Malaysia
Located in the heart of tropical South East Asia, Malaysia has a growing higher education sector, which could make it an ideal destination for postgrads hoping to study abroad
Higher education institutions in Malaysia can be divided into:
A number of universities are ranked in the QS World University Rankings , including the University of Malaya (156) and the National University of Malaysia (261).
These will depend on the postgraduate course you want to study, and the university you'd like to attend. So make sure you do your research and get in touch with your chosen university to ensure you're fully aware of the entry requirements for your course.
However, to get onto the majority of postgraduate courses, you will usually require an undergraduate degree. Depending on the programme, this first degree might be in any subject or a related discipline.
In the case of Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses, a recognised Bachelors degree with at least a 2:2 in any field, plus two to three years of relevant working experience, is usually required.
For a list of Malaysian institutions and details of some of the courses they offer, visit PostgradMalaysia.com - Where to Study .
The cost of higher education at Malaysian universities differs depending on the type of course you take and where you study. However, the cost of study is competitive on average compared to other countries around the world.
A Masters degree at a public university will cost an estimated 1,800 Malaysian ringgit (MYR) (£387) - MYR 6,000 (£1,290) per academic year, according to Study Malaysia and the Study in Malaysia Handbook,
An MBA at a public university will cost approximately MYR 13,000 (£2,800) - MYR 25,000 (£5,380), while at a private university you could expect it to cost between MYR 21,000 (£4,500) - MYR 30,000 (£6,450).
The cost of living in Malaysia is also relatively cheap. The average total cost of living per month - taking into account rent, food, travel and other essentials - is between MYR 700 (£150) and MYR 900 (£195), according to Education Malaysia .
Universities award funding to prospective postgraduate students depending on a number of factors, such as the university's budget, the funding options available, and the student's individual circumstances, chosen course and academic background.
To find out what funding might be available for you, make sure you get in touch with your chosen university.
The Malaysian government also offers some scholarships for international students. For example, the Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) are awarded to nominated students who are from Commonwealth countries and have a minimum of a 2:1 at undergraduate level, or excellent results at Masters level.
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies and Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) are also available.
For more information about the funding opportunities and their criteria, visit Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education - Scholarships for International Students .
Postgraduates studying at a UK university with a branch in Malaysia or an association with a Malaysian institution may be offered the option of studying at the foreign campus for a semester, or even a full academic year. This will come at a cost, which will be decided by your specific university, as too will the programme's entry requirements and application process.
Furthermore, the University of Malaya Student Exchange Programme (UMSEP) gives international students the chance to study taught or research courses at the campus for a single semester. Further information on the scheme can be found at University of Malaya - Exchange Programme .
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, to qualify as a student suitable for study in the country, you must:
It is also important to consider that international students are only permitted to study at private institutions approved by both the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In addition, all international students, whether on a full-time course or an exchange programme, are required to have a valid Student Pass and visa.
To find out more about the process of applying for a visa and Student Pass, visit StudyMalaysia.com - Entering Malaysia to Study .
The country has a growing economy that offers some good opportunities for highly skilled foreign workers in a range of different industries
The economy in Malaysia is currently growing at a steady pace, having transformed itself over the past 30 years from a producer of raw materials to a vast, multi-industry economy.
More than half of the country's labour force are based in the tertiary sector - also known as the services sector.
The second biggest employer is industry, which is made up of the lucrative oil, gas and biotechnology sectors, followed by agriculture.
There are some labour shortages in the country, with certain industries' growth outstripping the supply of skilled workers. These include:
In addition, there are some skills gaps that have been reported by companies across the country, who state they are in need of more candidates with:
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is also in demand in Malaysia. For more information about TEFL, and to search for jobs in the country, see TEFL.com .
Search for jobs in Malaysia at:
It can sometimes be difficult to find work experience in the country as, other than larger organisations, not all employers offer formal opportunities.
However, it is possible to find details of some available work experience and internships at Graduan .
In addition, sending speculative applications might help your chances of securing work experience if it appears there are no opportunities being advertised.
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
A great way of improving your CV and amassing work experience is by undertaking voluntary work. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in Malaysia, many of which offer you the chance to help care for wildlife. However, there are some options to work with children and the disabled.
Some volunteering organisations that list Malaysia as a destination include:
Malay - officially known as Bahasa Malaysia - is the official language of Malaysia and is also spoken in neighbouring Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.
Despite this, the majority of the population have English as their second language, with the language being a compulsory subject in all schools. As a result, most of the population are at least conversational in English, meaning you won't necessarily need to be proficient in Malay to secure a job.
However, make sure you check the specific criteria requested for the job role you are interested to clarify the language requirements.
It is extremely important for foreigners to follow the strict Malaysian immigration laws that exist if they want to work in Malaysia.
The government is reluctant to allow foreign workers into the country, concerned that it will reduce the job prospects of Malaysian nationals. In most cases, therefore, in order to work for a Malaysian company, the organisation must be able to prove that a national is unwilling or unable to do the job.
Once you have found a job, the firm in question must then apply to the local government for a work permit, of which there are three:
Employment pass - This tends to be given to talented foreign workers - expatriates - with a specialism in a particular area. To be classified as an expatriate, the candidate must have a job offer for a top managerial post at a foreign-owned company operating in Malaysia, a managerial post or a highly skilled non-executive post.
The permit is most often awarded to teachers, doctors, engineers and IT professionals.
To qualify for this kind of work permit, you must hold a job offer from a sponsoring company and be able to demonstrate a good level of education, as well as at least three years of work experience.
In addition, you must be at least 27 years old, unless you are applying for a job in the IT sector, in which case you must be at least 23 with a minimum of two years' work experience.
The job you have been offered must offer a salary of at least MYR 5,000 (£1,075) per month.
Professional visit pass - This is provided to a foreigner who holds specialist skills of professional qualifications and wants to work in the country for a maximum period of 12 months.
The permit is only issued to people who work in specific fields, however. For more information about the categories of worker who qualify for the pass, see the Immigration Department of Malaysia - Visitor's Pass (Professional) .
Temporary employment pass - This work permit, which again is submitted by your prospective employer, is for qualified workers who are to earn less than MYR 5,000 a month. It is only valid for up to two years.
Numerous documents are required to apply for a temporary employment pass, so to make sure your employer has everything it needs, visit the Immigration Department of Malaysia .