MBA in Malaysia: Cost, Eligibility for Indian Students

An MBA in Malaysia can have very different tuition costs depending on the university and programme. Universiti Malaya lists RM 79,100 for its full-time MBA for international students, while Asia School of Business lists RM 150,000 for the 2026/2027 academic year. These figures are published on the institutions’ official fee pages; 2027 intake fees may change.

MBA fees in Malaysia depend on the institution, course format, and programme length. For reference, the official fee pages list RM 79,100 for Universiti Malaya’s full-time MBA for international students and RM 150,000 for Asia School of Business for 2026/2027. These are programme tuition fees, not annual estimates. As per the cost of living in Malaysia, one-bedroom rent is about RM 1,117 per month outside a city centre and RM 1,585 in a city centre, before food, utilities and transport. Check each university’s official page for the 2027 intake.

Some of the best MBA universities in Malaysia are the University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Asia School of Business. After finishing your MBA in Malaysia, you can expect an average salary of around RM 80,000 per year. While countries like the USA, UK, and Singapore are also popular choices for an MBA, Malaysia is preferred for its lower cost, quality education, and good career opportunities.

MBA in Malaysia Highlights

Best MBA Colleges in Malaysia

The table below lists selected Malaysian universities using the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026. These are overall university rankings, not MBA-programme rankings. Fees are programme-specific; the University of Malaya figure is from its official fee page, while other amounts should be confirmed with the relevant institution.

MBA in Malaysia Fees

MBA fees in Malaysia vary by institution and programme. Universiti Malaya lists RM 79,100 for its full-time MBA for international students, while Asia School of Business lists RM 150,000 for its 12-month MBA for the 2026/2027 academic year. These are programme tuition fees, not annual estimates. Check the official university pages for fees applicable to the 2027 intake.

Cost of Living in Malaysia

The cost of living in Malaysia for Indian students depends on city, rent, and lifestyle. Numbeo’s Malaysia data, last updated on 4 June 2026, lists one-bedroom rent at RM 1,585.08 per month in a city centre and RM 1,116.52 outside the centre. The other items below are added to rent, so the full monthly total can exceed RM 2,000 for a student renting a one-bedroom flat alone. Shared accommodation can reduce costs.

Scholarships for MBA in Malaysia

Scholarships for study-abroad programmes are a great way to reduce the overall cost of studying and living. If the scholarship amount is sufficient, students may eliminate the need to work part-time in Malaysia while studying an MBA. Some of the scholarships for an MBA in Malaysia include:

• Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS): Government funding for eligible full-time postgraduate study at participating institutions. The 2026 call is closed; check the official MIS website for the next application cycle, eligible institutions and benefits.
• Asia School of Business Fellowships: Competitive, merit-based awards are available. Applicants must submit the required impact and fellowship essays. Funding is not guaranteed; a strong GMAT/GRE score and early application may improve fellowship consideration. See the official ASB admissions page.
• INCEIF Scholarships: Some of the scholarships include the INCEIF Asnaf Students Leadership Programme, President’s Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholarship, INCEIF Bursary, and Malaysian International Scholarships.

Eligibility Criteria for MBA in Malaysia

• An MBA in Malaysia requires students to have a bachelor’s degree with a certain minimum CGPA (usually above 2.5 out of 4.0 scale).
• Work experience requirements vary. Asia School of Business strongly encourages at least two years of professional experience, and its class averages around seven years. Other full-time and executive MBA programmes set their own requirements.
• Foreign applicants whose mother tongue is not English are typically required to provide proof of English competence. The TOEFL and IELTS are two exams for English proficiency that are widely acknowledged.
• GMAT/GRE requirements depend on the programme. Asia School of Business does not require these tests but strongly encourages them; a strong score may support merit-fellowship consideration. Check the official admissions page for each other MBA programme.
• In order to pursue an MBA in Malaysia, students need to submit a few documents such as a statement of purpose, admissions essays, letters of recommendation, etc.

MBA in Malaysia Admission Documents

• Formal Schooling with a certain minimum percentage
• Bachelor’s degree with a certain CGPA (varies as per the university requirements)
• Academic or Professional experience (depends on the university requirements)
• GRE or GMAT scores
• English language proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL
• Latest resume
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• LORs (Letters of recommendation)
• Admission Essays

It is important to remember that specific requirements can differ between universities and even between MBA programmes at the same institution. It is advised to go to the universities' official websites as a result.

Application deadlines and intake months vary by institution. Universiti Malaya lists October and March intakes for its MBA, subject to programme availability. Asia School of Business has opened applications for its September 2027 MBA intake, with published rounds on 29 October 2026, 11 February 2027, 29 April 2027 and 10 June 2027. International applicants should apply by the final round at the latest to allow time for visa processing. Check the UM MBA page and ASB admissions page for changes.

MBA in Malaysia: Student Visa Requirements

In order to obtain a student visa to study MBA in Malaysia, students need to fulfil certain minimum requirements. Here is an overview of the same:

Under current Malaysian Immigration rules, eligible international students may work up to 20 hours per week only during semester breaks or holidays longer than seven days, in approved locations and with prior approval. This is not a general right to work during teaching weeks. See the Malaysian Immigration Department’s Student Pass guidance.

• A valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Offer letter from the MBA college in Malaysia from which you received an offer
• Passport-sized photographs
• Financial proofs
• Academic transcripts
• Medical test reports
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Proof of accommodation
• Application fee

MBA in Malaysia vs MBA in USA

The table given below provides a comparison between an MBA in Malaysia and an MBA in USA:

Now that students are aware of MBA in Malaysia, they must not leave any loopholes in their application. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.

MBA in Malaysia FAQs