Did you hear that there are more than 15,000 international students, who prefer to study medicine in Malaysia every year? Malaysia now ranks among the best places to study in Asia with internationally acclaimed MBBS courses, low cost of studies and English speaking classes, it is now highly appealing to would-be doctors. In a bid to take this route, this is a full guide to assist you in knowing the requirements, cost, and the most preferred medical universities in Malaysia.
Why Study Medicine in Malaysia?
Malaysia is gradually becoming the center of medical education. In the case of international students, the choice of studying medicine in Malaysia is made with obvious benefits:
Low fees: MBBS programs in Malaysia are much cheaper than in UK, US or Australia yet they are of high quality
International accreditation: A large number of universities have been accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO), General Medical Council (UK), and the Medical Council of India (MCI)
Medium of instruction: In most medical universities in Malaysia, English is the language of instruction and this is accommodating to the foreign student.
Current clinical practice: Students practice in teaching hospitals that are well equipped with a wide range of patients.
Culture diversity: A friendly atmosphere among Asian, Middle Eastern and African peers.
To students, who want to study abroad and acquire a good quality education at the same time at a reasonable cost, Malaysia is one of the best places to go to study MBBS.
MBBS Malaysia – Admission Requirements
Academic qualifications
To gain admission into medical universities Malaysia, you generally need:
- A-Levels or equivalent with strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics.
- Foundation in Science (pre-medical program) may also be accepted.
- Minimum CGPA requirement (usually 3.0–3.5 out of 4).
English proficiency
- IELTS (minimum 6.0–6.5) or TOEFL (equivalent) is required for most universities.
- Some institutions conduct their own English placement tests.
Entrance exams / interviews
- Certain universities require students to sit for entrance exams.
- Almost all conduct interviews to assess communication skills, motivation, and suitability for the medical profession.
So, always double-check the specific eligibility criteria for each university, as requirements can vary slightly.
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MBBS Fees in Malaysia
Tuition is far cheaper in Malaysia than in the western countries when you study medicine. Here’s an overview:
- Tuition fees: Tuition fees are usually USD 20,000 -30,000 in one year.
- Living expenses: USD 400-600 per month (including food, housing and transport).
- Time: The majority ofMBBS courses take 5 years and include clinical rotations.
- Scholarships or part-finance of international students who perform well are also available in some universities.
Learn about studying in Malaysia on a budget.
Universities of the best medicine in Malaysia.
The following are among the best top medical colleges in Malaysia as far as foreign students are concerned:
1. University of Malaya (UM) – Kuala Lumpur.
The oldest and the best-ranked university in Malaysia.
Excellent MBBS degree that has international accolades.
Massive research and teaching hospitals.
2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) -Bangi.
Quality medical research and clinical training.
International accreditation.
3. International Medical University (IMU) -Kuala Lumpur.
Twin programs with UK, Australian and New Zealand partner universities.
Good option among students wishing to go global.
4. Monash University Malaysia – Bandar Sunway
An Australian branch campus.
Globally recognized MBBS degree.
Strong focus on research and innovation.
5. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – Penang
Popular for community medicine and clinical training.
Good balance of theory and practical exposure.
Limkokwing University
Primarily focused on creative industries; medical programs are not its specialty.
Taylor’s University
Strong in health sciences, especially pharmacy, biosciences, and allied health, though it doesn’t offer full medicine (MBBS).
INTI International University
Offers health sciences like pharmacy, biotechnology, and allied health rather than full medical degrees.
SEGi University
Provides programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health, making it a recognized private option for healthcare studies.
MAHSA University
Highly regarded for medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy; among Malaysia’s leading healthcare universities.
University of Cyberjaya (UoC)
Originally founded for medical and health sciences; strong in medicine, pharmacy, psychology, and allied health.
Asia Metropolitan University (AMU)
Specializes in healthcare education, offering medicine, nursing, and health sciences programs.
Asia Pacific University (APU)
Focused on technology and innovation; does not offer medicine or healthcare-related degrees.
How to Choose the Right Medical College
The decision to study medicine in Malaysia will depend on:
- Accreditation: Make the MBBS program accredited by MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency) and your country of origin medical council.
- Specialization: There are universities that are research oriented and those that are clinical practice oriented.
- Location and lifestyle: Big metropolitan area (Kuala Lumpur) and smaller towns (Perak, Penang).
- Budget: Compare the living expenses and tuition.
- Career plans: In case you intend to practice in a foreign country, then ensure that the program will be accepted in that country.
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FAQs
Q: Does MBBS in Malaysia have international recognition?
Yes. The WHO directory lists many universities that are accepted by medical councils all over the world.
Q: How long is MBBS in Malaysia?
Typically 5 years, clinical and pre-clinical stages.
Q: Does it have scholarships to international students?
Yes. Other universities have partial merit-based scholarships.
Q: Could you tell me what the medium of instruction is?
Most programs are taught in English.
Conclusion
In the event that you desire high quality education at affordable prices, then studying medicine in Malaysia can be a good investment. MBBS Malaysia has accredited programs, modern hospitals and globally accepted degrees, so as a route to a successful career in medicine. To begin with, narrow down 3-4 universities, make sure they meet your requirements and get ready early in your application.
Need guidance? AEL Consultants focuses on assisting international students with the application to the most promising medical universities in Malaysia. We help with admission requirements to visas and scholarships, making the journey easy and stress free. Get in touch with AEL Consultants in order to start a MBBS life in Malaysia.
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