Ethan Quar
July 1, 2025
This comprehensive guide breaks down every recognised medical education pathway available—from fully local MBBS/MD programmes, to international twinning options, to foreign university branches right here at home. With key details like tuition costs, clinical placements, and global recognition, you’ll get a clear picture of what each route offers and how it fits your future career goals.
So, you're considering studying medicine in Malaysia, but aren't quite sure which path to take?
Whether you want to stay local the whole way, head overseas partway through, or get a foreign degree right here at home, this guide will help you explore all the recognised options out there.
We’ve listed all the major institutions offering medicine and grouped them into three main pathways:
Each option includes key information, such as clinical hospital partners and estimated tuition fees, so you don’t have to dig for it!
First things first, understanding the programme.
Most private medical schools in Malaysia offer either an MBBS or an MD. Both are five-year undergraduate degrees that include pre-clinical studies and clinical training.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the more common title and is awarded by most private universities such as IMU, MAHSA, and Taylor’s.
MD (Doctor of Medicine) is awarded by some universities instead, often following a similar structure. In Malaysia, it is not a postgraduate degree like in the United States.
So why does this matter? Knowing the difference helps you avoid confusion later on, especially if you’re planning to work or pursue postgraduate training abroad. It also ensures you’re not misled by the title; both degrees carry the same recognition in Malaysia, as long as they’re accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council.
These are private institutions where you complete your entire MBBS programme within Malaysia. Clinical years are done in local hospitals (either government or university-affiliated).
University | Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) | International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) | Clinical Hospitals / Training Sites |
---|---|---|---|
International Medical University (IMU) | RM 597,500 | RM 672,500 | Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Hospital Batu Pahat, others in Negeri Sembilan and Johor |
UCSI University | RM 420,650 | RM 501,300 | UCSI Hospital (Springhill), Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar |
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | RM 278,250 | Programme Not Available for International Students | UTAR Hospital (Kampar) |
MAHSA University | RM 377,650 | RM 449,450 | Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Tanjung Karang, various Klinik Kesihatan |
SEGi University | RM 339,050 | RM 341,050 | Sibu Hospital (Sarawak) |
AIMST University | RM 319,850 | RM 386,850 | Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur |
Taylor’s University | RM 422,690 | USD 106,264 | Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Bentong, Hospital Muadzam Shah, Hospital Kuala Kangsar, Klinik Kesihatan Rawang and others |
Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM) | RM 375,000 | USD 90,000 | Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (Kuantan), Pekan Hospital, Clinics under the Ministry of Health (KKM) |
MSU – International Medical School (IMS) | RM 295,000 - RM 395,000 | RM 546,000 | Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Sungai Buloh, and Hospital Klang |
Quest International University (QIU) | RM 330,000 | RM 330,000 | Perak General Hospitals, such as GH Ipoh, Taiping, Teluk Intan, Bahagia, and government clinics, as well |
Widad University College | RM 320,000 | RM 394,750 | Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan, |
University of Cyberjaya | RM 350,000 | RM 380,000 | Putrajaya Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Serdang Hospital, and Cyberjaya Hospital |
UniSHAMS | RM 255,260 | RM 305,206 | Kulim Hospital, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah |
Sunway University, in partnership with UKM | RM 471,000 | RM 471,000 | Sunway Medical Centre |
Lincoln University College | RM 315,000 |
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All these programmes are MMC-accredited, meaning graduates are eligible to register with the Malaysian Medical Council and begin their housemanship training in local hospitals.
When exploring medical study options, it’s important to consider where you’ll be placed for clinical training. These placements (often lasting up to three years) play a major role in shaping your practical experience, exposure to real-world cases, and future job prospects.
This pathway allows you to begin your degree in Malaysia and then complete it overseas. You do your pre-clinical years here, then transfer to a partner university for clinical training and graduation.
Final qualifications are awarded by the foreign university.
Malaysian Institution | Overseas Partner(s) | Total Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) | Total International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) |
---|---|---|---|
IMU | UK | RM 1,040,449 - RM 1,471,225 | RM 1,077,949 - RM 1,508,725 |
IMU | Australia | RM 816,250 - RM 1,022,091 | RM 853,750 - RM 1,1,059,591 |
IMU | Malta | RM 861,250 | RM 898,750 |
IMU | New Zealand | RM 1,076,242 | RM 1,113,742 |
MSU-IMS | Bangalore (India) | RM 295,000 - RM 395,000 | (Not currently available to International Students) |
In most IMU twinning programmes, the Phase 1 (in Malaysia) duration is 2.5 years, followed by Phase 2 (clinical training) abroad, which has a 2.5-3 year duration. Certification is awarded by the partner university where students complete their degree. Many graduates go on to do their housemanship in their respective countries, which can improve their chances of securing work there, though this depends on local policies and is not guaranteed.
Alternatively, most programmes are MMC-accredited (with a few exceptions), allowing students to return to Malaysia for housemanship if they choose. Visit MMC’s official website for the official list of recognised institutions.
For MSU’s twinning programme with its Bangalore campus, students complete Phase 1 in Malaysia over a period of two years, followed by Phase 2 in Bangalore over a three-year period.
Graduates are required to return to Malaysia for their housemanship.
These are Malaysian campuses of international medical schools. You complete your entire degree in Malaysia but graduate with a foreign qualification.
University | Parent University Country | Local Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) | International Student Tuition Fees (Estimated) | Clinical Hospitals in Malaysia |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monash University Malaysia | Australia | RM 571,200 | RM 674,400 | Hospital Sultanah Aminah (Johor Bahru), Hospital Sultan Ismail |
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) | UK | RM 503,000 | RM 632,500 | Hospital Sultan Ismail, Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom |
RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus | Ireland | RM 620,000 | RM 740,000 | Hospital Pulau Pinang, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, Taiping |
All three institutions listed above are accredited by their respective foreign medical councils:
This means that graduates are eligible to pursue housemanship and apply for medical registration in Australia, the UK, or Ireland, depending on local licensing requirements. At the same time, all three programs are fully recognised by the MMC, ensuring that students can complete their housemanship in Malaysia and register as doctors locally.
Choosing the right medical pathway isn’t just about cost or location; it’s about finding the best fit for your future. Whether you're aiming to practice in Malaysia or abroad, this guide highlights the key factors every student and parent should consider: accreditation, clinical training, total cost, and global recognition.
As you narrow down your options, remember that your clinical years will shape much of your hands-on experience. Where you’re placed can influence the cases you see, the mentors you meet, and ultimately, the doctor you become.
Take the time to ask the right questions, compare each route carefully, and stay informed. Medicine is a long journey, so starting with the right foundation makes all the difference.
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