The international student community in Malaysia is expanding more and more with the recent developments in higher education. What makes studying a tertiary program in Malaysia so appealing? There are several reasons behind it.
Malaysia has a high number of public schools with experienced faculty staff, which makes it more affordable for international students to obtain their degrees at the best universities in the country. Also, compared to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, many public Malaysian schools have English-medium programs, attracting overseas students from all parts of the world.
Read more to find out the top seven public Malaysian universities and pursue your academic interests while experiencing the diverse culture of Malaysian life.
Can International Students Enroll in Public Universities in Malaysia?
Yes, the majority of the public universities in Malaysia have a diverse population due to the number of courses taught in various languages and the number of global universities with world-class recognition. International students can choose undergraduate and postgraduate programs from a diverse program catalog to pursue their academic interests.
One of the most renowned public universities accepting international students is the University of Malaya, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral courses that are accessible to any student. Recent statistics show that nearly 9,000 international students are coming from 124 countries.
Top Public Universities in Malaysia for International Students
Malaysia hosts some of the world’s most privileged public universities, and below, we state the top seven of them that accept international student enrollment.
1. University of Malaya
Founded in 1905, the University of Malaya has a long history and wide reputation with the title of Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranked higher education institution. The university has Malaysia’s most notable alumni, including five former prime ministers: Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Anwar Ibrahim.
Apart from numerous other well-known departments at the university, the faculties of communication, engineering, and computer science are the two prominent fields at UM with academic excellence. Most degree programs are taught in English, and international students pay from $3,300 to $4,500 per academic year.
2. University of Putra Malaysia
The University of Putra Malaysia is a public research university well-renowned for agricultural science, human ecology, and biotechnology. The university is one of the best universities in the country and Asia.
A highly valued institution across Asia, the University of Putra Malaysia is one of the best choices for international students seeking a degree program in Malaysia. The university seeks academic excellence at all levels and programs and maintains a warm attitude towards overseas students to contribute to the diversity of its campus. There are over 5,500 international students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the university, comprising 22.4% of the overall student population.
3. University Science, Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia, formerly known as the University of Penang, is a public research university located on three campuses: Penang, Kelantan, and Nibong Tebal. The university offers 26 schools, 14 centers, and five institutes for around 30,000 students, over 1,000 of whom are international students.
While Universiti Sains Malaysia accepts students from all countries and nationalities, the majority of the international student community is from China, Jordan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Popular courses among international students at Sains Malaysia include management, education, computer science, and English.
4. National University of Malaysia
Founded in 1970, the National University of Malaysia is a leading research university bringing valuable insights into science, technology, and society. The university has three campuses located in Bangi, Cheras, and Kuala Lumpur and has a population of 30,000 students, about 7% of whom are international.
The medium of instruction is mainly Malay, and the international student body usually consists of students from China, Singapore, Thailand, or Brunei. International students can study a variety of programs at the university: the Faculty of Social Science And Humanities, Faculty of Information Science And Technology, Faculty of Economics And Management, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Medicine, and so on.
5. University of Technology Malaysia
- Location: Skudai, Malaysia | Medium of Instruction: English
The University of Technology Malaysia is a well-known research university recognized for its engineering and technology programs. It is the largest university with an area size of 1,148 hectares and a population of more than 32,000 students.
The medium of instruction at the University of Malaysia is entirely English, and international students can choose a degree program from ten faculties, and the tuition fees range from $1,200 to $1400 per semester for international students.
6. MARA Technological University
- Location: Selangor, Malaysia | Medium of Instruction: English
The MARA Technological University started with 50 students in 1956, aiming to help rural Malays in the region. Today, the university is considered among the top public schools in Malaysia, offering 18 faculties and over 500 courses taught in English.
International students can enroll in diverse bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs and take part in various research projects during their studies at MARA. The university is specifically prominent in engineering, technology, and business programs.
7. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
- Location: Kelantan, Malaysia | Medium of Instruction: Malay, English
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan is a new but prominent university with the title of Malaysia’s number one entrepreneurship university. The university was founded in 2007 and currently has over 13,500 students. Besides entrepreneurship and business, there are nine other faculties at the university offering programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan encourages international students by offering a wide range of courses in business, architecture, tourism and hospitality, data science, veterinary medicine, and so on. International graduates from the university have a 92.5% employability rate, making each graduate competent in their area of expertise.
Malaysia is a good choice for many international students due to its number of English-taught degree programs, quality education, and affordability, thanks to many privileged public universities in the country. If any of the best Malaysian public universities are for you, apply today and take a step ahead for your academic goals.
We hope this article has provided the necessary information you are looking for. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Malaysia Page as well as check out the Available Programs for International Students!
