Studying abroad is a dream for many, and study in Malaysia for Pakistani studentsĀ has emerged as an excellent option for those seeking quality education. With internationally recognized universities, Malaysia has become a top destination for students from Pakistan. The country offers affordable tuition fees, a multicultural environment, and globally ranked institutions. Due to the recent escalation in tuition fees, accommodation and other costs of living expenses coupled with the difficult visa regulations, many students are frying in the ocean when it comes to the costs of taking up studies in the well-developed countries like the United States, the UK, and Australia. This has led to the emergence of students who are willing to embrace quality education but are unable to do so since the traditional Universities are expensive but recognized all over the world.
And, for the students of Pakistan, Malaysia has become the flagship destination for overseas education. Thanks to cheap tuition fees, availability of various study programs and, multicultural population of Malaysia, the education experience does not aim to be expensive. The universities in this country are well known all across the world and Malaysian government provides a wide range of scholarship facilities to the international students which make it a better and improved option instead of other conventional study destinations.
In this blog, we will provide you with all the relevant information about studying in Malaysia such as top universities, scholarship opportunities, cost of living, visa process and course options for Pakistani students. If you are or have been planning to study abroad, then continue reading to find out why Malaysia may be that key to your success.
To understand why Malaysia is an increasingly popular choice for international students, consider these key facts about studying in Malaysia:
Important Facts About Study in Malaysia | Details |
International students | 170,000 |
Pakistani students in Malaysia | 18% |
No. of Public Universities | 20 |
No. of Private Universities | >160 |
Foreign Branch Campuses | 10 |
Language and Skills Centers | >39 |
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Why Choose Malaysia for Higher Education?
1.Ā Standard of Living affordability and Education Cost
Among the factors, which contributed to the choice of Malaysia as the most preferable destination by the students from Pakistan, the most significant is the cost. Malaysian universities and colleges are less costly than their counterparts in most developed countries of the West, thus the cost of living in Malaysia, inclusive of accommodation, food, etc is comparably cheap. This makes Malaysia an appealing destination for students who desire to get access to quality education without having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans.
2.Ā Quality Learning and Recognition All over the world
There are quality universities in Malaysia and many of them have benchmark positions when world ranked through international platforms such as; QS World University Rankings. Generally, the country boasts high quality of its higher education, offering students effective academic tools and experienced teachers as well as well-equipped infrastructure. Most universities in Malaysia have links with universities in the UK, AU and US providing international exposure to the students and the opportunity to acquire internationally accredited degrees.
3.Ā Multicultural Environment
Malaysia attracts students from more than 150 countries putting it among the most diverse educational travel hubs in Asia. More so, Pakistani students feel so too because there are so many cultural and historical relations between the two countries. This is so because the multicultural nature of the schools enables students to interact with globally diverse cultures hence increasing their global social capital.
Top Universities in Malaysia for Pakistani Students
Malaysia has several renowned universities in Asia and across the globe and this system embraces some of them. Here are some of the top universities for Pakistani students to consider:
University | QS Rank | Category | Location |
University of Malaya (UM) | 70 | Public University | Kuala Lumpur |
University Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 123 | Public University | Serdang |
University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 129 | Public University | Bangi |
Monash University Malaysia | 57 | International Branch Campus | Bandar Sunway |
University of Nottingham Malaysia | 114 | International Branch Campus | Semenyih |
Taylor's University | 284 | Private University | Subang Jaya |
University of Science Malaysia (USM) | 143 | Public University | Penang |
Moreover, Malaysia has several International Branch Campi that have their courses accredited by universities within the international countries. Foreign campuses have enabled students to receive international education in Malaysia at considerably lower costs as compared to those international institutions. Below is a list of the top 10 international branch campuses in Malaysia:
Curtin University
Monash University
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Nottingham Malaysia
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia
University of Southampton ā Malaysia Campus
University of Reading Malaysia
Xiamen University Malaysia Campus
University College Dublin Malaysia Campus
These universities provide a large number of programs in various streams including Engineering, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences and so on which makes it even more preferable universities for Pakistani students to intake.
Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Malaysia
There are various scholarships that the Malaysian government has to offer to the students of Pakistan. Such scholarships can offset the costs of tuition fees and living within Malaysia, thus assisting in making studying in Malaysia cheaper. Some notable scholarships include:
Malaysian Government Scholarships:Ā The Malaysian Ministry of Education provides various scholarship to international students; some of them are: Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS).
University-Specific Scholarships: Here are scholarships for Malaysians, their extended families, and international students studying in the Malaysian universities, which come with academic merit scholarships, partial fees discount and other student-support funds.
Private Scholarships:Ā There are different institutions and foundations that provide scholarships to the Pakistani student which can be availed for their tuitions fee and other expenses of living.
