In 2025, Malaysia will continue to stand out as a premier destination for international students seeking quality education and diverse cultural experiences. As we delve into study abroad programs, Malaysia emerges as a beacon of academic excellence, offering many opportunities for students worldwide.
With a blend of cutting-edge academic programs, vibrant student life, and unparalleled cultural experiences, these programs epitomise Malaysia’s commitment to fostering global learning environments. Whether you’re interested in engineering, business, or the arts, this list highlights the 10 Best Study Abroad Programs In Malaysia in 2025.
What Are the Benefits of Studying Abroad?
Studying abroad offers many benefits beyond academic achievements, enriching students’ personal and professional growth. Here are the key advantages:
- Cultural Immersion
Living in a foreign country exposes students to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy. Engaging with locals and immersing oneself in everyday activities, such as food, festivals, and social customs, allows students to appreciate cultural nuances firsthand. This exposure promotes tolerance, adaptability, and respect for different ways of life, essential qualities in today’s globalised society.
- Global Perspective
Interacting with people from different backgrounds broadens students’ perspectives, encouraging them to think critically and adapt to varying viewpoints. Exposure to diverse ideas, values, and societal norms challenges students to reconsider their assumptions and expand their worldviews. This broader perspective enables them to tackle complex global issues with empathy, creativity, and a nuanced understanding of different perspectives.
- Personal Development
Overcoming challenges in a new environment builds resilience, independence, and self-confidence, nurturing personal growth and maturity. Students navigate unfamiliar situations, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and homesickness, which push them out of their comfort zones and encourage self-discovery. Through these experiences, students develop a stronger sense of identity, purpose, and self-reliance, laying the foundation for lifelong personal development.
- Academic Excellence
Access to world-renowned institutions and innovative learning methods enhances academic knowledge and skills, empowering students to excel in their field of study. Exposure to diverse teaching styles, research opportunities, and academic resources fosters intellectual curiosity and academic rigour. Additionally, studying abroad provides access to specialised programs, experts, and facilities that may not be available in students’ home countries, enriching their academic experience and preparing them for future academic pursuits.
- Career Opportunities
International experience enhances students’ employability, as employers value adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and global perspectives in today’s interconnected world. Studying abroad cultivates valuable transferable skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and intercultural communication, which are highly sought in the global job market.
Studying abroad provides a transformative experience that equips students with invaluable skills and perspectives, shaping them into well-rounded global citizens poised for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
What to Prepare Before Studying Abroad?
Studying abroad involves careful planning and organisation to ensure a smooth transition to life in a new country. Here are general guidelines on what to prepare before studying abroad. However, some aspects need to be done in the country chosen to study for some countries such as health insurance, student visa and more.
Read more to be prepared for your study journey:
10 Best Study Abroad Programs In Malaysia 2025
1. International Exchange Program
You have the opportunity to spend one or two semesters studying at any of Monash University’s partner institutions in 30 countries spanning the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and New Zealand. During your exchange program abroad, you will remain enrolled at Monash University, earn academic credits applicable to your Monash degree for your overseas studies, and continue to pay your regular tuition fees to Monash Malaysia in Malaysian Ringgit.
Duration: 1 Semester
Requirements:
- Good Academic Standing
- Possess reasonable command of English language
- International students must maintain an overall minimum 80% attendance
- Sought Course Advice from School/Schools
- Able to Study Equivalent of 18 – 24 Credits
Eligible University:
Students can apply to all universities except:
- All universities in Japan (however, you may apply to Nagoya University of Commerce and Business in Japan)
- All universities in Israel
- New Sorbonne University Paris III (French language knowledge required)
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Management University, Singapore
- Tsinghua University, China
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Portuguese language knowledge required)
2. Global Intercampus Program
Coming from Monash Malaysia, you are in an ideal position to add a semester of intercampus exchange at an Australian campus to your degree. This is the perfect choice if you want an immersive international experience with the reassurance of studying in a familiar Monash environment. You’ll find the academic support and resources needed to excel in your studies here. Units completed at Monash Australia seamlessly contribute towards your Monash degree, with credits accruing automatically through your enrollment at Monash Malaysia. This ensures a smooth transition between campuses while maintaining the integrity of your academic progression.
Duration: 1 Semester
Requirements:
To be eligible to participate, you must meet the following entry requirements at the time of application:
- Diploma of High Education (DHES) students
- Achieved a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60%
- Accumulated a minimum of 48 credit points
- Undergraduate coursework students
- Achieved a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60%
- Accumulated a minimum of 18 credit points (please see below for Schools that may have additional requirements)
- Meet the School-specific credit points and WAM requirements below (where applicable)
- An active enrolment in a Monash undergraduate coursework degree at any Monash campus
- Selected units that will ensure you are doing a full-time load of on-campus units (18 or 24 credit points)
- Do not have an active application for another overseas program for the same teaching period
- Postgraduate coursework students
- Achieved a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60%
- Accumulated a minimum of 18 credit points
- An active enrolment in a Monash postgraduate coursework degree at any Monash campus
- Selected units that will ensure you are doing a full-time load of on-campus units (18 or 24 credit points)
3. Study Abroad With AFS Malaysia
Through the AFS support network, you will become an active member of the host community, whether you go to a local school, volunteer or attend a program focused on a specific interest, like the environment or technology. Depending on the program, some students stay in other living arrangements—but all are supported by trained AFS volunteers and staff committed to making your experience meaningful and enjoyable as a member of a friendly community.
