Universities in Malaysia for Pakistani Students: 10 Best

Universities in Malaysia for Pakistani Students:

Malaysia is one of the most practical study-abroad options for Pakistani students. Tuition is affordable, living costs are low, the culture is Muslim-friendly, English is widely spoken, and many universities offer degrees in partnership with UK and Australian institutions. It’s also closer to home, which keeps travel costs down.

This guide covers the best universities in Malaysia for Pakistani students, their fees, requirements, and the student visa process for 2027.

Key Takeaways

Malaysia offers affordable tuition, low living costs and a Muslim-friendly environment.
Your student pass is processed through EMGS after you accept an offer.
Branch campuses of UK and Australian universities let you earn a foreign degree at a lower cost.

Why Malaysia Is a Smart Choice

Low tuition. Many bachelor’s degrees cost RM 20,000–45,000 per year, and master’s degrees at public universities can cost less than that in total.
Affordable living. A student can live on roughly RM 1,500–2,500 per month outside central Kuala Lumpur.
Muslim-friendly. Halal food, mosques on campus, and a comfortable environment for Pakistani families.
English-taught programs. Most private universities and many public postgraduate programs teach in English.
International branch campuses. Monash, Nottingham, Heriot-Watt, and Southampton offer foreign degrees in Malaysia at lower cost.

10 Best Universities in Malaysia for Pakistani Students

University	Type	Known For	Approx. Tuition
Universiti Malaya (UM)	Public	Engineering, Medicine, Business	Master’s approx. RM 20,000–45,000 total
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)	Public	Science, Engineering, Social Sciences	Master’s approx. RM 18,000–35,000 total
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)	Public	Agriculture, Engineering, Veterinary Science	Master’s approx. RM 15,000–30,000 total
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)	Public	Research, Pharmacy, Engineering	Master’s approx. RM 15,000–30,000 total
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)	Public	Engineering, Built Environment	Master’s approx. RM 18,000–35,000 total
Taylor’s University	Private	Business, Hospitality, Design	RM 35,000–55,000 per year
Sunway University	Private	Business, Computing, Psychology	RM 30,000–50,000 per year
Monash University Malaysia	Branch campus	Engineering, Pharmacy, IT	RM 45,000–60,000 per year
University of Nottingham Malaysia	Branch campus	Engineering, Business	RM 40,000–55,000 per year
Asia Pacific University (APU)	Private	IT, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering	RM 25,000–40,000 per year

Fees are approximate and vary by program. Public universities are the cheapest option for postgraduate study, while private universities and branch campuses are popular for undergraduate degrees.

Admission Requirements

Foundation and bachelor’s:

Matric plus FSc/ICS/FA or O/A-Levels, with the minimum grades set by each university
Some students with Matric only can start with a foundation program (usually one year)
IELTS 5.5–6.0, or the university’s own English test. Some accept an MOI letter

Master’s and PhD:

A bachelor’s degree (a 14-year degree is accepted for some master’s programs; check each university)
Minimum CGPA, often 2.5–2.75/4.0, with lower CGPAs accepted with work experience
IELTS 5.5–6.5 or an equivalent test
A research proposal for research master’s and PhD programs

Malaysia is also a good option for students worried about grades. See our guide to study abroad with low CGPA.

Universities in Malaysia for Pakistani Students

Step-by-Step Admission and Visa Process

Choose a university and program (intakes are usually in January/February, May, and September).
Apply online with your transcripts, passport, photo, and English proof.
Receive your offer letter.
Your university applies to EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) for your visa approval (eVAL). You’ll pay EMGS processing fees and a medical screening.
Receive your eVAL (electronic Visa Approval Letter).
Travel to Malaysia. Pakistani students usually get a Single Entry Visa based on the eVAL.
Complete post-arrival medical screening and receive your Student Pass sticker in your passport.

EMGS processing usually takes a few weeks, so apply at least 2–3 months before your intake.

