Planning to study in Malaysia and return to Saudi Arabia after graduation? Before choosing a university, check whether your degree will meet Saudi recognition and equivalency requirements.
Summary
Malaysian university degrees can be recognised in Saudi Arabia, but recognition is not automatic. The Saudi Ministry of Education provides an official university recommendation search through its Safir portal. Check the university, specialisation and qualification level, confirm the programme’s Malaysian accreditation, and meet the Ministry’s degree equivalency conditions.
This guide explains how to check a Malaysian university’s status, which universities you can explore, the most important Saudi requirements, and what to verify before accepting an offer.
1. Are Malaysian universities recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Malaysian universities can offer qualifications eligible for Saudi degree equivalency, provided the relevant Saudi requirements are met.
However, a university being internationally ranked or accredited in Malaysia does not automatically mean every programme it offers will qualify for equivalency in Saudi Arabia.
Recognition involves two separate checks.
| Check | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Malaysian accreditation | The specific qualification should have the appropriate approval or accreditation status in Malaysia |
| Saudi recognition and equivalency | The university, programme, degree level and study arrangements must satisfy the applicable requirements of the Saudi Ministry of Education |
Saudi Arabia provides the Safir university recommendation service, where students can check educational institutions and programmes. The Ministry also operates a separate process for evaluating and granting equivalency to foreign academic qualifications.
Understanding both processes before enrolling helps students avoid costly mistakes.
2. How to check Malaysian universities on Saudi Arabia’s Safir portal
The most important first step is checking the Saudi Ministry of Education’s official university recommendation system.
Official portal: Safir University Search
Service page: Inquiry about the Recommended Universities
Step by step
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Safir university search provided by the Saudi Ministry of Education |
| 2 | Select Malaysia as your intended country of study |
| 3 | Enter the university name, or locate it through the available search options |
| 4 | Select your specialisation, such as computer science, engineering, business or medicine |
| 5 | Choose your qualification level: bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate |
| 6 | Review the recommendation status for that exact programme and qualification level |
A university may have restrictions affecting particular degrees or specialisations. The Ministry also explains that a partially suspended institution may have some programmes that remain available and others that are suspended.
Important. Search the exact university, major and degree level. A general university result is not enough to establish that every qualification is recommended.
If the results are unclear, contact the Ministry or the Saudi Cultural Attaché for clarification before making a financial commitment.
3. Malaysian universities worth checking for Saudi recognition
Malaysia has a broad range of established public universities, private universities and international branch campuses. The institutions below are examples students commonly consider.
This is not an official Saudi-approved university list. The current status of any particular major or qualification must be confirmed through Safir.
Public universities in Malaysia
| University | Areas of study to explore |
|---|---|
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Medicine, engineering, computer science, business |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Agriculture, veterinary science, engineering |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Pharmacy, health sciences, engineering |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | Engineering, computing, technology |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Medicine, science, social sciences |
Public universities may offer opportunities across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Entry requirements, fees and international student eligibility vary.
For example, Universiti Malaya is ranked 56th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027. However, rankings should never be used as a substitute for checking Saudi recognition.
Private universities in Malaysia
| University | Areas of study to explore |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | Computing, AI, cybersecurity, business |
| Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) | Engineering, technology, energy |
| Taylor’s University | Business, hospitality, design |
| Sunway University | Business, computing, health sciences |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Business, health sciences, management |
| UCSI University | Engineering, music, design |
| IMU University | Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy |
Private universities offer different programmes, intakes and tuition structures. Before enrolling, confirm the exact accreditation and Saudi recommendation status of your intended qualification.
International university branch campuses
Malaysia also hosts campuses of universities headquartered overseas.
| Campus in Malaysia | Parent country |
|---|---|
| Monash University Malaysia | Australia |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | United Kingdom |
| University of Southampton Malaysia | United Kingdom |
| University of Reading Malaysia | United Kingdom |
| Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak | Australia |
| Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | United Kingdom |
| University of Wollongong Malaysia | Australia |
These institutions may offer programmes leading to qualifications awarded by their overseas parent universities. However, the parent university’s international reputation or ranking does not automatically establish Saudi recognition of a particular programme delivered in Malaysia.
