Study in Malaysia

Foundation and diploma programmes

Applicants normally need:

• A recognised secondary-school qualification
• Required grades and subjects
• English-language evidence where applicable
• Passport and official academic records

Bachelor's programmes

Applicants normally need:

• A recognised post-secondary qualification such as A levels, an international foundation, diploma, STPM or an accepted equivalent
• Required grades and prerequisite subjects
• Evidence of English proficiency
• Official certificates, transcripts and passport copy
• Portfolio, interview or entrance assessment for selected programmes

Master's programmes

Applicants normally need:

• A recognised bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• The minimum CGPA specified by the institution
• English-language evidence
• CV, statement of purpose or research proposal where required
• References and professional experience for selected programmes

Doctoral programmes

Applicants normally need a relevant master's qualification, research proposal, suitable academic background and, in many cases, identification of an appropriate supervisor.

International students generally need a valid Student Pass to study in Malaysia. The process is coordinated through EMGS and Malaysia's Immigration Department.

Main stages

1. 1Receive an offer letter from an approved Malaysian institution.
2. 2Prepare the EMGS application, including passport, photograph, offer letter, academic documents, health declaration and accepted English-language evidence.
3. 3Submit the Student Pass/VAL application through the institution or permitted online route and pay the required processing, insurance, medical and immigration charges.
4. 4Wait for the electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL/VAL) and any additional approval required by Immigration.
5. 5Obtain a Single Entry Visa (SEV) if required for the applicant's nationality before travelling.
6. 6Complete pre-departure requirements and follow the institution's arrival instructions.
7. 7Travel to Malaysia only after receiving the required approval and entry documents.
8. 8Attend post-arrival medical screening at an approved panel clinic within seven working days of arrival.
9. 9Submit the passport for Student Pass endorsement after successful medical clearance.
10. 10Receive the Student Pass and i-Kad and maintain the attendance and academic progress required for renewal.

Common documents

• Passport with the required validity and relevant visa pages
• White-background passport photograph meeting EMGS specifications
• University or college offer letter
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• English-language test certificate
• Health declaration and medical documents where applicable
• Yellow-fever vaccination evidence for applicants from designated countries
• Personal-bond or institution documents where required
• Insurance and payment evidence

For renewals, EMGS states that students generally need a minimum CGPA of 2.0 and overall attendance of at least 80%, with explanations required where these standards are not met.

Visa and Student Pass requirements vary by nationality, institution, programme and location, including separate requirements for Sarawak.

The following institutions are widely considered by international applicants. This is not a definitive ranking.

• Universiti Malaya: business, engineering, science, medicine-related fields and social sciences
• Universiti Putra Malaysia: agriculture, life sciences, engineering, business and technology
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: science, engineering, business, health and social sciences
• Universiti Sains Malaysia: science, technology, engineering, health and sustainability
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia: engineering, architecture, computing and technology
• Taylor's University: hospitality, business, design, computing and health sciences
• UCSI University: medicine-related fields, pharmacy, engineering, business and music
• Sunway University: business, computing, hospitality, psychology and creative industries
• Asia Pacific University: IT, cybersecurity, AI, data science, engineering and business
• Monash University Malaysia: science, engineering, business, medicine-related fields and pharmacy
• University of Nottingham Malaysia: engineering, business, science, education and social sciences
• Heriot-Watt University Malaysia: engineering, business, actuarial science and built environment
• University of Southampton Malaysia: engineering, computer science and business
• Xiamen University Malaysia: business, engineering, computing, communication and science

Students should check that the institution and programme are recognised by the relevant Malaysian authorities and, where applicable, accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the appropriate professional body.

Malaysia offers a 12-month Graduate Pass to eligible international students who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher. It may allow graduates of eligible nationalities to remain and work in permitted sectors without employer sponsorship, subject to the current conditions, valid insurance and application rules.

Scholarships are competitive and may be funded by the Malaysian government, universities, international organisations or private sponsors.

Malaysia International Scholarship

The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a Malaysian government initiative for academically strong international students pursuing eligible postgraduate study. The 2026–2027 application cycle is closed, so applicants should monitor the next official call for eligible countries, institutions, fields, age limits and benefits.

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme Scholarship

The MTCP Scholarship supports eligible international students from participating developing countries undertaking master's study in Malaysia. The published scheme covers master's programmes lasting 24–36 months, subject to annual eligibility and award conditions.

University scholarships

Many Malaysian universities offer merit awards, tuition discounts, progression scholarships or research funding. Awards may depend on grades, English proficiency, nationality, programme and intake. Examples include scholarships offered by public universities, Taylor's, UCSI, Sunway, APU, Xiamen University Malaysia and international branch campuses.

Research assistantships and external funding

Master's-by-research and doctoral applicants may find research assistantships, supervisor-funded positions or faculty grants. Other options can include employer sponsorship, home-government funding and education loans. No scholarship should be treated as confirmed until the student receives a written award.

IEC provides structured support throughout the Malaysian education journey:

• Initial academic, English-language and financial assessment
• University, branch-campus and programme selection
• Verification of institutional and programme recognition
• Guidance on foundation, diploma, bachelor's and postgraduate pathways
• Tuition, scholarship and living-cost planning
• Preparation and checking of academic documents
• Guidance on statements, CVs, references, portfolios and research proposals
• Application submission and deadline management
• Scholarship search and application support
• Offer-letter review and enrolment guidance
• EMGS Visa Approval Letter and Student Pass document preparation
• Guidance on English evidence, medical requirements, insurance and SEV rules
• Accommodation and pre-departure support
• Post-arrival and medical-screening guidance

Admission, scholarship and immigration decisions are made solely by the relevant institutions, funding bodies, EMGS and Malaysian authorities. IEC helps applicants prepare a complete, accurate and well-planned application.