Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad Did you know that Malaysia is one of the health and medical tourism destinations in Asia? Yes, since recognized by the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), Malaysia has been a popular destination for tourists in the field of healthcare.
With the increase in the number of foreign universities that establish branches in Malaysia, the country continues to flourish as a hub for international education. Moreover, Malaysian healthcare expenditure is likely to grow to reach MYR 80 billion. Today, we will discuss the study of medicine and pharmacy in Malaysia.
Discover also our list of the best medicine and pharmacy universities in Malaysia
Table of Contents
What Are the Pathways to Study Medicine Specialization in Malaysia?
Based on the career pathway you choose, there are many ways to enter the field of medicine. The education pathways of the three most popular professions in this specialization: medicine, nursing, and pharmacy are as the following:
You must join a Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). It is a 5-year university degree program adopted by the Malaysian Medical Council.
At the end of the program, you will need to pass the medical qualification exam, before completing a two-year compulsory internship (known as housemanship) to practice medicine as a qualified medical officer (MO).
After becoming a registered doctor, you can deepen more by completing your study and specialty in the field you choose. Some specialties you can choose are oncology, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, neurology, gynecology, as well as orthopedic surgery.
Specialization
To be a registered specialist, you will usually need from 4 to 5 more years of study after graduation, followed by 2-4 years of supervised training. In general, it takes a total of 8 years to become a fully-registered doctor and more than 10 years to become a specialist.
Diploma in Nursing
The duration of the course is usually three years. After that, you will be able to directly register in the Nursing Board Malaysia and get the annual practicing certificate.
This is the fastest way to become a qualified registered nurse.
Pharmacy Courses in Malaysia
The most common pathways in the pharmacy profession are starting with the pre-university program or the foundation in a science program.
After that, you can start obtaining a degree in pharmacy, which usually takes up to 4 years.
You will need to achieve a one-year training as a pharmacist, followed by one year of compulsory service under the supervision of the Pharmacy Board Malaysia.
During your training period, you will need to pass a qualifying examination to become a registered pharmacist. In general, you will take around 6 years to become a registered pharmacist.
Tuition Fees for Medicine Study in Malaysia
Tuition fees for a medicine degree may vary according to your level of study and the type of institution.
- Bachelor’s degree: RM 50,000 to RM 500,000
- Master’s degree: RM 55,000 to RM 110,000
- Doctorate: RM 55,000 to RM 110,000
What are the requirements to enroll in medical and pharmacy courses in Malaysia?
To pursue a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy in Malaysia, you are to have good grades in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics prior to your medical and pharmacy study.
The general entry requirements are:
- A-Level: Minimum of BBB / ABC / AAC in: Biology + Chemistry (minimum B) + Physics or Mathematics
- SPTM: Minimum of BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
- Foundation in Science or Matrikulasi: Minimum CGPA of 3.00 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics; and 5Bs in SPM including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics
- Australian Matriculation: Average of B in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
SPM / O-Levels : 5 Bs each in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics) and another subject
What are the Skills Needed to Apply for Medical Study in Malaysia?
Apart from the entry requirements, you need to have some skills to be able to undergo medical studies in Malaysia. To be a doctor, you should have:
- Ability to work under pressure
- Compassion and genuine care for others
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze varied types of information
- Good with numbers
- Attention to details
- Good judgement and strong decision-making skills
- Ability to think critically and solve problems quickly
Why Study Medicine and Pharmacy in Malaysia for International Students?
Affordability
You can save a lot of the costs of studying and living by studying locally. As home to the top-ranked universities globally, Malaysia can offer you a global education at a lower cost.
Check our article about the costs of studying and living in Malaysia.
Career Opportunity
Despite the common belief that Malaysia is full of medical professionals, the truth is that the country lacks specialist doctors.
There are around 5,000 specialized medical practitioners that are currently working in the Ministry of Health. Steps are taken to increase this number.
