Malaysia is a strong choice for international students who want to become teachers, early childhood educators or education specialists. Students can choose from Malaysian public universities, private universities and international branch campuses. Programmes cover everything from Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) to Early Childhood and Special Needs Education.
But choosing an Education degree is about more than tuition fees. In this guide, we compare Education fees across Malaysian universities, look at QS Education subject rankings, explain the main teaching specialisations and show what a typical Education degree looks like year by year.
Summary
An Education bachelor’s degree in Malaysia usually takes 3 to 4 years. Total tuition fees range from approximately RM50,000 to RM208,000.
Students can choose from 78 Education bachelor’s programmes across 19 Malaysian universities, with specialisations in TESL/TESOL, Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education, Guidance and Counselling, Physical Education, Language Education and Primary Education.
QS-Ranked Universities for Education
Students in Malaysia can study at universities represented in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Education.
| University | QS Education Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monash University | #18 |
| University of Nottingham | #56 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | #71 |
| UCSI University | #101–150 |
| Curtin University | #101–150 |
Related QS subject rankings 2026, useful for future English teachers:
- English Language & Literature: Monash University #44, Universiti Malaya #53, University of Nottingham #58, University of Reading #100. UKM, UPM and USM are all in the 101–150 band.
- Linguistics: University of Nottingham #95, Monash University #100. Universiti Malaya and University of Reading are in the 101–150 band.
Rankings for Monash University, University of Nottingham, University of Reading and Curtin University are for the parent university. Students at the Malaysian campus receive the same degree.
Education Fees in Malaysia
Tuition is one of the biggest differences between Education programmes in Malaysia. Students can find programmes at very different price points across public universities, private universities and international branch campuses.
Here are examples of Education programmes and their approximate total tuition fees:
| University | Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Bachelor of Education in Teaching of English as a Second Language with Honours | 4 years | RM50,000 |
| UNIRAZAK | Bachelor of Education (Honours) | 3 years | RM51,250 |
| University of Cyberjaya | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 years | RM54,000 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Bachelor of Education (TESOL) with Honours | 4 years | RM55,550 |
| Lincoln University College | Bachelor of Education (Honours) | 3 years | RM56,604 |
| UTAR | Bachelor of Education in TESL with Honours | 3 years | RM57,460 |
| City University Malaysia | Bachelor of Education (Hons) in TESL | 3 years | RM60,500 |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Bachelor in Education (Honours) – TESL | 3 years | RM72,540 |
| UNITAR International University | Bachelor of Education (Hons) | 3 years | RM72,830 |
| TAR UMT | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English with Education | 3 years | RM73,000 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Bachelor of Education (TESL) | 4 years | RM73,600 |
| UCSI University | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) | 3 years | RM73,930 |
| KLUST | BA (Hons) Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | 3 years | RM74,400 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Bachelor of Education Teaching English as a Second Language | 4 years | RM75,100 |
| INTI International University | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language | 3 years | RM79,456 |
| HELP University | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) | 3 years | RM82,500 |
| SEGi University | Bachelor of Education (Hons) (Major: TESL) (Kota Damansara) | 3 years | RM98,677 |
| Taylor’s University | Bachelor of Education (Honours) [Teaching of English] | 3 years | RM107,232 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | BA (Hons) in Education (TESOL) | 3 years | RM156,000 |
Good to know: Malaysia’s public universities, including UPM, USM, UKM and UM, offer Education degrees at some of the lowest fees, all under RM76,000. Their programmes take 4 years, though, compared with 3 years at most private universities. University of Nottingham Malaysia also offers a 4-year BEd (Hons) in TESOL at approximately RM208,000.
Education Specialisations in Malaysia
Education degrees in Malaysia are usually specialised. You choose the age group or subject you want to teach from the start.
Teaching English (TESL / TESOL)
What you learn: English language teaching methods, linguistics, second-language learning, classroom assessment and English literature.
Where to study it: The most widely offered Education specialisation, with 18 programmes at 14 universities, from approximately RM50,000 (UPM) to RM208,000 (University of Nottingham Malaysia). Options include UPM, USM, UKM, UM, UTAR, City University Malaysia, University of Cyberjaya, Lincoln, MSU, KLUST, TAR UMT, SEGi, Taylor’s and Nottingham.
