Why Study in Malaysia a degree?

Malaysia’s private higher education scene is a regional leader in offering globally recognized degrees through multiple flexible pathways. Since the early 1980s, Malaysian private institutions have built international partnerships and created programmes that offer excellent quality education at significantly lower costs.

Here’s a complete guide to your study options:

---

🧩 1. Twinning Degree Programmes (‘2+1’, ‘1+2’, etc.)

• Split your study between Malaysia and a foreign partner university.
• Registered with both institutions; same curriculum and exam standards.
• Partner universities from the UK, Australia, USA, New Zealand, France, Germany.
• 🔍 Savings example: Save up to RM50,000 (USD13,800) on a UK law degree.

---

🧩 2. ‘3+0’ Foreign Degree Programmes

• Complete the entire foreign university degree in Malaysia.
• Same syllabus, teaching quality, and assessment as the home university.
• 🔍 Tuition Fees for Business Degree: RM39,000 – RM52,000 (USD10,800 – 14,400)
• 🔍 Total estimated savings: RM90,000 – RM150,000 (USD25,000 – 41,600)

---

🌍 3. Foreign University Branch Campuses in Malaysia

Examples:

• Monash University Malaysia (1998) 🇦🇺
• Curtin University Sarawak (1999) 🇦🇺
• University of Nottingham Malaysia (2000) 🇬🇧
• Swinburne University Sarawak (2004) 🇦🇺

🔍 Cost Comparison Example – 3-Year Computer Science Degree:

Item	Malaysia Branch Campus	Australian Campus
Tuition Fees	RM29,400	A$23,110
Living Cost	RM12,000	A$18,000
Total Per Year	RM41,400	A$41,110
3-Year Total	RM124,200 (USD34,500)	A$123,330 (USD99,300)

🌟 Students pay Malaysian rates but can spend 1–2 semesters abroad!

---

🇲🇾 4. Degrees from Malaysian Private Universities

• Degrees fully awarded by Malaysian private universities.
• Developed internally and monitored by MQA.
• Some allow students to graduate with dual degrees through collaborations.
• 🔍 Tuition fees for full Bachelor’s degrees (3–5 years):

Area of Study	3+0 Foreign Degree (RM/USD)	Branch Campus (RM/USD)	Local University (RM/USD)
Business	RM39,000–52,000 (USD10,800–14,400)	RM48,000–84,000 (USD13,300–23,300)	RM30,000–40,000 (USD8,300–11,100)
Engineering	RM45,000–47,000 (USD12,500–13,000)	RM82,000–102,000 (USD22,700–28,300)	RM46,000–52,000 (USD12,700–14,400)
IT	RM33,000–40,000 (USD9,200–11,100)	RM52,800–84,000 (USD14,600–23,300)	RM33,000–43,000 (USD9,200–11,900)
Medicine	–	RM325,000 (USD90,300)	RM250,000–333,000 (USD69,400–92,500)
Hospitality	RM45,000–48,500 (USD12,500–13,500)	–	RM31,000–55,000 (USD8,600–15,300)
Music	RM54,000 (USD15,000)	–	RM53,000–59,000 (USD14,700–16,400)

---

🇺🇸 5. American Degree Transfer Programme

• 4-year degree: Study first 2 years in Malaysia, then transfer to the USA.
• Credits are transferable to 200+ American universities.
• Not bound to one university—students must meet individual entry requirements.

Malaysia also offers Australian, UK, Canadian university transfer programmes.

---

🧾 6. External Degree Programmes

• Popular example: University of London (Law, Management, Economics, etc.)
• Students are external candidates of the foreign university.
• The foreign university sets the curriculum and assessments.
• Tuition is local; no need to study abroad.

---

🖥️ 7. Distance Learning Degrees

• Offered by local universities like Open University Malaysia, MMU, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak.
• MQA-approved, using online modules and tutorials.
• Some in-person tutorials required.

✅ Flexible, self-paced, and lower cost.

---

🎓 8. Advanced Standing Programmes

• Diplomas from Malaysian colleges get advanced entry (Year 2 or 3) into foreign degree programmes.
• Partner universities from the UK, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, etc.
• Get a foreign degree while saving time and money.

---

💼 Professional Qualifications at PHEIs

Private colleges also support students pursuing external professional qualifications. These include:

Qualification Board	Tuition Fee (RM/USD)
ACCA (UK)	RM10,000–12,000 (USD2,800–3,300)
CIMA (UK)	RM10,000–16,000 (USD2,800–4,400)
ICSA (UK)	RM10,000–12,000 (USD2,800–3,300)

👉 Entry typically requires STPM, A Levels, or equivalent.

---

🗣️ English Language Proficiency Requirements

Test	Required Score for First Degree Entry
TOEFL	173–250 (computer-based) / 500–600 (paper-based)
IELTS	6.0–7.0
MUET	Band 3–6

---

🎯 Conclusion
Malaysia offers diverse, affordable, and globally recognized pathways to both academic degrees and professional qualifications. Whether you’re looking for a foreign degree, local university experience, or a US transfer route, PHEIs in Malaysia provide flexible, high-quality options—at a fraction of international costs.