Malaysia

Overview

With a unique international flavour, Malaysia is becoming an increasingly popular study abroad destination. Many international students have discovered that studying in Malaysia is a “value-for-money” option as Malaysian education offers them:

  • A wide diversity of study options to choose from (e.g. trans-national education, foreign university branch campuses, etc.)
  • competitive education cost
  • high quality education

The affordable cost of quality tertiary education is one of many good reasons why international students choose Malaysia. For example, you can acquire a UK engineering degree (3 years) in Malaysia through a 3+0 franchised degree programme at an estimated RM51,000 (USD16,000), whereas the tuition fee of the same 3-year degree programme at the host university in the UK is about RM144,000 (USD45,000) or £30,000.

The major components of education cost are:

  • Course fees which include tuition fees and other study fees payable to the institution, depending on what you are studying and the duration of your course/study programme; and
  • Living expenses which will depend on where you are staying, your type of accommodation and your lifestyle.

Malaysia is a rapidly emerging competitor in the recruitment of international students. The country hosts approximately 80,000 international students from over 100 countries, which are attracted by its first-rate higher education, relatively low tuition fees, its harmonious multicultural society, political stability and the widespread use of English.71) Since the government’s previous target of having 80,000 international students by 2010 was reached, a new target was set to attract 150,000 international students by 2015, focusing on postgraduate and sponsored international students in particular.

Cost of Studying and Living in Malaysia

The affordable cost of tertiary quality education is one of the good reasons why international students should choose Malaysia to study in. Your education cost is made up of course fees which include tuition fees and other study fees payable to the institution, depending on what you are studying and the duration of your course/study programme, and other components like the living expenses which will depend on which location you are staying in, your type of accommodation and your lifestyle.

Part time Jobs

International students are allowed to work part-time, subject to the terms and conditions. Students are allowed to work on a part-time basis during semester breaks, festive holidays or more than seven days of holiday for a maximum of 20 hours a week. International students are permitted to work in restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels except in the following positions: cashier, singer, masseur, musician, Guest Relations Officer or any activity deemed to be immoral. Students wishing to work must have a valid "Student Pass"

Scholarship

The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) for International Students is an initiative by the Malaysian Government to attract the best brains from around the world to pursue advanced academic studies in Malaysia. This scholarship aims to support Malaysian Government’s effort to attract, motivate and retain talented human capital from abroad. Talented international students with excellent academic records and outstanding co-curricular backgrounds are welcomed to apply for this scholarship and further their studies in any selected and well established Malaysian public and private universities.

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Benefits and reasons of study in Malaysia

Malaysia’s higher education system is of international standards, closely monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education, which has the vision to turn Malaysia into a Center of Excellence for Higher Education.

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) under the Ministry of Higher Education is a quality assurance body responsible for monitoring and overseeing the quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education.

Below are some very good reasons why Malaysia is the top choice of many international students:

  • High quality of education of international standard, regulated by the Ministry of Education;
  • Twinning programmes offer international students the best routes to top notch qualifications from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada or New Zealand for higher studies;
  • Relatively affordable fees of lower costs of living;
  • English is widely used as the medium of instructions preparing graduates for global market;
  • Institutions offer friendly environment and world-class facilities;
  • Simple immigration procedures for international students;
  • Malaysia is a nation which comprise of people from diverse ethnic background living in harmony, offers international students a unique learning and cultural experience;
  • Diversity in food, festivals, customs, races and languages;
  • Long history of economic and political stability.

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Admission & Visa Process

Applying for admission and visa you must have to go through a number of steps.

ASCOM counsellors will help you in making application for the university of your choice and you will provide us all documents required for the admission. The university will notify you if you have been selected to study for the particular course or not. Once you have met all conditions of admission letter we will arrange Confirmation of Acceptance Letter from university.