Early Childhood Education
What you learn: child development, play-based learning, early literacy and numeracy, and managing preschool settings.
Where to study it: 24 programmes at 13 universities, from approximately RM51,250 to RM107,232, including UNIRAZAK (RM51,250), Lincoln (RM56,604), UTAR (RM59,710), City University Malaysia (RM60,500), University of Cyberjaya (RM69,000), UM (RM69,600, 4 years), MSU (RM72,600), TAR UMT (RM73,100), UCSI (RM73,930), HELP (RM82,500), SEGi and Taylor’s (RM107,232).
Special Needs & Inclusive Education
What you learn: supporting learners with disabilities and learning difficulties, individual education plans and inclusive classroom strategies.
Where to study it: UKM (Special Education, RM73,600), SEGi University (Special Needs Education major) and Taylor’s University (Special Educational Needs, RM107,232).
Guidance & Counselling
What you learn: student counselling, career guidance, educational psychology and student wellbeing.
Where to study it: UPM (RM50,000) and SEGi University (Guidance & Counselling major).
Physical Education & Sports
What you learn: sports science, physical education teaching, coaching and health education.
Where to study it: UPM (Physical Education, RM50,000), MSU (Physical Education and Health, RM68,295) and UKM (Sports & Recreations, RM73,600).
Language Education
- Teaching Chinese: INTI (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, RM79,456) and SEGi (Chinese Education major)
- Teaching Bahasa Malaysia: UPM (Teaching of Bahasa Malaysia as a First Language, RM50,000)
Primary, Science & Technical Education
Flexible Routes & Intakes
International and dual degrees in Malaysia:
- UK degrees: University of Nottingham Malaysia (BA (Hons) Education (TESOL) and BEd (Hons) TESOL), and SEGi University‘s 3+0 and 2+0 UK partner degrees
- Dual award: SEGi University‘s Education majors (Dual Award) — read more about dual-award degrees in Malaysia
- Year 2 entry for diploma holders: SEGi University‘s 2-year Year 2 Entry options
- Online learning: SEGi University‘s Bachelor of Education (Hons) (Online) costs approximately RM52,643, and UNITAR‘s online Bachelor of Education costs approximately RM58,937.
Intakes:
- Public universities: usually March and October. USM‘s Bachelor of Education (TESOL) lists October only.
- Private universities often have 3–5 intakes a year. Examples: HELP University (Jan, Feb, Jun, Aug, Oct), KLUST (Mar, Jun, Sep, Oct), Taylor’s University (Feb, Apr, Sep)
What Does an Education Degree Look Like?
Education programmes in Malaysia usually take 3 years at private universities and 4 years at public universities. They move from learning theory to real classroom practice.
The exact curriculum varies by university, but a typical journey may look like this:
Year 1: Foundations of Education
Students learn how people learn and how schools work. Subjects may include Educational Psychology, Philosophy of Education, Child and Adolescent Development, Sociology of Education and Communication Skills.
Year 2: Teaching Methods & Specialisation
The programme focuses on how to teach. Students may study Curriculum Design, Teaching Methodology, Classroom Management, Assessment and Evaluation, Educational Technology and subject-specific teaching methods for their specialisation, such as English, Early Childhood or Special Needs.
Year 3: Classroom Practice
Students apply their learning in real settings. Most programmes include teaching practicum or school placement, where students teach under the supervision of experienced teachers, along with action research and reflective practice.
Year 4 (in 4-year programmes): Extended Practicum & Research
Longer programmes usually include an extended teaching practicum and a final-year research project, preparing graduates to enter the classroom with confidence.
This is a general example of how an Education degree may be structured. Subjects, teaching practicum arrangements and the timing of each component vary by university.
Entry Routes: How to Get Into Education in Malaysia
Most international students enter an Education degree in one of three ways:
- Foundation in Arts / TESL (1 year) → Bachelor’s degree. Foundation programmes range from approximately RM12,000 (Multimedia University) to RM37,868 (SEGi University, Kota Damansara). MSU offers a dedicated Foundation in TESL at approximately RM20,415.
