Study in Kuala Lumpur 2026

When planning to study in Kuala Lumpur, a foreign student has a great opportunity to spend summer holidays in language schools studying English in Malaysia. It is different from the language in the UK and the USA: Asian people have created their own dialect, which differs from the usual options. By visiting holiday language camps, you can learn the Malaysian dialect and get used to the accent. There are even courses for children with insufficient language skills - this is a chance to quickly and effectively learn English to the right level for further studies at colleges and universities in Malaysia.

Language programs in Kuala Lumpur are multifaceted and interesting: they take place not only in the classroom, but also in nature, on hiking trips, on sightseeing walks. Teachers are able to interest the student, the main thing is to choose effective courses with native English speakers. Malaysia's summer language programs last from 4 weeks and are available to applicants aged 18 to 35 years old.

Examination courses involve passing the exam and obtaining an international certificate - IELTS or TOEFL. This document, which allows to enter a college or university in Kuala Lumpur, is a certificate that changes the lives of people and opens up a lot of opportunities for further studies.

Accommodation during language summer courses for foreign students is inexpensive: from $ 25 for 1 month - this is an option in the host family. A homestay with good facilities and proximity to school costs up to $ 400 per month. An apartment will cost 3-4 times more expensive, and a hotel room - from $ 200 to $ 2,000 per month. A number of language schools offer accommodation in a hostel with three meals a day, costing from $ 125 to $ 400.

Colleges and universities offer studying in Kuala Lumpur in dozens of specialties: business, advertising, IT, medicine, science, etc. The college does not have the status of a higher educational institution, but graduates specialists with a Bachelor’s diploma - it gives the right to work in their specialty and continue their studies.

English-language universities provide three-level education:

• Bachelor's - 3-5 years of study. For admission you need a certificate of complete secondary education.
• Master's - 1-2 years, a Bachelor's degree is required.
• Doctor of Sciences - up to 4 years, a master's degree is required.

Many academic programs at universities in Malaysia offer a narrow specialization, allowing you to thoroughly study the future profession. Practical studies, research, term papers and dissertations occupy an important part of training depending on the course. Students can choose from three types of study programs:

• “3 + 0” - allows you to get an education in universities of Kuala Lumpur under international programs.
• “2 + 1” - allows you to complete studies at elite universities in Europe, Australia, New Zealand.
• "2 + 2" - allows you to get a diploma from a prestigious American university.

Education in Kuala Lumpur is much cheaper than studying in Europe and the USA , but students receive prestigious diplomas that are valued anywhere in the world. This is a chance to build a career as a successful person and gain knowledge by investing a minimum of money.

Education in Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia is relevant and is becoming more popular every year. The country's authorities are implementing a number of reforms and innovations - by 2020, Malaysia plans to take 6th place in the world in the number of foreign students.

Kuala Lumpur remains one of the more affordable study destinations in the region. Estimated monthly costs are around RM5,797 for a single person and RM11,257 for a family of four (June 2026). These figures should be treated as indicative — the source notes the estimates rely on a limited dataset of 110 prices entered by 20 people.

Housing is the largest expense. A furnished 45 m² studio rents for about RM3,995 per month in an expensive district and RM1,964 in a normal one, while a larger 85 m² furnished apartment costs around RM5,259 and RM2,485 respectively. Monthly utilities for a studio add roughly RM161, and an 8 Mbps internet connection costs about RM95.

Day-to-day transport is inexpensive — a monthly public transport pass costs RM59, a litre of petrol about RM2.69, and a short business-day taxi ride (8 km) around RM35. Eating out is also budget-friendly, with a lunchtime menu in the business district or a fast-food combo meal at roughly RM22 each. Basic groceries cost about RM10 for a litre of milk, RM12 for a dozen eggs, and RM14 for 500 g of chicken breast, and a month of gym membership in the business district runs to around RM237.

Malaysia positions itself as a regional education hub, and Kuala Lumpur is at its centre. The country's higher education system is broad and diverse, giving foreign students a wide choice of public and private institutions as well as international branch campuses.

The system includes:

• 20 public universities,
• 54 private universities,
• 39 private university colleges,
• 10 foreign university branch campuses.

The presence of branch campuses of foreign universities means international students can obtain a recognized overseas degree while studying in Kuala Lumpur, combining lower living costs with the academic standards of established institutions from Europe, the USA and Australia.

General information about Kuala Lumpur

Coordinates Of Kuala Lumpur

Accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur

The cost of living in Kuala Lumpur