Public vs Private Universities

The battle for providing the best education continues.

As universities strive for sustainability at a rapid pace, both private and public institutions have their advantages for attracting and accommodating students.

There are 20 public universities in Malaysia, and the number of private universities is increasing steadily. What separates the two types of institutions are as follows:

1. Funding

• Private: Total tuition fees can go up to a hundred thousand ringgit.
• Public: Total tuition fees rarely exceed RM30,000.

The government funds most public universities whereas most private institutions are either self-funded or a child company of more prominent corporations. This leads to the margin of tuition fees, as most private universities are more expensive than that of public universities.

An example of fee structure in a Malaysian public university.

However, private universities tend to offer different types of financial aid, such as tuition fee waivers. Students wacing financial issues may benefit from tthese scholarships

2. Facilities & Size

University of Malaya

Public universities are more expensive than private universities. This is because they need to provide a variety of courses and cater to the thousands of locals who enrol every year.

Private institutions, on the other hand, are smaller and limited in terms of land space and facilities. However, they’re more focused on providing course-based facilities.

It is perhaps not surprising that public universities have better equipment than private universities. Most public universities are well-equipped with library resources and sports facilities, such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and archery ranges. Very few private universities can match these facilities.

However, in terms of student accommodation, private universities tend to offer more luxurious residency options compared to public universities.

3. Courses

Most public universities offer numerous courses in a wide range of fields. Private universities do not provide a broad range of courses like public universities; however, they are more focused on their respective specialized fields.

Courses in public universities tend to be more theoretical, as they focus heavily on academic research. On the other hand, courses in private universities tend to be more practical, as they focus on preparing students for the workforce. Many private institutions work closely with different companies, so students often have a better chance to get hands-on experience outside the classroom.

In public universities, admission can be very competitive based on the merit system. In private universities, admission to your desired course is more straightforward and depends on availability.

If you wish to secure a place in your desired course without taking any risks, private universities might be your best option. However, if you want to take a popular course at a renowned public university such as UM or USM, you will need to work extra hard on your studies and co-curricular activities.

4. Qualification of Teaching Staff

According to the statistics released by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education in 2019, the number of academic staff and their highest qualifications from both public and private universities are as follows:

Public universities tend to have a higher percentage of PhD holders for their teaching staff as compared to private universities. However, it is not to say that a lecturer can be judged based on their qualification.

If you are pursuing a research-based or knowledge-intensive course, such as STEM, you might want to attend a university with more highly qualified lecturers.

If you are pursuing a more hands-on course such as Culinary Art and Fashion Design, the academic qualifications of lecturers may not result in much difference.

5. Demographics

Private universities are notable forthea large number of international students they enrol in compared to public universities. The demographic gap is due to the nature of the entry requirements for both universities.

Private universities are more flexible when it comes to admission and enrolment, whereas public universities they’re strict and local-students oriented.

Ultimately, which university you study depends on factors such as tuition costs, college life, transportation, environment, and your field of interest. A university may prepare you for your field, but it’s up to the individuals to prepare themselves for life.