Study in Malaysia: Education system
Talk to ExpertMalaysia is gradually becoming a popular study abroad destination and is attracting students around the globe due to its affordability, quality of life, top-notch education, and more. However, students often wonder 'Is malaysia education system good?' In this article, we will discuss the Education system in Malaysia to help you understand the country better and make an informed decision about studying in Malaysia.
With its international flavour, low crime rate, and of course, five of its universities appearing in the QS World University Rankings, Malaysia is becoming a popular study abroad destination.
The affordable cost of education and low tuition fees has made it one of the most popular international destinations for students. Education cost comprises 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 program. Other components include the living expenses which will depend on which location you are staying in, your type of accommodation and your lifestyle. Malaysia has experienced a steady economic progression and rapid infrastructural development.
Malaysia boasts more than 700 private higher educational institutions and universities. Several American and British Universities have set up their campuses in Malaysia for Malaysian as well as international students. Such universities have been set up for students who wish to study at a lower cost. All these universities and courses are approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Courses approved by a country's Ministry of Higher Education stand approved by any other country's Ministry of Higher Education worldwide.
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Also Read: Cost of Living for International Students in Malaysia
Malaysia Education System
In Malaysia, you get the opportunity of three intakes in a year. The tuition fees is comparatively low than in other countries like the UK. One can also obtain a twining degree at most of the institutes and students can transfer their credits to another country where the institute has a campus.
Malaysian students can choose to study 3 types of programmes:
- Locally run programmes
- Twining academic programmes
- Vocational, technical or skills training
Two authorities oversee the operations of public or private higher educational Institutions in Malaysia:
- Ministry of Education (MOE) looks after the pre-school to secondary education
- Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes care of the tertiary or higher education
The long-term plan of the Malaysian government is to make Malaysia a center of educational excellence.
Various Levels of Education in Malaysia
1. Primary and Secondary Education: It makes up to 11 years of free education. Primary education (a period of 6 years) and secondary education (5 years which encompasses 3 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary). For primary education, the admission age is 7 years. Primary schooling is obligatory or all children between the ages of 7 and 12. At the end of the primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels, students sit for common public examinations.
2. Post-secondary Education: After the completion of secondary education, students can opt to pursue 1 to 2 years of post-secondary education. It is the university entrance preparatory course. As an end result, the total 12 years of school education serves as the basic entry requirement into Year One of a bachelor's degree programme in higher education institutions.
3. Tertiary Education: At the tertiary level, higher learning institutions offer courses which lead to the awards of a certificate, diploma, first degree and higher degree qualifications (at academic and professional fields). The duration of study for a basic bachelor's degree programme is 3 years and the courses of study at this level are provided by both the public and private education sectors. Malaysia offers excellent MBA programmes as well.
It is further divided into two major groups:
- Public (government-funded) institutions of higher learning, for example, public universities, polytechnics, community colleges, and teacher training institutes.
- Private (private-funded) higher educational institutions (PHEIs), for example, private universities, private university colleges, foreign branch campus universities and private colleges.
4. Government-funded Educational Institutions: Through this, one can pursue more than 95% of primary and secondary education as well as about 60% of the tertiary education, with the private sector providing the balance.
5. Private-funded Educational Institutions: It is divided into two categories depending on the levels of education offered, ranging from pre-school to tertiary education.
They are mentioned below:
- Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) which provide education at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. They comprise private schools and foreign system schools.
- Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) which provide tertiary education leading to the award of certificate, diploma and degree qualifications.
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Know more about studying in Malaysia:
- Study in Malaysia: Introduction
- Eligibility conditions for studying at Malaysia
- Top courses in Malaysia
- Top 10 Universities in Malaysia
- Study in Malaysia: Are students allowed to work part time?
Malaysia Education System FAQs
Q. What is the cost of studying in Malaysia?
A. The cost of education in Malaysia is very affordable for international students. On an average, the annual tuition fee for bachelor’s courses is in the range of INR 2 L - INR 9 L. Whereas, pursuing a master’s degree course will cost you around INR 2 L - 13 L per academic year.
Q. Is education free in Malaysia?
A. The Malaysia education system comprises of three levels of education and they are - Primary and Secondary Education, Post-secondary Education, Tertiary Education. For all the Malaysian students, the government provides free education for six years at primary level and five years at secondary level. However, all the private as well as international institutions do charge the tuition fees. Malaysia as compared to all the other study abroad destinations is very affordable for Indian students as the annual tuition fee is less than 10 L. Also, the cost of living is also very cheap.
Q. Is Malaysia a good choice for study?
A. Yes, Malaysia is an emerging study abroad destination and offers world-class education for students around the globe. Some of the best reasons to pursue your higher education in Malaysia are affordable tuition fees, low cost of living, top-notch education, post-study work permit, scholarship opportunities, part-time job opportunities, and more. Also, there are a variety of streams for you to choose between. Some of them are: Computer Science, Medicine, Business, Agriculture and Veterinary, Graphic Design, and many more.
Q. Which study is best in Malaysia?
A. Malaysia is known for offering quality education at very affordable prices. Some of the best fields of study in Malaysia are listed in the table below:
| Architecture |
Computer Science |
Medicine |
| Engineering | Accounting | Business |
| Education | Humanities | Agriculture and Veterinary |
| Business Administration | Graphic Design | Hospitality Management Studies |
| Law | Marketing | Social Sciences |
| Applied and Pure Sciences | Manufacturing and Processing | Mathematics |
| Broadcasting | Culinary Arts | Economics |
| Environmental Science | Languages | Advertising |
Q. Is Malaysian degree recognized in India?
A. Yes, a degree from a Malaysian university is recognized in India. If you have pursued Medicine in Malaysia, then in order to obtain a valid license to practice in India, you will have to pass the FMGE exam. The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination is a mandatory examination required to be undertaken by all Indian citizens or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders who have pursued their medical education abroad and plan to practice in India by obtaining a provisional or permanent registration with National Medical Commission (NMC) or any State Medical Council.
Q. Is Malaysia education system good?
A. Yes, the Malaysian curriculum system is impressive as it allows students to obtain a twining degree, transfer their credits to another country where their institute has a campus and offers quality education at very affordable prices. Also, the education of Malaysia is bifurcated into three types:
- Primary and secondary education - 11 years of mandatory schooling
- Post-secondary education - 1-2 of higher education (optional)
- Tertiary education - 3 years of bachelor's degree education
This curriculum is very systematic and beneficial for students.
Q: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
- Universities in Malaysia25 Universities
- Universities in USA1037 Universities
- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in Australia122 Universities
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in Ireland32 Universities
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