The 101 Guide To Study Medicine in Malaysia

In this program, professional preparation in medicine is provided and biology, chemistry, and physics are used to study the illnesses of people. After five years, such skills as anatomy, pathology, and clinical practice are cultivated, with the assistance of some of the best universities, such as the University of Medicine, Kertask Sultan Abdul Samad, and International Medical University. The graduates can also get high-market medical jobs anywhere in the world.
Country

Malaysia

Duration

5 Years

Fees

$15,000+ Yearly

Field

Healthcare

Table of Content

Program Overview

Medicine is one of the most noble and prestigious professions in the world and is also gratifying. It is a challenging subject of education that combines sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics to understand human health and disease better. The primary purpose to study medicine in Malaysia is to provide students with high-quality training and knowledge that will enable them to diagnose, prevent, and treat human diseases while also benefiting the community as a whole.
Medicine requires extensive training in both theoretical and practical aspects to prepare students to understand the complexities of the human body and its diseases. This is accomplished by covering various courses throughout the program, including human anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical practice.
Medical professionals are consistently in high demand. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, there still needs to be more medical professionals worldwide, totalling 7.2 million, with the deficit anticipated to increase to 12.9 million by the end of 2035. Medicine is a gratifying career with a high employment rate; most graduates find decent jobs within six months after graduation. The remuneration packages are also appealing, with the average starting wage for medical graduates in Malaysia ranging from RM 3,500 to RM 5,000 per month, growing significant opportunities for advancement with experience and specialization.
Medicine is a continually changing discipline, with advances in technology and research resulting in new treatments and procedures. Medicine’s dynamic nature makes it a fascinating yet demanding career choice for those who care about healthcare and want to make a difference in people’s lives.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health recently acknowledged the need for additional medical experts to match the global demand for doctors. Malaysia is home to several notable colleges that provide high-quality medical education. Some of the top institutions that offer medical degrees or diplomas are:

  1. 1. UKM
  2. ⁠2. UOC
  3. 3. IMU
  4. ⁠4. Monash
  5. 5. ⁠USM
The duration to complete a study medicine in Malaysia is 5 years.

Why Study Medicine?

Medicine is a rewarding and honourable topic of study, and there are numerous reasons to pursue it. However, some significant reasons why you can select Medicine as your field of education are listed below:

High Demand for Medical Professionals:

The healthcare industry is not only rewarding, but it is also one of the fastest expanding in the world. With the discovery of emerging diseases, the demand for doctors has never been higher. People are at risk of various serious illnesses if they do not have access to trained healthcare providers. There is increasing demand daily for professionals who commit to serving the well-being of society. Over the next decade, the demand for qualified healthcare professionals is expected to grow more than 20% in Malaysia and globally, making it the number one career choice for aspiring medical students.

Career Flexibility:

The advantage of studying Medicine is that it provides many job alternatives. After completing your degree, you can continue clinical practice or pursue research. Having a medical degree from a prestigious university opens up many career opportunities for you, including teaching and healthcare administration. Medicine is a vocation that provides career freedom, allowing medical graduates to pursue a path that matches their interests and strengths. A prestigious medical program equips you with a robust knowledge base, preparing you for diverse and impactful roles within the healthcare system.

Global Opportunities

A medical degree is not limited to a specific region or country but provides you with worldwide prospects. You can work happily in your area or relocate overseas for post-specialization and worldwide prospects. A degree in Medicine offers many benefits to its graduates. The demand for healthcare experts is universal, and many countries provide attractive incentives to foreign-trained doctors. This also encourages additional study and research, as Medicine is a discipline that constantly evolves around advancements. This continuing education keeps the career intellectually stimulating and rewarding.

High Earning Potential:

Medicine is a profession that is continually in demand. A career in Medicine opens up numerous lucrative prospects. As the need for doctors increases globally, the perks and incentives of working as a doctor drive ongoing growth and improvement. According to recent research, Medicine will be one of the highest-paying professions shortly as the global need for qualified doctors grows. On average, a medical professional might earn between RM 80,000 and RM 150,000 per year, with specialists earning much more as their experience and expertise progress up the pay scale. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians and surgeons in the United States earn a median annual salary of over $200,000, making Medicine exceptionally lucrative.

Why Study Medicine in Malaysia?

There are several reasons you should study medicine in Malaysia; the best among them include the following:

Quality Education:

Malaysia is known for being home to all the highly accredited and globally renowned universities that offer the best Medicine courses. Each of these courses and programs is accredited by professional global bodies such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), which ensures that the quality of education offered to students meets international standards. The curriculum has been rigorously developed with the latest developments in the world’s economy and upcoming trends in mind.

Affordable Tuition Fee:

Unlike most educational institutions, Malaysia offers affordable fees. While ensuring that the best quality education is provided and that global standards are not compromised, Malaysian universities offer low-cost study options, making themselves an attractive destination for students with high-end academic dreams.

Strategic Location & International Exposure:

Located in the very central heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers strategic access to almost every economically growing state. It is an easy-to-access study destination for students aiming to get a quality education abroad and simultaneously experience an international perspective of Medicine.

Vibrant Student Life:

Universities of Malaysia are known for offering vibrant campus lives for both local and international students. These all-inclusive educational centres welcome students from varying cultures, allowing them to engage with each other, enjoy multicultural festivities, and experience a fun-loving study environment where their academics are always complemented with the best extracurricular activities to ensure a balanced life.

