Why study in Malaysia

What can you imagine when the modern world mixes with the developing world? Probably something has beautiful as Malaysia. Malaysia has a cultural and historical blend that has made it something of a treasure in Southeast Asia. And, when someone says, “historical blend”, in Southeast Asia, that has got make you hungry. After all, such a combination can only mean one thing: delicious food to make you go wild. Lately, too, universities and colleges in Malaysia have started introducing English-taught Master’s and Bachelor’s programmes. Students come from everywhere to join in their classes, living long-term in a place that most people only dream of. Recently, the Malaysian government has instituted the main body that oversees higher education there. Now, almost all of the universities where you can study in Malaysia have been accredited and certified to offer high-quality Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. So, you can be sure that, once you’re there, your degree will compel you to success, and still offer you the unique education that you’d hope for in such a magical place.

• Wide choice of courses and institutions for international students
• Multiple pathways to other international universities
• 8 foreign university branch campuses to choose from
• Malaysia is currently home to more than 172,000 international students
• Transnational degree programmes at its best (UK, US, Australia, New Zealand)
• High quality education that is assured by legislation such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act 2007
• English as primary medium of instruction
• Kuala Lumpur ranks #1 in QS Top Universities ‘Most Affordable Cities for Students in 2016'
• Average cost of Living in Malaysia is lower compared to other popular study destinations
• Extensive international student support services
• Work while you study

The Malaysia Education System

With a multi-ethnic population of about 28.3 million, Malaysia had 20 public universities, 53 private universities and eight foreign university branch campuses; 403 active private colleges, 30 polytechnics and 73 public community colleges in 2011. These HEIs offer a wide range of tertiary qualifications at affordable prices. There are two categories of higher education institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia:

• Government-funded public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and public colleges Public universities are fully funded by the government and are governed as self- managed institutions. They offer mainly bachelor degrees and postgraduate programmes, with some offering programmes at diploma level and foundation levels. There are 20 public universities in Malaysia, with at least one in every state. Public universities generally have a larger campus and student enrolment; and offer a wide variety of different elds of study.
• Private higher educational institutions (i.e. institutions not funded by the government) which include:
  • non-university status institutions such as private colleges
  • university status institutions such as university colleges
  • foreign university branch campuses e.g. Monash University Malaysia and The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

Like public universities, private universities are independent institutions or self-funded institutions that award their own undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and conduct a certain amount of research. Some universities also offer diploma and foundation level programmes. Foreign universities are invited by the Malaysia government to establish their off-shore campus in Malaysia. There are currently nine foreign university branch campuses in Malaysia. These universities originate from Australia, China and the UK. They award their own degree (undergraduate and postgraduate), diploma and foundation studies qualifications. The qualifications are identical to that of the host universities.

The cost of studying in Malaysia

One of many reasons why international students choose Malaysia is because of its cost-effective, high quality tertiary education. As an example, you can acquire a UK engineering degree (3 years) in Malaysia through a 3+0 foreign university franchised degree programme at an estimated RM68,000 (US$17,000), whereas the tuition fee of the same 3-year degree programme at the host university in the UK is about £36,000 (or RM217,000 or US$54,250).

Employment opportunities in Malaysia

All international students with a valid student pass are allowed to work part time for a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days in specific sectors.