Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad The enrollment requirements in Malaysian universities vary according to the institution. Joining a private higher education institution in Malaysia is totally different from the public university. Here are the steps for university application in Malaysia.
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University Requirements for International Students in Malaysia
First, you have to apply directly to the faculty or university that you want to join. You will have more control over your choice for the institution.
For example, when you apply for a public university in Malaysia, your request passes through a centralized selection system. This system gives you limited choices for the courses you can apply for.
Then, if your request was successful, you would be offered a place in a specific university for a certain course. The selection is usually but not always from your list of choices.
Check our article about the public universities in Malaysia.
Required Documents for University Application in Malaysia
The required documents for university applications in Malaysia usually include the following:
- A completed application form (from the university you apply to)
- Transcripts of school records
- Letter of recommendation
- A valid passport with all pages
- Identity proof
- Passport sized photos
- Medical health record
- Accommodation form
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- A motivation letter / statement of purpose
- English language proficiency certification
Once you have submitted all the necessary paperwork, the application process will take 5 to 6 weeks to be done by the Malaysian universities.
Malaysia University Application Cycles and Deadlines
While applying to university, there is one thing you should absolutely keep an eye on, it is the key dates and deadlines for your application. The specific dates vary from one university to another, but usually, there are two main intakes in Malaysia:
- February’s intake with application deadline in November
- September’s intake, where applications close in June of the following year.
Since visa application may take up to 2 months to process, international students should start the application process as early as possible. Missing these deadlines will cause the university to postpone your application to the next available intake.
Private Educational Institution
When applying for private educational institutions, you can apply for as many institutions as you wish. If you got many offers from different institutions, you would be free to choose the course and institution you want to study in.
It would be wise to check the number of enrollment applications you submitted and which institution offers you the best timing for you. So, plan earlier if you intend to apply for a course in one of the private universities in Malaysia.
Since you have many options, it is better to evaluate your options carefully before making your decision.
Check our article about the private universities in Malaysia.
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)
Applying through the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) was approved for the students who wish to join one of the private universities in Malaysia through the “one stop application”.
It aims to make the process more effective and allows the students to access various institutions.
However, students who aspire to study in one of the public universities in Malaysia still need to apply for the selected program directly through each university separately.
English Language
English is the teaching language of the private faculties and some public universities in Malaysia. Usually, the Malaysian people speak English. As for those who are less proficient in the language, most of the Malaysian faculties offer English language lessons.
Pre-University Program
To apply for a pre-university program in one of the private higher education institutions, you must have qualifications, such as the SPM or IGCSE or equivalent.
Student Pass
All the international students will need a student pass, among the enrollment requirements in Malaysian universities.
Getting the student pass is an easy and simple process. Once you got accepted to one of the programs in an accredited university in Malaysia, the school itself will apply to get you a pass.
Student Visa
Upon getting the approval on your application to join the university and obtaining the student pass, all the students (from public and private universities) will need to submit a separate request to get the student visa. Students should submit this request to the Malaysian embassy or high commission in their home country.
Students will also need to submit proof of their offer and student ID, in addition to proof of the available funds to cover the tuition fees and living costs.
Moreover, the student has to prove that he/she is in good health and has a good personality. Students must assure that they intend to live in Malaysia to study only. According to the home country, students may be asked to send more documents.
