Study MBBS in Malaysia: Top Universities, Admission Eligibility, Fees, Scholarships, Jobs

Apply online at MBBS in Malaysia is an MCI and WHO approved 5-year program which is equivalent to an Indian degree in MBBS. Malaysia is currently home to over 130,110 international students from 136 countries looking for a medical degree from one of the top universities in Malaysia. MBBS in Malaysia is thus, one of the coveted and affordable options for such aspirants and costs around 55,000 to 136,000 MYR per annum (~9 to 25 lakhs for Indian students).

A list of mandatory points to be taken a note of when seeking to study in Malaysia are as mentioned below.

• It is a combination program (theoretical and practical training) that requires a decent score with PCM or PCB at high school level (12th standard).
• NEET is a mandatory requirement for Indian students but does not require a specific minimum score.
• Work experience of 2 years and Interview are some of the highly recommended requirements for the program.
• Students can apply for PhD and Residency (up to 4 years) post their MBBS degree.
• The starting salary of graduates with MBBS in Malaysia is nearly 68,200 to 186,000 MYR per annum at freshers level.

Top Universities for MBBS in Malaysia

Tabulated below is the list of top universities offering MBBS in Malaysia along with corresponding program details:

Why Study MBBS in Malaysia?

• Growing demand of healthcare professionals in Malaysia: As per the 2020 survey reports of International Medical University in Malaysia, the country required some 85,000 doctors against the total Malaysian population in order to meet the WHO standard target of 1:400 doctors to people. This indicates a spike in demand of medical workers.
• Malaysia is a popular medical tourist destination: With a total revenue valued at 1.5 billion MYR per annum, Malaysia is a popular choice for people seeking medical treatment abroad which ensures impressive post-study work opportunities for MBBS graduates.
• MCI approved globally ranking universities: As per the QS World Universities Ranking, several top Malaysian universities and courses rank in the top 500 and provide MBBS degrees that are MCI approved which secures careers of the aspirants across the globe.
• Low unemployment rate in Malaysia: The country recorded an employment rate of merely 3.38% in 2020 (Statista) which has remained more or less constant through the last decade. This ensures a stable work environment for international students in Malaysia.

MBBS in Malaysia: Course Highlights

MBBS in Malaysia: Course Details

MBBS in Malaysia is a 5 year program in the country (equivalent to Indian MBBS) and is usually pursued after completion of high school (12th standard). This 5-year program includes both pre-clinical (Year 1 & 2) and clinical courses (Year 3, 4 & 5).

The medium of instruction for the program is entirely English at all the universities in the country. The span of the course may increase for students also applying to master’s degree post MBBS (PhD or residency; 3-4 years)

While phase 1 of the program includes theoretical courses in the stream of Anatomy, Microbiology, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, among others, the phase 2 is completely practical and requires practices across hospitals in Malaysia.

MBBS in Malaysia Admissions

The detailed admission requirements for international students looking to study MBBS in Malaysia comprising details like application deadlines, list of mandatory documents, exams to study in Malaysia and their respective test scores are as mentioned below.

Admission Applications to MBBS in Malaysia

Application deadlines to study in Malaysia when applying for an MBBS degree are tabulated as follows:

MBBS in Malaysia Admission Requirements

The detailed eligibility requirements for MBBS in Malaysia are highly university specific. However, some common eligibility requirements required when applying to study in Malaysia are as listed below.

• A min score of 70% or more in physics, chemistry, mathematics/biology for Indian applicants or a 3-4 year bachelor's degree in related fields with CGPA of 2.5-3.0
• Scanned copies of official transcripts translated in English of 10th, 12th and bachelor’s level (if applicable)
• English proficiency scores like IELTS or TOEFL
• Other standardized test scores like NEET, MCAT, BMAT etc. (NEET mandatory for Indian students; no min. score is specified)
• Work Experience of 2 years is highly recommended (at least 6 months) but is not a mandatory requirement.
• Updated CV/Resume
• Selected candidates will have to appear for a personal interview.
• Medical Health Certificate
• Consent letter from parents
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation (max 3)

Eligibility for MBBS in Malaysia

Some popular universities and their corresponding eligibility requirements for MBBS in Malaysia are as follows:

Language Requirements for MBBS in Malaysia

International candidates from a non-native English background must provide language proficiency proof in the form of test scores. The detailed scores for the same when looking for MBBS in Malaysia are as compiled below.

