Types of qualifications

                  English is the medium of instruction of private higher educational institutions and some government universities in Malaysia. As such, a good standard of the English language is required for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. Malaysia has many specialist language centres that offer classes to prepare students for the testing of English proficiency conducted by the external English Examination Board as an entry requirement into college or university. Proficiency tests include IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

The tuition fees for English courses in Malaysia are competitive. For example, the preparatory courses for TOEFL and IELTS examinations usually take two to six months, and the fees range from RM600 to RM800 (USD200 to USD260) per course depending on the duration and course contents. Most higher education institutions also conduct internally accepted English proficiency courses for students entering degree programs.

Foundation

Various types of foundation programmes can be found in Malaysia. Requirements for local and international students are SPM / O level / UEC or equivalent with 5 credits including English and Mathematics. Science subjects will be needed for more technical programs such as health sciences and engineering.

Foundation or Pre-University Studies
Pre-University, Malaysia	USD 3,000 - USD 5,500 (12 months)
GCE ‘A’, Level, UK	USD 5,500 - USD 7,000 (18 months)
Canadian Pre-U, Canada	USD 5,000 - USD 6,000 (12 months)
AUSMAT, Australia	USD 5,500 - USD 6,000 (12 months)
SAM, Australia	USD 6,000 - USD 6,500 (12 months)

Undergraduate

Bachelor degree (honours): Bachelor degrees prepare students for professional careers and postgraduate study. They typically require a minimum of six semesters of full-time study. Entry typically requires successful completion of a foundation or diploma from respective local universities or Malaysian Higher School Certificate Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia or overseas equivalent such as A-level, AUSMAT, SAM and Canadian Pre-U.

Paths of Study

Courses	Malaysian Private University’s Degree Programme (in USD)	Private College’s 3+0 Foreign Degree Programme (in USD)	Foreign Branch Campus University’s Degree Programme (in USD)
Business	17,000 – 20,000	17,000 - 21,000	33,000 - 35,000
Engineering	21,000 – 23,500	12,860 - 14,860	41,140 - 43,000
IT	17,000 – 20,000	9,710 - 12,860	13,500 - 25,500
Medicine	110,000 – 160,000 (5 years)	140, 500 (5 years)	200,000 (5 years)
Hospitality & Tourism	13,000 - 14,500	15,710 - 18,570	13,500 - 25,500

*Note: All the figures are estimates only and may not be up to date. Exchange Rate: Estimated USD 1.00 = MYR 3.20

Postgraduate

Graduate certificates and diplomas are designed to expand the skills and knowledge learned in an undergraduate degree or provides students with the vocational skills and knowledge to work in a new field. Graduate certificates usually require six months of full-time study, and graduate diplomas usually require 12 months of full-time study.
Entry into any postgraduate programme requires a bachelor degree or advanced diploma.
Master’s degree: Masters Degrees provide advanced study in an academic field or area of professional practice. They typically require two years of study after a bachelor degree or one year of study after a bachelor degree (honours). Masters degrees may be offered in three formats:

1. Coursework masters: Coursework masters degrees involve a mixture of coursework, project work and research. Entry usually requires a bachelor degree, bachelor degree (honours) or graduate diploma.
2. Research masters: Research masters degrees comprise at least two-thirds research and an extensive thesis, which may be marked externally. Entry usually requires a bachelor degree (honours) or masters preliminary year, a research-based graduate diploma or equivalent research experience.
3. Professional masters: Professional master’s degrees usually involve a work-based project. Entry requires a related academic qualification and professional experience or considerable employment experience in a related field.

Doctoral degree (PhD): Doctoral degrees require students to make a significant original contribution to a field or to adapt, apply and reinterpret existing knowledge. Doctoral degrees may be offered in two formats:

1. Research doctorate: Research doctorates primarily involve supervised research. Entry requires a research or part-research master’s degree or a bachelor degree (honours).
2. Professional doctorate: Professional doctorates comprise coursework and research in differing combinations. Entry usually requires a combined research and coursework master’s degree or a bachelor degree (honours). Students may also be required to have completed substantial professional practice experience before or during the course.