Malaysia - Education and TrainingMalaysia-Education-and-Training
UNESCO Student Mobility Number
Austria has 64,187 students studying abroad according to UNESCO
CIA World Factbook
44.22 % of Malaysia’s population is under 24 years of age.
Malaysia is ranked 21st in the total number of students sent to the U.S. for higher education. According to Open Doors 2018 “Fast Facts” for 2017/2018 school year, there was an increase of 0.3% from 8,247 Malaysia students studying in the U.S. to 8,271. Most Malaysian students in the U.S. study at the undergraduate level. The breakdown in 2017/18 is as follows: 70.3% undergraduate, 13.5% graduate, 1.4% non-degree and 14.8% Optional Practical Training.
Overview
In the 2017-2018 academic year, Malaysian students in U.S. colleges and universities contributed USD 329 million to the U.S. economy.
The primary source of funding for Malaysian students is personal and family. Malaysian students are generally known to be good and serious students. As a result, they typically receive U.S. academic scholarships, either upon entry or soon after. The secondary source of funding for Malaysian students is Malaysian government and private corporation scholarships. There are access criteria to the secondary source of funding. Successful Malaysian government scholarship applicants must be accepted into TIMEs Higher Education (T.H.E) World University Ranking Top 100 schools to have access to these funds. T.H.E. is part of the Thomson Reuters group. Due to continued USG commercial diplomacy efforts, the Malaysian government is willing to explore other alternatives in addition to the Top 100 educational institutions in the T.H.E. ranking.
Top international education destinations for Malaysian students other than the U.S. are Australia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Russia, New Zealand, India, Netherlands and Japan, with the majority going to Australia and the U.K.
Sub-Sets
Market Data:
International Education Overview 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
Number of Malaysian Students in U.S. 7,834 8,247 8,271
Percentage of Change from Previous Year (%) 8.3 5.3 0.3
Ranking in Places of Origin for Students going to the U.S. 22 21 21
Source: Open Doors Reports
Higher Education
Traditionally, the four main fields of study for Malaysian students to the U.S. are Engineering (26.7%), Business (17.7%), Physical/Life Sciences (12.6%) and Social Sciences (11.3%). In recent years, there is marked interest in a specific field of study: Actuarial Science. Liberal Arts traditionally is not a draw as Malaysian students and parents place heavy emphasis on marketability and the ability to earn a living immediately after graduation as part of their selection criteria. Other considerations for students are cost, geography, religious and dietary similarities, and education under the British Commonwealth legacy.
Although the 4-year university undergraduate market is still the main growth opportunity, increasingly, we are seeing more associate, graduate as well as post-graduate degrees gaining interest from Malaysian students. Additionally, Optional Practical Training involving internships either pre or post-completion of degree is gaining market traction as well.
Opportunities:
Malaysia aspires to be a regional and international education hub. Towards this end, the Malaysian government is strongly encouraging international education partnerships and collaboration, and is also pushing the Malaysian public and private higher education institutions to become more research oriented. Twinning between Malaysian and foreign institutions [2+2 (i.e. two years in Malaysia followed by two years study in the U.S.), 3+1, and 4+0], and foreign education institution branch campuses are various forms of collaboration opportunities.
Events:
Star Education Fair. January 5-6, 2019. Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
Facon Education Fair. March 17-19, 2019. Kuala Lumpur Exhibition Center
Higher Education Fair. August 3-4, 2019. Mid Valley Exhibition Center
Resources
Education USA/ Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange
Website: www.macee.org.my
U.S. Commercial Service Contact
Janet Suan
janet.suan@trade.gov
Phone: (60)3-2168-5050
Fax: (60)3-2142-1866
http://www.export.gov/malaysia
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Austria has 64,187 students studying abroad according to UNESCO
CIA World Factbook
44.22 % of Malaysia’s population is under 24 years of age.
Malaysia is ranked 21st in the total number of students sent to the U.S. for higher education. According to Open Doors 2018 “Fast Facts” for 2017/2018 school year, there was an increase of 0.3% from 8,247 Malaysia students studying in the U.S. to 8,271. Most Malaysian students in the U.S. study at the undergraduate level. The breakdown in 2017/18 is as follows: 70.3% undergraduate, 13.5% graduate, 1.4% non-degree and 14.8% Optional Practical Training.
Overview
In the 2017-2018 academic year, Malaysian students in U.S. colleges and universities contributed USD 329 million to the U.S. economy.
The primary source of funding for Malaysian students is personal and family. Malaysian students are generally known to be good and serious students. As a result, they typically receive U.S. academic scholarships, either upon entry or soon after. The secondary source of funding for Malaysian students is Malaysian government and private corporation scholarships. There are access criteria to the secondary source of funding. Successful Malaysian government scholarship applicants must be accepted into TIMEs Higher Education (T.H.E) World University Ranking Top 100 schools to have access to these funds. T.H.E. is part of the Thomson Reuters group. Due to continued USG commercial diplomacy efforts, the Malaysian government is willing to explore other alternatives in addition to the Top 100 educational institutions in the T.H.E. ranking.
Top international education destinations for Malaysian students other than the U.S. are Australia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Russia, New Zealand, India, Netherlands and Japan, with the majority going to Australia and the U.K.
Sub-Sets
Market Data:
| International Education Overview | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | ||||
| Number of Malaysian Students in U.S. | 7,834 | 8,247 | 8,271 | ||||
| Percentage of Change from Previous Year (%) | 8.3 | 5.3 | 0.3 | ||||
| Ranking in Places of Origin for Students going to the U.S. | 22 | 21 | 21 |
Number of Malaysian Students in U.S. 7,834 8,247 8,271
Percentage of Change from Previous Year (%) 8.3 5.3 0.3
Ranking in Places of Origin for Students going to the U.S. 22 21 21
Source: Open Doors Reports
Higher Education
Traditionally, the four main fields of study for Malaysian students to the U.S. are Engineering (26.7%), Business (17.7%), Physical/Life Sciences (12.6%) and Social Sciences (11.3%). In recent years, there is marked interest in a specific field of study: Actuarial Science. Liberal Arts traditionally is not a draw as Malaysian students and parents place heavy emphasis on marketability and the ability to earn a living immediately after graduation as part of their selection criteria. Other considerations for students are cost, geography, religious and dietary similarities, and education under the British Commonwealth legacy.
Although the 4-year university undergraduate market is still the main growth opportunity, increasingly, we are seeing more associate, graduate as well as post-graduate degrees gaining interest from Malaysian students. Additionally, Optional Practical Training involving internships either pre or post-completion of degree is gaining market traction as well.
Opportunities:
Malaysia aspires to be a regional and international education hub. Towards this end, the Malaysian government is strongly encouraging international education partnerships and collaboration, and is also pushing the Malaysian public and private higher education institutions to become more research oriented. Twinning between Malaysian and foreign institutions [2+2 (i.e. two years in Malaysia followed by two years study in the U.S.), 3+1, and 4+0], and foreign education institution branch campuses are various forms of collaboration opportunities.
Events:
Star Education Fair. January 5-6, 2019. Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
Facon Education Fair. March 17-19, 2019. Kuala Lumpur Exhibition Center
Higher Education Fair. August 3-4, 2019. Mid Valley Exhibition Center
Resources
Education USA/ Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange
Website: www.macee.org.my
U.S. Commercial Service Contact
Janet Suan
janet.suan@trade.gov
Phone: (60)3-2168-5050
Fax: (60)3-2142-1866
http://www.export.gov/malaysia
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.