Cost of Living for International Students in Malaysia
Cost of Living in Malaysia: Want to study abroad but have a limited budget? Well, consider Malaysia as a study destination! Top-ranked universities and the affordable cost of living in Malaysia are attracting many international students. According to the QS Best Student Cities 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam are some of the best Malaysian cities.
To give you an idea about the cost of living in Malaysia, an Indian student needs INR 39,308 (2,256.9RM) per month on average. This amount does not include the house rent. Understanding the total living expenses of a study destination is important for you in the beginning. This helps you to create a financial plan for upcoming expenses while studying in Malaysia.
Related reads: Study in Malaysia: Education System
Cost of Living in Malaysia for Indians
The living expenses in Malaysia for Indian students are generally higher than in India. However, it is more affordable than in other developed nations like the USA, UK, Canada, etc. Note that, the total cost of living in Malaysia depends on the lifestyle and spending habits of students.
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According to Numbeo, a budget of INR 39,308 per month is sufficient for a single student to live in Malaysia. This budget excludes accommodation, with options for rent outside the city at INR 19,000 per month and within the city at INR 26,000 per month.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is known for being a budget-friendly option for students. According to the US News, Malaysia is the 6th most affordable country in the world followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and India.
Tuition Fees for Malaysia
Tuition fee is a major expense when considering studying abroad in Malaysia. Here is an overview of the average tuition fee range for UG and PG courses.
- Undergraduate Courses: INR 2 lakhs to INR 9 lakhs per year
- Postgraduate Courses: INR 2 lakhs to INR 13 lakhs per year
Below, we have mentioned a table that provides you with information about the tuition fees of different universities. These are just an average overview. Actual fees may vary depending on the specific program and university.
List of Universities |
PG Course |
UG Course |
---|---|---|
INR 8 L - 10 L |
INR 3 L |
|
INR 2 L |
INR 2 L |
|
INR 6 L |
INR 2.8 L |
|
INR 3 L |
INR 3 L |
|
INR 6 L |
INR 4 L |
|
INR 13L |
INR 9 L |
Accommodation Cost in Malaysia
A secure and comfortable space to live. This is all an international student wants during their higher studies. Sometimes, they need to a big amount just to live near the city. The rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Malaysia is between 1,500 RM and 1,600 RM (INR 26,155 and INR 27,900). Living outside the urban area may reduce your rent.
It is advisable that if you can share your accommodation with other students then choose shared apartments to live in. By this, you can save money on accommodation expenses. Know about the range of rent in Malaysia from the table provided below:
Rent in Malaysia |
Average Rent Cost per month in Malaysia |
---|---|
Rent Apartment (1 Bedroom) in City Centre |
1565 RM |
Rent Apartment (1 Bedroom) Outside City Centre |
1129 RM |
Rent Apartment (2 Bedroom) in City Centre |
2856 RM |
Rent Apartment (2 Bedroom) Outside City Centre |
1886 RM |
Also Read: Top 10 Universities in Malaysia
Cost of Grocery in Malaysia?
Living cost in Malaysia is extremely student friendly with the cost of food items in Malaysia being economically priced to be available to all. While basic items such as a litre of Milk would cost you 6.82RM, a loaf of fresh bread would cost you 3.21RM and if you are looking for something fancy, a kilo of local cheese would come at a price of 53.86RM. For an elaborate list of prices of food items in Malaysia, check out the table below:
Food in Malaysia |
Average Cost of Food |
---|---|
Milk (1 Litre) |
7.18 RM |
A loaf of Fresh Bread (500gms) |
3.80 RM |
Eggs (a dozen) |
8.58 RM |
Rice (1 kilo) |
4.45 RM |
Chicken Breasts (1kg | Boneless) |
17.63 RM |
Apples (1 kilo) |
11.00 RM |
Banana (1 kilo) |
5.51 RM |
Orange (1 kilo) |
11.35 RM |
Tomato (1 kilo) |
5.74 RM |
Potato (1 kilo) |
3.76 RM |
Onion (1 kilo) |
4.48 RM |
Water (1.5 Litres) |
2.49 RM |
Local Cheese (1 kilo) |
53.86 RM |
Source: Numbeo
Transportation Cost
As a student living in Malaysia, you should know the expected expenses during your study here. You should use the public transport system that will help you to save money and convenience. Check the table below to have an overview of transportation.
Methods of Transportation | Cost of transportation |
---|---|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.00 RM |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 50.00 RM |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 4.00 RM |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 3.00 RM |
Miscellaneous Living Expenses in Malaysia
Other than necessary expenses, you have to keep a budget for miscellaneous expenses such as clothing, entertainment, eating out and more. Here we have mentioned a table that will help you to get an overview about the extra expenses that you need.
