It is interesting to note that Malaysia ranks 11th in the world in terms of the number of foreign students in Malaysia. Malaysia is the most politically stable country in  Southeast Asian region after Singapore, so students schooling are not affected by any insurgency. It is an affordable study abroad alternative destination to Australia, UK, USA and parts of Europe. I have reviewed cost of living, admission procedure, visa application, tuition fees, list of top universities in Malaysia etc.

Studying in Malaysia has proven to be a great choice for students all over the world. International students will find the affordable tuition fees and low cost of living more beneficial to them as compared to studying in other countries. There are a variety of programs to choose from pre-university foundation programs to twinning degree programs (where two degrees are combined), 3+0 degree programs, foreign university degree programs and postgraduate degree programs. International students are also allowed to work part-time to supplement their pocket money.

Malaysia has effective rail links and due to the advent of technology, ridesharing apps like Uber or MyTeksi/GrabTaxi are popularly used and heavily relied on in the city of Kuala Lumpur because of ease of use, but it is difficult to find public transport vehicles after 9pm. It has lots of cultural variation and diversities.

Cost of Living and Studying in Malaysia

Cost of living could cost about $2, 632 per year but could be 10% higher living in the city. Living in Malaysia is reasonably affordable and varies from city to city. For instance, visitor regions and principal urban areas, an average of RM1000 to RM1500 per month can cater for daily costs like feeding, accommodation, transportation, buying of books etc.

Cost of Studying include the following;

• Degree Programs for 3 or 4 years cost: US$4000 to US$5000 per year
• Post-graduate programs cost: US$10000 to US$15000 for the whole program
• Foundation/Diploma programs cost: US$3000 to US$3500 per year

Admission Requirements

In the event that you are applying for an undergraduate program, you ought to have a substantial school leaving certificate that qualifies you for an advanced education study in your country. This will qualify you to study in Malaysia. For Masters Programs, a bachelor college degree certificate from a reputable university is generally required, and for PhD, a Master’s degree result.

Language Requirement

Malaysia is a multilingual nation, but programs are mainly offered in English and as an applicant to study in Malaysia, you will be required to present a Test of English result if your country’s first language is not English or your first degree was not taught in English.

How to Apply for Admission to Study in Malaysia

Below are steps for direct entry into Malaysia;

• Submit an application form along with necessary documents to chosen institution which has approval from the ministry of home affairs and Malaysia immigration
• If your application is accepted you will then be assisted by the institution for a student pass at the Malaysian Immigration Department before entry into the country
• If accepted a letter of approval for the student pass will be given by the Malaysian Immigration Department to the educational institution that offered you admission. The institution will then forward the approval to you while in your country
• Before going to Malaysia you should inform your educational institution of your entry including date and time of arrival
• You will be received by the institution when you arrive in the county and a visa will be issued at the entry point. It should be noted that citizens from The Peoples Republic of China are supposed to obtain Entry Visa prior to entry into Malaysia.
• After about two weeks of your arrival in the country, your passport will be submitted by the institution to the immigration department to place a student sticker on it.

Intake Periods/Deadlines

• Mid April to mid-May: During this period, students can contact the Malaysian embassy or consulate in their nations of origin to get a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability and pre-apply for their preferred program.
• August: students get a notice on whether they have been admitted to the chosen study program and the correct date to take the Malaysian language exam and any extra exam in the event of competitive courses with less studies places.
• September: students take the Malaysian language exam and any extra exam if necessary.

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Malaysian Student Visa Application Procedure

Malaysian student Visa Requirements;

• Completed student visa application to the Malaysian Embassy
• Admission offer letter from your university of choice
• Two passport photographs
• Two colored photocopies of your passport
• Transcripts of all academic records
• Proof of full-time course of study approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs
• Bank statement as proof of financial capability
• Health certificate as Bill of Good Health
• Security Report on You from Police
• Students must show their approval letter on demand

List of Top Universities in Malaysia offering quality programs in MBA, Medical, Engineering, Arts & Design, Films & Media and many other programs.

• Universiti Utara Malaysia
• Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
• University of Malaya
• UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia
• UniversitiTun Hussein Onn Malaysia

List of Affordable Universities in Malaysia

• AIMST University
• Asia e University
• Allianze University College of Medical Sciences
• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation
• Brickfields Asia College
• Berjaya University College of Hospitality
• Binary University College of Management and Entrepreneurship
• Curtin University of Technology
• Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences
• HELP University
• International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance
• International Medical University
• International University College Of Technology Twintech
• INTI University
• Insaniah University College
• Industrial University of Selangor
• KBU University College
• KDU University College
• Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University
• Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur
• Linton University College
• Lincoln University College
• Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
• Mantissa College
• Multimedia University
• Melaka Manipal Medical College
• Malaysia Theological Seminary
• Malaysia University of Science and Technology
• Management and Science University
• Monash University
• Nilai University
• Open University Malaysia
• Penang Medical College
• Petronas University of Technology
• Putra Intelek International College
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Selangor International Islamic University College
• Sunway University
• SEGI University
• Taylor’s University
• Universiti Tenaga Nasional
• Tun Abdul Razak University
• TATI University College
• Tunku Abdul Rahman University
• Twintech University College of Technology
• UCSI University
• University of Kuala Lumpur
• University of Nottingham
• Unitar International University
• Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
• Universiti Malaya
• Universiti Malaysia Pahang
• Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
• Universiti Malaysia Perlis
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah
• UniversitiPertahanan Nasional Malaysia
• UniversitiPendidikan Sultan Idris
• Universiti Putra Malaysia
• UniversitiSains Islam Malaysia
• Universiti Selangor
• UniversitiSains Malaysia
• UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia
• UniversitiTun Hussein Onn Malaysia
• UniversitiTeknikal Malaysia Melaka
• UniversitiTeknologi Mara
• Universiti Utara Malaysia
• Wawasan Open University