- Diploma in Education or Early Childhood Education → Bachelor’s degree. Education diplomas range from approximately RM16,900 (HELP University, Diploma in Education) to RM57,500 (MAHSA University, Diploma in Early Childhood Education). Early Childhood Education is the most widely offered education diploma.
- Direct entry. Students with A-Levels, STPM, a recognised foundation or an equivalent pre-university qualification may enter Year 1 directly.
General entry requirements: Most universities ask for a recognised pre-university qualification and proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or an equivalent test. TESL and TESOL programmes usually expect a higher English level. Exact grades and English scores vary by university and programme. A TJS StudySteps counsellor can check your high school certificate (for example, from Saudi Arabia or Qatar) against each university’s requirements.
Already Have a Degree? Teaching Qualifications & Master’s in Education
Postgraduate teaching qualifications
Graduates from other fields who want to become teachers can take a shorter postgraduate teaching qualification:
| University | Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNIRAZAK | Post Graduate Diploma Education (ODL) | 1 year | RM7,650 |
| Taylor’s University | Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Online) | 1 year | RM15,580 |
| UNITAR International University | Post-Graduates Diploma Education (Online) | 1 year | RM20,030 |
| Swinburne University Sarawak | Graduate Diploma in Education | 1 year | RM25,720 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | Postgraduate Certificate in Education | 6 months | RM26,000 |
| UCSI University | Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) | 1 year | RM26,650 |
| TAR UMT | Postgraduate Diploma in Education | 1 year | RM28,000 |
Master’s in Education
Students can choose from 113 Master’s programmes in Education across 20 Malaysian universities, from approximately RM5,800 to RM66,736. Public universities offer an especially wide range: USM and UKM alone have Master’s programmes in Curriculum, TESL, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Mathematics and Science Education, and Educational Leadership.
| University | Master’s Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Master of Education in English Language Education/TESOL | 1 year | RM18,000 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Master (Coursework) TESL | 1 year | RM30,500 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Master of Educational Leadership and Management | 1.5 years | RM30,800 |
| Sunway University | Master of Education (Full-Time) | 1 year | RM38,000 |
| Taylor’s University | Master of Teaching and Learning | 2 years | RM44,160 |
| UCSI University | Master of Education | 1 year | RM49,100 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | MA in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | 1 year | RM60,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Education in Malaysia
How much does it cost to study Education in Malaysia?
Total tuition for an Education bachelor’s degree in Malaysia ranges from approximately RM50,000 (Universiti Putra Malaysia) to RM208,000 (University of Nottingham Malaysia, 4-year BEd TESOL). Most private university programmes cost between approximately RM51,000 and RM107,000.
How long is an Education degree in Malaysia?
Which universities in Malaysia are QS-ranked for Education?
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Education: Monash University (#18), University of Nottingham (#56), Universiti Malaya (#71), and UCSI University and Curtin University (#101–150).
Where can I study TESL or TESOL in Malaysia?
TESL/TESOL is offered at 14 universities, including UPM, USM, UKM, UM, UTAR, City University Malaysia, University of Cyberjaya, MSU, KLUST, SEGi, Taylor’s and University of Nottingham Malaysia, with fees from approximately RM50,000.
What is the cheapest Education degree in Malaysia?
Universiti Putra Malaysia‘s Bachelor of Education programmes, at approximately RM50,000 for 4 years. UNIRAZAK (approximately RM51,250) and University of Cyberjaya (approximately RM54,000) are also among the lowest.
Can I become a teacher in Malaysia if I already have a degree?
Yes. Several universities offer postgraduate teaching qualifications for graduates from other fields, such as a Postgraduate Diploma in Education or a PGCE. Fees range from approximately RM7,650 to RM28,000.
Can international students study Education in Malaysia?
Yes. Public universities, private universities and international branch campuses all accept international students into Education programmes.
What are the entry requirements for Education in Malaysia?
Usually a recognised pre-university qualification (foundation, A-Levels, STPM or equivalent) or an education diploma, plus proof of English proficiency. TESL/TESOL programmes often expect a higher English level. Requirements vary by university.