Utilities Prices in Malaysia |
Average Cost of Utilities |
---|---|
Clothing Shopping |
500.00 RM |
Entertainment |
50.00 RM |
Utility Bills (Internet, Phone Bill, Electricity Bill) |
200.00 RM Per month |
Outside Dining | 100 RM Per Month |
Living in a foreign land would definitely come with its pros and cons, however, with the number of opportunities that Malaysia has in store for its students, it is definitely a risk worth undertaking. Malaysia is a favourite among international students because of its extensive use of the English language in its institutions of higher education. The country also allows students to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week only during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days to help with their cost of living in Malaysia. Students can also look at the various scholarships available to them on their university website. Often described as a land of opportunities, Malaysia is a student’s paradise.
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Q: Â Is it hard to get into Uni Teknologi Malaysia?
University of Teknologi Malaysia is a moderately competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 60%. This figure tells us that almost 60 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is more than half of all the applicants. Therefore, once an applicant fulfills University Teknologi Malaysia Johor admission requirements i.e.; competitive grades, standardized test scores, English language requirements as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure an admission to the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.
Q: Â What are the best things for University Technology Malaysia students to do on weekends?
According to some of student reviews over an unofficial source, students can take part in the following activities:
- You can go out of the campus and explore different types of food and go for shopping
- In the campus, you can play all kinds of sports such as cricket, football, tennis, basketball, etc.
- Enjoy watching movies at the theatres
- Have barbecue in Desaru beach
- Enjoy Kota Tinggi waterfall
- Check out different malls like Paradigm Mall, Aeon Mall, Central Square, etc.
- Visit Danga Bay
- Try hiking at Tanjung Piai
Q: Â How much does it cost to study at UTM Malaysia?
UTM Malaysia cost for international students can be checked from the table given below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
---|---|
MS (5 courses) | INR 38 K - 5 L |
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 5 L |
BE / BTech (4 courses) | INR 4 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 3 L - 5 L |
BE7 PG (1 course) | INR 3 L |
Executive MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 4 L |
BBA (2 courses) | INR 1 L - 4 L |
Living Cost
The cost of living for international students studying at UTM is low compared to international students. The living cost will vary from USD 200 – USD 400 a month depending on individual needs and lifestyle. The accommodation for on-campus students is around USD 120 – 250 per month. On the other hand, the off-campus accommodation cost can vary from USD 100 – USD 500 per month.
Also Read: BBA4 of Living for International Students in Malaysia
Q: Â Will the degree from University of Nottingham (UK) be of same value as University of Nottingham (Malaysia)?
The University of Nottingham campuses in China and Malaysia will provide the degree to the students with the same equal value. The campuses will follow the UK learning and teaching style for the students to get the similar environment. This degree will be fully official in the UK with automatic recognition, as well as it will be valid in Malaysia and China respectively.
The quality of teaching will also remain equivalent along with the academic standards that are decided by the entire Nottingham University and the campuses follow its governance. The quality of teaching and learning at the University of Nottingham China campus has also been compared to the main flagship campus in UK. These are some of the reasons why the degree in the Malaysia and China campuses will be of the same value as in UK.
Q: Â How can I get into UTM Malaysia?
UTM Malaysia admission requirements vary as per the undergraduate and graduate courses. The admission requirements are given below:
Undergraduate
- The applicants are required to have a Senior High School Certificate or equivalent pre-university qualification
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements
The applicants are required to pass the Faculty interview (if applicable)
Master’s Degree
- The applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with good honors from UTM Malaysia or any other institute of higher learning recognised by the State
OR
- The applicants should have a qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and experience in the relevant field recognised by the Senate
Doctoral Degree
- The applicants should have at least a master’s degree
Q: Â What are the entry requirements for the MSc Software Engineering course of UTM Malaysia?
UTM entry requirements for international students for an MSc Software Engineering course are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree
- IELTS Academic with 6.0 score / TOEFL with a score of 60 / PTE with 69 overall score
- Application materials like academic transcripts, English language proficiency certificate, copy of passport, passport size photograph, etc.
Q: Â How is applying to Mahsa University different from applying to other Universities in Malaysia?
Depending on a number of variables, applying to Mahsa University in Malaysia could be different from applying to other universities in the nation as it entails particular steps and regulations which makes it different from the other Malaysian Universities. Students perspectives on their time at Mahsa University, especially in the medical sector, might shed light on the institution's administration, faculty, and general standard of instruction, which makes it different from other institutions.
Q: Â How is applying to AIMST University different from applying to other Universities in Malaysia?
Applying to AIMST University different from applying to other Universities in Malaysia in several ways.
Firstly, the institute admits the students based on the merit without interview. They are judged only on the basis of pre interview criteria. Morever, AIMST University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields such as medicine, engineering, business, and social sciences. The other universities also includes the interviews. Here the english proficiency exam accepted is only IELTS anfd TOEFL.
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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