Higher Education in Malaysia → Private Universities
There are two types of Private Universities in Malaysia:
A- 11 are
International
University's branch campuses operating in Malaysia
B- 38 are Malaysian Private
Universities
As in 2019, Malaysia has :
1)
414 Private colleges
2) 38 Private universities
3) 10 Private University-colleges
4) 1 Public University-college
5) 10 Foreign
Universiti branch
campus
6) 20 Public universities
MQF Levels | 1 • Skills | 2 • Vocational and Technical | 3 • Higher Education |
8 | Doctoral Degree | ||
7 | Master's Degree | ||
Postgraduate Certificate & Diploma | |||
6 | Bachelor's Degree (Honors) | ||
Graduate Certificate & Diploma | |||
5 | Advanced Diploma | Advanced Diploma | Advanced Diploma |
4 | Diploma | Diploma | Diploma |
3 | Skills Certificate 3 |
Vocational And Technical Certificate
|
Certificate |
2 | Skills Certificate 2 | ||
1 | Skills Certificate 1 |
Malaysian Private Universities
Private Universities in Malaysia
There are total 38 Private Universities in Malaysia
The University firmly establishes its status as one of Malaysia’s premier
institutions.
Operates on a not-for-profit basis under the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation the
University is located on a substantial, modern, purpose-built campus offering
first class undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Under the Sunway group have a range of pre-university, professional accounting
and diploma courses.
Upgraded to University in 2010
Manipal International University (MIU)
Universiti Selangor (UNISEL)
Selangor (2 campuses in Selangor)
2000
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak
(UNIRAZAK)
Selangor
1999
International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF)
Kuala Lumpur
2007
Albukhary International University
Kedah
2006
(formerly known as Asian Institute of Medicine, Science & Technology)
Kedah
2001
Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
Selangor (formerly The Institute of Technology Petronas - ITP)
1999
1- Cyberjaya campus
2- Melaka branch campus
1999
Management and Science
University
Selangor (formerly was KUTPM)
upgraded in 2007
Raffles University Iskandar (RUI)
LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology (LUCT)
Putrajaya
Upgraded in 2007
Quest International University Perak
Kuala Lumpur
2000
UNITAR International University
2012
Asia’s Newest University
2012
AI-Madinah International University (MEDIU)
In 2013, MEDIU is ranked 3rd place for Malaysian Private Universities and 18th
place for Malaysian Universities. (Source by webometrics: Jan 2013)
Selangor
2007
Formally Sedaya University College
2008
Asia Metropolitan University (AMU)
Formally Masterskill University College of Health Sciences
Upgraded on Oct 18, 2012
Kuala Lumpur
2007
Universiti Tenaga Nasional
(UNiTEN)
http://www.uniten.edu.my
UNITEN is one of the first private universities and is owned by utility
companies, TNB.
UNITEN offer programmes that focus on developing scholars, professionals and
specialists in their respective fields.
1- Engineering,
2- Computer Science,
3- Information Technology,
4- Accounting,
5- Business Management
1- Kajang campus
2- Bandar Muadzam Shah branch campus
Year 1999
UNiTEN programmes have demonstrated high degrees of competence and are
recognized worldwide. They are also specifically designed for the career
development of highly motivated executives who are determined to succeed.
Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST)http://www.must.edu.my/
Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) is a research-based
postgraduate university established in 2000 with the assistance of a prestigious
universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
The objective of MUST is to produce a pool of scientists and technologists, who
are creative, innovative and able to compete globally.
Selangor
Year 2000
MUST offers quality programmes that are backed by highly qualified faculty
members committed to the pursuance of knowledge, state-of- the-art laboratories,
and information technology facilities.
Wawasan Open University is Malaysia's first private not-for-profit tertiary
institution dedicated to working adults.
Penang
2006
Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)http://www.unikl.edu.my
1016, Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603 - 2175 4000
Fax:+603 - 2175 4001
3 faculties in Kuala Lumpur campus and 7 other campuses around Malaysia
2001
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) http://www.utar.edu.my
The university offers 3 year diploma
courses based on STPM entry in the fields of
1- business
2- technology
3- science
A limited range of 2 year certificate courses post SPM are also conducted by TAR College.
4 campuses:
IMU is the premier private medical university in Malaysia. The
university is in partnership with 26 international research-intensive
universities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. Kuala Lumpur In 2013, there are 97,000 foreign students are studying in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s target is to reach 100,000 foreign students. Wawasan Open University College is Malaysia’s first private not-for-profit
open learning university. A university aimed at providing new opportunities for
higher learning to working adults who wish to study in Malaysia for accredited
qualifications or for personal enrichment. The flexible, self-paced learning
environment is specially designed for the convenience and accessibility of adult
learners. It aims to bring down the personal cost of learning to a level that
more people can afford. Malaysia's higher education system which has been recognized as one of the
best in the world is a popular choice for students particularly from South East
Asia and Asia Minor to pursue their education. The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025 Global Enrolments Malaysia is among the Asian Higher education leaders like China, Japan, Hong
Kong and Singapore. Estimated Tuition Fees for a Bachelor's Degree in Malaysia Private Universities award their own degree to students. These private
universities degrees are degree programmes developed by Malaysia's private
universities which comply with international quality assurance best practices
and education excellence. Five steps to study in Malaysia Year 2006 Total 323,787 Students enrolled in Private Universities and
Colleges Total :
2001
International Medical University
(IMU)
www.imu.edu.my
1999
The average yearly tuition fee in Malaysia is US$6,000 compared to US$22,000 and
US$14,000 in the US and UK, respectively,
Students’ average yearly cost of living in Malaysia is US$4,000 against
US$13,000-$15,000 in the US and UK.
