Being a University Student in Malaysia

Studying abroad may be an interesting and stimulating experience. The thought of eating fish and chips in London or enjoying the breath taking scenery of the Thames river might be irresistible. However, study abroad plans have either been shattered or delayed for most students due to the pandemic restrictions imposed in most countries across the globe or some of us might even just prefer the idea of staying in the comfort of our own homes.

Based on the ‘Most Affordable Cities for Students’ of QS University Ranking, Kuala Lumpur is placed in the 2^nd rank and has received a good score for affordability, with a combination of low living costs and relatively low tuition fees.  Here are some of the reasons why studying locally can be exciting too.

Affordable tuition fees

Based on a recent study, a Malaysian student who wants to major in Science has to spend an average of USD 22,000 (tuition) and USD 13,000 (living cost) per year to study in a private institutions of the United States. Meanwhile, studying in a Malaysian private institution can only costs about USD 4,600 (tuition) and USD 4,000 (living cost) per year. Hence, if you are concerned about an affordable tuition fees, studying domestically may relieve you a bit.

No language barrier

If learning foreign languages is not your forte or if you prefer studying under the circumstance of people around you converse in the lingo you understand and will be able to reply in, then you will definitely find studying locally favourable for you. Language barrier can be pretty daunting to deal with so communicating with friends and lecturers, ordering food, asking for directions, enrolling in a course and such will definitely be a lot easier and familiar locally.

Proximity to home

You can’t stand being a thousand miles away from your family? Studying locally will serve as an ideal alternative choice for you. The privilege of proximity to your home can always bear off the homesickness from you. Studying locally can also mean you’re studying in a different state away from home, but there’s abundance of easy travel options like the Electric Train Service (ETS) and tickets locally are cheaper so it wouldn’t be a hustle to get back home.

Cheaper living cost

When you’re planning to pursue your higher education abroad, apart from the staggeringly high tuition fees, you must also take into account of the living costs there. For most of us, especially those who’re living from hand to mouth, this could always be the main disquiet for them when it comes to the decision making regarding higher education. Thus, studying domestically can be extremely cost effective compared to studying abroad.

Receiving same qualification

If you are planning to study a Bachelor degree locally, most degrees offered in local schools are designed and assessed to meet the standards of high-ranking overseas universities. You can even graduate with the same certificate as those who have studied overseas. Many degrees offered in local schools even offer inter-campus transfer or opportunities to go on an exchange. Inter-campus transfers allow students to save on course fees and living costs.

People should change the perception that the standard of Malaysian education is more inferior when compared to the standards in overseas. This concludes why studying locally can be a beneficial option as well, because what you initially invest for the tuition fee and living cost is significantly lower than the cost of studying abroad. While the “average return” once you have graduated is pretty much the same regardless of where you obtain your degree from.

The QS Ranking System is well-known among graduating students as it’s where individuals can search for their dream universities. QS has updated their list for 2020, and to check out the private universities in Malaysia that made the cut visit Malaysian Private Universities Ranked QS Rankings 2020. If you wish to pursue your higher education in best public universities of Malaysia visit Top Public Universities of Malaysia QS Rankings 2020.