Everything You Need To Know About Courses In Malaysia

Overview

Malaysia has steadily been developing into an attractive destination for international students pursuing overseas education. It is because of affordable tuition rates, a very high quality of life, and a world-class education system. With a substantial number of courses being offered at different colleges, it can be extremely perplexing for an individual. The individual is unable to decide which course to pursue during their foreign education journey. In this regard, this article introduces the most in-demand courses in Malaysia, along with key facts about them.

Malaysia is turning out to be a preferred destination for the international students seeking to study abroad. Not only are the education costs low, the education standards of the institutions are high along with the exposure of living in a multicultural environment. Malaysia offers more than 150 institutions of higher learning with programs including Business Administration, Engineering, Medicine, Information Technology, among many others. 

A large number of Indian students tend to gravitate toward well-known programs such as MBA degrees and different branches of engineering. If you are considering Malaysia to be your study destination and you are feeling really confused about which course will suit you the best, then there is no need to stress. We will help you to choose the best courses in Malaysia.

Popular courses in Malaysia

Various courses in Malaysia entice international students. Undoubtedly, these courses are meant for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Here is the chart mentioned below: 

Course Area	Specialization
Business	Finance, Management, Marketing, HR, Accounting
Engineering	Electrical, Civil, Mechanical
Information Technology (IT)	Software Development, Cybersecurity, Data Science
Medicine & Health	MBBS, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing
Hospitality	Hotel Management, Travel & Tourism
Humanities	Sociology, Psychology, Literature

Business & Management 

Business and management courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels are among the most sought-after Courses offered by various institutions. These courses are appealing to international students because of the growing economy that Malaysia has as well as its ties with Southeast Asia. It is one of the most popular courses in Malaysia. 

Key programs: 

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Management principles, International business, Marketing and Finance. 
• Master of Business Administration (MBA): Career enhancement and leadership skills. 
• Accounting & Finance: Auditing, Cashiering, Corporate Finance and Banking
• Human Resource Management: Recruitment, growing fields with a corporate demand. 

Reasons to choose this course 

• Business degrees from Malaysian universities may come with projects, internships, and exposure to global experiences.
• Programs often provide English-medium education, which meets the needs of international students looking for courses in Malaysia for foreigners.
• The students can go for a career in finance, consultancy, marketing, or even start their businesses.

Engineering

Many international students visit Malaysia to pursue engineering courses. It is one of the most popular courses in Malaysia. It has been made possible by the best industrial sector, technology investments, and infrastructure. 

Specializations: 

• Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering: The most important engineering fields across various industries. 
• Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Science: Thanks to this field for the growth of the manufacturing and research sectors. 
• Computer and Software Engineering: A blend of technology with enhanced system design. 

Advantages of this course

• Due to automation and AI, much of the focus is shifting towards robotics and embedded systems.
• There is no doubt that the Malaysian Engineering universities hold a stronger reputation. 
• Practical labs and industrial training are a part of the engineering programs. 

Information Technology 

Undoubtedly, information technology is one of the most booming industries in today’s competitive world. Many international students rely on the digital career and choose this course. Unlike engineering, information technology is one of the most successful courses in Malaysia. 

Programs: 

• Software Engineering & Computer Science: Core programming and systems design.
• Data Science & Big Data Analytics: Very relevant to the global data jobs.
• Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics: Major requirement because of cyber fraud and threats. 
• AI & Machine Learning: Tech skills are in high demand. 

Reason behind the popularity of this course

These courses are found particularly attractive on account of the growing tech sector in Malaysia, apart from its digital transformation initiatives. Moreover, several schools provide IT programs with English as the medium of instruction and thus attract a truly international cohort. There is a huge demand for these courses in Malaysia.

Medical 

Malaysia’s medical infrastructure is enhanced. Hence, there is a huge need for healthcare programs in the country. It has been observed that many medical graduates from Malaysia have greater credibility in the international market. Medicine is also one of the most popular courses in Malaysia. 

Key points: 

• Nursing and Public Health: Critical support functions within health care organizations.
• MBBS (Medicine and Surgery): This is a premier medical degree which attracts a large number of international students.
• Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences Gives a solid basis for a career in pharmacy.

Why study health science? 

• Some of the medical and health degrees in Malaysia may include clinical and research components.
• These courses in Malaysia are attractive to foreigners because of their recognition and relatively lower tuition compared to those offered by Western programs.

Hospitality 

Hospitality and tourism management courses in Malaysia are popular. It has become possible due to Malaysia’s vibrant culture, astounding landscapes and booming tourism industry. 
Key programs: 

• Hotel & Resort Management: Practical training for service excellence.
• Travel & Tourism Operations: Skills for global tourism jobs.
• Culinary Arts & Events Management: Creative, yet structured diplomas & degrees.

Why this course? 

Such courses cater perfectly well to students who want global careers in tourism, luxury hospitality, and events. Internships at Malaysia's best hotels and resorts effectively bridge theory and practice.

