Computer Science & IT
Software engineering, data science, cyber security and AI. Strong demand for internships in Kuala Lumpur's tech sector.
Entry: FSc Pre-Engineering, ICS or A-Levels with Mathematics. IELTS 5.5–6.0 or equivalent.
Course Finder
Search 9,550 courses in Malaysia
Every programme open to international students at 267 Malaysian universities and colleges, from foundation to PhD.
Fees shown are international-student tuition from official university or EMGS pages. Where no fee is published we confirm it with the university for you. Always check the official page before paying.
Popular fields
Most chosen by Pakistani students
Typical durations and entry requirements. Each university sets its own, and we check them against your results.
Business & Management (BBA)
Finance, marketing, accounting and international business. Many programmes offer a UK or Australian degree route.
Entry: FSc, ICom, ICS or A-Levels in any stream. IELTS 5.5–6.0 or equivalent.
Engineering
Mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical and mechatronics. Public universities like UTM are especially strong.
Entry: FSc Pre-Engineering or A-Levels with Mathematics and Physics. IELTS 6.0 typical.
Medicine (MBBS)
Highly competitive and the most expensive option. Check PMDC recognition of the specific university before you apply.
Entry: FSc Pre-Medical with high marks, or A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry. IELTS 6.0–6.5 typical.
Pharmacy
Popular at UCSI, Monash Malaysia and Taylor's, with hospital and industry placements built in.
Entry: FSc Pre-Medical or A-Levels in Chemistry plus Biology or Mathematics. IELTS 6.0 typical.
Hospitality & Tourism
Hotel management and culinary arts, with Taylor's among the best-known schools in Asia.
Entry: FSc, ICom or A-Levels in any stream. IELTS 5.5 typical.
Foundation programme
A one-year bridge into a bachelor's degree for students with Matric or O-Levels, in science, business or arts.
Entry: Matric or O-Levels (usually 5 subjects with good grades). English test may be waived.
Master's & MBA
Coursework or research master's in business, IT, engineering and education. Research routes can lead to a PhD.
Entry: HEC-recognised 16-year bachelor's degree. IELTS 6.0 typical; MBA may need work experience.
Choosing a course in Malaysia: levels, requirements and pathways
How Pakistani qualifications map to Malaysian programmes, what each field needs, how long courses take, and how to use the Course Finder to build a shortlist you can afford.
Updated November 2026
Study levels and how long they take
| Level | Who it is for | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Matric / O-Level students preparing for a degree | 1 year |
| Diploma | Practical, career-focused study after Matric/O-Levels | 2 – 2.5 years |
| Bachelor’s (Hons) | FSc / A-Level / foundation graduates | 3 years; engineering 4; medicine 5 |
| Master’s (coursework or research) | 16-year bachelor’s graduates | 1 – 2 years |
| PhD | Master’s graduates | About 3 years |
In our Course Finder data, bachelor’s degrees make up about a third of all programmes, followed by master’s, diplomas and PhDs. A diploma is not a degree, but many diplomas let you enter the second year of a related bachelor’s.
Pathways for Pakistani qualifications
After Matric or O-Levels: choose a one-year foundation in science, arts or business that leads directly into a bachelor’s at the same university, or a diploma if you prefer a shorter, practical route.
After FSc, ICS, ICom or A-Levels: apply for a bachelor’s directly. Your subjects matter more than your stream name:
| Field | Usual subject requirement |
|---|---|
| Engineering | FSc Pre-Engineering or A-Level Mathematics and Physics |
| Computer science & IT | FSc Pre-Engineering, ICS, or A-Level Mathematics |
| Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy | FSc Pre-Medical or A-Level Biology and Chemistry, with high marks |
| Business, accounting, finance | Any FSc, ICom or A-Levels; some ask for Mathematics |
| Hospitality, media, design, social sciences | Any stream; design may need a portfolio |
After a bachelor’s: a 16-year, HEC-recognised degree is the normal requirement for a master’s. Some universities consider 14-year degrees for certain programmes or offer a pre-master’s, so ask before you rule yourself out. An MBA may also ask for work experience.
