Study system in Malaysia

The British study system was the inspiration for the Malaysian study system. The study period is thus divided into undergraduate and postgraduate studies and leads to the Bachelor’s degree after four years (in practice-intensive subjects there are five to six). Upon request, the Master’s degree and then the research-intensive two- to four-year doctorate to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can be followed up after a further two years. In the case of foreign universities, the decisive factor is which study system prevails on the home campus.

Further degrees:

• Certificates (two years)
• Diplomas (two and a half to five years at University Colleges / Polytechnics.

However, the recognition of degrees obtained in Malaysia as part of a degree in Malaysia is not guaranteed, as there is no equivalent for these types of degrees in the German higher education system.

The Malaysian academic year is normally divided into two semesters. In July, there are two months of semester break. Depending on the university, the year is also divided into trimesters.

The study performance is measured in credit points and provided in lectures, exercises and courses. In general, there are high demands on the students, especially with regard to their own research and reading. The Universities and University Colleges usually collaborate with local research centers, enterprises and other universities.

Studying in Malaysia: requirements

According to a2zdirectory, the basic requirement for entry into a Malaysian bachelor’s degree is the general university entrance qualification for Germans. If you are aiming for a master’s degree, you should already have a bachelor’s, master’s degree, diploma or the first state examination in your pocket. You usually have to prove sufficient knowledge of English either with the TOEFL or the IELTS.

Basically, applicants need

• translated and certified copies of certificates (transcripts),
• a letter of motivation
• Passport photos
• a health certificate and
• proof of sufficient financial resources.

Since the application is made directly to the Malaysian university, the requirements for admission vary. It is best to ask them at the appropriate offices.

Malaysia is a Muslim country and you should follow special rules. This applies above all to clothing: Quite a few universities have certain regulations here and ask you to wear long clothing. Non-Muslims who stay in the country during the fasting month of Ramadan are allowed to drink, eat or smoke in public; You can only buy food during the day in larger cities

Costs and financing options

The low tuition fees and cost of living are the key advantages of studying in Malaysia. They are far below the average in other countries. Depending on the university – especially when it comes to foreign or private universities – the fees can be high.

The tuition fees range between 9,000 and 30,000 ringgit (MYR) on average, depending on the university and subject. That is around 2,250 to 9,300 euros per academic year. These fees relate to the attendance of around four courses in the semester. However, some private institutions have higher fees. It is therefore worthwhile to find out more about this beforehand and to compare the offers and prices with one another.

The Malaysian cost of living is a lot lower than in Europe, America or Australia: Fresh food and prepared meals are very cheap. For good accommodation, including food and travel expenses, you need to plan around 10,000 to 12,000 ringgit (around 2,500 to 3,000 euros) annually. Student residences offer good housing opportunities. There you can live in a double room for the equivalent of 75 euros per month. For a single apartment with air conditioning you pay around 200 euros. Another variant are shared apartments or host families.

In order to keep the financial burden within reasonable limits, there are various financing options: On the one hand, the federal government covers study, travel and living costs for one year to varying degrees through the BAföG abroad. In addition, there are various public and private foundations from politics, business and culture that grant (partial) scholarships. The Ministry of Higher Education also awards scholarships to foreign students every year. There is also the option of taking out a student loan to study in Malaysia.

Visa and entry into Malaysia

The visa requirements for entering Malaysia are relaxed compared to other Asian countries: It is sufficient to provide proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay and to present a health certificate. The respective university initiates the visa procedure directly. This means that applicants do not have to drive to the embassy themselves, but receive a student visa for Malaysia directly. However, a separate visa is required to enter the state of Sarawak. The passport should be valid for at least six months upon departure.

For a fee, you can get the obligatory Student’s Pass from the Malaysian university. By handing it out, you undertake not to take up any work during the semester and to leave the country after completing your studies.