Visa to Study in Malaysia Requirements

International candidates applying to MBBS in Malaysia require a relevant visa to study in Malaysia. The details for the same are as mentioned below.

How to apply: Apply online at Education Malaysia Website and fill an online application.

Standard Application Fee: 193 MYR (varies)

Time Required to obtain a visa: up to 14 working days

Documents Required:

• Completed application form
• Letter of acceptance
• Standardized test scores like IELTS (6.0 or equivalent), TOEFL (80 or above) etc
• Health insurance is a mandatory requirement for international students
• Passport photos
• Valid passport
• Personal Bond: The immigration department requires all educational institutions in Malaysia to sign a personal bond on behalf of the candidate for a specified sum. Students then have to lodge a specified amount for this purpose.
• Visa Interview is not required for a Malaysian student visa.

Cost of Studying MBBS in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the affordable options for studying abroad in comparison to its european and american competitors. For international students looking for a budget-friendly study abroad destination, Malaysia is an affordable and impressive alternative. To ease the decision-making for you, the detailed list of expenses for studying MBBS in Malaysia are as compiled below.

Pre-arrival costs

International applicants need to pay the following one-time expenses at the time of applying to MBBS in Malaysia:

*Note that Indian applicants do not have to appear for MCAT/BMAT or any other Malaysian entrance exam for applying to MBBS in Malaysia. NEET, however, is mandatory for Indian students.

MBBS in Malaysia: Tuition Fee for Indian Students

Tuition fee for MBBS in Malaysia for Indian students is as tabulated below.

Cost of Living

While the basic fee in the country varies as per individual’s personal preferences for accommodation, food, city of choice etc., an estimated amount required as cost of living in Malaysia is as follows:

In total, an Indian applicant looking for MBBS in Malaysia would require some 15 to 35 lakhs per annum as tuition fee and living expenses for studying in Malaysia. This amount includes all the other trivial expenditures that a candidate might incur in the country.

MBBS in Malaysia with Scholarships

Since Malaysia is an economical study abroad destination, the country does not offer many scholarships awards for international students and most studienships are reserved for domestic candidates. However, some popular scholarships for international students in Malaysia that an overseas candidate can avail are as tabulated below.

Jobs after MBBS in Malaysia

As per WHO’s report released in 2013, most low- and middle-income countries will have a deficit of 14.5 million healthcare workers by the end of 2030. This was highly evident in the case of Malaysia in 2020 where the country needed thousands of medical professionals to meet its global WHO standard of 1:400 doctor-to-population ratio (discussed above). This trend indicates a sharp hike in demand in the field of medical in the upcoming years and would open a range of work opportunities for international students in Malaysia.

Since most of the Malaysain universities are MCI approved and economical at the same time, students after obtaining an MBBS in Malaysia can safely return to their homelands and practice medicine securely. India is a contributor of nearly 33-35% MBBS applicants in Malaysia most of which return and continue practicing in their country. All they have to do is clear the NEXT exam which stands mandatory for all medical graduates and can end up earning a starting salary of 6 to 20 lakhs per annum (32,856 to 109,522 in MYR).

Graduates can either opt for private or government hospitals or practice in their own clinic after completion of MBBS from Malaysia. However, national statistics reflect that most MBBS graduates from the country are employed in the private sector because of better work-life balance or leave for US, UK and other developed countries for better salary prospects. An average salary of a doctor or other healthcare professional in the country is nearly 68,200 to 186,000 MYR per annum.

The details of other similar work profiles and their corresponding salaries open for students post their MBBS in Malaysia are as follows:

On the concluding part, Malaysia is a very student-friendly and pocket-friendly alternative for international students seeking to study abroad. It is not only the top 30 most peaceful countries but also provides a world-class curriculum for aspirants of MBBS in Malaysia, a degree that is universal and can help you practice anywhere in the world.

With an increasing demand for medical workers and a constantly decreasing unemployment rate, studying MBBS in Malaysia should definitely make up the list of international aspirants across different corners of the globe.

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