Medicine is regarded as one of the noblest professions and the demand for skilled medical practitioners is high all over the world. The popularity of medical degrees among Indian students is increasing. However, the intense competition for admission, the limited number of seats, and the challenging entrance examinations have led Indian students to pursue MBBS degrees abroad. Studying medicine overseas offers students a broader perspective, access to advanced medical facilities, and often a more straightforward admission process. Malaysia has emerged as a top destination among MBBS aspirants from India and other nationalities. Through this blog, you will come across all the essential information needed to study medicine in Malaysia, top medical universities, and factors that make Malaysia popular among students.
The MBBS courses offered at medical universities in Malaysia comply with international standards and guidelines of various medical councils. High-quality theoretical and practical education, affordable tuition fees, and globally recognized medical degrees make medical schools in Malaysia popular among international students. The country widely attracts international students from several developing countries like India, due to the affordable tuition fees. Malaysia gives students the opportunity to study in top medical universities that are recognized by WHO, FAIMER, NMC, ECFMG, etc. As per the Malaysian Medical Council’s data, over 40,000 international students were studying medicine in Malaysia.
A medical degree in Malaysia is a five-year undergraduate program that covers the non-clinical and clinical aspects of medicine. The first two years of study include pre-clinical subjects like biochemistry, pathology, physiology, microbiology, etc. You will be taught clinical subjects in the following three years. The medium of instruction is English at all medical universities in Malaysia. Hence, language will not be a barrier for international students to study medicine in Malaysia.
There are several advantages to studying medicine at top medical universities in Malaysia. Be it the cost, education quality, or post-study work option- everything favors international students to study Medicine degree in Malaysia. Though all reasons could not be listed, here are a few reasons that explain the advantages of studying in Malaysian medical colleges:
A major factor that attracts Indian Students to study MBBS in Malaysia is the cost-effectiveness. Medical Education in Malaysia is less expensive when compared to the popular European destinations. The exact tuition costs can vary according to the university you choose. However, the tuition fees at top medical schools in Malaysia are often lower than twenty lakhs per annum which is lower than several private medical colleges in India.
Malaysian universities and top medical schools are known for their high education standards. The teaching methodologies and course curricula offered by Malaysian medical colleges are on par with the global standards. Moreover, the medical degree in Malaysia is recognized by the World Health Organization and the Medical Council of India. Recognition by Indian and international medical authorities encourages students to pursue Medicine in Malaysia.
Theoretical education and clinical exposure are equally important in Medical studies. Malaysia offers great opportunities for practical learning and clinical exposure. Renowned medical clinics and hospitals with modern infrastructure allow international students to gain hands-on experience. Students will be guided by well-experienced doctors which will help them gain practical knowledge to deal with real-life medical cases.
Malaysia offers ample opportunities for medical students to work after their studies. The post-study work opportunities are numerous as the country is a popular medical tourism destination. The country values medical graduates from other nationalities proficient in handling multiple languages. International medical students will be able to treat tourists effectively without language barriers. According to a recent report, the average revenue from medical tourism is 1.5 billion MYR per annum. This clearly explains the post-study opportunities for Indian MBBS students in Malaysia.
Based on the population statistics released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Malaysia will require 90,057 actively practicing doctors in 2025 and 114,187 in 2030. The Malaysian government is encouraging international medical students to work in the country to meet and surpass the doctor-population ratio standards set by WHO. This indicates that international students after their medical degrees can work in the public healthcare sector.
Our branch in the state’s capital is conveniently located at the main center making it accessible to students from both urban and rural areas in and around the district. Universal Migration has been serving aspiring students from areas like Nedumangad, Poojapura, Attingal, Varkala, Thampanoor, Pattom, etc. Our abroad education consultants in Trivandrum have assisted candidates even from Kollam, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, and more.
USM or Universiti Sains Malaysia: USM is a research-intensive multidisciplinary university that offers courses in engineering, science, medicine, and art fields. The undergraduate international student programs in Medical, Dental & Health Studies are popular among Indian students. The eligibility requirement is a pass in 12th with a 60% mark in the PCB stream. Indian students must have passed NEET with 50 percent marks. Candidates with more than a 2-year gap in studies are generally not eligible for MBBS admission.
University of Malaya: It is the oldest public university in Malaysia located in Kuala Lumpur. Medical degrees offered by the University of Malaya are recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency(MQA). The Medical Centre of Malaya University is the second largest hospital in Malaysia offering students great clinical exposure. Indian students must be NEET qualified and should have around 70% marks at the higher secondary level. An IELTS band score of 6 is also recommended.
AIMST University: Asian Institute of Medicine Science and Technology or AIMST offers an excellent learning environment and accommodation facilities for international students. It also offers financial aid in the form of the AIMST Foundation Scholarship. According to the official website, Indian students must meet the following eligibility requirements for MBBS admission:
Candidates should have scored an average of 70% marks in three subjects- Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Should have passed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
MAHSA University: Malaysian Allied Health Sciences Academy or MAHSA is a private university in Malaysia. The university has a diverse student body from around 75 countries. MBBS course at MAHSA University is divided into two phases. The 1st and 2nd year is included in the first phase. The rest 3 years (3,4,5) are included in the second phase. During the first phase, students get exposure to theoretical subjects at the university campus and clinical medicine at Hospital Tanjung Karang. The second phase is completely clinic or hospital-based.
