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SCOPE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS
Since beginning 2009, more foreign students have chosen to pursue their tertiary education in Malaysia because of the worldwide recession. Education in Malaysia is relatively cheaper if compared to countries such as UK, Australia, US, Canada and even its neighboring country, Singapore. The Higher Education Ministry is expecting about 75,000 foreign students to take up undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Most of the students are from China, Indonesia and followed by countries from the Middle East.
EXPENSES
Tuition Fees
The favourable currency exchange rate in Malaysia means that the cost of education (both tuition and living expenses) is still cheaper than other popular study destinations such as UK, Australia, US and Canada.
Private Institutions
Studying in private colleges and universities in Malaysia are usually more expensive than the Government-funded institutions. However, since there are limited placements for Bachelor degree courses at government funded institutions, the private higher educational institutions are actually playing a greater role in offering study opportunities.
Government Funded Universities and Institutions
Malaysia has local public Universities, university colleges and international university providing undergraduate (First Bachelor Degree) and postgraduate studies (Master's degree and PhD). The general entry requirement for the undergraduate studies is STPM qualification or pre-university programme or its equivalent.
Estimated Total Tuition Fees for Bachelor Degree Programmes Offered by Malaysian Private Colleges & Universities are as under :-
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Type of Programme
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Tuition Fees (whole course)
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3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (3 – 4 years)
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RM 10,000 – RM 65,000
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Foreign University Branch Campus (3 years)
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RM 50,000 – RM 100,000
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Private University at Malaysia (3 - 5 years)
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RM 30,000 – RM 250,000
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Twinning Degree Programme(2+1 – 2.5 years)
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RM 50,000 – RM 400,000
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Estimation of Fee structure in Government Funded Universities and Institutions
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Type of Programme
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Tuition Fees (whole course)
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Undergraduate
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RM4,000 – RM15,000 per year for 3 - 4 years
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Postgraduate
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Master : RM4,000 - RM10,000 (whole course)
PhD : RM8,000 to RM20,000 (whole course)
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Living Cost
Malaysia has a reasonable cost of living. Accommodation, rent, (depending on the locality and the type of boarding required) are reasonable while other expenses such as food, transportation, laundry and other essentials are estimated to be around RM500 to RM600 per month, based on an average lifestyle.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
General rules and regulations:
- A student must abide by Malaysian law at all times.
- A student has committed a case of misconduct when:
- He is found guilty of criminal charges by the court;
- He is involved in any jobs, trades or the like, on part-time or full time basis, which could affect his studies.
- A student is to abide by all the rules and regulations that are enforced by the institution.
- A student must at all times respect the culture, norms and beliefs of the locals.
Student pass
· Any international student who wishes to study in Malaysia is required to obtain a Student Pass.
· Application has to be made through the respective Educational Institution prior to entry.
Permission to work part-time
- A student is permitted to do part-time work for 20 hours per week during semester breaks or any holiday exceeding 7 days.
- A student is permitted to work part-time in Restaurants, Petrol Kiosks, Mini Markets and Hotels only (excluding singer, masseur, musician and other activities deemed immoral) as long as the student pass remains valid.
- Students are not permitted to work as cashier.
- Permission to work part-time is extendable by the Immigration Department depending on the student’s attendance and academic reports.
- Application from students studying in Private Higher Educational Institutions must be submitted by the respective institutions to the Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya. While for students from Public Higher Educational Institutions, application can be submitted to the nearest Immigration Office.
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