Cheapest University in Malaysia
The cost of higher education is rising in lockstep with the cost of living. As a result, it’s no surprise that people opt to work immediately after graduating from high school because they cannot afford a university degree.
However, you have the option of studying abroad, where the fees are lower than in your home nation. For example, did you know that in Malaysia, college fees are only $500 per year?
Because Universiti Malaysia Pahang is a state-funded institution, you can only spend that amount per year.
We’ve compiled a list of seven low-cost universities in Malaysia where you can pursue your university degree. Please go over each one carefully. What are the chances? We might be able to persuade you to attend one of these universities.
Here is a list of the Cheapest universities in Malaysia
1. Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Link https://www.ump.edu.my/en
International Students: $500
In 2015, the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) was awarded autonomous status as a state-funded technical university. It now has complete control over its administration, human resources, and financial affairs.
The Malaysian government began it in 2002 with His Majesty Yang DiPertuan Agong’s Royal Decree.
Its research focuses on industrial and applied research projects to enrich learning and teaching processes, as well as to promote the commercialization of its products.
The Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and the Center for Modern Languages and Human Sciences are all located on the university’s main campus in Pekan.
2. Universiti Malaysia Perlis
Link https://www.unimap.edu.my
International Students: $1,000
UniMAP (Universiti Malaysia Perlis) is a public university in Perlis, Malaysia’s smallest state. In 2001, it became the 17th government-funded university. With 119 pupils, the first lessons began in June 2002. It now offers 37 undergraduate programs, 32 graduate degrees, and six diploma programs. It also has campuses in 30 different sites throughout Perlis.
3. Universiti Malaysia Sabah
International Students: $2,000
The Universiti Malaysia Sabah was created in 1994 as the government’s ninth state-funded academic institution for higher learning. The following year, however, it began with 205 pupils. It currently has three campuses in Labuan, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu, all of which are located in the Federal Territory of Labuan.
It also has pre-university, undergraduate, and postgraduate educational institutes and academic centers.
Studying in Malaysia on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Malaysia. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: Malaysia issues a student visa after you hold an offer, and in many Asian systems the institution files part of the application on your behalf. Requirements typically include the admission letter, proof of funds, medical clearance and authenticated academic certificates. Confirm the exact document list with your university — it varies a lot between institutions.
Language of instruction: English is an official or primary language of instruction in Malaysia, so you will not face a language barrier in the classroom. Many institutions also waive IELTS or TOEFL where your previous degree was taught in English — and Nigerian universities teach in English. Ask the admissions office directly whether your Nigerian certificate qualifies for a waiver before you pay for a test.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Malaysia, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Malaysia itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Malaysia?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Malaysia subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Malaysia and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Malaysia?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Malaysia shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in Malaysia
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Malaysia before you apply or pay anything.