Study in Malaysia: Universities, Costs and the Student Visa

Malaysia offers English-taught degrees and branch campuses of foreign universities. This guide explains the university types, the MQA check, the EMGS visa steps and the official fees.

By the ILEAP team · October 7, 2026 · 6 min read

Many international students now choose to study in Malaysia, and it is easy to see why. Lots of programmes are taught in English, several foreign universities run branch campuses there, and budgets vary widely. However, the process has its own rules: a programme check with the MQA, a student visa through EMGS and a list of official fees. We checked the figures on official pages in October 2026, but they change, so always confirm them before you pay.

Why study in Malaysia?

Students usually give three reasons. First, English is widely used in teaching, especially at private universities and branch campuses. Second, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), owned by the Ministry of Higher Education, says Malaysia hosts 11 foreign branch campuses “providing the same curriculum, quality, and certification as their main campuses abroad”. Third, families can often find a programme that fits their budget, although fees differ a lot.

Still, the best reason is a personal one, so use our study abroad after high school checklist before you pick a country.

Public universities, private universities and branch campuses

Malaysia has public universities, private universities and branch campuses of foreign universities. Also, each type has its own fees, intakes and rules. So, instead of counting universities, ask three questions about every one on your list:

Does the programme have full MQA accreditation?
What are the entry requirements, including the English score?
What will the whole course cost, including the visa and insurance?

How to check MQA accreditation before you study in Malaysia

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) keeps the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR). According to the MQA, the register lists only programmes with full accreditation. You can then search the MQR by programme, institution, field or state. In addition, programmes with provisional accreditation appear on a separate MQA list.

Some universities are self-accrediting, which means they accredit their own programmes. Even then, professional programmes still need approval from the relevant professional body. So, if you plan a regulated career, ask which body has approved your programme. Finally, check that your home ministry of education will recognise the degree.

The student visa: from offer letter to Student Pass

Any programme longer than three months needs a student visa, which Malaysia calls a Student Pass. You cannot apply before you receive an offer letter. Then you either apply yourself, on the EMGS visa portal or in the EMGS app, or your institution applies for you.

The seven steps

EMGS also lists these steps in its step-by-step visa guide:

Apply online and upload your documents.
Receive the eVAL, the electronic Visa Approval Letter.
Get a single-entry visa if your nationality needs one, for example on arrival, as an e-Visa or from a Malaysian mission.
Fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before you arrive.
Travel to Malaysia.
Complete a medical screening after arrival.
Immigration endorses your Student Pass, with your institution’s help.

EMGS’s client charter is 14 working days for a complete application, and the eVAL stays valid for 6 months. After you arrive, plan the medical screening for your first week, because EMGS asks for it within 7 days (7 working days in its health report). Then your institution sends your passport for endorsement, and the iKad student card follows within 5 working days.

Documents to prepare

The EMGS guidelines list these main documents:

A passport valid for at least 18 months.
A photo.
Your offer letter.
A health declaration form.
Academic certificates and transcripts.
An English language certificate.
A personal bond, with a fee that depends on your country.
A yellow fever card if you come from a high-risk country.

For other countries, read our student visa guide.

EMGS fees and your budget to study in Malaysia

EMGS publishes an official fee schedule, dated 28 October 2025. These are the main items for a new student:

New Student Processing Fee: RM 800 for a course of up to 6 months, or RM 1,600 for more than 6 and up to 12 months.
Renewal: RM 250 for each renewal of 12 months or less.
eVAL fee: RM 150.
iKad: RM 50.
Medical screening: RM 250, mandatory at private institutions and optional at public universities.
Student Pass sticker: RM 60.
Multiple-entry visa: the fee depends on your country.

However, these amounts do not include tax, because EMGS processing and eVAL fees “are subject to 8% Service Tax”. Health insurance is also extra: EMGS packages cost RM 468 to RM 978 for 12 months, or you can buy cover through your institution. In addition, many universities quote their own “visa fee” package, so ask exactly what it includes.

When you study in Malaysia, your full budget should also cover tuition, housing, food, transport, flights and the personal bond. For a line-by-line template, use our family budget plan for studying abroad. Then compare Malaysia with other destinations in our guide to the cheapest countries to study abroad.

English requirements

EMGS says: “You must demonstrate that you have an acceptable level of English language proficiency.” Without the certificate, processing may be delayed, or the pass may not cover your full course. For the visa, EMGS accepts these tests:

MUET.
IELTS, including the online test.
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials.
PTE Academic, including the online version.
Cambridge English (B1 to C2, Linguaskill and OET).
ELS CIEP level.

However, this visa list is not the admission rule. Each university and programme sets its own minimum score, so read the conditions in your offer letter carefully.

Can you work while you study in Malaysia?

Yes, but only in a limited way, because students may work up to 20 hours a week, and only during semester breaks or holidays longer than 7 days. They also need prior approval from Immigration through their institution, and some jobs are excluded. So do not plan to pay your fees from part-time work. Instead, look at scholarships early, and use our fully funded scholarships guide to judge them.

How ILEAP helps you study in Malaysia

ILEAP works with more than 200 universities in Türkiye, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, the UK, China and Malta. In ILEAP partner schools, university awareness sessions explain majors, university systems, admission requirements and costs before students apply. Optional International University Open Days also bring university representatives to the school. As a result, students who want to study in Malaysia can ask directly about accreditation, English scores and visa support. Learn about university awareness or see our international universities.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Student Pass before I have an offer?

No, because EMGS accepts an application only once you hold an offer letter. Then you or your institution can apply online.

How long does the EMGS process take?

EMGS’s client charter is 14 working days for a complete application. Missing documents slow it down, so upload everything at once and apply early.

Is it expensive to study in Malaysia?

It depends on the university and the programme. Official EMGS costs start with a processing fee of RM 800 or RM 1,600, plus other fees, insurance and 8% service tax. Tuition and living costs then come on top, so compare full budgets.