Confirm the awarding institution, the campus location, the programme and its Saudi recommendation status.
4. What are Saudi Arabia’s requirements for foreign degree equivalency?
The Saudi Ministry of Education publishes requirements for the equivalency of academic qualifications obtained outside the Kingdom. The main conditions are these.
| Requirement | What it means for students |
|---|---|
| Recommended institution and programme | Check the university and programme through the Ministry’s recommendation service |
| Prior approval | Self-funded students must obtain the required Ministry approval before studying abroad |
| 75% requirement | At least 75% of the degree requirements must be completed at recommended or accepted institutions |
| Transfer requirement | Transfer students must complete at least 25% of graduation requirements at the awarding institution |
| Study mode | The general rule is regular, full-time study with residence in the country of study |
| Previous qualification | The prior qualification must meet the Ministry’s requirements |
| Document attestation | Qualifications and supporting documents must satisfy the relevant certification requirements |
The Ministry may consider qualifications from institutions outside the recommended lists individually, according to its applicable rules.
Prior approval does not guarantee final degree equivalency. Students must still satisfy the relevant requirements.
Official reference: Saudi Ministry of Education, foreign degree equivalency
5. Four important mistakes Saudi students should avoid
Mistake 1: choosing a university without checking the exact programme
A university’s presence in an international ranking does not mean every degree it offers meets Saudi requirements.
What to do: Verify the institution, specialisation and degree level through Safir before enrolling.
Mistake 2: beginning self-funded study without prior approval
The Saudi Ministry of Education requires students studying overseas at their own expense to obtain prior approval. Students who overlook this requirement may face difficulties with their degree equivalency applications.
What to do: Complete the applicable prior approval process before beginning your studies.
Mistake 3: ignoring credit transfer requirements
Students entering a university through diploma-to-degree pathways, advanced standing or transferred credits should pay particular attention to the rules governing where degree requirements are completed. The Ministry requires at least 75% of the degree requirements to be completed at recommended or accepted institutions, and at least 25% at the institution awarding the final qualification when transferring.
What to do: Ask the university for a written credit-transfer breakdown and verify the proposed pathway against Saudi requirements.
Mistake 4: assuming online study is automatically accepted
The Ministry’s general rule requires regular, full-time study and residence in the country of study, with specific provisions for postgraduate study. Students considering distance learning, online or blended programmes should not assume these arrangements meet Saudi degree equivalency conditions.
What to do: Confirm the study mode’s acceptability with the relevant Saudi authority before enrolling.
6. How to verify your course’s accreditation in Malaysia
In addition to Saudi recognition, check the academic status of your intended Malaysian qualification. The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) maintains the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR), which provides information about accredited programmes.
Official portal: Malaysian Qualifications Register
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Search for the institution or qualification name |
| 2 | Identify the exact degree you intend to study |
| 3 | Confirm its accreditation information, qualification level and campus details |
| 4 | Check whether the information matches the programme in your offer letter |
The MQR lists fully accredited programmes. If a new programme is not listed, check its provisional accreditation status separately rather than assuming it has no approval.
Remember: Malaysian accreditation and Saudi degree equivalency are different processes. Verify both.
7. Are Malaysian medical degrees recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi students planning to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or other healthcare programmes should complete additional checks. There are two separate matters.
| Matter | Authority |
|---|---|
| Academic equivalency | The Saudi Ministry of Education evaluates foreign academic qualifications according to its requirements |
| Professional classification and registration | The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) determines the applicable conditions |
Depending on the profession and application, the SCFHS may require academic records, qualification documents, verification, training records or other supporting evidence.
Some qualifications held by Saudi graduates who have already obtained Ministry of Education equivalency are exempt from particular qualification-verification requirements. However, such exemptions do not remove all professional registration requirements.
