Study Business in Malaysia

Tony Fernandes, Robert Kuok and Norraesah Mohamad – what do all these people have in common? They are all multimillionaires, with a net worth ranging up to RM 62 billion! Studying business may help you make it big like one of these businessmen, or at the very least, help you make it anywhere. After all, one of the best parts about a degree in business is that practically every company has a spot for you.

Before we begin, you may want to check out our general Business Studies guide, to get a better understanding of the field. If you’ve already done so, read on to find out more about studying business, specifically in Malaysia.

11 notable universities for business studies in Malaysia

There is no shortage of schools when it comes to studying business in Malaysia, as it is a popular programme among many students, not just locally, but internationally as well. Here are 10 popular institutions to consider if you plan to study business:

• Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation
• Monash University Malaysia
• Curtin University Malaysia
• Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak
• University of Nottingham Malaysia
• Universiti Tenaga Nasional
• Management and Science University
• Sunway University
• UCSI University
• Taylor’s University
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

These private universities are rated five to six stars in Malaysia’s national ranking system, SETARA, which means that they are ranked as either Outstanding or Excellent institutions. Let’s briefly go through them, and some of the business programmes they have:

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is amongst Malaysia’s Premier Private Universities and is where a unique fusion of technology, innovation and creativity works effectively towards preparing graduates for significant roles in business and society globally. APU has earned an enviable reputation as an award-winning University through its achievements in winning a host of prestigious awards at national and international levels.

Monash University Malaysia

Monash University Malaysia offers programmes for business students under its School of Business. The university puts a strong emphasis on relevance, and is part of global networks such as The Alliance On Business Education And Scholarship For Tomorrow, a 21st century organization (ABEST21). Modern facilities such as the university’s business labs also help to give students an edge in their learning process.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business and Commerce (estimated fees: RM 111,300)
• Master of International Business (estimated fees: RM 53,000)

Curtin University Malaysia

Another leading provider of business education is Curtin University Malaysia, which is considered one of Malaysia’s mature institutions, based on the SETARA rankings. The university has extensive industry connections and records a high employability rate among its students, both within the country and internationally as well.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 67,200)
• Master of Philosophy, Business by Research (estimated fees: RM 52,568)

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak enables business students to major in various areas, ranging from accounting and finance to international business and marketing. Some of the core subjects that students learn are economic principles, innovative business practice and business information systems. Students can even minor in social media!

Programmes include:

• Diploma of Business Management (estimated fees: RM 29,160)
• Bachelor of Business, Management and Digital Media (estimated fees: RM 72,696)

University of Nottingham Malaysia

The University of Nottingham Malaysia takes an interdisciplinary approach to its business programmes, combining studies in accounting, economics, marketing and more into the curriculum. The Nottingham University Business School is also accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), which applies to all its campuses – including Malaysia!

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business Economics and Finance (estimated fees: RM 111,000)
• Bachelor of International Business Management (estimated fees: RM 111,000)

Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) is yet another institution worth a second look, having won numerous awards for its quality and academic excellence. UNITEN focuses on producing graduates who are well-rounded, knowledgeable and equipped for the industry. The university offers business programmes from foundation level, all the way to doctorate level.

Programmes include:

• Diploma in Business Studies (estimated fees: RM 22,000)
• Bachelor of Business Economics (Hons) (estimated fees: RM 54,000)

Management and Science University

Management and Science University’s (MSU) business programmes can be found under its Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies (FBMP). The university places importance on problem-solving skills in addition to business fundamentals, training students be independent and forward-thinking in the workplace.

Programmes include:

• Diploma in Entrepreneurship (estimated fees: RM 22,000)
• Bachelor of International Business (estimated fees: RM 40,000)

Sunway University

The Sunway University Business School is a premier institution for business, with programmes that are validated by Lancaster University in the UK. Another bonus from this collaboration is that students will get 2 certifications when they complete the programme – one from Sunway University and another from Lancaster University!

