Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study in Malaysia
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Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study in Malaysia

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Oct 6, 2025 10:43 IST

Malaysia is becoming popular place for study abroad. Many students from world want come because it is cheap and life is good and education also good. But to join university in Malaysia you need follow some admission requirements. In this article we talk about eligibility for Malaysia, language requirements, and other things you need know.

Eligibility conditions for studying at Malaysia

Education is one of main things for Federal Government of Malaysia in last 10 years. They want give quality education to all students. In Malaysia, admission process and eligibility requirements change from college to college.

Malaysia has many culture, cheap living, and good universities. Studying in Malaysia has many advantages. But students must follow some eligibility rules to join Malaysian universities. International students need show English proficiency with tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Most universities in Malaysia want IELTS score 6.0 or more.

Students also must give important documents like academic certificates, proof of money, and student visa application. Knowing these eligibility requirements is very important for Indian students who want study in Malaysia, because it makes applying easy and helps meet all rules for the program.

Table of contents
  • Study Intakes in Malaysia
  • General Eligibility Requirements to Study in Malaysia
  • Documents Needed to Study in Malaysia
  • Top Reasons Indian Students Choose to Study in Malaysia

Study Intakes in Malaysia

In Malaysian universities and colleges, there are three intakes in a year.

Session

Application Deadline

April

February

June

April

November

September

General Eligibility Requirements to Study in Malaysia

Should be a pass in Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) examination with a distinction in Bahasa Melayu/Bahasa Malaysia paper or a distinction in Bahasa Melayu/Bahasa Malaysia July paper

In case, if you have completed your studies from an English-speaking country, then you don't need to take the entrance tests like SAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL. If a student is from a non-English speaking nation then the college or institution may take a test for the English language. But this also differs from institution to institution.

Eligibility for Undergraduate Programs in Malaysia

To be eligible for an undergraduate program in Malaysia, one must have completed:

  • UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) Senior Middle level - with overall marks of at least 75 per cent
  • STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolhan Malaysia - Malaysia Higher School Certificate) - principal level passes
  • Matriculation Certificate (Matrikulasi)
  • Polytechnic Certificate

Eligibility for Postgraduate Programs in Malaysia

One must have completed:

  • A degree of Bachelor
  • Pre-master's course completion certificate

Level of English Required

To join Malaysian colleges, you must have an English test like IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score is IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 60 and more. It is needed for students applying for Bachelor of English language and literature.

Documents Needed to Study in Malaysia

If you want to study in Malaysia, you must have some important documents ready:

  • Academic transcripts
  • English certificate like IELTS or TOEFL
  • Passport copy
  • Passport size photo
  • Letter of acceptance from university
  • Visa form
  • Financial documents (bank balance around MYR 40,000)
  • Health report
  • SOP (statement of purpose)

You should check all requirements before apply, this makes your application easy and faster.

Top Reasons Indian Students Choose to Study in Malaysia

Many Indian students now see Malaysia as good place for higher studies. Last few years, Malaysia is more popular for students from India. Here are some main reasons why they study there:

Low cost of education and living

One reason is cheap education. Compared to USA, UK, or Australia, tuition fees in Malaysia is lower. Living cost is also cheap. Students can manage monthly expenses easy without stress.

Good quality education

Malaysia has many top universities and international colleges. Some are branches of UK or Australian universities. Degree from here is accepted in many countries. Education system is good and focus on practical learning.

English as medium of instruction

Most courses in Malaysia are taught in English, which is good for Indian students. Many Indian students study English back home, so they can understand better and learn without problem.

Cultural similarities

Malaysia and India share many culture things. Many Indians live in Malaysia. You can find Indian food, temples, and festivals. So students don’t feel too far from home.

Safe and friendly country

Malaysia is safe. People are friendly and helpful. Country is also student-friendly with many services for international students. Parents feel more secure sending children here.

Easy visa process

Getting student visa in Malaysia is not very hard. Visa process is simpler than many countries. This makes Malaysia more attractive for Indian students.

Job opportunities

Candudates can get easy job offers after completing their studies in Malaysia. 

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If you Indian student want to study in Malaysia, it important to know eligibility conditions for easy admission. You need meet academic marks, show English proficiency, and keep all documents ready. This help you more to get seat in top universities in Malaysia. After you get admission letter from university, next thing is apply for Malaysia Student Visa.







Q:   How much bank balance is required for Malaysia student visa?
A:

To obtain a Malaysia student visa, you should have minimum MYR 40,000 (INR 7.5 L) in your bank account.

Q:   Will the degree from University of Nottingham (UK) be of same value as University of Nottingham (Malaysia)?
A:

The University of Nottingham campuses in China and Malaysia will provide the degree to the students with the same equal value. The campuses will follow the UK learning and teaching style for the students to get the similar environment. This degree will be fully official in the UK with automatic recognition, as well as it will be valid in Malaysia and China respectively. 

The quality of teaching will also remain equivalent along with the academic standards that are decided by the entire Nottingham University and the campuses follow its governance. The quality of teaching and learning at the University of Nottingham China campus has also been compared to the main flagship campus in UK. These are some of the reasons why the degree in the Malaysia and China campuses will be of the same value as in UK.

Q:   Is the University of Teknologi Malaysia a top university?
A:

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is a part of the top 500 global universities and students around the globe desire to study here. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, UTM Malaysia University has secured the rank #188 in Best Global Universities. As per Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 Rankings, University of Technology Malaysia UTM has been awarded a rank in the range #401-500 in World University Rankings 2024. When it comes to the US News & World Report, University of Technology Malaysia Johor Bahru ranks at the spot #379 in Best Global Universities in the 2023 edition. Overall, University of Technology Malaysia UTM is highly reputable and offers world-class programs for their international students.

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About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(16)

Z

Zainab Shaju

a year ago

hi, I am an Indian student following CBSE syllabus. I would like to know the entry requirements for Malaysian universities as a student following CBSE curriculum. Thank you.

Reply to Zainab Shaju

s

sathira shajan

4 years ago

Hii, iam sathira shajan from india. I have one backlog in second semester (bca). I wish to study in Malaysia.can i take admission for mca from Malaysia Should i need ielts? Advise me please

Reply to sathira shajan

R

Rahul Singha

4 years ago

Hello Sathira. Appearing for your IELTS exam is entirely subjective to your university admission guidelines. You can check out popular universities in Malaysia here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/malaysia or get in touch with our study abroad counsellors here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/appl

...Read more

U

Umaru Sampati

5 years ago

Hi! I am from Nigeria and holds a master in public administration at 61% average and wish to pursue a PhD in same discipline in any of the top ranking universities in Malaysia precisely Kuala Lumpur. Advise please

Reply to Umaru Sampati

U

Umaru Sampati

5 years ago

Hi! I'm from Nigeria with a masters in public administration at 61% average and wish to enroll for a PhD in same discipline with any of the top ranking universities in Malaysia precisely Kuala Lumpur. Advise as appropriate please

Reply to Umaru Sampati

A

Aquillin Antony

6 years ago

Hey, I am from india, I have done b.tech in 2019 and want to do MBA from Malaysia...for getting admission in good colleges, only IELTS is needed right?

Reply to Aquillin Antony

You may give IELTS and if you do not want to appear in IELTS then you can submit a certificate from your last attended college that your medium of instruction is in English. So on that basis, you can also get admission to Malaysia university (University of Malaya) https://aasc.um.edu.my/entry-requir

...Read more

Hi Aquillin, yes IELTS is mostly accepted in Malaysian universities. You may confirm the university requirements from their website, if you have selected your universities. Thanks!