Confirm the relevant process with the SCFHS before selecting a healthcare degree.
Official reference: Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, professional classification requirements
8. Are British and Australian degrees earned in Malaysia recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Studying at an international branch campus can be attractive for students who want a qualification awarded by a UK or Australian university. Several details matter when assessing potential Saudi equivalency.
- The institution awarding the final qualification
- The exact degree and specialisation
- The location where the programme is delivered
- The full-time or other study arrangement
- Any transferred credits or periods of study at another institution
- The relevant Saudi recommendation and equivalency conditions
A UK or Australian awarding institution does not, by itself, guarantee equivalency for study undertaken in Malaysia. Check your individual academic arrangements before accepting an offer.
9. What documents should Saudi students prepare?
Requirements vary according to the qualification and application stage. For a future Saudi degree equivalency application, relevant records may include:
- Passport and identification documents
- Final academic certificate
- Official academic transcript
- Details of previous qualifications
- Credit-transfer documents, if applicable
- Evidence of applicable approvals
- Required certificate attestations
- Additional documents requested by the Ministry
Keep copies of your academic records and relevant approvals throughout your studies.
If you are still planning admission, request written confirmation of the degree title, awarding institution, campus, study mode and credit structure.
10. Checklist before applying to a Malaysian university
Use this before paying registration fees or committing to a programme.
- Check the university on the Saudi Safir portal
- Verify the exact specialisation and qualification level
- Confirm the programme’s Malaysian accreditation status
- Check the required prior approval process if studying at your own expense
- Verify full-time attendance and residence requirements
- Review any credit transfers or advanced standing
- Check professional licensing rules if your intended career is regulated
- Obtain a written programme fee breakdown
- Keep copies of the relevant official confirmations
When a result is unclear, request clarification from the Saudi Ministry of Education or the relevant authority before enrolling.
University or programme not listed, or the result unclear? contact TJS StudySteps and we will verify its current status against the official Saudi sources for you.
11. Frequently asked questions
Are Malaysian universities recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Malaysian qualifications can be eligible for Saudi recognition and degree equivalency. Check the exact university, programme and qualification through the Saudi Ministry of Education’s recommendation service and ensure you meet the applicable equivalency rules.
Where can I find the official list of Saudi-recommended universities in Malaysia?
Use the Saudi Ministry of Education’s Safir University Search at ru.moe.gov.sa. Search by country, university, specialisation and academic degree.
Is Universiti Malaya recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Universiti Malaya is an established Malaysian university ranked 56th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, but a QS ranking does not establish current Saudi approval for every programme. Check the intended qualification directly through Safir.
Is APU recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Students interested in Asia Pacific University should verify the exact degree, specialisation and academic level through the official Saudi recommendation service before enrolling.
Are private Malaysian universities recognised in Saudi Arabia?
Private universities may offer qualifications eligible for Saudi equivalency, but eligibility is not determined simply by whether an institution is public or private. Programme and study requirements must be checked.
Is MQA accreditation enough for Saudi degree equivalency?
No. Malaysian accreditation establishes the programme’s status under the Malaysian system. Saudi equivalency is a separate process with additional requirements.
Can I study online at a Malaysian university and obtain Saudi equivalency?
Do not assume so. The Ministry’s general rules require regular study and residence in the country of study, with specific postgraduate provisions. Confirm your proposed study mode with the Ministry before enrolling.
Do self-funded Saudi students need Ministry approval?
Yes. The Ministry publishes a prior approval requirement for students studying abroad at their own expense. Approval does not guarantee final equivalency.
Are Malaysian medical degrees accepted for professional practice in Saudi Arabia?
Academic equivalency and professional registration are separate. Healthcare graduates should verify the requirements of both the Ministry of Education and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
Does a QS ranking guarantee Saudi recognition?
No. University rankings evaluate academic and institutional performance according to their own methodology. Saudi recognition and equivalency depend on the relevant government rules and the specific qualification.
