Study in Malaysia: cost, universities, requirements & visa

Malaysia is an affordable place to earn an English-taught degree, and it is only about four hours from Dhaka. This guide covers what you need to know before you apply: the cost of studying and living, the universities, entry requirements by level, intakes, and how the student visa works.

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Study in Malaysia at a glance

Intakes: Mostly January/February, May and September/October (varies by university)
Language: Courses are taught in English; English proof is usually required
Visa: EMGS Visa Approval Letter, usually 4–6 weeks, then the Student Pass
Part-time work: Up to 20 hours a week during semester breaks or holidays over 7 days

Why Bangladeshi students choose Malaysia

Lower cost

Tuition and living costs are usually well below the UK, Australia and the US, so a foreign-standard degree is within reach for more families.

English-taught degrees

Programmes are taught in English, and some universities run twinning or branch-campus degrees linked to institutions in the UK and Australia.

Close to home

Kuala Lumpur is about four hours from Dhaka, halal food is easy to find, and and Malaysia is a multicultural country with a large international student community.

Scholarships and discounts

Many universities reduce tuition for good results. See the scholarships and discounts.

Wide choice of courses

From foundation and diploma to Master’s and PhD, in engineering, IT, business, health and more. We currently list 1414 courses.

Clear visa process

Student visas are handled online through EMGS, and BMSCL guides you through each step.

Cost of studying in Malaysia

Your total cost has two parts: tuition for the whole programme, and living costs for every month you are there.

Tuition by study level (from our course list)

Total programme tuition range by study level, in Malaysian ringgit
Level	Courses listed	Total programme fee (RM)
Pre-University	1	35,547
Foundation	54	12,750 – 46,200
Certificate	15	3,625 – 27,765
Diploma	190	9,000 – 76,974
Bachelor	572	40,250 – 487,290
Masters	423	5,538 – 106,200
PhD	153	12,250 – 105,000
Professional	2	20,000 – 25,000
Advanced Diploma	2	38,320 – 47,770
A-Level	2	37,809 – 52,320

Estimated totals for international students from the universities we work with. Fees change by year and intake; see every course and its fee.

Living costs

A common starting estimate is RM 1,500 to RM 2,000 a month for shared housing, food and transport. Private rental or a more active lifestyle can bring it to RM 2,500 or more, and costs are higher in Kuala Lumpur than in smaller towns. Accommodation is usually the biggest part.

One-off costs

The EMGS visa fee usually runs between RM 2,000 and RM 3,000 depending on the university and includes medical insurance and the Student Pass. Add your flight and a deposit for housing when you arrive.

Entry requirements by level

Each university and course sets its own rules, but these are the usual starting points for Bangladeshi students.

Typical entry requirements by study level
Level	Usually requires	English
Foundation / Diploma	SSC (or O-level) with the required grades	Often tested on arrival or by an internal English test
Bachelor	HSC (or A-level), or a completed foundation or diploma	Around IELTS 5.5–6.0, or an MOI certificate where accepted
Master’s	A recognised bachelor’s degree	Around IELTS 6.0–6.5, or an MOI certificate where accepted
PhD	A Master’s degree (or strong bachelor’s), research proposal and referees	University-specific

Always confirm the requirements of your chosen course before applying.

Universities you can apply to through BMSCL

Private universities take the majority of international undergraduates, while public universities have fewer places and are more competitive. These are the universities whose courses and fees we list.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

Kuala Lumpur · 84 courses

Fees →
City University Malaysia

JOHOR BAHRU (JB), PJ & CYBERJAYA · 82 courses

Fees →
Internation Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Gombak, Kuantan, Pagoh · 83 courses

Fees →
International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW)

Kuala Lumpur · 36 courses

Fees →
Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST)

Kajang · 54 courses

Fees →
London School of Business and Finance Malaysia (LSBF)

Kuala Lumpur · 30 courses

Fees →
Multimedia University (MMU)

Cyberjaya · 74 courses

Fees →
Nilai University

Nilai · 54 courses

Fees →
Segi University

Kota Damansara · 62 courses

Fees →
Taylor's University

Subang Jaya · 103 courses

Fees →
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT)

KL, Penang, Sabah · 96 courses

Fees →
UNITAR International University

Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya · 40 courses

Fees →
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Pagoh · 257 courses

Fees →
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)

Seri Iskandar · 28 courses

Fees →
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)

Kajang, Selangor · 116 courses

Fees →
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK)

Kuala Lumpur · 36 courses

Fees →
University Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Main Campus: Serdang, Selangor & Bintulu Campus: Bintulu, Sarawak · 135 courses

Fees →
Xiamen Univeristy

Sepang · 44 courses

Fees →

Compare all universities →

Malaysia student visa (EMGS) step by step

Step 1

Offer letter

Apply to a university. The offer letter usually takes 7–14 working days.
Step 2

Documents to EMGS

Passport, certificates, photo and health declaration are submitted online through EMGS.
Step 3

Visa Approval Letter

Immigration approves your file. The VAL usually takes 4–6 weeks.
Step 4

Travel

Fly only after the VAL is issued. A single-entry visa may be needed from the embassy.
Step 5

Student Pass

After arrival, your passport is endorsed and you receive your Student Pass.

Make sure your passport stays valid for long enough (some universities ask for at least 18 months). Official information is on the EMGS portal.

Not sure which course or university to choose?

Send your details and results in about 5 minutes. A BMSCL counsellor will recommend options that fit your budget and call you back, free of charge.

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University guides for Bangladeshi students

All Malaysia study guides →

Study in Malaysia: common questions

Is Malaysia a good place for Bangladeshi students to study?

Many Bangladeshi students choose Malaysia because tuition and living costs are usually lower than in the UK, Australia or the US, teaching is in English, and several universities offer degrees from Malaysian and international institutions. It is also close to Bangladesh, with a flight of about four hours from Dhaka.

How much does it cost to study in Malaysia?

It depends on the level, course and university. Tuition for the programmes on our course list is shown in the cost table above. On top of tuition, plan for living costs (a common starting estimate is RM 1,500 to RM 2,000 a month for shared housing and a simple lifestyle, more for private rental), the EMGS visa and medical insurance fees, and your flight.

Which intakes are available in Malaysia?

Most universities admit students in January/February, May and September/October, and some add other intakes during the year. The exact months differ by university and course, so check the intake of the course you want.

Do I need IELTS to study in Malaysia?

Not always. Many universities ask for around IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 for a bachelor's degree and 6.0 to 6.5 for a Master's degree, but some accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate or have their own English test or English programme. Requirements are set by each university and course.

How long does the Malaysian student visa take?

After your offer letter, the EMGS Visa Approval Letter (VAL) usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, and some universities advise applying about eight weeks before registration. Do not travel to Malaysia before the VAL is issued.

Can I work while studying in Malaysia?

International students may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days. Rules can change, so confirm the current conditions with your university and the immigration authorities.

Can I get a scholarship to study in Malaysia?

Yes. Many private universities offer tuition discounts or bursaries based on your academic result, and Master's and PhD students can apply for government scholarships such as MIS and MTCP. See our scholarship page for the offers on our course list.

How do I apply to a Malaysian university from Bangladesh?

Send your details and results through our free online application. A BMSCL counsellor helps you choose a university and course, prepares your documents, applies for your offer letter and guides you through the EMGS visa and your arrival.

Keep planning

Scholarships & discounts Tuition fees by course Malaysian universities Our services Student success stories Talk to a counsellor

Ready to study in Malaysia?

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