Malaysia
The method of application depends on the company you are applying to. Large employers almost always recruit using online application forms. Smaller employers are more likely to ask for a CV and covering letter.
CVs and covering letters follow a similar format to those in the UK. Include your personal details, education and qualifications, professional experience and language and computer skills. Present it in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent information first. It should be no longer than two pages.
For guidance on writing a Malaysian CV, use the Graduan website and GRADMalaysia .
Make sure you know about the company you are applying to and be prepared to demonstrate your skills and experience. Print a copy of your CV and covering letter and bring it with you to the interview, as well as the originals and copies of other certificates.
To find out if your UK qualifications will be recognised, contact UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .
If you are planning to live and work in Malaysia, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Check university websites for academic jobs.
You can also use the Malaysia Yellow Pages to search for ‘employment agencies’.
Other Malaysian newspapers are listed on Kidon Media-Link.
Websites such as Graduan include a list of employers in Malaysia which can be consulted to find links to employer websites and their vacancies.
Networking can be very productive in Malaysia. Developing and maintaining a list of contacts may help you discover the hidden job market. Companies often look favourably on a proactive approach. Your university’s alumni association may have a networking scheme available or might be able to put you in touch with Malaysian graduates. The UK Alumni Network (UKAN) and the British Council Malaysia also promote networking.
Not all employers offer formal work placements and internships. Those who do offer them tend to be the larger employers. Internships are similar to those in the UK and usually last between one and three months. They are open to undergraduates and recent graduates. Employers often use internships to help them recruit onto their graduate programmes. Graduan has a list of employers with placement opportunities.
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) offers paid placements in countries throughout the world including Malaysia.
Teaching English is a popular option in Malaysia, and various opportunities exist including private tutoring for children. TEFL courses are run in Malaysia, details of which are available on the British Council Malaysia website.
There are many international organisations offering voluntary work opportunities in Malaysia. Travellers Worldwide offers different types of volunteer options including orangutan conservation. i-to-i and Real Gap Experience organise volunteer and gap year opportunities including teaching, community work and conservation.
For short-term opportunities, consider applying to recruitment agencies. They often have short-term work that could be appropriate and available during your vacations. Check with employers and embassies, such as the High Commission of Malaysia, London , about any permit or visa requirements for short-term employment in Malaysia.
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).
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Additional information on sources of funding for postgraduate study is available from Study Malaysia .
The University of Nottingham - Malaysia Campus and Monash University both have campuses based in Malaysia with exchange schemes available for their students.
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.
Malaysia has stringent laws prohibiting foreigners from working in the country without authorisation and frequently detains or deports illegal workers. Therefore, visitors and expatriates should strictly follow immigration laws and regulations.
All people entering Malaysia must possess valid national passports or other internationally recognised travel documents valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. UK nationals on social and business purposes can visit Malaysia for up to three months without a visa, with the possibility of a two-month extension.
To stay in the country for longer or to work during your stay, you will need to be studying and have an offer from a university, or a sponsor, usually an employer. As well as the necessary entry visa, you will also need one of the following entry or work passes:
If you are not a UK national, contact the Malaysian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the High Commission of Malaysia, London .
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Malaysia.
Necessary visas should be obtained before entering the country. The documentation for a work permit can be a tricky and often lengthy process. You should use the information provided by the Immigration Department of Malaysia . If you have gained work, your employer should organise your work permit for you.
The Malaysian Government is backing a scheme called Malaysia My Second Home , which encourages foreigners who fulfil specific criteria to remain in the country on a multiple-entry social visit pass. This is initially for ten years but can be renewed.
Government employment offices are located throughout Malaysia and provide assistance to both jobseekers and employers. The Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia has a range of online services including Jobs Malaysia , a job-matching service. Potential employers can obtain detailed information on jobseekers who are registered with this employment service.
University careers services in Malaysia are usually part of institution counselling units and have limited resources. Careers service websites tend to be restricted to basic contact information.
University careers support in Malaysia is usually only available to students of each particular institution.
In an emergency, initial contact should be with the British High Commission - Malaysia . They are able to help if you are the victim of crime, seriously ill or injured or have been arrested. The information on their website includes a list of the services they offer, as well as general advice to British nationals travelling to Malaysia.
In an emergency, call 999 from a landline for the police or an ambulance, or 112 from a mobile.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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