Study in Malaysia – Breeding Ground

Study In

Malaysia

Study English-taught programs and earn globally recognised degrees at affordable costs in Malaysia.

International students

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Post-Study Work Permit

0 years

Universities

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Why Study in the Malaysia

Discover Malaysia as a smart study destination offering globally recognised degrees taught in English. Home to over 130,000 international students, it combines affordable tuition and living costs with a vibrant, multicultural environment that supports strong academic and career outcomes.

Malaysia hosts foreign branches of several renowned international universities, allowing students to earn globally recognised degrees within a cost-effective study environment. These campuses follow the same curriculum, academic standards, and quality assurance as their home institutions, while offering modern facilities, smaller class sizes, and strong industry links. This allows you to earn an international qualification while staying closer to home.

Students also benefit from Malaysia’s valuable regional networking opportunities in Southeast Asia, making foreign branch campuses an attractive pathway to an international qualification.

130,000+

Home to over 130,000 international students, it combines affordable tuition and living costs with a vibrant, multicultural environment that supports strong academic and career outcomes.

International students in Malaysia

Quality of education and global recognition

Malaysia offers high-quality education, with a focus on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. You will find branch campuses of several prestigious foreign universities here. While MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency) accreditation ensures quality for both local and foreign campuses, modern infrastructure and technology enhance the education experience, preparing students for a modern workforce.

Affordable study destination

Malaysia is one of the most cost-effective study destinations, offering tuition at affordable fees without compromising educational standards. Monthly living costs vary and can range from RM 1,500 to over 2,500 (around USD320-USD530+) for accommodation, food, and transport, depending on personal choices.

English-taught programs

Most universities offer programs taught entirely in English, eliminating language barriers. As a result, international students planning to study in Malaysia can adapt quickly to academic life and develop strong communication skills.

Vibrant multicultural environment

Malaysia is known for its generally peaceful atmosphere, offering a welcoming and vibrant multicultural environment for international students. Universities provide 24/7 security, CCTV, and welfare departments to ensure a secure environment for students. Apart from this, the hospitality of Malaysians and respect for different cultures make students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and accepted.

Growing popularity among international students

Malaysia’s reputation as a leading international education hub continues to grow due to its blend of affordable, quality education, rich multicultural environment, and widespread use of English. Supportive visa policies, extended stay-back options, expanding university partnerships, and strong student support services are also attracting learners from around the world seeking global exposure without high Western costs.

Scholarships

Scholarships for international students in Malaysia range from government-funded programs to numerous university-specific awards and private foundation scholarships.

Government-funded programs

University-specific awards

Private foundation scholarships

Best courses to study in Malaysia

Business and management courses.

Engineering and technology programs.

Computer science and IT courses.

Health, medicine and life sciences.

Hospitality, tourism and creative courses.

Education system and intakes in Malaysia

Research and innovation are key focus areas, with programs taught in English, making the country a popular regional hub for courses ranging from certificates to PhDs.

Types of higher education institutions

International students in Malaysia can choose from public universities, private universities, and foreign university branch campuses. International students can study a variety of degrees from diplomas to PhDs, with branch campuses providing globally recognised degrees at lower costs.

Public universities

Private universities

Foreign university branch campuses

Undergraduate and postgraduate study options

Malaysia offers diverse undergraduate and postgraduate options in English for international students, focusing on high-demand fields like engineering, IT (Information Technology)/computer science, business/finance, medicine/healthcare, hospitality, and creative arts.

Engineering

IT (Information Technology)/computer science

Business/finance

Medicine/healthcare

Hospitality

Creative arts

Major intakes

Intake	Starting From
Main Intake (Semester 1)	September/October
Secondary Intake (Semester 2)	February/March

Many private universities also offer smaller intakes in June/July or even rolling admissions. Always check university websites for exact dates and program availability, as these dates vary.

Affordable study destination

Malaysia is one of the most cost-effective study destinations, offering tuition at affordable fees without compromising educational standards.

Monthly living costs

RM 1,500 – 2,500+

Monthly living costs vary and can range from RM 1,500 to over 2,500 (around USD320-USD530+) for accommodation, food, and transport, depending on personal choices.

Housing

Food

Transportation

Other day-to-day costs

Tuition

Affordable fees

Universities to study in Malaysia

While Malaysia offers affordable public universities and flexible private institutions, the real highlight for many international students is its growing network of foreign branch campuses. Malaysian universities are gaining significant global recognition, with several institutions often ranking within 200 in QS rankings. Private universities are also climbing the global list, highlighting Malaysia’s growing reputation for quality, globally competitive education.

Some of the foreign universities with campuses in Malaysia are.

01 Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Heriot-Watt University (UK) Located in Putrajaya, focusing on engineering, business, and actuarial science.	287 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
02 University of Southampton Malaysia University of Southampton (UK) Offers engineering and computer science programs in Johor.	87 Ranking 2025 (Globally)
03 University of Nottingham Malaysia University of Nottingham (UK) Offers economics, international relations, engineering, and business programs.	97 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
04 University of Reading Malaysia University of Reading (UK) Highly regarded for Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Psychology, Law, and Built Environment programs.	194 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
05 Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Swinburne University of Technology (Australia) In Kuching, Sarawak, focusing on tech and business.	294 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
06 Monash University Malaysia Monash University (Australia) A large campus in Selangor, known for programs in pharmacy, engineering, computer science, etc.	36 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
07 University of Wollongong Malaysia University of Wollongong (Australia) Highly regarded for its industry-focused, career-ready programs, particularly in Business, Hospitality & Culinary Arts, and computer science.	184 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
08 Asia Pacific University	597 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)
09 Curtin University Malaysia Curtin University (Australia)	183 QS Ranking 2025 (Globally)