Malaysia has 21 public-sector universities, five branch campuses of UK and
Australian universities along with more than 33 private-sector universities and
over 500 higher education institutes that provide a diverse range of courses in
various areas of specialisations.
Despite intense competition from other countries such as the UK, USA, Canada,
Australia and India, Malaysian universities have prospered in the international
education market, with an edge in providing low cost studies ranging between
US$20,000 - US$30,000 for an undergraduate engineering degree, or US$15,000 -
$25,000 for an undergraduate degree in IT, Business, Social Sciences, or
Humanities.
Cost of Living in Malaysia
Main reason for international students to study in Malaysia is the relatively
cheap cost of living for average student.
The total cost of expenditure for accommodation, either on campus or off-campus,
is reasonable within budgets.
1) Average monthly rental for a twin sharing room is RM500 (USD150)
2) Monthly expenses in food, transportation, laundry and essentials : RM1,000
(USD300)
Per year, the average total cost of living around RM20,000 (USD6,000)
IN just five years, the average cost of obtaining a franchise degree at a
private higher education institution here has gone up from RM40,769 in 2008 to
RM50,000 this year.
Comparatively, the price tag for a degree from one of the more popular foreign
branch campuses here, which used to be RM65,230 in 2008, has jumped to a
whopping RM80,000 now. That's an average of 22 to 23 per cent increase across
the board.
Wawasan Open University College headquarters is located in Penang. Learners are
supported by trained tutors in learning centres in Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
and Johor Bahru.
Wawasan Open University College 51-20, Menara BHL Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah 10050
Penang Tel No: 04-227-3323
Malaysia's popularity as an education centre had also increased with the
establishment in Malaysia of branch campuses by renowned international
universities.
Study by the Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of
Melbourne, Australia, which placed Malaysia's higher education sector as the
27th of 50 top universities in the world.
Among the Malaysian courses that international students are drawn to are :
1- Engineering,
2- Medicine,
3- Islamic banking
4- Social science
Malaysia's ministry also finding ways to draw more students from developed
countries like Europe to study in Malaysia.
The number of overseas students pursuing higher education in Malaysia was far
lower than that of Malaysians studying abroad.
Sixth-biggest education exporting country by 2020
Malaysia wants to become the world’s sixth-biggest education exporting country
by 2020 with a target of 200,000 international students.
Malaysia is supporting the development by mostly privately funded two education
“cities”:
1- Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC)
Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC), launched in 2007, is still in
development and aims to house both international and local universities, as well
as primary and secondary schools in a 500-acre KLEC Academic Park. The hub will
offer education from University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School, Epsom
College, and Universiti Sains Malaysia (and potentially other schools) to those
in the region with an expected student population of nearly 30,000.
2- EduCity at Iskandar
EduCity at Iskandar is a similar idea: a 350-acre campus on which several
universities will be housed as well as elaborate sports and leisure facilities
including a 14,000-seater stadium and an Olympic-length swimming pool. The idea
is to create a “student village” of about 16,000 students on the campus, where
students from each university share access to the amazing recreational and
sports facilities. Mohd Hisham Kamaruzaman, acting chief operating officer of
Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd (owned by Iskandar Investment Berhad, which is
developing EduCity), told University World News that “the student village and
sports complex will be ready by August, in time for the next academic year.”
Several universities are already open in EduCity, with more about to start.
Targets of the Blueprint are:
1- Universal enrolment from pre-school to upper secondary education in 10 years;
2- Halving the achievement gaps between the rich and the poor, urban and rural,
and between the states that form Malaysia in eight years;
3- Rising from the bottom-third to the top-third of countries in international
assessments like PISA and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
(TIMSS) in 15 years;
4- Building an education system that gives children an appreciation of their
unique identity as Malaysians.
There are three “waves” to the Blueprint’s action plan:
Wave 1: Blueprint implementation – more support for teachers and a focus on core
student skills.
Wave 2: Building upon progress.
Wave 3: To occur between 2020 and 2025, schools will take over their own
administration.
Malaysia was ranked 55 out of 77 countries in the recent Programme for
International Student Assessment (PISA) report.
Not one Malaysian public university placed in the top 400 of the 2012–2013 Times
Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
And yet, Malaysia is busily solidifying its image as an education hub in Asia,
thanks in large part to its successful efforts to attract international
universities: the Iskander Education Hub EduCity is one example of such an
effort.
