply with legal requirements: Many types of insurance, such as car insurance and worker's compensation insurance, are required by law. Having insurance can help you avoid..
What is an insurance policy ?
An insurance policy is a legal contract between an insurance company and an individual or organization that outlines the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage being..
What is a deductible ?
A deductible is a predetermined amount of money that a policyholder must pay out of pocket before their insurance coverage kicks in and the insurance company begins..
Why do I need insurance ?
Helps you comply with legal requirements: Many types of insurance, such as car insurance and worker's compensation insurance, are required by law. Having insurance can help you avoid..