Career Prospects

To study medicine in Malaysia opens the door to a wide range of employment prospects that are highly paid, rewarding, and valuable for your ongoing growth and learning. Some of the most prominent job prospects are given here:

General Practitioner (GP):

General Practitioners (GPs) are the community’s first point of contact for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. They provide primary health care services essential in disease detection and chronic disease management. Being a general practitioner anywhere in the globe provides an excellent pay scale. According to a recent survey, the demand for GPs is high, with an estimated shortage of 50,000 GPs in the United States alone. There is a global scarcity of general practitioners. Thus, it is one of the many employment opportunities that medical professionals might pursue immediately after training.

Medical Researcher:

After completing your degree, you will have the opportunity to enter the field of research, which continues to grow and evolve. Being a medical researcher expands your knowledge and expertise, allowing you to serve your community better. It is a highly sought-after and gratifying profession that provides excellent prospects for prospective applicants. This is an ideal career choice for individuals keenly interested in learning the depth of medical science. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), medical research has substantially improved illness treatment and prevention. Medical research has a massive role in the early detection and enhanced disease health outcomes.

Public Health Professional:

Public health practitioners strive to enhance community health through education, policymaking, and research. They address topics like disease prevention, health promotion, and disaster preparedness. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the role of public health activities in achieving better global health outcomes.

Healthcare Administrator:

With a degree in Medicine, you can also pursue a career in healthcare administration, where you can take the lead and contribute to ensuring that institutions run smoothly and deliver high-quality treatment. The patient’s medical care should be of superior standard and follow established protocols. This rewarding opportunity combines your medical knowledge and commercial talents while paying you substantial remuneration packages of up to RM 150,000 per year.

Program Duration

Undergraduate Programs

  1. 1. Bachelors in Medicine (3-4 years typically)

Postgraduate Programs

  1. 1. Master’s Degree in Medicine (1-2 years typically)
  2. 2. Doctorate (PhD) in Medicine (3-5 years typically)

Entry Requirements

The general entry requirements set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) are implied and followed by every professional university in Malaysia. They can be described as follows –

Undergraduate Programs

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A-Levels (at least two passes)
  2. 2. Matriculation/Foundation (at least 2.00 CGPA)
  3. 3. Diploma (a course-relevant diploma with at least a 2.00 CGPA)
  4. 4. Unified Examination Certificate (at least five Bs)
  5. 5. STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) ( at least 2.00 CGPA)

English Language Proficiency: 

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Post Graduate Programs (Masters' Degree)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.00 CGPA.

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Postgraduate Programs (Doctorate – PhD)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant master’s degree with at least a 3.00 CGPA.
  2. 2. A well-crafted and subject-relevant research proposal is to be submitted.

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Fee and Costing

The fee structures for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programs in Malaysia vary based on the program you’ve chosen, the institution you might be looking for, the duration of study, etc. However, the generic cost of a bachelor’s degree to study medicine in Malaysia may be between 20,000 MYR and 70,000 MYR (an estimated 5,000 USD to 17,500 USD) a year.

Postgraduate programs, however, may cost more, ranging from 25,000 MYR to 80,000 MYR (an estimated 6,250 USD to 20,000 USD) annually. The range is often similar for both master’s and doctorate programs. However, the total expense of doctorate programs might vary based on the nature and duration of the research involved.

But the good news is that most Malaysian Universities offer scholarships and financial aid to students in need. Many flexible payment plans are also provided to accommodate students without strong financial backgrounds who desire bright academic careers to study medicine in Malaysia.

Accommodation

The Universities offer excellent and versatile accommodation facilities to study medicine in Malaysia, which suit each student’s diverse needs and requirements. As a foreign student landing in an entirely new destination for studies, accommodation could be a significant issue for you. But you need not worry because most Malaysian Universities offer a wide range of options, including hostels, dormitories, and even spacious apartment residences. You can pick what suits your needs and comes under your budget, and boom – enjoy all the excellent facilities they offer along with the comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation.

The shared facilities and amenities usually include :

  1. 1. Study desks
  2. 2. Beds
  3. 3. Attached bathrooms 
  4. 4. Fully functional kitchens or pantries include a microwave, electric kettle, stove, fridge, etc. 
  5. 5. Laundry rooms
  6. 6. Socializing areas
  7. 7. Recreational activities 
  8. 8. 24/7 security surveillance

Admission Procedure

The admission process for getting into Malaysian Universities typically comprises multiple steps, including submission of an application, verification of the documents, eligibility assessment, and, in some cases, entrance exams or interviews etc. While it can be overwhelming and tedious to handle all that pressure while preparing for your entrance exams and interviews, TJS StudySteps can be your savior and simplify the admission process like never before. Here’s how the experts from TJS education consultancy in Saudi Arabia can help during each stage of the admission procedure and ease you from the hassle!

  1. 1. We have added featured university and program guides on our website that experts from the industry have prepared. These guides can help you pick the finest universities and programs from a widespread palate as per your academic goals and aspirations.
  2. 2. Filling out the lengthy application forms can be exhausting; our team’s experts know how to ease you from that hassle. They offer professional assistance to the students in filling out correct information and attaching the required documents with their applications without any error to ensure the admission process goes smoothly.
  3. 3. TJS StudySteps also has documentation experts onboard who can help you gather all the required documents, such as transcripts, personal statements, certificates, and so on.
  4. 4. We also track your applications on your behalf and inform you of their progress in real-time.
  5. 5. If a university invites you to an interview or entrance exam, TJS can also assist you in your preparation and ensure you perform well and get selected.
  6. 6. Once you’ve secured admission at a university in Malaysia, the next step is to get a student Visa, and we also provide total guidance for the Visa application process.
  7. 7. Last but not least, TJS StudySteps ensures your well-being abroad. From booking the best flights at affordable rates to assisting you with a city tour, we help you adjust to the city.
Table of Content