The Best Universities in Malaysia

The Best Universities in Malaysia; International students and has set an ambitious target of attracting 250,000 international students by 2025. Malaysian universities already have a strong presence in global and regional rankings, and the country’s national universities. The institutions are also combined by a growing selection of international campuses, many of which are base on the newly concepts of EduCity. For those considering studying in this dynamic and diverse country, here is a guide to the best universities in Malaysia, based on the QS Asia University Rankings 2018.The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is located in the heart of Southeast Asia and boasts a multi-cultural society that welcomes people from all walks of life. It has everything a tourist, visitor, businessman, family and student could ask for: good food, entertainment, a wealth of recreational facilities and activities, annual events, friendly locals, an accepting attitude and impressive architecture.

Although Malaysia has always kept its doors open to foreigners from all over the world since it accelerated economically, in recent years it has created an even more dynamic environment where people can not only easily find jobs but also study and prosper.

Review of the Country

As soon as you arrive in Malaysia, you will see that it is a country of energetic, friendly, young and culturally diverse people. As a result, the country’s mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians and natives has produced a society rich in traditional and modern influences, reflected in its many languages, religions and foods – you’ll find plenty of delicious dining options and hundreds of colorful festivals to visit. Geographically, the country is as varied as its culture. You will have ample opportunities to explore Malaysia and its contrasting corners, where you will discover pristine island beaches, sleepy towns, cool highlands and lush jungle ecosystems. With the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, just 20 kilometers away, Bandar Sunway has many attractions nearby. You can shop, eat, enjoy music, nature parks and much more in and around KL, which has grown exponentially since its beginnings as a tin mining outpost in 1857.

Students cannot get bored in Malaysia, as the country has a reliable intercity train system that locals and visitors can rely on even during vacations. Yes, there is the option to fly between cities, but sleeper trains and intercity buses are better and cheaper options.

1.Universiti Malaya (UM)

In the federal capital and largest city in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (listed in QS Best Student Cities). The oldest university in Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, was established in 1949, based on the merger of several existing universities in neighboring Singapore.

It offers courses across the spectrum of subjects, with an enrollment of more than 14,580 undergraduates and more than 13,700 postgraduates. Universiti Malaya was ranked 24th in the latest QS Asia University Rankings and 87th in the QS World University Rankings® 2019. It is a popular choice among international students, especially at postgraduate level; in 2017, more than 20% of postgraduate students were from outside Malaysia.

2.Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

The second among the best universities in Malaysia is the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), also known as the National University of Malaysia (NUM). Like most of the top universities in Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is publicly funded, with a sizeable number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, teaching a wide range of subjects along with a strong concentration on research. It has its main campus in Bangi, a small town in the Selangor region south of Kuala Lumpur.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was ranked 43rd in the QS Asia University Rankings and 184th in the QS World University Rankings. Having been established in 1970, UKM is also listed in the QS Top 50 Under 50, a ranking of the world’s top 50 universities under 50. It ranks particularly well for its success in attracting foreign faculty, ranking 12th in Asia on this indicator, two places above Universiti Malaya.

3.Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Ranked 36th in Asia and 202nd in the world, Universiti Putra Malaysia has continued to improve its ranking position in recent years and is another public research university, located in the city of Serdang, just south of Kuala Lumpur. Originally founded as a college of agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia places a strong emphasis on research and teaching in the fields of agriculture and forestry, but has grown into a comprehensive university offering courses in all subjects. Along with other major universities in Malaysia, it hosts a large number of international students, especially at the postgraduate level.

4.Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Once again a public research university covering a wide range of subjects, Universiti Sains Malaysia has its main campus in Georgetown on Penang Island, with two additional campuses focusing on engineering and healthcare in the west and east. of mainland Malaysian Peninsula. Universiti Sains Malaysia has Malaysia’s highest score for published research papers per faculty member. And its second highest score for research citations per article (behind Universiti Malaysia Sarawak), reflecting its position as one of the best research centers in the country.

5.Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Malaysia has two main campuses: one in the federal capital Kuala Lumpur and the other in Johor Bahru, a city located on the southern tip of mainland Malaysia. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various specializations; most are in the fields of engineering and technology, but there are also faculties to science, biosciences and medical engineering, management and human resources.

6.Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Universiti Teknologi Petronas is another of the youngest universities in Malaysia, established just 21 years ago in 1997. The university is a subsidiary of PETRONAS, the National Society Malaysian Petroleum and and offers a wide selection of industry-focused engineering, science and technology programs at all levels of study.

HOW IS IT TO BE A STUDENT IN MALAYSIA?

