In short: Malaysia offers international students recognised degrees, taught in English, for about USD 7,000–10,000 a year in tuition and living costs, against USD 27,000 or more in the UK and USD 30,000 or more in Australia. It is a safe, multicultural country with a straightforward student visa through EMGS, and students from more than 150 countries.
Why do international students choose Malaysia?
- A regional education hub with internationally recognised standards
- Affordable costs and English-medium programmes
- International branch campuses that award the same degree as their home universities
- A multicultural country where halal food and mosques are everywhere
- A straightforward student visa process and a safe way of life
How much cheaper is Malaysia than the UK or Australia?
| Country | Tuition and living, per year |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | USD 7,000–10,000 |
| United Kingdom | USD 27,000+ |
| Australia | USD 30,000+ |
Figures are indicative and vary by university, programme and city. The costs guide breaks the total down, and your counsellor gives you a costed plan for your own choices.
What is everyday life like?
Malaysia is multicultural: English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin are all widely spoken, and universities welcome international students from more than 150 countries. Halal food and mosques are found everywhere, on and around campus. The climate is tropical, and the currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
| Location | The heart of Southeast Asia |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Languages | English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin |
| Currency | Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) |
| Students | International students from more than 150 countries |
Is Malaysia safe for students?
Families tell us safety is their first question. Malaysia offers a settled, safe way of life, and Career Gliders adds its own support on the ground: with our partner TJS Studysteps we meet students at the airport, help them find accommodation, set up a SIM card and bank account, and run a 24/7 emergency support line in Malaysia.
Will a Malaysian degree be recognised?
Degrees from Malaysia's public and reputable private universities are widely accepted internationally. Several foreign universities, including Monash, Nottingham, Southampton and Heriot-Watt, run full campuses in Malaysia that teach the same curriculum and award the same degree as at home. Recognition in your own country is decided by its education authority, and your counsellor can tell you what applies. Malaysia can also be a first step to the UK or Australia: see credit transfer.
From Pakistan
Malaysian degrees are recognised by HEC Pakistan, and Career Gliders has an office in Islamabad. See Study in Malaysia from Pakistan.
Where do I start?
Read the guides below in order, or talk to a counsellor: counselling runs online wherever you are, and we have offices in Pakistan and Malaysia. There is no consultancy fee for private universities; a USD 500 fee applies for public universities, because their documentation and procedures take more work.
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