With estimates that 42% of global enrolments (or 212.9 million enrolments) will
be from the East Asia and Pacific region by 2035, Malaysia’s educational
capacity and the quality of its educational system is an important aspect of the
regional and global markets.
The country is heavily investing in turning itself into a leading destination
for international students.
As of 2012, Malaysia is the world’s 11th largest exporter of educational
services, and host to more than 90,000 international students from 100 different
countries. The government’s bigger ambition is to bring this to the level of the
6th largest education exporter by 2012 having 200,000 international students.
Whilst University of Malaya is the top most university in Malaysia, there are 5
other state universities ranked within the 500 best universities in the world.
In addition to these there are branch universities in Malaysia, such branch
campuses include the University of Nottingham of UK, The Monash and Swinburne
universities of Australia.
There are also many private universities in Malaysia, which offer twinning
programmes such as 2+1 or 2+2 degree options. These have been running in
Malaysia for the past 20 years.
Such twinning programmes allow students to either complete a degree of a
prestigious foreign university (from USA, UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand
and France) whilst studying full time in Malaysia or to do part studies in
Malaysia and complete the degree in the foreign university.
One of the main attractions of studying in Malaysia is the relatively low cost
of tuition fees and living costs compared to Australia, UK and USA.
However Malaysia is more than a mere budget option. The quality of teaching,
facilities and recognition of degrees together with world’s most culturally
diverse society makes it a well worth option to be considered by prospective
students.
2 of the most popular branch universities of Australia – The Monash University
with its Sunway Campus and The Swinburne University with its campus in Sarawak.
Both these universities conducts a wide range of degree courses where they
facilitate students complete their courses entirely in Malaysia and provides the
opportunity to transfer to the Australian campuses at any stage of their studies
without any restrictions.
Private universities such as Taylor’s University and INTI University, which
conducts globally recognized degree programmes.
Their programmes are under strict scrutiny of the Malaysian Qualifications
Agency (MQA) to ensure compliance to the Board's standard.
Many private universities also have the recognition of foreign bodies by
collaborate with reputable foreign universities. Some private universities also
collaborate with local research agencies, industries and top ranking
universities in the world to conduct research, and staff exchange and
development programmes.
In less than 10 years Malaysian private universities have developed fast and
gained international recognition with increasing of international students.
There are also universities that have been granted the status of
university-college by the Government. Such higher education institutions were
previously private colleges which have shown good track record in conducting
'3+0' degree programmes.
A university-college is a specialist university focusing on certain disciplines
of study with lower student enrolment capacity. Many of these universities
continue to collaborate with its '3+0' degree university-partners to
internationalize their degree programmes.
Some of these university-colleges ore well recognized by their foreign
university-partners. A student can study one degree programme and graduate with
two degree qualifications (one degree certificate from the university and the
other from the overseas university-partner) at the cost of one degree, without
leaving Malaysia.
The areas of study include Business, Life Science, Applied Science, Engineering,
Hospitality, Creative Art, Social Science, IT, Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy.
The main benefit of pursuing a locally degree is the cheap course fee with the
added advantage of a globally recognized qualification. Such degree programmes
hove made these universities a much sought-after place by both local as well as
international students.
• Before leaving your country to Malaysia, Student informs educational
institution of his/her port of entry (airport), flight number, arrival date and
time. Student’s application to study is accepted by educational institution
which will then help to apply for student pass at the Malaysian Immigration
Department in Malaysia (except students from PRC)
• Upon arrival at airport in Malaysia, Educational institution’s representative
will receive the student at the immigration check-point.
• Upon acceptance, letter of approval for student pass will be released by
Malaysian Immigration Department to the education institution for them to pass
on the approval letter to student.
• Within 2 weeks of student’s arrival, the educational institution will submit
the student’s passport to Immigration Department to affix the Student Pass
sticker.
• Student submits application form to study together with relevant documents to
the intended educational institution which has the official approval from
Ministry of Home Affairs to recruit international students.
Application procedures for student pass:
All applications for students’ passes by international students are done through
Malaysian educational institutions. The processing, approval and issuance of
student passes and visas are done by the Immigration Department in Malaysia
except for the students from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The students
from PRC will get their visas from the Embassy of Malaysia and the Council of
Malaysia in PRC.
For further information about the immigration procedures and student pass, the
international student can contact the Immigration Department in Malaysia at the
following address:
The Director Visa,
Pass and Permit Division Headquarters of Malaysian Immigration Department
1st - 7th Floor (Podium),
Block 2G4 Federal Government Administrative Centre,
Putrajaya, Malaysia
Tel : 603-88801000 Fax : 603-88801200 Website : http://www.imi.gov.my
Qualification Levels
Number of
enrolments
Certificate
68,442
Diploma
123,937
First Degree
124,071
Master's Degree
6,477
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
860
323,787
Year 2006 Students enrolment in Private Higher Education Intuitions
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