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Science (Hons) Business Studies (estimated fees: RM 86,000)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Business (estimated fees: RM 86,000)

UCSI University

UCSI University is another institution worth a second look. The university’s business programmes are assessed by academics from top universities such as Princeton and Strathclyde, and are recognised by various global bodies. With more than 70% lecturers holding PhDs, academic achievement is high in the university. Students have gone on to win competitions in the field.

Programmes include:

• Diploma in International Business (estimated fees: RM 27,000)
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 52,200)

Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University provides a dynamic education for its business students, with a particular focus of developing their entrepreneurial skills. Another plus point is the Taylor’s dual award system, whereby students earn an extra certification from one of the university’s partners (University of the West of England or Queensland University of Technology), along with the Taylor’s degree.

Programmes include:

• Diploma in Business (estimated fees: RM 48,000)
• Bachelor of Business (Hons) (estimated fees: RM 99,900)

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (UTAR) Faculty of Business and Finance is the university’s biggest faculty. The faculty is also very active, organising events to help in student development and the community as well. Some of their most recent events include a career talk for students and a public talk on the national budget.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) (estimated fees: RM 39,250)
• Bachelor of International Business (Hons) (estimated fees: RM 40,800)

Bonus: Best public universities in Malaysia for business studies according to QS rankings

The 6 universities from this list are acknowledged as some of the best in the world for this field by the QS World University Rankings. But your admission to them for undergraduate studies depends on your UPU application.

• Universiti Malaya
• Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Universiti Putra Malaysia
• Universiti Teknologi MARA
• Universiti Utara Malaysia

Universiti Malaya

We can’t miss out the country’s best-ranking university on this list – Universiti Malaya (UM)! UM is the only Malaysian university to be included in the Top 100 of the QS list for business and management, ranking alongside institutions such as USA’s Princeton University, UK’s Lancaster University, Australia’s RMIT University and many other great ones, worldwide.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 7,053)
• Master of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 24,370 – RM 34,178 depending on duration of study)

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) follows closely in rank, being among the Top 150 globally, out of the 302 listed in the QS rankings. USM offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses under its School of Management, where students can specialise in areas such as finance, marketing, operations management, organisational behaviour or international business.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Management (estimated fees: RM 4,400)
• Master of Arts, Management (estimated fees: RM 6,800 – RM 20,400 depending on duration of study)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) combines the fields of economics, business management and accounting under its Faculty of Economics and Management. The faculty has four centres focused on inclusive and sustainable development, governance resilience and accountability, value creation and human well-being, as well as global business and digital economy.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (estimated fees: RM 5,340)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 5,340)

Universiti Putra Malaysia

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is another strong institution in this field. In addition to the university’s full-time programmes, UPM also offers an executive programme as an option for those who are already working, but wish to study part time. Another highlight is that UPM is the first university in Malaysia to earn AACSB accreditation, which is a big plus point for any business organisation.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 6,000)
• Executive programme, Bachelor of Business Administration (estimated fees: RM 2,250)

Universiti Teknologi MARA

Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) undergraduate programmes are offered in 4 departments under the Faculty of Business and Management, so that students can specialise in different areas of their choosing. These areas range from insurance and entrepreneurship to health administration and operations management. The Faculty has also received numerous awards for their banking and insurance, as well as retail programmes.

Programmes include:

• Diploma in Business Studies (estimated fees: RM 4,000)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) International Business (estimated fees: RM 5,000)

Universiti Utara Malaysia

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) provides programmes from diploma to the doctorate level. The university’s School of Business Management (SBM) is also very active, arranging events such as international conferences and talks by professors. Most recently, UUM’s SBM won The Brandlaureate Signature Brand Award for Tertiary Education for 2017 – 2018.

Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Entrepreneurship with Honours (estimated fees: RM 4,400)
• Bachelor of Muamalat Administration with Honours (estimated fees: RM 4,400)

Important note: Although public universities rank highly, getting a spot there is not as easy as private universities. Students have to apply through Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU), and can only study there if they are selected through this system.

What to consider when choosing a programme?

