Malaysia Continues to be a Popular Education Destination for International Students
April 20, 2015 | Editor's DeskThe higher education sector in Malaysia has experienced a steady growth over the last 10 years. There has been a continual increase in the number of international students studying here. In 2004, there were approximately 32,000 international students studying in Malaysia. Fast forward to 2014 and the number has multiplied three-fold to more than 107,000.
Based on the latest data from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Malaysia is the ninth largest recruiter of international students globally. Students from Asia and Africa make up the largest numbers of international students in Malaysia with Iran, Indonesia, China, Nigeria and Yemen sending the most students to this country.
Among the international students studying in Malaysia, about 70% (75,000) are studying at private higher learning institutions (HLIs) and 30% (32,840) at public universities. Out of the total number of 107,840 international students, 80,030 are studying an undergraduate degree and the remaining 27,810 are pursuing postgraduate studies.
International students make up almost 10% of the student population at HLIs in Malaysia. The Ministry reports that there are 1.2 million students studying at HLIs – here’s a breakdown of how where the students are enrolled:
| Institution Type | Total Students |
|---|---|
| Public universities | 560,000 students |
| Private universities, university colleges and colleges | 485,000 students |
| Polytechnics | 90,000 students |
| Community colleges | 22,000 students |
According to 2014 data, there are 20 public universities, 91 community colleges, 33 polytechnics, 410 private colleges, 70 private universities, and 34 private university colleges in Malaysia.
Source: Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education)
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