All Steps for Studying in Malaysia From Kenya

Going to study in Malaysia from Kenya is your opportunity to gain the skills, outlook and confidence you need to fulfil your potential. Applying to study in Malaysia is a straightforward process, and we will guide you through it step by step.

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia consisting of 13 states and three federal territories, sharing land and maritime borders with Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand and only maritime boundaries with the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

The country has one of the best higher education systems in the world, with a total of 20 public universities and 44 private universities and university colleges.

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Malaysia education at a glance

Why study in Malaysia?

* Malaysia has one of the largest education systems globally and is a global leader in research and education
* Courses in the Malaysian education system are shorter and more intensive than in many other countries
* Several of the country’s higher education institutions make up the top 200 universities in the world, according to QS World University Rankings 2024
* The country is the world’s most popular study destination for international students
* Popular student cities include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, Putrajaya and Selangor
* Studying in Malaysia is cheaper than in Europe and America, and funding is available

Top 10 Malaysian universities for international students

As stated, Malaysia is renowned for its high-quality education and higher institutions that have achieved remarkable success in the university rankings.

Also, as already noted, with so many different international students and residents, Malaysia is one of the best destinations in the world to experience cultural diversity.

Here are the best universities and colleges in Malaysia;

How to apply to study in Malaysia from Kenya

One of the main benefits of studying in Malaysia is that Malaysian universities are recognized worldwide, and its university students’ degrees have value both locally and internationally, making it easy to get jobs upon graduation.

In Malaysia, courses are based on a depth of knowledge in one particular field of interest but broad-based, and a bachelor’s degree takes about four years to complete.

Students are normally graded constantly as their student visa immigration law says that no student is to get a visa renewal when they fail exams or miss 80% of classes.

During campus time at Malaysian universities, student life is often centred on the school. Many students live in hostels that provide dormitory-like settings for all four years, eating meals together, playing sports together in university facilities, and so forth.

Here is how you can apply to study in Malaysia from Kenya:

1. Decide on a university or college and course

Step one is learning about the variety of university and career options available to study at Malaysian higher education institutions accepting international students and identifying one that best fits your needs.

To ensure you choose the course and school that is right for you and for what you want to achieve, it is best to research and read about the range of courses, colleges and universities available and compare them.

You can do this with the help of a career coach from the Malaysian study abroad agencies available in Kenya.

2. Register and apply to the university

Applying for an undergraduate course in Malaysia is simple; a study abroad agent will help you access the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, where you can find all the required forms, fill them out and submit your application online.

Within three weeks of the application deadline, the Malaysian university you will have applied to will let you know they have received your application and will give you information about how to track your status.

3. Accept your offer

When you apply to Malaysian higher learning institutions and secure a place at one of the universities or colleges as an international student, you will either receive a conditional or unconditional offer letter.

Your university or college will contact you (usually via email) to tell you whether or not you have received an offer to study by sending you the offer letter.

If you are accepted with an unconditional offer, it means you met all the entry requirements at the first instance and have been granted an automatic spot at the university. In contrast, a conditional offer letter requires certain conditions to be met in order to get your admission confirmed by the university.

That could be taking admission tests before admission, subject tests or requiring multiple Letters of Recommendation from your teachers before getting fully enrolled to study.

IELTS is not required in Malaysia if you studied English in high school.

4. Finance your education: How much does studying in Malaysia cost?

At this stage, it is the time to arrange funding. Final undergraduate application assessments will be done within six weeks of receipt of the required documentation and proof of payment.

At public Malaysian universities, tuition costs can vary significantly. For citizens attending classes full-time over two semesters, the tuition fee usually ranges from $300 to $1,200 per year, depending on the university, the type of discipline, and the length of studies. On the other hand, the estimated total direct costs for undergraduate international students start from about 6000 MYR ($1,400) to $5,000/year and between $5,000 and $7,500 per year in private universities.

“Now that school fees in Kenya have s**t up, parents should consider taking their children to Malaysia. Malaysia is very affordable with quality education, and the cost of living is also cheaper than Kenya,” says Omar Omar, a study abroad guru.

5. Apply for your student visa

As an international student from Kenya, you will need a student visa to take up your study place in Malaysia.

Including talking you through your options and connecting you with the right-fit program that aligns with your goals, a reliable study abroad partner should be able to guide you through all the steps of getting a student visa for Malaysia as a Kenyan.

Some of the documents you must provide before the application process begins include an original KCSE certificate, a passport-size photo with a white background, medical fees, visa fees and money for airfare. It costs around Ksh25,000 to travel from Kenya to Malaysia.

6. Prepare for your departure

You have made it to the final step! Preparing for your departure is the final step in your guide to studying in Malaysia from Kenya.

Pre-departure information includes gathering documents for arrival and immigration compliance. Your pre-departure checklist should contain important documents like your passport, visa, and acceptance letter from your university.

You should also consider packing appropriate clothing, arranging for housing if you are not going to stay in student hostels and obtaining health insurance.

That is it! A simple guide to applying and studying in universities in Malaysia from Kenya.

Which agency is best in Kenya for study in Malaysia?

Per student visa approval rates, client reviews and social media sentiments, Educare International is regarded as the top consultancy in Kenya for studying in Malaysia. In operation for over ten years, Educare has helped thousands of students achieve their study-abroad dreams by taking them through all the processes, from choosing their course to university applications to student visa applications and departure;

While conducting pre-departure orientations for students getting ready to depart for Malaysia, its experienced education consultants and advisers usually provide them with information and resources that will help them prepare for new experiences and develop skills to adjust to new challenges in Southeast Asia.

Educare International, serving Kenya’s higher education community, supports and promotes international student recruitment around the country by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited universities in Malaysia.

For more information, you can contact them via their phone number, 0784 999997 or walk into their offices in Mombasa, Eldoret and Kakamega or the Educare headquarters on the ground floor of Madonna House, off Mpaka Road in Westlands, Nairobi.

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