Before you begin your studies in business, you need to do a thorough research about which institution to apply to. If you need a brief overview of the country’s various institutions, you may want to have a look at our Top universities & colleges in Malaysia guide. Some factors to consider when you choose a university are:

• Reputation of the university – how well known is the university? Studying at a reputable institution can give you an edge in the job market
• Duration of study – how long will your studies be? A bachelor’s degree typically requires three to four years of schooling, while a graduate degree may take up an even longer time
• Location – do you prefer to study in an urban or suburban area? You should also be comfortable with the distance and take travel time into account

It is important to choose a university you feel comfortable with – it should also be one that offers high-quality education and is affordable for you. Here at Easyuni, we try to help you with making this tough decision. You can compare the universities you are interested in with each other and find out which you personally think is the best for you.

The following sections below will cover some other questions you may have about pursuing business studies in Malaysia.

What are the entry requirements?

Entry requirements will vary depending on the university, and also the programme. The below will give you an idea of what you will need to fulfil to be eligible for the programme, per level of study:

Foundation

• Pass SPM or equivalent with at least 5 credits

Diploma

• Minimum of 3 credits in SPM or equivalent, or
• Certificate in relevant field

Bachelor’s degree

• Pass SPM or equivalent, and
• Minimum of 2 Principal Passes in STPM or equivalent, or
• Foundation or Diploma in related field (usually with minimum CGPA of 2.00)

Master’s degree

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field

Doctorate

• Master’s degree or equivalent in related field
• Some universities may also require you to have working experience, or may ask you to submit a proposal

How much does it cost to study business in Malaysia?

Here is a general estimate of how much it costs to take up a Bachelor’s degree in this field, based on type of institution:

• Public universities: RM 4,400 – RM 12,000
• Private universities: RM 35,000 – RM 110,000

Like entry requirements, expenses depend on the institution you apply at, and the level of study of the programme.

Universities in Malaysia are typically more affordable compared to institutions from countries like the UK, USA, Australia and even Singapore. This is also because students who study locally pay domestic fees, which are much cheaper compared to fees for international students. The table below should give you a better illustration of how prices in Malaysia compare to other countries:

Note: The above range includes public and private universities.

What to expect when studying business?

When you choose to study business in Malaysia, you can expect subjects that include a focus on certain areas such as:

• Leadership
• Organisational skills
• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Sales

After completing your studies, you will have a solid foundation for a rewarding career in business that could possibly take you around the globe. Whether you stay close to home or travel abroad to put your skills to work, the work will be rewarding and every day will be a new challenge. This leads to the next question of job opportunities, which will be covered next!

What are the career options for fresh grads in Business?

Here are just a few jobs that are related to this field, and their expected income

The opportunities to work for a company that excites you are endless. A study in business in Malaysia will broaden your horizon, as your degree will equip you with the skill and knowledge needed to work in Malaysia, or anywhere else in the world.

Alternatively, you can become an entrepreneur and start your own company. In the early stages, business owners can earn an average of RM 5,000 per month. Depending on the success of your company and your experience however, you could have a monthly income of RM 12,500 – perhaps even more!

How to pursue studies in this field?

Can’t wait to begin? We’ve put together a simple 4-step guide to show you how your education pathway will look like, beginning from after you finish SPM:

• Step 1 – Study a pre-university course such as A-Level, STPM or other equivalents. Or you can pursue a related Foundation or Diploma programme
• Step 2 – Continue on with a Bachelor’s degree programme
• Step 3 – Start working or pursue a Master’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Another option is to earn extra qualifications by sitting for professional papers such as ACCA, CPA or CFA
• Step 4 – Last stage to conquer: a Doctoral programme. Take this step if you want to really specialise in the field

Alternatively, if you would like to find out about other study options, check out our latest After-SPM Guide

Well, that’s it for this guide to studying business in Malaysia. Feel free to contact our counsellors for more information, or browse through our other guides to find out about other areas of study you might want to get into. All the best in your educational journey!