The number of enrolled international students at Malaysian universities has been rising dramatically during the best few years. Malaysian universities offer programs fully taught in English with affordable tuition fees. This made Malaysia one of the best studying abroad destinations for international students. However, students with a limited budget always search for the most affordable universities to study in Malaysia. Therefore, we made a list of the 9 cheapest universities in Malaysia for international students in 2022 with average tuition fees.
List of the Cheapest Universities in Malaysia for International Students 2022
Tuition fees in Malaysia vary between public and private universities. Malaysian public universities are usually more affordable. However, the acceptance rate at Malaysian private universities is obviously higher. In addition, living cost in Malaysia is cheaper in comparison with most study abroad destinations. Therefore, most students find it easy to handle all costs during their studies out there.
For the year 2022, the Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is the cheapest university in Malaysia for international students. Where the total cost of the foundation year program is around 13,000 Malaysian ringgit (around US$3,000). However, Bachelor’s programs are cheaper and the average tuition fees for international students are around 4000 Malaysian ringgit (around US$920) per year. While Master’s and Doctoral studies will cost around 6000 Malaysian ringgit (around US$1,375) per year for most programs.
Check: 12 Cheapest Universities in the UK for International Students
Generally, all Malaysian universities mentioned in our list are affordable universities with low tuition fees compared to other universities in Malaysia.
9. UCSI University
UCSI University is a leading private institution with 3 campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Springhill (Port Dickson), and Kuching. UCSI ranks among the 350 best universities in the world in 2022. It is the best private university in Malaysia, especially in fields like music and performing arts.
UCSI offers a wide spectrum of academic programs, ranging from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, and architecture to music, multimedia, education, liberal arts, and hospitality. During the past few years, students from 110 different countries have studied at UCSI University, making it a melting pot of culture and diversity. Currently, the university hosts more than 2000 enrolled international students.
The average cost of studying at UCSI University
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Foundation year: 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4500).
- Bachelor’s programs: 22,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$5100) per year.
- Bachelor of medicine Tuition fees: 62,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$14,100) per year. The total cost (5 years) is 342,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$80,000).
- Master’s programs: 35,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$8000) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 35,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$8000) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
Read: Cheapest Universities in Australia for International Students
8. Universiti Utara Malaysia
In the eighth position on our list of the cheapest universities in Malaysia is Universiti Utara Malaysia. UUM is a public university established in 1984 and has two campuses in Sentok and Kuala Lumpur.
Universiti Utara Malaysia has more than 30,000 local and international students, the majority of whom are enrolled in the preparatory year and bachelor’s programs (23,000 students) and the rest (7,000) are studying master’s and doctoral programs.
UUM is the only university in Malaysia that was set up to specialize solely in management education. In addition, It is the only university in Malaysia that provides on-campus accommodation to more than 22,000 students.
Uttara Malaysia includes 3 main colleges, that are divided into several schools and sub-colleges:
| College Of Business | College of Arts and Sciences | College of Law, Government and International Studies |
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The average cost of studying at Universiti Utara Malaysia
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Foundation year: 4800 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1100).
- Bachelor’s programs: 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4600) per year.
- Master’s programs: 15,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$3500) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 18,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4250) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
Check: Cheapest Private Universities in Turkey for International Students
7. University of Kuala Lumpur
The University of Kuala Lumpur, or UniKL, is a multi-campus leading entrepreneurial technical university in Malaysia based in the heart of Malaysia’s capital. UniKL has 12 different campuses across Malaysia. Although it is a young university, established in 2002, it is one of the best Malaysian universities right now.
One of the most important features of UniKL is that all programs are taught entirely in English. It is also one of the best options for international students to do their foundation year before they start undergraduate studies. Currently, The university has more than 25,000 local and international students.
UniKL’s 13 branch institutes offer various foundation, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Among its most important programs:
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The average cost of studying at University of Kuala Lumpur
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Diploma: 7500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1725).
- Foundation year: 9000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2100).
- Bachelor’s programs: 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4600) per year.
- Master’s programs: 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4600) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4600) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
See also: Cheapest Public Universities in Turkey for International Students
6. University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
University Putra Malaysia, or UPM University, is a public research university with a primary focus on sciences related to agricultural studies. Recently, the university has expanded to include a wide range of scientific research and education including medicine, engineering, computer science, biotechnology, and others.
The number of local and international students at UPM exceeds 26,000 enrolled students, distributed between undergraduate and graduate majors. The university has 13 colleges, two schools, and two colleges in the Bintulu Campus.
UPM offers a diverse range of academic programmes. The following picture shows the distribution of educational faculties in this affordable Malaysian university:
The average cost of studying at University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
- Check university tuition fees on their official website for Undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Foundation year: 10,200 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2350).
- Bachelor’s programs: 17,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$3900) per year.
- Master’s programs: 25,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$5750) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 12,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2800) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
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5. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
In the fifth position in our list of the 9 cheapest universities in Malaysia is the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. UTeM is a public university located in Durian Tunggal, established in 2000 as the first public technical university in Malaysia.
The university is known as a pioneer in the use of“practice and application-oriented” teaching and learning methodology for higher technical education in Malaysia.
