Study in Malaysia: Education system

The Malaysia Education System offers a wide range of opportunities for both local and international students. Education in Malaysia begins with pre-school, followed by primary education, secondary education, and then post-secondary and higher education. Many students planning to pursue higher studies in Malaysia are often surprised to know that the country follows a dual education system.

Malaysia is gradually becoming a popular study abroad destination and is attracting students around the globe due to its affordability, quality of life, top-notch education, and more. The Malaysian government plays a central role in regulating education, ensuring quality standards through the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). When exploring options for studying in Malaysia, students and parents should be aware that Malaysia is home to some of the top-ranked universities in Asia, as well as international branch campuses of global universities. This makes Malaysia a popular choice for Indian students who want affordable yet high-quality education.

For students aiming to study abroad, Malaysia stands out as one of the best destinations in Asia. The affordable cost of education and low tuition fees has made it one of the most popular international destinations for students. Choosing the right institution is the first step, and understanding the education system will help parents and students plan their education journey more effectively. The guide below provides a brief overview of the Malaysian education system.

Also Read: 

• Malaysia Student Visa
• Cost of Living for International Students in Malaysia

Malaysia Education System

In Malaysia, you get the opportunity of three intakes in a year. The tuition fees is comparatively low than in other countries like the UK. One can also obtain a twining degree at most of the institutes and students can transfer their credits to another country where the institute has a campus.

Malaysian students can choose to study 3 types of programmes:

• Locally run programmes
• Twining academic programmes
• Vocational, technical or skills training 

Two authorities oversee the operations of public or private higher educational Institutions in Malaysia:

• Ministry of Education (MOE) looks after the pre-school to secondary education
• Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes care of the tertiary or higher education

The long-term plan of the Malaysian government is to make Malaysia a center of educational excellence.

Various Levels of Education in Malaysia

1. Primary and Secondary Education: It makes up to 11 years of free education. Primary education (a period of 6 years) and secondary education (5 years which encompasses 3 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary). For primary education, the admission age is 7 years. Primary schooling is obligatory or all children between the ages of 7 and 12. At the end of the primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels, students sit for common public examinations.

2. Post-secondary Education: After the completion of secondary education, students can opt to pursue 1 to 2 years of post-secondary education. It is the university entrance preparatory course. As an end result, the total 12 years of school education serves as the basic entry requirement into Year One of a bachelor's degree programme in higher education institutions.

 3. Tertiary Education: At the tertiary level, higher learning institutions offer courses which lead to the awards of a certificate, diploma, first degree and higher degree qualifications (at academic and professional fields). The duration of study for a basic bachelor's degree programme is 3 years and the courses of study at this level are provided by both the public and private education sectors. Malaysia offers excellent MBA programmes as well.

It is further divided into two major groups:

• Public (government-funded) institutions of higher learning, for example, public universities, polytechnics, community colleges, and teacher training institutes.
• Private (private-funded) higher educational institutions (PHEIs), for example, private universities, private university colleges, foreign branch campus universities and private colleges.

 4. Government-funded Educational Institutions: Through this, one can pursue more than 95% of primary and secondary education as well as about 60% of the tertiary education, with the private sector providing the balance.

 5. Private-funded Educational Institutions: It is divided into two categories depending on the levels of education offered, ranging from pre-school to tertiary education.

They are mentioned below:

• Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) which provide education at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. They comprise private schools and foreign system schools.
• Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) which provide tertiary education leading to the award of certificate, diploma and degree qualifications.

Know more about studying in Malaysia:

• Study in Malaysia: Introduction
• Eligibility conditions for studying at Malaysia
• Top courses in Malaysia
• Top 10 Universities in Malaysia
• Study in Malaysia: Are students allowed to work part time?