IMU: IMU University or the International Medical University introduced the first global medical partnership program. IMU is one of the prestigious private medical and health sciences universities established in 1992. The university follows a ‘One Health’ approach to expand and improve traditional healthcare education.
Indian students who wish to study medicine can go through the following table to know the significant difference between Medical degree in Malaysia and India.
MBBS In Malaysia
Governed by the Malaysian Medical Council(MMC)
Course Duration is 5 years
Some universities have a university-specific entrance test
Fees in private colleges are usually below 35 lakhs
MBBS In India
Governed by the National Medical Commission of India (NMC)
Course Duration 5.5 years (4.5 years academics+ 1-year internship)
Qualifying NEET exam is Mandatory
Fees in private medical colleges approximately range from 20 to 85 lakhs based on the college
The application procedure to apply for MBBS degrees in various medical universities in Malaysia is more or less similar. Even though there may be some changes in the document requirements and eligibility criteria, candidates can follow the steps given below for applying to medical schools in Malaysia:
Research and find out a top university that offers MBBS programs for international students. Qs world universities rankings, infrastructure, and tuition costs can be considered when choosing a medical college to study in Malaysia.
Apply directly through the application form available at the official website of your preferred medical university. Fill in the details and attach all essential documents as required
Some universities will require candidates to appear for an entrance examination conducted by the university. The submitted documents will be verified at this point you may be asked to provide additional information or documents if needed.
If the application is complete and error-free you will be issued an offer letter confirming your MBBS admission to the university. To secure admission, candidates should pay the tuition within the given time frame.
International candidates who wish to study in Malaysia should obtain a student visa from the Malaysian Immigration Department.
Around 32 public and private medical universities in Malaysia are approved by the Indian National Medical Commission. International Medical colleges that comply with the recommended standards and curriculum are approved by the NMC of India. However, all Indian Students who have obtained a primary medical degree from any Medical university outside India have to pass a Screening test for registration and medical practice in India. This applies to MBBS degrees from Malaysian Medical schools too. The NMC continuously reviews medical universities to renew or cancel the accreditation. You should check the NMC accreditation while choosing medical schools in Malaysia. Some of the NMC-approved medical colleges in Malaysia as per the latest data are given below:
Not only Europe and Canada, but Malaysia as well has got immense popularity among the students in order to study medicine. This has been attributed to cheap charges and quality education offered hence the attraction. This we shall attempt to flush out the on and off fee updates more especially for the current financial year.
The fees for studying medicine in Malaysia differ from one university to the other and from one program to another. However, for those that are seeking numbers, below are the fees details;
Pre-University Programs range from RM20,000 to RM130, 000 (USD4300 to USD 28000) depending on the program.
Bachelor of Medicine program fees range between RM 300000 – 600000 (USD 64500 – USD 96800) for a 5-year degree on an average.
Malaysia is a country which is in Asia itself and is also neighboring with Asian countries as well as Australia. This makes Malaysia to be better than Australia even in the aspect ofcompanyIdhs,accomodations and fees. Such fees are much more comprehensible, and are still lower in comparison with many countries of the west also. In short, Malaysia is the preferred destination not only for Asian students but as we have seen it has many advantages to appeal for students from all parts of the world.
We have already dicsussed the list of MCI/NMC approved universities for Indian students. When coming to the top choices, Malaysia is home to several top medical universities that offer excellent education and training. You can consider the following Malaysian universities for medical education.
With a strong emphasis on research and practical training, these universities in Malaysia are expected to be the top choices for students according to the latest survey data. If you’re considering a pre-university program or a full-fledged medical degree, Malaysia has these universities and a range of other MCI/NMC licensed options to suit your needs and budget.
These universities in Malaysia are well-kown for providing their students with a unique blend of affordable education and high-quality training. The low living costs and excellent educational institutions make Malaysia an ideal destination for aspiring medical professionals. Along with that, Malaysia being a land of diverse cultutee is an added advantage.
The country offers several on-campus and off-campus accommodation options for Indian students pursuing medicine in Malaysia. On-campus accommodations, located near or within the campus are more convenient and secure. Some universities even arrange special accommodations for international students. You can also choose off-campus accommodation options like apartments, shared houses, flats, etc. based on your budget. The accommodation costs can vary according to the place you choose to live and the facilities you require. The On-campus accommodation or college hostels will have all the basic amenities required to provide a comfortable environment for students. Off-campus accommodation will give you the flexibility to choose additional amenities according to your budget.
Even though Malaysia is an affordable overseas education destination, the country offers several international student scholarships. Merit-based and institution-specific scholarships are available for international students who wish to study in Malaysia. Some of the most popular international student scholarships are the AIMST Foundation Scholarship, the University Trust Graduate Scholarship, the Malaysia Government Scholarship, The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation-Sunway Group Scholarship, etc.
As discussed above, affordability and education quality are the driving factors that attract international students to study MBBS in Malaysia. Most of the Malaysian universities offer medical courses in English which is beneficial for Indian students. Overseas education consultants like Universal Migration will help you gather more information about medical education in Malaysia. Expert abroad study consultants at Universal Migration will help you choose the best medical universities in Malaysia based on your merit and budget.
If you’re seeking personalized assistance to study medicine in Malaysia, connect with our authorized education consultants in Trivandrum
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