Guide

There is a saying “you can’t love what you don’t know.” Well, that applies to Malaysia. You need to experience the country itself for you to fall in love with it and enjoy every second of your study period. When people think of Asia, a vast array of different elements comes to mind. Rich culture and history, amazing food, bustling cities, and lush green tropics, amazing shopping, and dirt-cheap prices… the list goes on. But when you thumb through the various countries nestled into the massive continent of Asia, there is one that seems to hold a ‘greatest hits’ of all the categories… Malaysia has it all!  

If you’re looking to get your higher education in Malaysia and got a little scared researching what it could be like – fear not. We did some digging ourselves and found reasons why Malaysia should be on the list for international students so that you too can make your dream comes true. In this article, we’ll present several reasons why Malaysia is a great study destination for international students. Let’s get started! 

Question of the day: What makes Malaysia so enticing to students from all over the globe? We’d say, the low living costs!  

#1 Low living costs

Yes, you are right! Reasonable cost of living is a major deciding factor for international students in choosing Malaysia as their preferred destination in furthering their higher education. While your actual cost of living will depend on the geographical location of your university and your personal lifestyle, there is not much to worry about. Buckle up, folks! Now we’re taking you on an interesting journey! 

Students will be pleased to know that Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, has been ranked as one of the least expensive cities in the world to live in. A survey on the ‘Most Affordable Cities for Students between 2016 and 2018’ by QS University Ranking found that “Kuala Lumpur has received a good score for affordability, with a combination of low living costs and relatively low tuition fees”. Amazing, isn’t it?  

This shows that the city is well-suited for students who are looking for an affordable living environment. To make it realistic, here we make a rough calculation; for most students, a monthly budget of RM2000 (US$500) will provide them with a comfortable living in Malaysia as the total expenditure for accommodation – either on-campus or off-campus – is cheap. Sounds too good to be true, right? But that’s what Malaysia’s got to offer to you. Trust us on this; you will have an unforgettable memory while studying in the country. 

#2 Affordable tuition fees

Many people shy away from applying for university in the country because they feel that the tuition fees might be too high for international students. Well, the truth is that studying in Malaysia is considered inexpensive when compared to the other study destinations around the world. We know for sure that students will always choose reasonable universities to further their study (been there, done that!).  

Choosing the cheapest universities in the country is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable education as an international student. So, here in Malaysian universities, professional degrees such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MBSS (Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery) for example, can be obtained by paying low tuition fees. (Please bear in mind that these tuition fee figures change according to your programme or course of study, so numbers are an average). The cost of tuition fees is affordable enough and with proper planning, students can make preparations for their studies in Malaysian universities. Think you can’t afford higher education in Malaysia? Think again. 

#3 Variety of foods 

With roots and influences from the Chinese, Indians, and even British colonialists, Malaysia is one of the world’s greatest melting pots. The entire world – its influences, ancient features, and modern touches – are all tucked inside this eclectic country. And with a true cultural melting pot comes…. food!  

If you need more reason to love Malaysia, there is the abundance of gastronomic delights – with thousands of hawker stalls, cafes, and restaurants serving every imaginable type of delicacies, tantalizing Asian cuisine, and bustling night markets that remain open until the wee hours of the morning. This is perfect for students who want to hang out with their friends. Or to de-stress? Not to mention there are a lot of choices to choose from. The diversity of Malaysia enriches its foods and flavour. There is no other country that creates unique dishes such as roti canai, nasi lemak, and nasi ayam. When you blend Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine together, gastro perfection is inevitable! Without a doubt, Malaysia has one of the top cuisines in the world due to incredible taste and extremely excellent value. Trust us, there will be no days of you starving as everything is here (you name it, we have it!). Now, Malaysia has a place in your mind, right? Hurry up and pack your things, Malaysia here I come! 

                 We know that studying abroad can be a slightly daunting experience, but the reward in terms of education and personal development can also be huge. Low living costs, affordable tuition fees, and variety of foods are some of the many reasons why you could consider making Malaysia your study abroad destination. Experience a cutting-edge Malaysian education and get ready for a world of learning and career opportunities in a safe, welcoming environment. Start your Malaysian dream today!