Will your postgraduate degree matter in the long run? A postgraduate degree is important to establish anyone within a particular industry or career, it is important to have working experience that will translate into job applications.
A person with a Postgraduate degree is highly respected and numerous institutions in the world offer Postgraduate degrees to help students do excellence in their fields of work and education. Postgraduate degrees in Malaysia are a little tricky because there are a lot of different varieties. If you don’t select the correct postgraduate degrees for your goal then you may not even achieve what you are setting out to do.
In this article, we will be discussing everything about postgraduate degrees in Malaysia.
Why Postgraduation in Malaysia?
Malaysia is regarded as one of the top-notch higher education-providing countries. Hence, getting a postgraduate degree from Malaysia will be immensely fruitful as an international student.
A postgraduate degree is a degree that people get after their bachelor’s or undergraduate. There are numerous reasons somebody would want to get a postgraduate degree, ranging from professional to financial to personal. Generally, a postgraduate degree can be obtained for the following reasons. Such as:
- Help to improve or change the career.
- Permit to enter research or pursue independent research or a license to start a PhD.
- Boosting up the salary and knowledge.
Types of Postgraduate Degrees in Malaysia
There are a total of four main types of postgraduate degrees in Malaysia. They are-
Postgraduate Certificates
If anyone has a certain experience then obtaining a postgraduate certificate is beneficial. There are many certification courses available in Malaysia because many qualified international students visit Malaysia every year for postgraduate degrees. As long as you have already earned your bachelor’s degree, most Postgraduate Certificates do not require applicants to have prior work experience in related fields. The entry requirements for postgraduate certificate programmes are also less than other postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate Diplomas
Postgraduate diploma programmes are shorter in duration and are focused on practical learning. In most of the Postgraduate diploma programmes, admission does not require prior work experience in related fields as long as you have already finished the bachelor’s degree. Moreover, the postgraduate diploma programmes require fewer entry requirements than other postgraduate degrees.
Master’s Degrees
A Master’s degree is mostly one year or three to four years. Mostly it is two to three years because it requires more courses, activities, and more focus on the courses. A master’s degree is more costly than postgraduate certificates and diplomas. Moreover, the requirements to enter a Master’s degree are also higher.
Doctorates
Doctorate degrees are also known as PhD which is the highest level of education. This degree is mainly a research-based degree of any segment of the Master’s degree programme. Someone who completes the PhD is regarded as one who has complete knowledge of a particular segment. Moreover, you will be awarded a Doctorate title after fruitfully completing the PhD.
Top Malaysian Universities for Postgraduate Degrees
There are more than 550 private and public universities in Malaysia and almost all of them are providing postgraduate degrees to students living at home and abroad. Below we have listed some of the top Malaysian universities for Postgraduate degrees:
| University
|
Type of University
|
Location
|
QS Ranking
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor’s University
|
Subang Jaya, Selangor | Subang Jaya, Selangor | =284 |
| Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
|
Non-profit private research university
|
Kampar, Perak
|
801-1000 |
| UCSI University
|
Private University
|
Kuala Lumpur
|
=284
|
| Sunway University | Private University
|
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
|
601-650
|
| SEGi University | Private University
|
Petaling Jaya, Selangor | – |
| INTI International University
|
Private University
|
Nilai, Negeri Sembilan
|
–
|
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
|
Public research university
|
Seri Kembangan
|
123
|
| University of Malaya
|
Public research university
|
Kuala Lumpur
|
70
|
| Malaysia MAHSA University
|
Private medical university
|
Jenjarom, Selangor
|
–
|
| HELP University
|
Private university
|
Kuala Lumpur
|
– |
| Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)
|
Private university
|
Kuala Lumpur
|
1001-1200
|
Popular Postgraduate Courses in Malaysia
There are a plethora of universities which offer numerous programme for different degrees. The most popular programmes offered by the best universities in Malaysia are listed below:
Postgraduate Certificates
| Postgraduate Certificate Programmes
|
University | Duration
|
Tuition fee
|
Intakes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taylor’s University | 1 Year | Approximately USD 3,000 to 9,000 | January, March, June, August & October |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
|
Putra Business School | 6 Months to 1 Year | Approximately USD 3,000 to 9,000
|
January and September |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
|
UOW Malaysia
|
6 Months to 1 Year
|
Approximately USD 3,000 to 9,500
|
January, May, and September |
|
Curtin University | 6 Months
|
Approximately USD 2,900 to 9,500
|
Application open: August, April every year
|
| Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching
|
Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College
|
6 Months
|
Approximately USD 4,000 to 8,000
|
May
|
| Professional Certificate in Critical Care Nursing
|
KPJ Healthcare University College (KPJUC)
|
6 Months
|
Approximately USD 4,000 to 9,000
|
March and September
|
| Postgraduate Certificate in Education
|
University of Nottingham Malaysia
|
1-2 Years
|
Approximately USD 4,368.77 to 6,000
|
September
|
Postgraduate Diplomas
| Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
|
University
|
Duration
|
Tuition fee
|
Intakes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education – Special and Inclusive Education
|
The University Of Nottingham Malaysia | 1 Year
|
Approximately USD 4,300 to 6,000
|
September
|
| Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) – Online
|
UNITAR International University
|
1 Year and 3 Months
|
Approximately USD 3,300 to 5,500
|
– |
| PGDip in Education
|
Wawasan Open University (WOU)
|
2 years
|
Approximately USD 4,300 to 6,500
|
January, April, July, and September
|
| PGDip – Bioinformatics
|
Perdana University
|
1 Year
|
Approximately USD 3,300 to 5,500
|
January, May, and September
|
Postgraduate or Master’s Programmes
| Postgraduate or Master’s Programmes
|
University
|
Duration
|
Tuition fee
|
Intakes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business and Management MSc
|
University of Nottingham Malaysia
