Cost Of Education In Malaysia

Malaysian education is characterized with 3 important attributes: Affordable education, competitive study fees & reasonable living expenses. One of the primary considerations and reasons as to why international students should pursue their tertiary studies at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia is the low cost of education involved. The only primary expenses a student will incur during their study stay here are the direct and indirect costs of study.

The exchange rate:
The exchange rate is 1 US $ = 3.50 RM (Ringgit Malaysia)

Expenditures that Students Will Incur When Studying in Malaysia
The primary expenses that students will incur while pursuing their studies in Malaysia is the direct and indirect costs. As a foreign student, you would find that these costs work out to be considerably cheaper here in this country, due to the competitive cost of education programmes which are paid in Ringgit Malaysia (RM), the good living standards at reasonable costs, as well as the overall stability of the currency exchange rates.

What are Direct and Indirect Costs?
The direct and indirect costs of education denote the main expenses that foreign students will incur during their study stay in Malaysia.

Direct Costs
As a foreign student, your direct costs will include your course/tuition fees payable to the institution, depending on the type of course that you are pursuing, as well as the duration of your study programme. Apart from the reasonable tuition fees, other related direct study expenses for a particular programme comprises some or all of the following components:

• Registration Fee
• Deposit
• Computer/Science Laboratory Fee
• Insurance Premium
• Library fee
• Other Incidental Costs

Apart from programmes that are designed to be wholly completed in Malaysia, i.e. degree awarded by foreign university branch campuses; the 3+0 foreign university degree programmes offered by some selected colleges; preparatory courses leading to professional qualification; pre-university foundation courses; English courses; and post-graduate studies; there are also other study options such as the twinning programmes (or 2+1) and validated advanced programmes, in which two years of study are done at colleges in Malaysia and the final year at host overseas university.

The Direct Cost of Study at Different Levels of Education
Students can enter private colleges/universities and public universities with either the College diplomas (Equivalent to GCSE “A” Levels or GCSE ‘O’ Level (fresh graduates from secondary schools in Somalia) qualifications. Those with ’O’ Levels must usually enter a Foundation or pre-university course, which lasts 1-1.5 years (cost fee ranging from RM8, 000-12,000 (US$2,105-3,158)

English language fluency:
Another pre-requisite for entering an undergraduate programme is competency in the English Language, and foreign students will find these courses being offered by most colleges. Since Malaysia is also a multi-racial and multi-lingual country, most Malaysians communicate in English thus making this country an ideal place to practise the language for non-native speakers.

Many institutions offer preparatory courses to prepare students to sit for internationally accepted English qualifications such as TOEFL and IELTS. These courses usually take 4-6 months and the fee ranges from RM600-1000 per level.

Generally, in order to complete an entire 3-year degree programme in Malaysia, it is estimated that a candidate of STPM/A-Levels/or equivalent qualification would need to set aside approximately RM60,000-90,000 (US$15,900-23,690) to cover the tuition fees and living expenses for a reasonably comfortable living of three years entirely in Malaysia.

The entry requirements are the completion of a pre-university programme and having the required English language proficiency. Students have many options to acquire the Bachelor’s degree qualification as indicated in the above, with many options of study areas for selection.

If your choice is to gain a professional qualification, local private colleges prepare students to sit for external examinations set by the various local and foreign examination bodies/ professional boards, which will then award the students with the qualification upon their examination success. The generally-accepted entry requirement for professional exam is A-level or its equivalent. The tutorial fee that prepares you for professional exam ranges from RM10, 000-12,000 (US$2,632-3,158) over a period of three years. 
Both public local universities as well as the private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia offer international students of MBA and other Master’s Degree and Post-Graduate programmes relatively cheap tuition fees combined with international standards of education. The tuition fee per programme is also very competitive, ranging from RM19,000-32,000 (US$5,000-8,500) for a period of 12-18 months of full-time study. 

1. Indirect Costs/Cost of Living in Malaysia
   The indirect costs pertain to the living expenses, such as accommodation and food. The costs incurred on accommodation will depend on the location that you choose to live in as well as the type of living arrangements that you prefer (i.e. twin-sharing rooms, flats, or houses).
    
2. Living and Accommodation Expenses in Malaysia:
   Studying abroad can present a picture of high expenses but foreign students who come to Malaysia to be enrolled at institutions here may well be surprised by the reasonable costs of living. The rental for accommodation, depending on the locality and the type of boarding required, are reasonable, while other expenses such as food, transportation, laundry and other essentials, based on an ordinary lifestyle, are estimated to be approximately RM500-700 (US$132-184) per month.

Types and Monthly average Cost of On-Campus Accommodation per student

Note: All costs and rental paid in RM on monthly basis. The above rental costs are only a guide. Prices of rooms can vary according to locality by state and within the same state, size of rooms, number of occupants per room, seasons, types of on-campus and off-campus accommodation and the quality of its interior furnishings.