Popular Courses in Malaysia for Pakistani Students
Malaysian universities provide almost all types of programs for international students with the majority of courses being taught in English. Some of the most popular courses for Pakistani students include:
Engineering:Ā Malaysia has consumed a rather good image in engineering, especially civil engineering, electrical engineering, as well as mechanical engineering.
Business and Management:Ā Most universities have courses in business and management, accountancy, finance, and marketing respectively.
Medicine and Health Sciences:Ā Malaysia is famous for offering medical programs of high quality, as well as for the internationally-recognized degrees.
IT and Computer Science:Ā Malaysia is appropriate for students who are taking Information Technology and computer science classes due to its developing technology industry.
Hospitality and Tourism Management:Ā The tourism industry in Malaysia is doing well and most universities offer unique modules in hospitality management.
Admission Requirements for Pakistani Students in Malaysia
The admission process for Pakistani students in Malaysian universities is not much complicated. Generally, the following are the basic requirements:
Academic Qualifications:Ā Pakistani students should have finished their higher secondary or equivalent education for undergraduate programs or a relevant bachelorās degree for postgraduate programs.
English Proficiency:Ā Despite the fact that many universities conduct courses in English, the student may be asked to take an IELTS or TOEFL test. But entrance test might be optional in some universities in Malaysia if a student who wishes to join the university has good grades or if the university conducts interview.
Other Requirements:Ā It is sometimes possible if certain programs, for instance, have entrance examination or specified subjects which should be taken by the learners. Of course, it is necessary to pay attention to the peculiarities of admission to a particular university.
Also Read:
Study in Malaysia Without IELTS | Study in Malaysia For Pakistani Students
Another advantage that Pakistani students find quite attractive is, studying in Malaysia without the requirement of IELTS. Some Malaysian universities offer alternative routes for students to demonstrate their English proficiency, such as:
Ā·Ā Ā English Medium Schooling: Those who have done their schooling in English-medium schools may not necessarily need to write IELTS.
Ā·Ā Ā University Language Proficiency Tests: Some of the universities have their own regimen of English language competency tests.
Ā·Ā Ā Pre-University English Programs: However, if you do not qualify for the English language, there are some universities that provide pre-sessional English language programs to enable you learn the English language to qualify for the university before joining any program.
Cost of Studying in Malaysia
The most apparent benefit of education in Malaysia is the relatively low price of education and most necessary expenses. Hereās a breakdown of typical costs for Pakistani students:
Tuition Fees
Program | Estimated Annual Fee (MYR) | Estimated Annual Fee (PKR) |
Undergraduate Programs | MYR 7,000 ā MYR 30,000 | PKR 170,000 ā PKR 720,000 |
Postgraduate Programs | MYR 8,000 ā MYR 35,000 | PKR 190,000 ā PKR 840,000 |
LIVING EXPENSES
Expense | Estimated Monthly Cost (MYR) | Estimated Monthly Cost (PKR) |
Accommodation | MYR 500 ā MYR 1,500 | PKR 12,000 ā PKR 36,000 |
Food | MYR 300 ā MYR 600 | PKR 7,000 ā PKR 14,500 |
Transportation | MYR 100 ā MYR 200 | PKR 2,400 ā PKR 4,800 |
Miscellaneous | MYR 200 ā MYR 500 | PKR 4,800 ā PKR 12,000 |
Ā Work Opportunities During Studies
Pakistani students are allowed to take part-time employment during the period of study in Malaysia but they are allowed to work only 20 hours a week when the semester is in session but 40 hours when it is off. This presents a good occasion for students to do extra work and also get relevant experience at the same time.
Student Visa Requirements for Malaysian Universities
The process of applying for a Malaysian student visa is not very rigorous or complex. To apply for a Malaysian student visa, Pakistani students must:
Receive an Offer Letter:Ā First and foremost, the Malaysian students have to get admission in any University of Malaysia to apply for a visa.
Complete the Visa Application:Ā Applicants for a student visa are also required to fill an application form and an accompanying documents checklist which include documents proving that the applicant has the necessary financial means to support him or her, their passport and certificates of education.
Visa Approval:Ā After getting the visa students can then proceed to Malaysia for their studies. International students, who want to study in Malaysia have a great opportunity as the approval rate for student visa is high in the country and the process is seamless for those who meet the requirements of the visa.
Conclusion
Education in Malaysia opens a window to quality education at cheaper prices to the students from Pakistan. The availability of high ranking universities, broad range of programs, a large number of scholarship opportunities that a multiracial and multicultural society offers make Malaysia an ideal place for learners pursuing academic advancement. So if you are willing to advance with your education Malaysia could be the one which might unlock your future.