🇲🇾 Malaysia · Study Abroad
How to study in Malaysia as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in Malaysia you apply to the university, then apply for a student pass through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), which vets international students; with EMGS approval you get a single-entry visa and, after arrival, the student pass is endorsed in your passport. Teaching is largely in English. Explore the university sites and apply by the deadline.
Malaysia is a popular, affordable study destination with public and private universities and several international branch campuses, many teaching in English. International students apply through the institution and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), which manages the Student Pass. The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) accredits programmes and recognises qualifications.
- Public and private universities plus international branch campuses, many teaching in English.
- Apply through the institution and EMGS, which manages the Student Pass.
- The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) accredits programmes and recognises qualifications.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and apply to the university; teaching is largely in English. Explore the university sites.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply for a student pass through EMGS; with its approval you get a single-entry visa, and after arrival the student pass is endorsed in your passport.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)
Official study-in-Malaysia services centre.
- Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
Official accreditation and recognition authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is EMGS?
Education Malaysia Global Services, the one-stop centre that processes international students’ student-pass applications for Malaysia.
What is a student pass?
The immigration pass that lets you study in Malaysia, endorsed in your passport after arrival following EMGS approval and a single-entry visa.
Are courses taught in English?
Largely yes — most Malaysian university programs, especially at private and international branch campuses, are taught in English.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- MyGovernment Portal — Malaysia government services portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia — Visas, passes (Employment / DE Rantau) and MM2H
- Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) — Income tax and tax-number registration
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) — Foreign investment and manufacturing/services licensing