Creative Arts 

When it comes to creative and multimedia arts, Malaysia never steps back. You will get the finest alternatives. If you want to excel in the creative field, then it is one of the most popular courses in Malaysia. 

Courses: 

• Graphic and Multimedia Design
• Animation & Film Production
• Interior & Fashion Design
• Digital Media & Advertising

There is no doubt that the programs are meant for amalgamating creative thinking with practical studio work and digital tools. It allows students to prepare for a global, creative future. Graphic design is among the top-rated courses in Malaysia for foreigners. 

Humanities and Law 

Although the natural sciences and tech subjects lead the pack in academics, courses in Malaysia also offer popular programs in legal studies. Moreover, it includes social sciences.

Examples: 

• Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology: Relevance in Public Service, Research, and Nonprofits.
• Bachelor of Laws: It is also known as LLB. A nurturing career in legal practice. 

These courses are suitable for students who want to pursue a successful career in the legal field. Undoubtedly, there are ample opportunities for success in this field. It is also regarded as one of the successful courses in Malaysia. 

Professional and short-term courses

For an enhanced career Malaysia also offers other professional and short term courses. These courses in Malaysia are for upskilling and specialized careers. 

Examples: 

• Digital Marketing and E-Commerce: Short, industry-aligned programs with practical case studies.
• Professional Certificates in Business Management: For working professionals

Such courses are among the most attractive choices for foreign nationals in Malaysia. It is for those who are already employed and seek specific skill enhancements. Nowadays, everyone is doing these courses in Malaysia.

Eligibility criteria

When applying for the best courses in Malaysia here are the eligibility criteria. This cannot be ignored: 

Course	Requirement
Bachelor	75% marks with Unified Exam Certificate, STPM, Matriculation Certificate
Masters	Bachelor’s in the required field
PhD	Master’s in the required field, Bachelor’s with a better CGPA (3.70+)

For foreigners who are not from an English-speaking country, they need to present IELTS or TOEFL scores. Majority of the courses in Malaysia do not require SAT/GRE scores.

Tuition fees

Before opting for the courses in Malaysia, you need to be aware of the tuition fees. The fees are decided according to the course level: 

Course Level	Annual Tuition Fees (MYR)	Monthly Cost of Living (MYR)
Undergraduate	7,500 – 30,000	1,200 – 2,500
Postgraduate (Master's)	10,000 – 40,000	1,200 – 2,500
Ph.D.	15,000 – 45,000	1,200 – 2,500

Bachelor degree courses

Malaysia offers affordable study pathways for students with GCE A-Levels, SAM, or other equivalent pre-university qualifications to pursue a full three-year bachelor's degree. This is why Malaysia is an attractive destination for higher education.

Area	Estimated Tuition Fee (MYR)	Study Tenure
Business	MYR 24,000	3 years
Engineering	MYR 3,000 – MYR 180,000	4 years (Australian degree), 3 years (UK degree)
IT	MYR 57,000 – MYR 79,000	3 years
Hospitality & Tourism	MYR 3,600 – MYR 37,000	3 years
Medicine	MYR 350,000 – MYR 550,000 (approx.)	5 years
Pharmacy	MYR 150,000 – MYR 250,000	4 years

There is no doubt that the government funds these public universities. Moreover, they are governed as self-managed universities.

Finest universities in Malaysia

Malaysia stands out for its finest universities and institutions. They offer the best courses, and international students take admission to these institutions. Here is the list of the universities. 

Universiti Malaya (UM)

It is Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranking public university, and it is ranked among the top universities globally. It is situated in Kuala Lumpur, which gives students exposure to Malaysia’s economic center. When it comes to the best courses in Malaysia the university never steps back. The university is popular for outstanding programs in engineering and medicine. 

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 

A research-intensive university housed in the state of Penang, which is a major research university in Malaysia recognized by the government. The university solely emphasizes on scientific research. Besides that it also has some popular science, engineering and pharmacy programs. Moreover, the advanced laboratories and research centres are attractive points for the international students. 

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

It is one of the best engineering and technology universities in Malaysia. Moreover, it has a strong presence in Johor Bahru and a campus in Kuala Lumpur. Respected for engineering, architecture, information technology, and technology courses. Industry linkages and applied learning are strong in this university. Hence, if you are looking for Engineering courses in Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi is the most preferred option. 

Monash University 

If you want to avail of an Australian education at an affordable cost, Monash University is the best. Monash University Malaysia is the Malaysian branch campus. The real Monash University branch is in Australia. It is among the world's best universities. The degrees offered are the same as those in Australia. After securing admission to this university, you will have an opportunity to transfer to Australia throughout the course.

Taylor’s University 

Taylor’s University is a leading Malaysian private university with a strong reputation for its industry-related programs and contemporary infrastructure. It has top-rated programs for business, management, and hospitality studies. Moreover, it collaborates with multinationals and hotels. If you are looking for hospitality management courses in Malaysia Taylor’s is the appropriate option.