Structure of the Education System in Malaysia
Malaysia offers high-quality higher education that is regulated, accredited, and recognised internationally. The country’s higher education system is governed by the Education Malaysia Global Services – Study in Malaysia🇲🇾 official portal (EMGS), under the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and quality is assured by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) official site, which maintains academic standards and accreditation.
Pre-Primary Education (Kindergarten)
- Ages: 4–6
- Optional but encouraged
- Focus: basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills
Primary Education
- Ages: 7–12
- Duration: 6 years
- Ends with UPSR (Primary School Assessment – now replaced with school-based assessments)
- Subjects: Malay, English, Math, Science, History, etc.
Secondary Education
Divided into two levels:
Lower Secondary (Form 1–3)
Ages: 13–15
Ends with PT3 (school-based assessment)
Upper Secondary (Form 4–5)
Ages: 16–17
Ends with SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)
equivalent to O-Level/GCSE
Post-Secondary / Pre-University Education
Students can choose different pathways:
STPM (Form 6) – Also known as Malaysian Higher School Certificate, and it is similar to A-Levels
Foundation Programs – It is a 1-year course, and it leads to direct entry to a Bachelor's Degree
Diploma Programs – It is a 2 or 3-year course, and students have the opportunity to work immediately after completing the course, or they can choose to join the Bachelor's course
A-Level / IB / Australian Matriculation - Offered by private & international colleges
Higher Education (University Level)
Bachelor’s Degree - Duration: 3–4 years
Master’s Degree - Duration: 1–2 years
PhD - Duration: 3–5 years
Government-Recognised Malaysian University | Higher Education Structure
Malaysia’s higher education includes:
- Public universities – Government-funded institutions
- Private universities – Privately run institutions
- Foreign branch campuses and partners – International degrees offered locally
All recognised universities and programmes should be accredited by MQA to ensure full recognition and quality assurance.
Government-Recognised Universities in Malaysia
Malaysia has 20 government (public) universities regulated under MOHE, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Below are key examples from the official list of public universities:
Public Universities (Government)
These are among the main public universities where International students often enrol:
- University of Malaya (UM) — the oldest and highest-ranked research university in Malaysia.
- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) — leading science and technology focus.
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) — a national research university.
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) — strong in agriculture and science.
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) — top in engineering & technology.
- International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) — well-known public university.
- Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) — specialises in management studies.
- Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) — a public university on the east coast.
- Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) — focus on education degrees.
Other government universities include Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), etc.
|
University |
Tuition (approx/yr) |
|
University of Malaya (UM) |
USD 3,000–6,000 |
|
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) |
USD 2,500–5,000 |
|
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) |
USD 2,000–4,500 |
|
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) |
USD 2,200–5,000 |
|
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) |
USD 2,000–4,000 |
|
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) |
Budget option (lower fees) |
|
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) |
Budget option |
Private & Foreign-Linked Universities
In addition to public ones, Malaysia hosts many private and branch campus institutions recognised under MQA, such as:
- Multimedia University (MMU) — well-recognised private research university.
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) — a large private university with diverse programmes.
- Foreign branch campuses (often in partnership with UK/Australian universities) also operate here — you can find these via the EMGS portal or accredited lists.
For a complete list and accreditation status, use the MQA programme and university search tool.
|
University |
Estimated Tuition (approx/yr) |
Highlights |
|
Monash University Malaysia |
USD 8,000–12,000 |
Australian degree, high global reputation |
|
Taylor’s University |
USD 6,000–10,000 |
Strong industry links |
|
Asia Pacific University (APU) |
USD 5,000–8,000 |
IT & engineering strengths |
|
Sunway University |
USD 5,000–9,000 |
UK partnerships |
|
UCSI University |
~USD 4,000–7,000 |
Popular choice for international students |
|
City University Malaysia |
USD 2,500–4,000 |
Affordable option |
|
Management & Science University (MSU) |
USD 2,500–3,500 |
Flexible program |
Rankings & Recognition of Malaysian University
Malaysia’s public and private universities regularly appear in QS World University Rankings, especially:
Public Universities (Global QS Rank 2026)
|
University |
QS World Ranking (2026) |
|
University of Malaya (UM) |
#58 — Malaysia’s highest-ranked public university globally |
|
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) |
#126 |
|
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) |
#134 |
|
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) |
#134 |
|
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) |
#153 |
|
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) |
#491 |
Private Universities (Global QS Rank 2026)
|
University |
QS World Ranking (2026) |
|
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) |
#251 |
|
Taylor’s University |
#253 |
|
UCSI University |
#269 |
|
Sunway University |
#410 |
|
INTI International University |
#509 |
|
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) |
#551 |
|
Asia Pacific University (APU) |
#597 |
|
Management and Science University (MSU) |
#597 |
|
SEGi University |
#731–740 |
|
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) |
#791–800 |
Entry Requirements
|
Level of Study |
Academic Entry Requirement |
English Language Requirement (IELTS) |
|
Foundation |
Successful completion of SSC (Grade 10) or equivalent secondary qualification. |
Not required (for most programs). |
|
Diploma |
Successful completion of HSC (Grade 12) or equivalent higher secondary qualification. |
5.0 – 5.5 |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
Completion of HSC, A-Levels, Diploma, or Foundation with a minimum GPA of 3.0 / 5.0. |
5.5 – 6.0 |
|
Master’s Degree |
A recognised Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 / 4.0. |
6.0 – 6.5 (or MOI certificate*) |
FAQ
Can I get Official Support & Services for Malaysia?
Yes. The EMGS portal provides one-stop information on courses, visas, and arrival support services for international students.
What's the MOI in Malaysia?
Many programmes are offered in English, especially at private universities and branch campuses, aiding International students’ transition.
How Affordable is Tuition Fees in Malaysia?
When compared to UK or Australia University tuition fees, Malaysia University Tuition Fees are cheaper than those. Students can easily complete their Higher Education within a budget of 5000 USD to 10,000 USD per year.
Can I travel with my Family?
Yes. Students who are pursuing Master's and PhD programs are eligible to apply for a Dependant Pass for the Spouse, children and parents.
Is it possible to transfer credit to the UK, Australia and European countries?
Yes. Students can start their education in Malaysia and complete it in the UK, Australia or Europe through credit transfer.