Education in Malaysia: Admission Instructions

Malaysia offers international students the most diverse learning opportunities. The cost of education is relatively low, and the immigration rules are simple, which does not create obstacles for obtaining a student visa. Cultural diversity, a welcoming atmosphere and the absence of excessive formalities create a unique environment that is very comfortable for students from all over the world.

Types of educational institutions

Malaysia has 20 state universities, 24 polytechnic institutes, 37 state technical schools, 33 private universities, branches of 4 foreign universities and about 500 private colleges. Mention should also be made of the numerous partnership programs of Malaysian universities and colleges with educational institutions in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and New Zealand, in which degree-based studies are offered on behalf of the relevant foreign universities.

Colleges in Malaysia prepare students for admission to universities in the country. University colleges are independent institutions and, although they do not have the status of higher education institutions, are authorized to issue bachelor's degrees. It offers training courses in most popular areas.

In private and public universities in Malaysia, students can receive qualifications at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. The network of higher education institutions also includes 8 campuses of foreign universities offering unique degrees and loan transfer programs.

Learning process

Undergraduate studies in Malaysian universities usually last 3-5 years. Most of the programs in private universities are taught in English, and in public universities in Malay, with the exception of programs in mathematics and science.

To obtain a bachelor's degree, a student must receive 120 credits. Along with general curricula in the humanities and technical sciences, universities in Malaysia also offer courses of a narrower focus, allowing you to get a specific specialization.

At the undergraduate level, students have the opportunity to receive a degree with honors due to their academic achievements, scientific research and an additional year of study.

Malaysia also has programs in which students can earn degrees at two partner universities in different countries. So, under the “2 + 1” program, a student can receive loans from the best universities in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and Germany. Under the "2 + 2" program, a student has the opportunity to complete their studies in the USA, and under the "3 + 0" program, they can study under the programs of foreign universities in educational institutions of Malaysia.

Education in master's and doctoral studies involves theoretical studies and practical tasks, including writing a thesis (or dissertation) or carrying out a research project. This system is similar to the system adopted in Australia and the United Kingdom, and includes attending lectures, seminars and practical classes. Most master's programs are taught in English and last 1-5 years. PhD programs, in turn, usually last 4 years.

Academic culture

The higher education sector of Malaysia is international, the culture of various countries has had a great influence on the teaching style and academic environment. Great Britain had the greatest impact on Malaysian academic culture: students here are also endowed with independence and organize their own educational process.

In the academic environment of Malaysia, polite and diplomatic communication is accepted. Unlike other countries, here, for example, it is not customary to openly express one's personal point of view at lectures and seminars.

Instructions for admission

Training

To start preparing for admission to a higher educational institution in Malaysia is worth at least a year before the intended start of study. First of all, it is necessary to study the local education system and determine the type of educational institution in which you would like to study. You also need to know in advance about the proposed programs, including the degree programs at two partner universities in different countries (“twinning programs”). You can find out detailed information about existing training courses and requirements for applicants from university brochures on their websites.

Submission Period and Deadlines

The period for submitting documents largely depends on the chosen educational institution and program. In most cases, bachelors and masters must apply at the end of February (for starting studies from the first semester) or at the end of July (for starting studies from the second semester). Many universities also hold additional student enrollments throughout the year. For example, Monash University provides a unique enrollment of students in mid-October.

Applicants must take into account that some universities provide for certain periods of application for admission for foreign applicants. Therefore, it is worthwhile to specify the terms in advance directly from the university representatives or in university brochures.

How to apply?

In Malaysia, there is no centralized application system for international students. Thus, you need to send your documents directly to the educational institution or through the free i-Apply service.

Documents required for admission

The standard package of documents for submission to a higher educational institution in Malaysia is as follows:

1) A copy of the passport (all pages) and other documents confirming the identity of the student

2) Diplomas confirming an existing education

3) Translated and certified transcript of school certificate or existing loans

4) Color photo of the passport size

5) Completed university application form

6) Certificate of medical examination

7) Confirmation of registration fees

In some cases, foreign students also need to provide a certificate of passing the IELTS language exam. Remember that the results of this test are valid only for 3 years from the date of the exam. Therefore, if your certificate is about to expire, you will need to retake the exam. Depending on the educational institution and the chosen program, other documents, such as a motivational essay, may also be included in the package for submission.

After the application deadline, the university usually considers students' documents for 5-7 days. Further, students enrolled in the university receive an official letter from the institution (Offer of Place) with detailed information about the curriculum, the day of study and the bills that must be paid. This document, in turn, is required to obtain student status upon arrival in Malaysia.

Advice for applicants

Thousands of students submit applications annually and are accepted to universities in Malaysia. Therefore, on the websites of educational institutions and student forums, you can easily find detailed information about all the intricacies of the process of admission to Malaysian universities. For example, on the website of the University of Nottingham, you can download step-by-step instructions on submitting documents and entering higher education institutions in Malaysia.

If, among other documents, you need to submit a motivational essay to the educational institution, take seriously the style of writing the essay and its content. In particular, it is important for the host committee to understand why you want to study in this particular institution and in the chosen program.

Therefore, your essay should be enthusiastic about your upcoming studies, your plans for the future should be expressed. The educational system of Malaysia is in many respects similar to the British and Australian systems, so a clear and direct writing style is welcome here, no frills.

Nevertheless, in Malaysia, an intelligent communication is adopted, built on mutual respect, therefore it is not necessary to express unnecessary conceit in the essay, this can be poorly perceived. In a word, the documents themselves should speak about your merits and achievements, and the student should not additionally praise himself.