Scholarships in Malaysia

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS): for master’s and PhD students with strong academic records
University merit scholarships: Taylor’s, Sunway, APU, and Monash Malaysia offer 20–50% tuition discounts for high achievers
Graduate research assistantships at public universities for research master’s and PhD students

Living Costs in Malaysia

Expense	Monthly Cost (RM)
Shared accommodation	500 – 1,200
Food	600 – 900
Transport	100 – 200
Phone and internet	50 – 100
Personal expenses	200 – 400

Kuala Lumpur city center is expensive, but Penang, Johor, and university towns in Selangor are cheaper.

Can Pakistani Students Work in Malaysia?

Work rights are limited. International students can generally work part-time only during official semester breaks (usually up to 20 hours per week) and in approved sectors. Don’t plan your budget around part-time income.

Popular Programs for Pakistani Students in Malaysia

IT and Software Engineering: APU, Taylor’s, Sunway, and UTM are strong choices.
Business and MBA: public university MBAs are affordable, and Sunway and Taylor’s have strong business schools.
Engineering: UTM, UPM, USM, and branch campuses such as Nottingham and Monash.
Islamic Finance: Malaysia is a global leader, with programs at INCEIF, IIUM, and UM.
Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Monash Malaysia, UCSI, and public universities.

Using Malaysia as a Stepping Stone

Many Pakistani students use Malaysia as a first step. Branch campus and 2+1 or 3+0 “twinning” programs let you earn a UK or Australian degree while studying mostly in Malaysia, at a fraction of the cost. Credits can also help if you later transfer to or apply for a master’s degree in the UK, Australia, or Europe.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Affordable fees and living costs
Muslim-friendly environment
Easy admission and a relatively straightforward visa process
Foreign branch campus degrees at lower prices

Cons:

Limited part-time work rights
Limited post-study work options compared with Canada or Australia
Humid tropical climate

Student Pass Timeline Through EMGS

Most Pakistani students are surprised by how structured the Malaysian visa process is. Your university submits your file to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), and you track it online:

Accept your offer and pay the EMGS processing fee through the university
Upload passport, photos, academic documents and a health declaration
Wait for the eVAL (electronic Visa Approval Letter), usually a few weeks
Get a single-entry visa if required for Pakistani nationals
Travel and complete the post-arrival medical check within the given time
Receive the student pass sticker in your passport

Keep your passport valid for at least 12 months and respond quickly to any EMGS requests, as delays usually come from incomplete documents.

Final Thoughts

Universities in Malaysia offer Pakistani students quality education at affordable prices in a comfortable cultural setting. It’s especially good for students who want an international degree on a limited budget, a foundation-to-degree pathway after intermediate, or a stepping stone to further study in the UK or Australia. For more budget options, check our list of the cheapest countries to study abroad for Pakistani students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Malaysia good for Pakistani students?

Yes. Malaysia offers affordable fees, English-taught programs, a Muslim-friendly environment, and a relatively simple visa process.

How much does it cost to study in Malaysia from Pakistan?

Bachelor’s degrees at private universities cost roughly RM 25,000–55,000 per year, and public university master’s degrees can be much cheaper. Living costs are around RM 1,500–2,500 per month.

Is IELTS required to study in Malaysia?

Many universities accept IELTS 5.5–6.0, their own English test, or an MOI letter, depending on the program.

Can I study in Malaysia after FSc?

Yes. You can apply directly for a bachelor’s degree or start with a foundation program, depending on your marks and the university.

What is EMGS?

Education Malaysia Global Services is the government agency that processes student visa approvals for international students in Malaysia.

Can Pakistani students bring family to Malaysia?

Postgraduate students may be able to bring dependents in some cases, but rules and costs apply. Ask your university’s international office first.

Are Malaysian degrees recognized by HEC?

Degrees from recognized Malaysian universities are generally verifiable by HEC, but always check the program and university status before enrolling.