Malaysia
Malaysia is an established regional education hub in Southeast Asia, hosting an estimated 130,000–170,000 international students and targeting 250,000 by 2027. The country combines English-taught programs, regulated public and private institutions, and internationally recognised branch campuses under a centrally managed student visa system. Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) oversees all student visa processing, ensuring standardised compliance and timelines. Malaysia’s lower tuition fees and living costs make it a cost-efficient alternative to Western destinations while maintaining internationally accredited qualifications.
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Key insights
51,270
International Students
68-70%
Employment Rate
Up to 12 months
Post Study Work Rights
20 hours
Part Time Work
RM8 to RM15
Hourly Wage For Student Level Jobs
Malaysian Qualifications Framework
Institutions Are Regulated Under National Education Quality Frameworks (TEQSA & ASQA)
Cost of Studying in Malaysia
Bachelor's (Public Universities)
6,000 - 20,000
Bachelor's (Private Universities)
15,000 - 40,000
Bachelor's (International Branch Campuses)
20,000 - 40,000
Master's (Public Universities)
8,000 - 14,000
Master's (Private Universities)
15,000 - 40,000
MBA Programs
40,000 - 90,000 (total program)
Medicine (Public)
Up to 150,000 (total program)
Medicine (Private)
Up to 110,000 (total program)
Engineering Programs
24,000 - 70,000
Bachelor's (Public Universities)
6,000 - 20,000
Bachelor's (Private Universities)
15,000 - 40,000
Bachelor's (International Branch Campuses)
20,000 - 40,000
Master's (Public Universities)
8,000 - 14,000
Master's (Private Universities)
15,000 - 40,000
MBA Programs
40,000 - 90,000 (total program)
Medicine (Public)
Up to 150,000 (total program)
Medicine (Private)
Up to 110,000 (total program)
Engineering Programs
24,000 - 70,000
Cost of Living in Malaysia
Admission Requirements for Studying in Malaysia
- Academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Certified English translations of academic documents where applicable
- Secondary school qualification equivalent to SPM, STPM, GCE A-Level, IB, or recognised Bachelor’s degree for postgraduate entry
- Academic performance meeting institution-specific minimum entry requirements
- Official offer letter from a Malaysian higher education institution approved by the Ministry of Higher Education
- Valid passport with minimum 18 months validity from expected entry date
- Passport biodata page and copies of all visa stamp pages
- Recent passport-sized photographs (35mm × 50mm, white background)
- Proof of English language proficiency for English-taught programs
- Medical examination report from an EMGS-approved clinic (pre-arrival or post-arrival as required)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from high-risk countries
- Proof of financial capacity to cover tuition fees and living expenses
- Completed visa application submitted by the institution through the EMGS portal
- Statement of Purpose for postgraduate programs
- Letters of Recommendation for postgraduate and research programs
- Curriculum Vitae for postgraduate applicants
- Letter of Eligibility (LOE) for Iranian students
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for students from Sudan and selected countries
- Release letter if transferring from another Malaysian institution
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Book A FREE ConsultationLanguage Requirements
| English Language Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
|
|
Bachelor's: 5.0-6.0 overall Master's: 6.0-6.5 overall PhD: 6.5+ overall |
|
|
Bachelor's: 46-79 overall Master's: 80-90 overall PhD: 90+ overall |
|
|
Bachelor's: 36-50 overall Master's: 50-58 overall PhD: 58+ overall |
|
|
Bachelor's: Grade C or above Master's/PhD: Grade B or above |
|
|
Band 3-4 depending on program level |
|
Bachelor's: 5.0-6.0 overall Master's: 6.0-6.5 overall PhD: 6.5+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: 46-79 overall Master's: 80-90 overall PhD: 90+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: 36-50 overall Master's: 50-58 overall PhD: 58+ overall |
|
Bachelor's: Grade C or above Master's/PhD: Grade B or above |
|
Band 3-4 depending on program level |
Visa Requirements
Malaysia Study Visa requirements:
- Valid passport with minimum 18 months validity from expected entry date
- Passport biodata page and all pages containing visa stamps (color copies)
- Acceptance letter from Malaysian higher education institution registered with EMGS
- Completed online visa application through EMGS portal submitted by university
- Recent passport-sized photographs with white background (35mm x 50mm)
- Academic transcripts and certificates from previous studies with English translations
- English language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or equivalent)
- Pre-arrival medical examination report from EMGS-approved clinic (if applicable)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if from high-risk countries
- Financial proof: Bank statements, sponsor letters, or scholarship confirmation demonstrating ability to cover fees and expenses
- EMGS processing fee payment: MYR 1,600 (excluding SST, increased July 1, 2025), renewal MYR 250 (excluding SST)
- Total estimated first-year visa costs: MYR 2,000-2,500 (approximately USD 450-560) including EMGS fees, medical screening, and insurance
- Letter of Eligibility (LOE) for Iranian students from Ministry of Science, Research & Technology
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Sudanese students from Ministry of Higher Education
- Release letter if transferring from another Malaysian institution
- Health insurance coverage (typically included in EMGS fees)
Intakes in Malaysia
|
Intake |
Application Timeline |
|
February/March - Main Intake 40% of admissions |
September - November previous year |
|
July/August - Primary Intake 45% of admissions |
February - April current year |
|
October/November - Limited Intake 15% of admissions |
June - August current year |
Post-Study Work Opportunities in Malaysia
|
Field |
Average Salary (MYR/Year) |
Employment Rate |
|
Software Engineering |
36,000 - 60,000 |
88% |
|
IT & Computer Science |
30,000 - 50,000 |
86% |
|
Engineering (All) |
30,000 - 48,000 |
85% |
|
Business & Finance |
32,000 - 52,000 |
82% |
|
Healthcare Professions |
30,000 - 50,000 |
91% |
|
Data Analytics |
35,000 - 55,000 |
87% |
Scholarships in Malaysia
|
Scholarship Name |
Administered By |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
|
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) |
Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) |
Outstanding international postgraduate students with excellent academic records |
Full tuition fees, monthly allowance, medical insurance, airfare (competitive selection) |
|
ASEAN Scholarships |
Malaysian Government |
Students from ASEAN member countries for undergraduate and postgraduate studies |
Varies by program: partial to full tuition coverage, living allowances |
|
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) |
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
Commonwealth country citizens for postgraduate research programs |
Full tuition, living expenses, travel allowance, thesis grant |
|
University-Specific Merit Scholarships |
Individual Malaysian Universities |
High-achieving international students based on academic excellence |
10-50% tuition fee reduction, renewable based on GPA maintenance |
|
University Need-Based Scholarships |
Individual Malaysian Universities |
International students demonstrating financial constraints |
Varies by institution: 25-75% tuition coverage |
|
Early Application Discounts |
Select Private Universities |
Students applying and confirming enrollment early |
5-15% tuition fee reduction |
|
Sibling Scholarships |
Various Malaysian Universities |
Students with siblings enrolled at same institution |
10-20% tuition fee discount |
|
Corporate Scholarships |
Private Companies, Foundations |
Students meeting specific criteria (field of study, nationality, merit) |
Partial to full tuition coverage depending on sponsor |
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About PFEC Global
Beginning in 2006, PFEC Global’s expertise in student migration consultancy evolved from a single Melbourne office to a multinational presence, spanning Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. We proudly represent international educational institutions, turning students' dreams into reality.