Malaysia is a country known for its diverse culture and popular tourist destinations. Did you know apart from its scenic beauty, Malaysia is one of the emerging education destinations for international students?
With high education standards, Malaysia is becoming one of the hot destinations for international students. The institutes offer a variety of internationally recognized courses to international students taught in the English language. Malaysia attracts students from all around the world due to its affordable fees and low0cost living.
Top 7 Reasons to Study in Malaysia
If you are a student who wishes to pursue their degree abroad, Malaysia is the best option for you because of multiple reasons. Here are some top reasons why international students prefer to study in Malaysia.
Affordable Tuition Fee
One of the top reasons why you should opt for Malaysia for international studies is the diversity in academic programs at affordable prices as compared to other international destinations. Even at low tuition fees, students have the opportunity to avail degrees from a variety of options and get accredited certificates from international partner universities.
For instance, students can pursue their degree from the University of Nottingham, originally located in the UK, but has a campus in Malaysia. During the degree, students get a chance to learn at the parent university in the UK or Australia for 1 month or more. In Malaysia, students have to pay less for an equal certificate of completion from the international institute. For example,
| Degree | Nottingham University (UK Campus) | Nottingham University (Malaysia Campus) |
| Bachelor of Business | $22,300 | $8,850 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | $28,700 | $9,500 |
*Prices in USD
Many Malaysian universities offer multiple scholarships for international students, so make sure to get in touch with education consultants in Islamabad because these experts have MoUs with universities and can secure your scholarships.
Lower Cost of Living
Another major advantage of studying in Malaysia is the affordable cost of living as compared to other popular destinations like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. With a low cost of living, international students can enjoy and experience the Malaysian culture without much financial worry.
The Standard of living in the city centers is high with affordable rents and a rise in low-cost condominiums, with access to multiple recreational facilities. In Malaysia, you can easily enjoy a meal under $4, and transport cost is also affordable with modern transport infrastructure. In general, the average cost of living in Malaysia is about USD 300 per month, which is quite affordable.
| Country | Annual Tuition Fee | Annual Living Cost | Total Cost Per Annum |
| Malaysia | $5,000 | $4,000 | $9,000 |
| Australia | $15,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| UK | $15,000 | $12,000 | $27,000 |
*Prices in USD
*Cost displayed for a business program student in Malaysia
Greater Job Opportunities for Students
The Malaysian student visa allows international students to work part-time for 20 hours per week during their degree. There are a lot of work opportunities for students who wish to earn money while pursuing their degree to decrease the burden of education in Malaysia.
Another attractive feature is the employment prospects after completion of education. According to the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis (ILMIA), here are a few courses to give you an edge over the rest when it comes to global employability.
- Engineering
- Information and Commination Technology
- Business Management
- Finance
- Graphic Design and Digital Marketing
- Architecture
Diverse Culture
Malaysians are friendly and welcoming, and these people love to socialize. The country has a blend of contrasting people from different backgrounds and ethnicities with different religions. Therefore, it is a perfect destination for international students. There are a lot of national and religious holidays, giving an ideal opportunity for students to experience the culture and food.
Internationally Recognized Universities in Malaysia
Malaysian universities are internationally recognized. International universities in Australia and England have partnered with Malaysian institutes and have opened branch campuses in Malaysia. For example, the University of Monash (Australia) and the University of Nottingham (UK), both rankings among the top 100 in the world, have opened their campuses in Malaysia.
Following are the top 10 universities in Malaysia:
- Universiti Malaya (UM)
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
- UCSI University
- Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
- Taylor’s University
- Management and Science University (MSU)
- Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Read about Malaysian Universities for studying abroad without IELTS and Top-ranking universities in Malaysia
High-Quality Education
Though most Malaysian universities are not at par with other Asian countries like South Korea and Singapore, however, Malaysian universities are improving rapidly, and most of them rank between 500 – 600 worldwide. Some Malaysian institutes offer courses in engineering and computer science that rank among the world’s top 100 courses.
The education standards in Malaysian institutes are regularly monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education with the goal of turning Malaysian into a Center for Higher Education in the international community. Many foreign universities in Australia and Britain have branch campuses in Malaysia. Therefore, if you want to get admission into one of these international campuses, make sure to get in touch with an education consultant in Islamabad to secure admission and scholarships.
Peaceful and Safe Country
Malaysia is one of the safest countries in the world and is ranked 29th in the world, according to the 2017 Global Peace Index (GPI). Another attractive feature is the low crime rate and political stability.
One of the most promising features of Malaysia is the fast internet broadband service. According to The Star, Malaysia boasts 26th fastest internet speed in the world, with an average speed of 61.9 Mbps when the global average is 50.8 Mbps.
Don’t Miss the Deadlines!
The application process for Malaysian universities is relatively easy as compared to western universities. So prepare your documents and apply away! Don’t miss the deadlines.