Studying Business in Malaysia: the Bachelor's and the MBA
Chat with us on WhatsAppBusiness administration is the number one subject among MAIGA students at both bachelor's and master's level: its entry is wider than medicine and engineering, it is shorter, and its specialisations fit the Gulf job market, from accounting and marketing to entrepreneurship. This guide explains the difference between the business bachelor's and the MBA, the requirements of each, the length of study and what to check about accreditation, with a live table of the business programmes available on the MAIGA website right now at bachelor's and master's level.
In this guide
Why business in Malaysia
Business is taught in Malaysia in English at local universities and branch campuses of British and Australian universities, with international curricula, projects with real companies and fees far below the West. The Muslim environment and reasonable cost suit a student who wants an international degree without moving far from their culture.
Business students come to MAIGA from two backgrounds: the high-school graduate who wants a bachelor's that opens doors to work, and the employee or graduate who wants an MBA to move up. Each has a different path and requirements, explained in the sections below.
The business bachelor's: specialisations and requirements
The business bachelor's branches into specialisations such as accounting, marketing, finance and banking, human resources, international business, entrepreneurship, supply chain management and e-commerce. Some universities offer joint programmes with computing or tourism and hospitality.
Requirements are easier than medicine and engineering: a high-school certificate from any stream with an average set by the university, then a business foundation year or a diploma, while some international certificates enter directly. Many universities accept students without IELTS on condition of a placement test or an English programme first. The exact requirement is on each programme page.
The MBA: who it is for and its requirements
The MBA is a programme for graduates of any field who want management and leadership. It usually requires a bachelor's with an average set by the university; some programmes prefer or require a year or more of work experience, while others accept fresh graduates. The GMAT is not a general requirement in Malaysia, and the English requirement is slightly higher than for the bachelor's.
Besides the general MBA there are specialised master's degrees in finance, marketing, human resources or project management, and some universities offer the MBA in evening or weekend mode for people who work. The master's in Malaysia guide on the MAIGA website explains the difference between coursework and research tracks.
Duration, intakes and study mode
The business bachelor's usually takes three years, preceded by the foundation for high-school graduates. The MBA runs from one to two years depending on the university and the study mode, full time or part time. Most programmes have more than one intake a year, and each programme's dates are on its page.
Because an international student needs a student visa, we advise applying at least two months before the intake. The student visa for Malaysia guide on the MAIGA website explains the steps and documents.
Accreditation and recognition
Verify the programme's accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the basis of any later equivalence; some business schools hold additional international accreditations listed on their pages. Then check the list of recognised universities at your country's ministry of education, because recognition differs between Gulf states and changes over time.
Read the guide to Malaysian universities recognised in Saudi Arabia on the MAIGA website, ask your consultant about the university you are considering today, and verify yourself with the official body before paying fees. We never tell a student that equivalence is certain, because the decision is not ours.
Fees: a real table from the programmes available
The table on this page lists the business programmes available on the MAIGA website now, bachelor's first and then master's, with the university, duration and the total programme fee in ringgit as on each programme page. Business is among the lowest-fee subjects, and international branch campuses are usually higher than local universities.
Registration, visa, insurance and housing costs are separate and listed on each programme page. For a full budget in riyal see the cost of studying in Malaysia guide, and ask a MAIGA consultant for a free comparison of the programmes that fit your goal and budget.
Business and MBA programmes available on the MAIGA website now and their fees
The programmes published on the MAIGA website in this subject right now, cheapest first within each level; fees are the whole programme in ringgit before discounts. Duration, registration, visa and housing costs are on each programme page.
Related programs and universities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years does business take in Malaysia?
The bachelor's usually takes three years, preceded by a foundation year for high-school graduates, and the MBA one to two years depending on the university and the study mode.
Does an MBA in Malaysia require work experience?
Some programmes prefer or require a year or more of experience, while others accept fresh graduates. The exact requirement is on each programme page, and a MAIGA consultant recommends the programmes that fit your case.
Do I need the GMAT for an MBA in Malaysia?
It is not a general requirement at Malaysian universities; most programmes ask only for a bachelor's, a minimum average and the English requirement.
Which business bachelor's specialisations are available in Malaysia?
Accounting, marketing, finance and banking, human resources, international business, entrepreneurship, supply chain management and e-commerce; the list differs between universities.
How much does studying business in Malaysia cost?
Business is among the lowest-fee subjects; the table on this page shows the total fee of every programme available on the MAIGA website in ringgit before discounts, with registration, visa and housing costs on each programme page.
