Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpur for Bangladeshi Students: A Monthly Budget

Tuition is only part of what it costs to study in Malaysia. The other part is your day-to-day living costs, and Kuala Lumpur is usually the most expensive city in the country. This guide gives a realistic monthly budget so you can plan before you apply.

The short answer

A common starting estimate for an international student is RM 1,500 to RM 2,000 a month if you share housing and live simply. If you rent privately or go out often, plan for RM 2,500 or more. Published student guides give different figures, so treat these numbers as ranges and check your university's own estimate.

Monthly budget by category

Prices depend on the area, the type of housing and your lifestyle. Rents are higher in central Kuala Lumpur and lower in smaller towns and further from the city.

Housing: the biggest decision

• University hostel. Usually the cheapest and easiest in your first semester, but places can be limited.
• Shared apartment or room. Very common among students. Sharing a room or splitting an apartment keeps the cost down.
• Private rental. More comfortable and more expensive. Expect a deposit of a few months' rent on top of the first month.

Costs that are easy to forget

• EMGS visa and medical insurance. The visa fee usually runs between RM 2,000 and RM 3,000 depending on the university, and includes the medical insurance and the Student Pass.
• Flight and settling in. Your flight from Dhaka and a housing deposit when you arrive.
• Books and course materials. Some courses need more than others.

Ways to keep your budget down

1. Share housing and cook some of your meals.
2. Use public transport instead of ride-hailing for daily travel.
3. Choose a university with a lower tuition fee or a tuition discount. Our page on scholarships and tuition discounts in Malaysia shows which courses currently have an offer.
4. If you are allowed to work, remember international students may work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days. Confirm the current rules before you rely on it.

Compare with tuition

To see the full picture, add your living costs to the tuition of the course you want. Our cost of studying in Malaysia table shows total programme fees by study level, and the fees page lists every course.

The ranges above are estimates drawn from published student cost guides and change over time. Check the current costs with your university.