Education System in the Netherlands

Malaysia’s education system is divided into pre-tertiary and higher education levels.

Pre-higher Education

• Preschool (Ages 4-6) – Not compulsory but widely available.
• Primary School (Ages 7-12) – Compulsory and free for Malaysian citizens.
• Secondary School (Ages 13-17) – Compulsory since 2015, ending with the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam.
• Pre-University (Ages 18-19) – Includes STPM (Malaysian Higher School Certificate), Matriculation, or A-Levels.

Higher Education

Malaysia offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs.

• Diploma programs: Typically 2-3 years.
• Bachelor’s degrees: Usually 3-4 years.
• Master’s degrees: 1-2 years.
• PhD programs: 3-5 years.

Malaysia is home to over 170,000 international students, with universities ranked globally QS World University Rankings.

To study in Malaysia, international students must meet specific admission criteria:

General Requirements

• Academic Qualifications: Equivalent to Malaysian standards (e.g., STPM, A-Levels, IB).
• English Proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL scores may be required (some universities waive this).
• Student Visa: Must apply for a Student Pass through the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

Application Process

• Choose a university and program.
• Submit academic transcripts and English proficiency test scores.
• Receive an offer letter.
• Apply for a Student Pass.
• Arrive in Malaysia and register for classes.