English language requirements
| Level | Typical IELTS overall |
|---|---|
| Foundation / diploma | 4.0 – 5.5 |
| Bachelor’s | 5.5 – 6.0 (some top programmes 6.0+) |
| Master’s / PhD | 5.0 – 6.5, varies by programme |
Malaysian universities also accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, MUET and Cambridge English, and some run their own placement test or accept an English-medium-of-instruction letter. If your score is slightly low, many offer a pre-sessional English course before your degree starts.
Popular fields for Pakistani students
- Computer science, software engineering, data science and cyber security: strong at APU, MMU, Sunway, Taylor’s and UTM, often with industry certifications built in.
- Business, accounting and finance: wide choice, including ACCA-linked degrees and UK/Australian branch-campus options.
- Engineering: public universities such as UTM and UPM, and branch campuses, with EAC-accredited programmes.
- Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy: high cost and strict Pakistani regulation; see the recognition guide before applying.
- Hospitality and tourism: Taylor’s and Sunway are well known regionally.
Intakes and deadlines
Most universities run two or three intakes a year, commonly February/March, May to July and September/October. Foundation and pre-sessional English courses often start more often. Apply 6 – 10 months before your intended start so there is time for the offer, scholarships, the EMGS visa and accommodation.
How to use the Course Finder
- Search by subject, for example “data science” or “MBA”, or by university name.
- Filter by level, field, public or private, and city.
- Tick “Only courses with published fees” and sort by fee to compare costs. Fees are international-student tuition from official sources; some are per programme, some per year or semester.
- Open the official page to check entry requirements, then tap “Apply via us” for free help.
Fees change every year and some universities add registration, resource or hostel fees. We confirm the current figure with the university before you apply.
Common mistakes when choosing a course
- Choosing a programme only because it is cheap, without checking accreditation or recognition in Pakistan.
- Assuming a diploma is equivalent to a degree for jobs or HEC purposes.
- Choosing an online or blended version of a degree, which HEC does not recognise after Spring 2026.
- Ignoring total course length: a 4-year engineering degree costs a third more than a 3-year business degree.
- Applying to one university only and missing the intake if it refuses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study a bachelor's in Malaysia directly after FSc?
Yes. FSc, ICS, ICom, FA and A-Levels are accepted for direct entry to most bachelor's degrees, depending on your subjects and grades.
What can I study after Matric or O-Levels?
A one-year foundation programme that leads into a bachelor's, or a diploma of about two to two-and-a-half years.
What marks do I need in FSc?
Requirements vary by university and course. Competitive programmes such as medicine, engineering and computer science at top universities ask for higher marks; many private universities accept average results. Send us your marks for a realistic shortlist.
Do I need specific subjects for engineering or computer science?
Engineering usually needs FSc Pre-Engineering or A-Level Mathematics and Physics. Computer science usually needs Pre-Engineering, ICS or A-Level Mathematics.
Can ICom students study business in Malaysia?
Yes. ICom students are accepted for business, accounting, finance and management degrees, and some universities ask for Mathematics or a minimum grade in it.
Can FA (Arts) students study in Malaysia?
Yes, in fields such as business, media, mass communication, psychology, social sciences, hospitality and design. Science and engineering need the relevant science subjects.
How long is a bachelor's degree in Malaysia?
Most bachelor's degrees take three years, engineering usually four and medicine five.
Is a 14-year bachelor's accepted for a master's in Malaysia?
Some universities consider 14-year degrees for selected programmes or offer a pre-master's; others require a 16-year degree. Ask us to check the specific programme.
Is IELTS required to study in Malaysia?
Most bachelor's degrees ask for IELTS 5.5 – 6.0 or an equivalent test. Some universities accept other proof of English, and foundation programmes often accept lower scores.
Can I study in Malaysia without IELTS?
Sometimes. Some universities accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, MUET or Cambridge English, run their own placement test, or consider an English-medium-of-instruction letter. If your English is below the requirement, a pre-sessional English course is often available.