Duration:
- Semester Program (6 Months)
- Year Program (11-12 Months)
Requirements:
Eligibility for AFS programmes:
- Be a citizen of Malaysia–A full-time Malaysian student.
- Be15-17years old at the time of application.
- Flexible, tolerant, able to mix well with others, willing to learn and most importantly interested in learning new cultures.
4. Study Abroad | Florence
The AIFS Global Education Center in Florence is in the heart of the historic centre. It is within walking distance of the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Accademia and numerous stores, restaurants and trattoria. The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below and many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad. Fairfield University awards academic credit for the AIFS Florence program.
Duration: January Term (January 4, 2025 – January 24, 2025)
Tuition Fees: $4,790
Requirements:
- Open to High School Graduate, First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior Minimum of 2.5 GPA
Areas of Interest:
- Art
- Art History
- Communications
- Fashion
- Italian Language
- Marketing
- Photography
- Sociology
5. Student Exchange (Young Leader Program)
JASSO offers scholarships for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, college of technology or professional training college hereinafter referred to as “Japanese school”）under a student exchange agreement or other student exchange arrangement on a short-term basis from 8 days to one year between Japanese school and their home higher educational institution outside Japan（hereinafter referred to as “home school”).
Duration: 1-year
Tuition Fees: 242,000 yen
Requirements:
- University graduate
- Young administrative official from Asian county/region with practical experience
Areas of Interest:
- Public Administration Course
- Business Course
- Law Course
- Local Administration Course
- Medical Administration Course
6. Outbond Student Exchange
Through a reciprocal agreement between Taylor’s University and partner universities abroad, students are able to pursue one semester in the host institution. Taylor’s University Student Exchange Programme enables you to study in more than 200 renowned universities globally by paying zero foreign tuition fees. You can spend up to a semester abroad by only paying local tuition fees to Taylor’s University. Moreover, students are able to acquire credit transfer when returning to their home institution and receive a partial transcript from the host institution. Do note that prior approval from the school on the modules to be undertaken at the host institution is required
Duration: One semester to one year (subject to approval)
Requirements:
- Completed at least one year of full-time study at Taylor’s University
- Achieved a CGPA of at least 2.5 and above
- Possess reasonable command of English language
7. ISEM Outbond
UniKL offers the International Student Exchange Mobility (ISEM) programme to expose UniKL students to the best of international communities, culture and practices beyond their boundaries.Students can apply to participate in the programme for an enriching experience that will enhance their personal and professional development. ISEM Outbound offers the opportunity to registered UniKL students to be attached to any of our partner universities abroad for a period of less than a year.
Duration: One semester and a maximum of two full semesters consecutively.
Requirements: Through the programme, the selected applicants must be:
For Mara Scholarship
- Mara scholar students must obtain at least 3.75 of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and are in semester 5 onwards during the period of mobility
For Self Sponsorship:
- Student’s CGPA at least 2.5 is required, and open for those in the second year of study during the period of mobility.
8. Asia Exchange Seoul
Are you ambitious, international-minded, and satisfied with nothing but the highest academic standards? Then studying at the no. 1 international university in Korea, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, is just for you! Choose among many courses and specializations, deepen your knowledge of your chosen field, and become a globally-minded expert. You can study in Seoul for one or two semesters, join a 4-week summer school program or complete a full Bachelor’s degree in business.
Duration: 4 Weeks
Requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 years (you must be 18 years old at the time of your application)
- A high school diploma or similar certificate
- Sufficient language proficiency to understand lectures given in English (taking a TOEFL language proficiency test is not necessary unless separately requested)
9. Study Abroad Programme
This programme mobilizes students from any overseas institution to study at HELP University for a period of one semester to one year. The courses undertaken at the host university may be credited towards the student’s program of study at their own institution, subject to the academic regulations of the home institution. Students are responsible for their own tuition, administrative, visa application fees and any other fees payable to the host institution. Students also have to bear their own cost of living, accommodation and transport (flight and land) expenses.
Duration: 1 Semester to 1 Year
Requirements:
- All applications are subject to the approval of the host institution.
- All applications are also subject to the issuance of the Visa Approval Letter (VAL) by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. If your Student Pass application is unsuccessful, you will not be granted entry into the Student Exchange Programme at HELP University.
- If you submit any additional documents past the due process period, we will not able to submit the Student Pass application on your behalf, we reserve the right at all times to reject your application. Thus it is important that you submit all the relevant documents on time.
10. Japanese Studies Students
There are two ways to apply for a Japanese Government Scholarship: by applying to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) with a recommendation from a Japanese embassy or other Japanese diplomatic mission in your country or by applying to the MEXT with a recommendation from a Japanese university. The method of receiving a recommendation from an embassy or consulate abroad is called an “embassy recommendation,” while the method of receiving a recommendation from a university and applying for a position is called a “university recommendation.” Please note that you must obtain a Student residence status to receive a Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) scholarship.
Duration: 1-year
Tuition Fees: 117,000 yen
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled in a university undergraduate program and have majored in a field related to Japanese language and culture for at least one year
- Upon returning to their home country, students must return to school.
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