Travel

Malaysia offers you many places to go on an adventure or recover from your days at university. You can feel the refreshing climate of the Cameron Highlands. See the purest nature of Perhentian Island, and spend evenings gazing at the impressive Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur. During your semester, you can enjoy the best cuisine in Thailand. Surf the waves in Bali, or visit the beautiful islands of the Philippines. Since Malaysia has one of the hub airports in Southeast Asia. You can get a plane ticket to these destinations for around $50 (round trip ticket included). Sounds like a good investment, right?.

class="wp-block-heading">Food

Talk to anyone who has been abroad in Malaysia and one thing they are sure to say is that they are running out of food. Malaysia is a culinary paradise and there are many delicacies that you must try when you study in this country. The national dish `Nasi Lemak`, which is a rice dish with chicken, eggs, peanuts and vegetables, costs very little (around RM2 or around $0.50). Malaysian cuisine is a wonderful mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Many universities and colleges provides students living on campus with a communal kitchen. Where light meals can be prepared. If cooking is not an option. KL is full of stalls, restaurants and food courts where you can buy your daily meals at very low prices. A very comfortable monthly budget for groceries would be around $100 per month.

Fees

Malaysia and by extension KL offers a wide range of study opportunities to suit a wide range of budgets. Studying at a local private university tends to be much less expensive with a range of $8,600-11,400 for a 3-year business degree and a range of $62,900-108,600 for a 3-year medical degree.

By contrast, the range for a 3-year business degree from a foreign university campus would be around $13,700 to $24,000. For a medical degree, the fees would be around $114,300 over 5 years. Of course, these numbers vary by institution and change every year. Visiting the website of the college you are interested in will give you more information about costs.

Cost of living

Kuala Lumpur can be a very cheap city, depending on your lifestyle. As a student, your biggest expense outside of tuition is likely to be the cost of housing.

Textbooks

Also, you may need to purchase textbooks for your studies. Students often get discounts by buying directly from publishers or buying used textbooks from higher grades. These will often be featured in student forums or social media groups. Some textbooks can also be found in the university library where they are available on loan at no additional cost.

Accomadation

Kuala Lumpur students have many options when deciding where to live. Most schools will have on-campus accommodation at a lower price, with the option of sharing a room or having your own room with a private bathroom. Therefore, on-campus residences fill up quickly and it is good that you book as early as possible during your application. They usually cost between 100 and 250 USD per month. The cost of utilities is often includes with a small premium charge for the Internet connection. The lower end of the range often involves sharing a room or a small study.

Off-campus housing offers a wider range of living options, at a slightly higher price. In some areas of KL, row houses are renting out to groups of students. Who split the total cost or, more likely, rooms are rented out individually, sharing a kitchen and common area. Students also have the option of living in hostels, where there are dormitories or shared rooms at a lower price. Utilities are not included in off-campus rents, but can be negotiated with the landlord. You can expect to pay around $150 or more per month, with an additional $30-50 for utilities. Expect to pay a little more for utilities in the warmer months, as air conditioning becomes a staple of your comfort.

Student savings and discounts

As a student in Malaysia, you can save a lot by simply showing your student ID or signing up for discount programs. The first point of saving is when buying flights. Many airlines offer passengers who have obtained a study visa an additional baggage allowance at no additional cost. It is worth taking advantage of when planning your move to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, the shops in the city will offer discounts to students on certain days of the week upon presentation of the student card. As well as cinemas for shows that start before 6:00 p.m. on weekdays (except holidays). The larger bookstores tend to be expensive but offer discount schemes. While every year KL hosts the Big Bad Wolf Sale, a massive book sale offering everyone big savings on their reading habits.

Weather

Malaysia’s climate is equatorial. Meaning it is hot and humid throughout the year, with little variation: the average temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is abundant, especially as the monsoon season. Progresses across the country, but showers are often follows by sunshine. So make sure to have an umbrella, hat, and comfortable clothing.

Leisure Activities

There is no shortage of leisure activities that international students can take part in during their stay in Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, educational institutions have allowed students to form clubs and societies based on their hobbies, interests, and culture. These societies are a great way to make friends. Moreover it also to have a vibrant non-academic life in college or university. These school teams compete against each other regularly. Providing an outlet for students who want to build community while in town.

Banking

Opening a bank account in Malaysia is not essential. But it will save you from paying unnecessary fees for current expenses.

Commuting in Kuala Lumpur

Many international students choose to reside close to campus to avoid Kuala Lumpur’s notorious traffic jams. While schools tend to offer transportation services with designated stops. It’s a good idea to invest in a transit pass (TouchNGo). Public transportation is very cheap, costing a fraction of a dollar each way. The extensive transport network covers most of the city and the suburbs. The advent of ride sharing services has further improved travel options in KL. Many rideshares will also provide discount codes and bonuses for frequent users. Due to the frequent traffic in KL and the cost of maintenance and parking for students. Buying a car is an unnecessary expense.