Malaysia : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

The higher education system in Malaysia is similar to the UK. Students can receive certificates, diplomas, degrees, Masters and PhD qualifications. The main difference is the higher number of private universities in Malaysia.

There are government-funded institutions and private institutions in Malaysia. Government-funded institutions include public universities, polytechnics and colleges. Private institutions include non-university status institutions such as private colleges, university status institutions such as private universities and foreign university branch campuses (e.g. Monash University Malaysia and the University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus).

What courses are available?

Postgraduate qualifications most commonly take the form of Masters or PhDs. These take one to five years to complete depending on the qualification you study.

At private universities, all courses are taught in English. At public universities, undergraduate degrees are taught in Bahasa Malaysia, but most postgraduate programmes are taught in English.

Where can I study?

If applying to a private university or foreign university branch, check whether they are licensed and approved to accept international students. Private universities need to be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education - Malaysia  and courses need to be approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency . In addition, the institution has to be licensed by another regulatory body such as the Ministry of Home Affairs - Malaysia .

The situation at public universities is different. All public universities can accept international students, but acceptance is dependent on the availability of places and the eligibility of the prospective student.

Full listings of courses, institutions and other useful information are available online at Study Malaysia .

Universities Worldwide  enables you to search for universities in Malaysia. You can also search for Malaysian universities according to their ranking using Top Universities  and the Times Higher Education University Rankings .

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

All UK undergraduate qualifications are acceptable when applying to postgraduate courses in Malaysia. Specific entry requirements are available in university prospectuses and on university websites.

When do I apply?

There is no specific closing date for postgraduate programmes, but you should be prepared well in advance and ideally make your application six to eight months before the start of the course. Check with universities for specific details.

How do I apply?

International students should apply directly to institutions regardless of whether they are private or public universities. Details of how to apply will be available on institution websites. From there, you can either request an application form or, in some cases, complete the application online.

Personal statements are a key part of the application process, so ensure that you do adequate preparation and ensure it is the best it can be.

Study Malaysia  has guidance on completing an application for postgraduate study in Malaysia.

How much will it cost?

Compared to fees for postgraduate study in the UK, the cost in Malaysia is low. Fees vary from institution to institution.

The cost of living in Malaysia is much lower than in the UK.

Are any scholarships available?

Funding assistance is available at Malaysian universities. The availability depends on the subject of study, the class of your first degree and whether your postgraduate study is taught or via research. Research tends to attract the greatest amount of grants, which often come from industry. The competition for grants is fierce.

Examples of potential sources of funding for postgraduate students include:

• scholarships: many universities offer scholarships for postgraduate study. Individual institutions can advise on what is available;
• teaching assistantships: it is common for postgraduates to earn money through teaching on undergraduate programmes. The type of work depends on your field of study but can include laboratory supervision, leading tutorials and marking papers. This type of work can be very time-consuming;
• research assistantships: postgraduates may find work within their department helping with research projects;
• university fellowships: these are awarded on merit and depend on you being recommended by your department.

Additional information on sources of funding for postgraduate study is available from Study Malaysia .

Are there any exchange programmes?

The University of Nottingham - Malaysia Campus  and Monash University  both have campuses based in Malaysia with exchange schemes available for their students.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

The Malaysian education system is very similar to the one in the UK. Malaysian postgraduate degrees are comparable with Masters and PhD qualifications from around the world.