|
1 year
|
Approximately USD 10,000 to 13,532
|
September
|
| Master of Science (Accounting/Finance) (By Research)
Master of Management (By research) Master in Education (Teaching english a second english) Master in Fashion Business (By coursework) Master in International Hospitality and Tourism Management Master in Computer Science (By Research)
|
Management & Science University (MSU)
|
1 year to 2 years
|
Approximately USD 5,472.61 to 10,404.39
|
July and September
|
| M.Sc. in Information Technology Management
MSc in Software Engineering Master of Science in International Business Communications Msc in Data Science and Business Analytics Master of Technology Management
|
Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)
|
1 Year to 2 years
|
Approximately USD 4,200 to 10,500
|
January, June, and September
|
| Master of Engineering Science (By Research)
Master of Computer Science in Software Engineering & Software Architecture (Coursework)
|
Multimedia University (MMU) | 1 Year | Approximately USD 4,928.87 to 10,000 | Throughout the year |
| Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences
|
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (previously TAR UC)
|
2 Years
|
Approximately USD 2,500 to 4,500
|
Throughout the year
|
Doctorates
| Doctorate Degree Programmes
|
University
|
Duration
|
Intakes
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (by Research)
|
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL)
|
3 to 6 Years | March, June, July, September, and October
|
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Engineering (By Research) | Multimedia University (MMU)
|
3 to 6 Years | Throughout the year
|
| PhD in Management
PhD in Engineering PhD in Computing
|
Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)
|
3 to 6 Years | Recommended to contact the University
|
| Industrial PhD in Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
|
UCSI University | 3 to 6 Years | January, May, and September |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Biology
PhD in Mathematical Sciences Doctor of Philosophy (Computing)
|
Sunway University
|
3 to 6 Years | January, March, June, and August
|
| Doctor Of Philosophy In Education
|
Taylor’s University
|
3 to 6 Years
|
January, March, June, August, and October
|
All the above information is subject to change over time and by university authorities.
Duration of Postgraduate Degrees in Malaysia
Generally, a Master’s degree can be as short as eight months to as long as three to four years. Depending on the field, a Master’s degree may be the highest level of education anyone can get.
| Postgraduate Degrees
|
Duration
|
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Certificates
|
6 Months to 1 Year
|
| Postgraduate Diplomas
|
1 to 2 years
|
| Master’s Degrees
|
1 to 2 years
|
| Doctorates
|
3 to 6 Years
|
Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Degrees in Malaysia
| Postgraduate Degrees
|
Tuition fee (Approximately)
|
Scholarship Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate | USD 2,900 to 6,500
|
20-75%
|
| Postgraduate Diploma
|
USD 2,900 to 6,500
|
20-75%
|
| Master’s Degree
|
USD 4,000 to 12,500
|
20-75%
|
| Doctorate
|
Depends on Institution and programmes
|
25-100%
|
Entry Requirements for Postgraduate Degrees in Malaysia
The entry requirements for a Postgraduate degree in Malaysia vary from degree to degree. Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate have kind of similar requirements however some has different entry requirements which are mentioned below:
Postgraduate Certificate
- To start a Postgraduate Certificate degree in Malaysia, you must fulfil your Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 from an approved university. However, some universities accept CGPA lesser than 2.50. It is to be noted that some specific programmes need some additional requirements.
- International students must submit their English proficiency test results. IELTS a minimum of 5.0 or above, TOEFL, and some other English proficiency tests are accepted in Malaysia.
- Students should meet the prior pre-requisite education qualifications of initial education levels.
Postgraduate Diploma
- To start a Postgraduate Diploma degree in Malaysia, you must fulfil your Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 from an approved university. However, some universities accept CGPA lesser than 2.50. It is to be noted that some specific programmes need some additional requirements.
- International students must submit their English proficiency test results. IELTS a minimum of 6.0 or above, TOEFL, PTE and some other English proficiency tests are accepted in Malaysia.
- Students should meet the prior pre-requisite education qualifications of initial education levels.
Master’s Degree
• To start a Postgraduate degree in Malaysia, you must fulfil your Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 from an approved university. However, some universities accept CGPA lesser than 2.50. It is to be noted that some specific programmes need some additional requirements.
• International students must submit their English proficiency test results. IELTS a minimum of 6.0 or above, TOEFL, PTE and some other English proficiency tests are accepted in Malaysia.
• Students should meet the prior pre-requisite education qualifications of initial education levels.
Doctorate or PhD
A doctorate or PhD is the highest level of educational grade hence it requires more information. There are multiple terms and conditions needed to start and go to the end of the valued PhD degree.
• It is mandatory to fulfil the prior educational steps i.e. Secondary School Certificate, a Higher Secondary Certificate, a relevant Graduate degree and a Postgraduate degree with research. Those are some of the common requirements, however, additional requirements will be added depending on different institutions and programmes.
• International students must submit their English proficiency test results for a PhD degree. In IELTS a minimum of 6.5 or above is accepted nevertheless, there are some other English proficiency tests also accepted in Malaysia which vary among universities and programmes.
You can explore our article “Become A PhD Student: Steps to Follow”
Conclusion
Everyone agrees that education is hugely important and among the essential rights and most important things in human life. Education aims to prepare students to take challenges of life, hence, if anyone tends to study to the highest level then it should be highly encouraged. One of the best nations for providing higher education in Malaysia. As an international student, earning a postgraduate degree from Malaysia will be extremely beneficial.
Malaysia is very important for providing higher education degrees. I hope from the abovementioned now you have a clear idea regarding Postgraduate Degrees in Malaysia as we included the four degrees i.e. Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, and Doctorates.
