Studying in Malaysia for Gulf Students: Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain
Chat with us on WhatsAppIf you are from Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar or Bahrain and are thinking of studying in Malaysia, the most important question before you enrol is: will my degree be recognised at home? This page explains who decides in each country, how to check, and how we help you pick the right university and programme.
In this guide
Why Gulf students choose Malaysia
Malaysia is a Muslim country, halal food is everywhere, most university programmes are taught in English, and fees and living costs are far lower than in the UK, Australia or the US. Kuala Lumpur has a large Arab and Gulf community, and there are direct flights from the Gulf on most days.
Many students start with an English course at a Kuala Lumpur institute, then move on to a foundation year, a bachelor's or a master's. Applying through MAIGA is free, and we stay with you until your studies begin and after.
Kuwaiti students: the recommended universities list
Kuwait's Ministry of Higher Education publishes a list of "recommended universities" for each country and updates it regularly. Studying at a university on this list, in a permitted field, is the safe route to having your degree recognised after you graduate, whether you pay yourself or have a scholarship.
Only a limited number of Malaysian universities are on the Kuwaiti list and it changes from year to year, so check the current list on the Ministry's website before you enrol, and send us the university and programme so we can check it with you.
Emirati students: university ranking conditions
In 2025 the UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced conditions for recognising the degrees of citizens who study abroad, based on the university's global ranking and its ranking in the chosen field at the time of enrolment. The required level depends on the study destination and the field.
So choose the university and programme after checking the condition that applies to you on the Ministry's website. If a university does not meet it, you can ask the Ministry for an exemption. We help you gather the ranking details for the university and programme.
Qatari and Bahraini students: approval and official lists
In Qatar, a student who studies abroad at their own expense needs prior approval from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the university must be on the list of universities approved for study abroad. Get the approval before you enrol so that recognising your degree later is easy.
In Bahrain, the "Recommended Universities" service on the national portal bahrain.bh lists the recommended universities in each country. Check it before you enrol. For professional fields such as medicine, engineering and law, Bahrain's licensing bodies also check the degree.
How MAIGA helps, step by step
Send us your country, grades, certificate and the field you want on WhatsApp. We suggest universities and programmes that fit your budget, and check the official list in your country and the programme's accreditation on the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQA) with you.
Then we submit the application and follow it up until the offer letter, the student visa through EMGS, airport pickup and housing. The final decision on recognition always belongs to the official body in your country, and we never tell a student that recognition is guaranteed.
Universities you can apply to through MAIGA (check your country's list first)
| University | Type | City / State | Number of programmes | Bachelor's from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor's University | Private University | Selangor | 184 | RM 115,218 |
| UCSI University | Private University | Kuala Lumpur | 190 | RM 50,827 |
| Sunway University | Private University | Selangor | 44 | RM 120,950 |
| INTI International University | Private University | Negeri Sembilan | 135 | RM 54,854 |
| Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) | Public/Private Joint University | Putra Jaya | 51 | RM 78,100 |
| Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) | Private University | Kuala Lumpur | 126 | RM 108,500 |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Private University | Selangor | 175 | RM 74,460 |
| SEGi University | Private University | Selangor | 219 | RM 43,331 |
Figures are calculated from the programmes currently available on the MAIGA website and are total programme fees in Malaysian ringgit before any discount.
Related programs and universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Malaysian universities recognised in Kuwait?
Only some. Kuwait's Ministry of Higher Education publishes a recommended universities list and updates it regularly; check the university and field on it before you enrol.
What are the UAE's conditions for recognising a degree from Malaysia?
Since 2025 the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research looks at the university's global ranking and its ranking in the field at the time of enrolment; the level depends on the study destination, and you can ask the Ministry for an exemption.
Does a Qatari student need approval before studying in Malaysia?
Yes. A self-funded student needs prior approval from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the university must be on the approved list.
Where can a Bahraini student find the recommended universities?
In the "Recommended Universities" service on the Kingdom of Bahrain's national portal, bahrain.bh.
Is MAIGA free for Gulf students?
Applying to the university through MAIGA is free, and you pay the university or institute fees as they are, with nothing added. The office fee and the full fees of each programme are on the website, and the consultant explains them before any payment.
