5 ways to be an overseas student in your own country

It cannot be denied that a foreign degree is helpful in getting a job in Malaysia as companies see foreign degree-holders of having a tangible global experience and as a good investment.

Studying overseas is an ambition of many Malaysian students, but there is a need to consider the economic situation, immigration laws and the standard of education available in other countries.

Click here to find out the benefits of having a foreign degree in Malaysia.

Malaysia offers unique and attractive education choices to local and international students and is set to be an academic hub of Asia.

One of the major perks to studying for a foreign degree in Malaysia is the availability of PTPTN and many other forms of financial aid and scholarships available locally. Our private institutions are also considered among the most affordable in the world as demonstrated in a 2014 study conducted by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education:

If you're interested in getting the same quality of education as our students overseas at a fraction of the price, consider these options:

'3+0' degree programme

The '3+0' degree programme is the most affordable as it allows Malaysian students to enrol for a degree programme at a Malaysian college or university that collaborates with a foreign partner university.

This means cheaper cost of living and best for students who can't part with their favourite nasi lemak!

You will be completing your entire degree programme at a Malaysian college or university and will be awarded with a foreign degree qualification from partner universities in the UK, the US, Australia or France.

The qualification, syllabus and assessment methods will be the same as if you studied at the partner university abroad.

Private institutions that offer 3+0 foreign degree programmes in Malaysia.

Foreign university branch campus

Branch campuses are local chapters of overseas universities, providing similar programmes and academic opportunities as those available at their mother university.

Some institutions allow students to spend one or more semesters at their main campus abroad at the usual Malaysian campus fees!

The content of programmes offered at branch campuses are often quite specialized, and the programmes offered themselves may not be available elsewhere.

Benefits of studying at a foreign branch campus include the accessibility to a mature internal academic support system, a large network of alumni and postgraduates who continue to contribute to the university financially and academically, and access to a wider variety of facilities.

Get to know the new and upcoming branch campuses in Malaysia.

Twinning degree programmes

The twinning degree programme allows dual registration for students at the local private college and the foreign university with the aim of graduating with a degree from the twinning partner university.

You will then attend part of the course locally and the balance at the twinning partner university abroad, studying the same curriculum as the university abroad with some local content introduced to meet local authority requirements.

Twinning can be on a 1+2 arrangement (1 year at the private college and 2 years at the overseas twinning university) or 2+2 (2 years local and 2 years overseas) or 2+1 (2 years local and 1 year overseas).

The benefit of this programme is that you get to save money while in Malaysia and focus on studies to get a scholarship from the university when it's time to continue overseas.

Earn your college degree in Japan through the JAD programme.

Credit Transfer Programmes

If you're interested in the American, UK and Australian degree specifically then you may want to consider doing the Credit Transfer Programme.

You will be doing the first two years at a Malaysian private college, and then apply for a place at the university abroad yourself. This will definitely depend on how much you meet the admission requirements of the university you wish to apply to.

The college in Malaysia is not bound to a particular university abroad so you have the freedom to aspire for any university you aim for!

Currently, the most popular credit transfer plan is the American Degree Transfer Programme where you get to study in United States or Canada. Other programmes available are the Australian Degree Transfer Programmes and UK Degree Transfer Programmes.

Compare American Degree Programmes in Malaysian universities.

Advanced standing

Advanced standing or placement means that recognition (full or part) is given by a foreign university of a particular course pursued at a Malaysian college (diploma or degree) that allows a student advanced entry into the foreign university's degree programme.

This programme is perfect if you are unsure of future financial standings because you have the choice to either complete the course locally or overseas.

Completing the programme locally will allow you to still graduate under the private institution itself. To get the foreign degree, you will have to go overseas.

The course curriculum of the private institutions in Malaysia are recognised with either full or part exemption for a foreign degree programme.