When it comes to picking a destination to study abroad in, the most obvious criterion is the quality of education in that country. In recent years, Malaysian universities have experienced a boon in international reputation and recognition. Apart from reputable local universities, Malaysia is also home to some of the best foreign universities in the world. Well-known institutions of higher learning like Monash University and the University of Nottingham have branch campuses in Malaysia. In other words, one of the best reasons to study in Malaysia is simply because it offers world-class education at affordable rates, especially considering the exchange rate of the Ringgit.

For example, a typical undergraduate course at the University of Nottingham in the UK costs $150,000. That same course, containing the same modules and lecturers of similar stature, costs only about $40,000 (MYR 174,000) at the Malaysia campus. While on the subject of affordability, another benefit of studying in Malaysia is the relatively low cost of living, even for students.  While some locals may not fully agree with this, I stand by it, especially when you compare the cost of living, even in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s most expensive city, with my hometown of Hong Kong. Even compared to neighboring countries like Singapore and Thailand, the average cost of living in Malaysia is much lower. Most international students would be able to live comfortably at a monthly cost of just MYR 2000 ($500) a month, including rent, food, and daily expenses.

Just because Malaysia is a wallet-friendly option to obtain tertiary education, it doesn’t skimp on the quality, quantity, and diversity of its programs and courses. This is one of the reasons why I personally think studying in Malaysia is a great option. Traditionally, Malaysia is famous for world-class courses in engineering, law, and medicine. However, these days, the country also offers excellent courses in design, media, and much more. Whether you’re planning on becoming a doctor or lawyer, or if you’d like nothing more than to dive into a much newer field, chances are, you’ll find exactly the course that teaches you all you need to know in Malaysia.

Along with the high quality of education available at universities in Malaysia, most campuses also come with top-notch facilities, offering another enticing reason for international students to study abroad in Malaysia. Most, if not all campuses in Malaysia, are fully equipped with high-speed Internet, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, and much more. Even facilities like gyms and libraries are well-maintained, offering international students a balanced way to study whilst maintaining their leisure time. 

Another huge benefit of studying abroad in Malaysia is the high employability of graduates. This applies to both local and foreign students. Not only that, but Malaysia is one of the few countries that allows international students to work part-time during semester breaks while they’re still enrolled in their courses. Many companies are also open to hiring foreign students for internships or entry-level positions. Another major reason to study in Malaysia is where most of the most popular universities are located. Many of the country’s top campuses are located either in or near Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu, all of which are major cities and financial hubs. 

Another factor to consider when choosing to study abroad in Malaysia is whether Malaysia is safe for international students or not. While it is always up to us to stay cautious no matter where we are, I would say that, from my year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a relatively safe country. In fact, according to the 2022 Global Peace Index, Malaysia ranks as the 18th most peaceful country out of 163. What’s more, while there can be occasionally heavy rain and flooding in some areas, the weather in Malaysia is generally pleasant without any extreme fluctuations. Plus, there are no earthquakes or typhoons. 

Another favorite reasons why you should study in Malaysia is the opportunity to engage with people from all walks of life. Even though most countries in the world are, to some extent, cultural melting pots, no other student can think of any other country that celebrates diversity like Malaysia. From food, traditional customs, and festivals right down to the locals themselves, you do get a little experience of the world in Malaysia. You get to witness people of different races just hanging out daily. While in Malaysia, students can be even invited by locals to join some of their festivals like Hari Raya and Deepavali, which they never get a chance to do in Hong Kong! Even on campus, you’ll find plenty of culture-based activities and events that will open your eyes to brand-new experiences.

Along with cultural diversity, Malaysia is also a multilingual country, and that’s another one of the reasons why Malaysia is good for international students. English is widely spoken on all campuses in Malaysia and in major cities, especially tourist hubs. But apart from that, most Malaysians of Chinese descent can speak Mandarin fluently, as well as dialects like Cantonese, Hokkien, and Hakka. Tamil, on the other hand, is widely spoken by ethnic Indians in Malaysia. Essentially, no matter where you go, you’ll likely be able to communicate well even if you don’t know a word of Malay!