Required Documents for admission

  • All Academic transcripts and degrees
  • Copy of passport (all pages) /visa (if available)
  • Certificate of English proficiency (IELTS)
  • Personal Statement
  • 2 Recommendation letters
  • Experience letter (all previous work experiences)
  • V (it must include all details of work and education)
  • Research proposal (for PhD and Research students only)
  • Portfolio (for Art and Architecture students only)

Visa Application

The Malaysian Government has introduced simplified and hassle-free entry procedures to welcome international students like you to study at Malaysian public and private higher educational institutions.

A visa is required but the procedure is simple i.e. You do NOT need to apply for a visa from the Malaysian Embassy in your home country in order to enter Malaysia to study, with the exception of students from the People's Republic of China. The visa will be issued to you upon your arrival in Malaysia at the immigration check point provided you have valid travel documents and a letter of approval for a student pass by the Malaysian Immigration Department.

As an international student it is required to get the student visa and we recommend that students submit the application form and the Registration and Visa processing fee, it will take 4 - 12 weeks for Malaysia Immigration to process the Visa application for International Students.

Studying in Malaysia offers international students more than theoretical achievement and an international recognized qualification, the Malaysian educational activity will present students a wealthiest of academic knowledge and vocational skills that will be advantageous for a lifetime.

Malaysia is an increasingly popular point to get tertiary education with more than 40,000 international students from over 100 countries learning in Malaysia. It is the heart of academic and higher education excellence in the area.

 Student Visa Requirement:

  • Original passport and one photocopy of passport.
  • Visa application form
  • Two passport size photographs with blue background.
  • 1 photocopy on CNIC.
  • Original approval letter from the department of immigration from Malaysia.
  • Letter from university if applicable.
  • Payment of visa fees.
  • Invitation letter if any.

Professional advice and guidance by ASCOM Education counsellors

Your experienced ASCOM Education counsellor will be able to provide advice and guidance throughout the Malaysia student visa application process.  If you have any questions about student visas to enter the Malaysia, contact us today.

If you are visiting us for your Free Consultation, use above checklist to ensure you bring along all your documents so we can make the most of your appointment.

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Universities & Colleges in Malaysia

Part of Malaysia's plan for higher education expansion is in welcoming international branch campuses, which are run by universities based in other countries. Existing branch campuses include those operated by the UK’s University of Nottingham and Australia’s Monash University. 

Malaysia’s investment in branch campuses can be seen in the new EduCity development in Johor, at the southernmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia, just 5km north of Singapore. Due to be completed in 2018, this 350-acre campus will be shared by eight international branches run by leading universities from around the world. These include the University of Reading, the University of Southampton and Newcastle University Medicine, all hailing from the UK, as well as the Netherlands’ Maritime Institute of Technology, Singapore’s private Raffles University and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts from the US.

But, while the growing presence of overseas universities in Malaysia is broadening the country’s higher education offering, its home-grown universities should certainly not be overlooked. Malaysia’s higher education system was ranked 27th in the new QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings in 2016, reflecting the strength of its flagship universities.

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How to Apply

Usual application process for Bachelor and Masters level courses in Malaysia vary institute to institute. We give you the basic guide line and submit some important documents to apply for Malaysian university: Completed application form, copies of all educational documents, IELTS and TOEFL, copy of passport, resume, English translations of all documents submitted, medical report and students’ visa processing fee.

International students also require the students pass before coming to Malaysia. You need to apply for students pass, there are some important document to submit to get this student pass such as university acceptance letter, application form for student pass, copy of passport, medical report, and bank statement etc.

Intakes in Malaysia

There are 2 major intakes - September & January.

ASCOM Services

ASCOM offers help for selecting the best courses and institutes according to the student's interest and capability. Our team of expert counselors offers assistance in gaining admission to top notch universities of Malaysia.  Other services provided include:

  • Selection of course and university
  • Arranging admission
  • Offer acceptance s
  • Mock interviews for admission and visa
  • Visa processing
  • Pre-departure guidance

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