Costs of Studying and Living in Malaysia : Get ready in advance

The costs of studying and living in Malaysia are one of the most important reasons for which students choose to study in Malaysia. This is in addition to the level of education offered in its public and private institutions.

Costs in Malaysia are divided into the following:

Studying costs: these include the tuition fees and other fees paid to the host institution. They depend on the type and duration of the educational program you choose.
Living costs: cost of accommodation and transportation. These differ according to the area you live in.

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How Much Does it Cost to Study in Malaysia?

The cost of studying in Malaysia for international students includes the tuition fees, together with other costs that are study-related.

Academic Fees

These include the fees of the following:

Registration
Tuition
Computer and science laboratory
Health insurance and hospitalization
Library
Other costs, such as examination fees

Costs of Bachelor Degree Program

The costs of studying a bachelor’s degree program in Malaysia vary from one institution to another. But, in general, they are considered low, especially in public universities, while they are high in foreign universities.

Moreover, tuition fees in the private universities and colleges depend on the type of educational program and the university offering it.

Costs of Bachelor Degree Program in Foreign Universities

The costs of studying the bachelor degree programs in some disciplines in foreign universities differ as the following:

(USD1= 4MYR)

Business: MYR 48,000-84,000
Engineering: MYR 82,000-102,000
Medicine: MYR 325,000

Costs of Bachelor Degree Program in Public Universities

Public universities are financed by the government and self-managed.

Usually, they are the cheapest study option in Malaysia.

For example, tuition fees of some educational programs for one semester in University Utara Malaysia range as the following:

Management: MYR 9,390-9,909
Technology: MYR 8,900-9,990
Other programs: MYR 8,689-8,890

Costs of Bachelor Degree Program in Private Universities and Colleges

In the Malaysian private universities, students will pay the following fees, depending on the discipline:

Business: MYR 30,000-40,000
Engineering: MYR 46,000-52,000
Technology: MYR 33,000-43,000
Medicine: MYR 250,000-333,000
Tourism: MYR 31,000-55,000
Music: MYR 53,000-59,000

In the Malaysian private colleges, students will pay the following fees per course, according to the subject area:

Business: MYR 39,000-52,000
Engineering: MYR 45,000-47,000
Tourism & Hospitality: MYR 45,000-48,000
Music: MYR 54,000

Postgraduate studies: Cost of a master and a PhD degree in Malaysia

The costs of studying for master and PhD degrees in Malaysia vary according to the disciplines and nature of the institution offering them.

They also differ according to the university’s type: public, private, branches of foreign universities, or private colleges.

On average, the cost of studying a master’s degree in business administration ranges between MYR 21,000 and MYR 33,000 in private universities.

On the other hand, it ranges between MYR 13,000 and MYR 25,000 in public universities.

To study medicine in Malaysia, take International Medical University for example. It is a private institution. Tuition fees are paid per each study unit and not per semester or study course.

The international students pay from MYR 2,700 to MYR 5,300 per unit to earn a master’s degree.

Moreover, the research units cost from around MYR 21,550 to MYR 26,750.

Furthermore, in Malaysia, you can study programs in branches of foreign universities in Malaysia at a lower cost than that you would pay if you studied on their main campus.

For instance, you can get an engineering degree from a UK university branch in Malaysia through the 3+0 twinning program for MYR 68,000 (USD 17,000).

At the same time, you could pay around GBP 36,000 (MYR 217,000) to study the same three-year program at the university’s campus in the UK.

Check our article about the Higher Education System in Malaysia.

How Much is the Cost of Living in Malaysia?

Apart from the costs of studying, living expenses in Malaysia for local and international students include:

Accommodation: the estimated monthly accommodation expenses in Malaysia range between $94 and $140.
Food: you may pay around $4.2 for three meals per day. If you cook at home, it would be cheaper.
Transportation: you may spend around $13 monthly on transportation.
Mobile phone bills: the average cost of mobile phone bills is $17 per month.