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Study in Malaysia

With natural attractions, rich culture and gorgeous scenery, Malaysia attracts people from all over the world. The country has a unique combination of ancient and modern architecture, inspired by their mix of cultures and ethnicities. Its location makes it the perfect destination for any international student looking for a new experience for their studies.

Why choose Malaysia as an international student

The recent rapid development of the country has made it an attractive destination for all sorts of people. This has led to the culture and people being incredibly diverse, with lots of different ethnic groups and religions. You will find bustling cities, beautiful beaches and never-ending rain-forests all located in Malaysia, and lots of wildlife too. Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, which means it is home to around 20% of the world’s animal species.

The system and structure of tertiary education is run by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education. Individuals who choose to study in Malaysia for higher education can take certificate, diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate courses. There are 9 Malaysian universities in the 2023 QS World University ranking top 500. The highest ranked of these is Universiti Malaya (UM) which comes in at 70th place. Universities in Malaysia can offer high quality education alongside a unique experience.

International students wishing to study in Malaysia will need to obtain a Student Pass, which serves as a student visa. For more information about this, see our Malaysia Student Visa Guide.

Search for courses in Malaysia

Highlighted courses in Malaysia

BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Malaysia

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Master of Public Health MPH

University of Science, Malaysia (USM) Malaysia

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PhD Psychology PhD

University of Reading Malaysia Malaysia

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Diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology in Polymer UG:Diploma

Universiti Kuala Lumpur (Uni KL) Malaysia

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Product Design Postgraduate Diploma

School of The Arts (SOTA), USM Malaysia

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Master of Science in Quantity Surveying & International Procurement MSc

International Islamic University Malaysia Malaysia

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View all courses in Malaysia

More information about Malaysia

Capital City Kuala Lumpur
Currency MYR, Ringgit
Language(s) Malaysian Malay
Universities on StudyLink 13 universities
Major Student Cities Penang, Johor Bahru

Language Requirements

The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu Malaysia, but the country also has a recognised language of English.

Most courses will be offered in English at both public and private institutions. If your native language is not English, you may need to prove your language skills will meet the teaching standards. If they do not, it is common for universities to offer English proficiency courses to help you improve.

Even if you are studying a course in English, it is always recommended that you try to pick up some of the Malaysian language. Communicating with the locals and other students is the perfect way to practice, and will make learning easier. This is a skill that will look great on your CV/resume!

Read more about studying in Asia

Study in Asia

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