This affordable Malaysian university has more than 12,000 local and international students, and the majority of them (11,000 students) are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs. International students wishing to study at this distinguished Malaysian university will find a wide variety of programs available in the following educational faculties:
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
- Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering.
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
- Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering.
- Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.
- Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship.
- Faculty Of Electrical And Electronic Engineering Technology.
- Faculty Of Mechanical And Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
- Centre For Languages and Human Development.
- Institute of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship.
The average cost of studying at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
- Check university tuition fees on their official website for Undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Bachelor’s programs: 10,500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2400) per year.
- Master’s programs: 11,500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2650) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 7500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1700) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
Read: 9 Cheapest Universities in Spain for International Students
4. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
University of Malaysia Kelantan or UMK University, is a new public university established in 2006 and located in Kelantan, Malaysia. UMK promotes its philosophy using taglines such as “Entrepreneurship is Our Thrust” and “Entrepreneurial University”.
Major studies at the university are concentrated in popular areas such as entrepreneurship and Business, creative technology and heritage, agro-industry and natural resource sciences.
Currently, University of Malaysia Kelantan has more than 9,000 enrolled students and most of them (over 6,000) are enrolled in undergraduate degree programmes. The main educational faculties of the university are:
- Faculty of Earth Science.
- Faculty of Agro-Based Industry.
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology.
- Faculty of Entrepreneurship & Business.
- Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Wellness.
- Faculty of Heritage & Creative Technology.
- Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The average cost of studying at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Bachelor’s programs: 6500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1500) per year. However, programs such as veterinary medicine cost around 9000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2050) per year.
- Master’s programs: 16,500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4000) per year. Master in veterinary medicine costs around 25,500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$6000) per year
- PhD’s programs: 16,500 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4000) per year. However, PhD in business management costs around 70,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$15,500)
- Scholarships: Available.
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3. University of Malaya
University of Malaya or UM University is a public research university located in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. UM University is the best and oldest university in Malaysia. It has an associated campus in Singapore. Although the university was established in 1905, it gained its autonomy by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2012.
The University of Malaya is ranked by the QS World Rankings among the top 65 universities in the world, among the top 9 universities in Asia, and the top 3 universities in Southeast Asia. Currently, the University of Malaya in Malaysia includes 13 educational colleges, 2 academies, and 5 institutes.
UM university has more than 30,000 students, of whom 18,000 are enrolled in undergraduate programs and nearly 12,000 are enrolled in graduate programs. The main faculties at this low tuition fees university in Malaysia are:
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The average cost of studying at the University of Malaya
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Foundation year: 700 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$160).
- Bachelor’s programs: 15,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$3500) per year.
- Master’s programs: 25,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$5750) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 18,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$4100) per year.
- Scholarships: Available for Undergraduate and graduate students.
2. Universiti Teknologi MARA
MARA University of Technology, or UiTM University, is the second-best university in Malaysia and the largest public university in the country, with approximately 35 campuses in all 13 Malaysian states. The university has over 170,000 local and international students and offers more than 500 different programs that are taught entirely in English.
This affordable Malaysian university offers high-quality education to both local and international students at low tuition fees. It offers international students many options with more than 162 master’s programs and 55 doctoral degree programs.
However, undergraduate programs are reserved for domestic students only. UiTM ranks among the top 600 universities in the world, among the top 290 universities in social sciences and among the top 400 universities in engineering.
Among the best majors offered by UiTM University in Malaysia:
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The average cost of studying at Universiti Teknologi MARA
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Master’s programs: 10000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$2400) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 8000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1850) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
1. Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
In the first position on our list of the 9 cheapest universities in Malaysia, is the University of Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). UniMAP is a public university established in 2001 and one of the most popular Malaysian universities for international students.
It is famous for providing preparatory year programs for students who want to learn English before starting their university studies. In addition, it offers six diploma programs, approximately 37 bachelor’s programs, and more than 30 postgraduate programs.
More than 14,000 local and international students are enrolled in UniMAP university. It has 10 different schools:
- School of Computer & Communication Engineering.
- School of Microelectronic Engineering.
- School of Mechatronic Engineering.
- School of Electrical System Engineering.
- School of Manufacturing Engineering.
- School of Materials Engineering.
- School of Environmental Engineering.
- School of Bioprocess Engineering.
- School of Business Innovation & Technopreneurship.
- Centre for Graduate Studies.
The average cost of studying at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
- Check university tuition fees on their official website.
- Foundation year: 13,000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$3000), including tuition fees, registration fees, and international student fees.
- Bachelor’s programs: 4000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$920) per year, Plus one time payment of 5380 Malaysian ringgit during the first year. (ex, Bachelor of Business Administration (3 years) will cost around 3,500 ringgit (yearly fees) x 3 +5380 (first-year administrative fee) = 15,940 Malaysian ringgit (around US$3,700).
- Master’s programs: 6000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1375) per year.
- PhD’s programs: 6000 Malaysian Ringgit (around US$1375) per year.
- Scholarships: Available.
This was a full list of the 9 cheapest universities in Malaysia for international students in 2022 and the tuition fees in each one of them. If you are planning to study in Malaysia on a limited budget, I am sure that you will find the right choice between these affordable Malaysian universities!
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