With a unique international flavour, low crime rates, and four top universities appearing in the THES - QS World University Rankings, Malaysia is becoming an increasingly popular study abroad destination.
Malaysia is a southeast Asian country that is simultaneously modern, traditional, developed and historic with a peaceful multicultural population. Indigenous Malay and traditional tribes such as the Iban and Bidayuh live harmoniously alongside a large Chinese and Indian populace and this seamless blending of cultures lends Malaysia an international flavour that few countries can boast.
It is also fast becoming a very popular place for international students. According to the recent QS Graduate Applicant Survey, sent to thousands of students attending the QS World Grad School Tour in 2007, Malaysia is the fourth most popular Asian destination for international students after Japan, Hong Kong and India.
With an equatorial climate and inviting culture, Malaysia is a welcoming country in which to visit and study. Crime is low and transport links are excellent with major towns and cities connected by air and, failing that, by inexpensive bus. Opportunities for a vivid cultural experience are very high while politically and economically the country is considered to be stable.
Peninsular (West) Malaysia is a federation of states stretching south of Thailand and north of Singapore. This is where you’ll find the capital, Kuala Lumpur – known simply as KL – and the major cities of Penang, Johor Bharu and Melaka. East Malaysia, the northern part of the island of Borneo, consists of Sarawak and Sabah and is host to some of the world’s most famous jungle, the orang-utan, and to Kuching (meaning ‘cat’ in Malay), one of Asia’s most liveable cities.
An important result of Malaysia’s carefully managed modernisation is a steadily improving education system that has poured millions into research and development, and to encouraging international students into the country. In the 2006 THES-QS World University Rankings, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia National University) featured strongly in the ranking of the world’s top 200 universities. The quality of teaching in institutions like UUM, UKM and UPM has improved greatly over recent years, following a government decree that all teachers and lecturers have to possess a degree in the subject that they are teaching, which was not the case before the turn of the century.
On the back of its enduring economic and industrial boom, Malaysia is trying hard to position itself as the Asian destination of choice for international students seeking to study abroad, and with some success. Currently there are around 50,000 students from 100 countries in Malaysian tertiary education - and the country wants to promote a multicultural image that reflects the country itself.
The governing authority of higher educational institutions is the Ministry of Higher Education and they govern:
It has also seen support from a number of international universities, such as Australia’s Monash University and the University of Nottingham in the UK. These have branch campuses offering exactly the same courses as their home country institutions but, of course, at a fraction of the cost. For example, the tuition fee of a 3-year UK engineering degree is priced at about US$7,600 per year in the Malaysian branch compared to US$24,000 per year in the UK main campus. Cost of living is around US$3,000 - $4,000 per year, much cheaper than the US or Europe.
Such courses offer students the chance to study at the overseas campus for one or two semesters and allow students to graduate from two universities at the same time – the Malaysian one and the overseas host institution. Two degrees for the price of one anybody? There is also a prevalence of courses known as ‘Two-plus-one’ twinning degrees where you enrol in the Malaysian course and spend a year overseas at a twinned institution, perhaps in Australia, New Zealand or the UK. Great for your learning and cultural understanding of two different parts of the world.
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Student hostel accommodation does exist, as well as private renting, although this is not as plentiful as in many other countries.
USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) says: “Each hostel has a student canteen that offers a wide variety of meals at reasonable prices. The room rate for the hostel ranges from RM66 to RM115 a month while the family unit is about RM210 for a single room unit and RM280 for a double room unit. The room rates are not inclusive of bedding and cleaning. A breakage deposit is required for family units and student's activities fee of RM10 per semester is also charged. Bedding is not provided at the hostel.
Postgraduate students may be accommodated in private residences. It should be pointed out that the rates can vary appreciably depending upon the type of lodging, proximity to campus and the other relevant factors. Generally, information on private residences for rent are available through the Student Affairs Department and the local newspapers. The rent for a 3-room unfurnished apartment is about RM700.”
Two words describe Malaysia’s climate: hot and wet, averaging 32 degrees Centigrade and 267cm of rain per year, and often both at the same time. Being close to the equator and with a lot of jungle interior, Malaysia rarely gets cold, though you may need a jacket around Chinese New Year in February. It is a very humid climate that can be sunny for much of the day followed by short bursts of extremely intense rain. There are monsoon patterns from December until February but, frankly, you won’t notice a great deal of difference. The afternoon rains keep the temperatures down. Buy a raincoat and at least three umbrellas. And some sunscreen. When it is very humid, it can be unpleasant. Drink a lot of water all the time.
Light clothing will be best suited for Malaysia's climate. However, it is important to remember that Malaysia is a Muslim country and you must respect the national code of dress. Dress conservatively. Bermuda shorts and flip flops would be seen as crass at best and will not endear you to local people.
Air Malaysia provides flights between almost all major towns and cities and it is worth noting that if you book an international flight into Kuala Lumpur you can get a return flight to another destination for free. Otherwise the road systems in the country are generally pretty good, better than in neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia. The buses are efficient and not too bumpy and are a great way to get around because, though slow, they are a very cheap way to see rural Malaysia in all its beauty.
In the cities transport is generally excellent. KL has a modern and efficient train system to rival any in the world. Smaller towns provide an enormous number of taxis that will take you any distance for a small amount of money.
| Item | Price |
| small bottle of water | Malaysian Ringgit 0.95 |
| litre of petrol Malaysian | Malaysian Ringgit 1.90 |
| small bottle of beer | Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 |
| internet access | Malaysian Ringgit 4.00 |
| cheap restaurant meal | Malaysian Ringgit 11.00 |
| short taxi ride | Malaysian Ringgit 15.00 |
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet
Dialing code: 60
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Time zone: GMT/UTC +8 ()
Very inexpensive tuition fees and cost of living
Culture shock can be a problem for some students