Kuala Lumpur has everything a student could dream of; excellent health services, safety, and a relatively low cost of living. This combination of factors has made the city a cosmopolitan destination for foreign students, eager to benefit from an excellent education while enjoying an exciting lifestyle.
Courses and tuition fees
Malaysia, and therefore Kuala Lumpur, offers a wide range of opportunities to study and suit a wide range of budgets. Studying at a local private university is usually much cheaper than elsewhere in the world, especially in western countries. Tuition fees range from RM29,000 to 54,000 for a three-year business degree, and around RM550,000 for a five-year medical school.
By comparison, a three-year business degree on a UK or Australian university campus is around RM340,000-630,000. For a five-year medical degree in these same countries, the fees are between RM840,000 and around 1,250,000, again over 5 years. Of course, these figures vary accordingly to each establishment, and they evolve on an annual basis. By visiting the website of the university you might be interested in, you will get a better idea of the costs.
The cost of living in KL
Kuala Lumpur can be a very affordable city, depending on your lifestyle. As a student, the biggest bill you will have to foot besides tuition will more likely be the cost of accommodation.
Food
Many universities and colleges provide students living on campus with a common kitchen, where light meals can be prepared. If cooking isn't in the game, KL is full of street stalls, restaurants and food courts where you can pick up your daily meals for a fairly moderate price. A very comfortable monthly budget for groceries and home maintenance would be around RM600-900 per month.
Textbooks
You may also have to buy textbooks for your studies. Students often get discounts by buying directly from publishers or buying second-hand textbooks from upper-class students. Second-hand books are often listed on student forums or the institution's social media groups. Some textbooks can also be found at the university library, where they can be borrowed at no additional cost.
Student accommodation
Students in Kuala Lumpur have many choices when it comes to choosing where to live. Most schools offer on-campus accommodation at a lower price, with the choice of sharing a room or having your own room with an attached bathroom. Residences on campus, therefore, fill up quickly and it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible while registering. These on-campus residences will usually cost between RM300-600 per month. The cost of utilities is often included, with a small charge for internet connection. The low-budget option often involves sharing a bedroom or a small studio.
Off-campus accommodation allows for a greater range of housing choices at a slightly higher price. In some parts of KL, mansions are rented out to groups of students who share the total cost. More frequently, rooms are rented individually, with access to a kitchen and a common area. Students also have the option of living in boarding houses, dormitories, or shared rooms at often lower prices. Utilities are not included in the off-campus rentals but can be negotiated with the landlord. However, you should expect to pay around RM630 per month, with an additional RM130-210 for utilities. Also, expect to pay a little more for utilities during the warmer months as air conditioning will be essential to your comfort.
Save money as a student and benefit from discounts
As a student in Malaysia, you can save a lot just by showing your student ID or signing up for various discount schemes. The first point of student savings often occurs when purchasing airline tickets. Many airlines offer passengers on study visas an additional baggage allowance at no additional cost. Well worth taking advantage of, in anticipation of your moving to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, stores in town offer student discounts on certain weekdays upon presentation of the student card. The same applies to cinemas with regards to screenings that start before 6:00 p.m. during weekdays (except on public holidays). Large bookstores are often expensive but on the other hand, offer discount schemes. Moreover, every year KL hosts the Big Bad Wolf Sale, a gigantic rummage sale that allows everyone to save a considerable amount of money on their reading expenses.
Part-time jobs
In Malaysia, immigration regulations only allow foreign students to work a limited number of hours per week. Students are subject to authorization from immigration services. They can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week, but only during university holidays. This is further subject to the approval of the immigration department. An application must be submitted to the university's international student office, where the student will be asked to produce documents and appear for an interview. Students are only allowed to work in restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, or hotels.
Leisure activities
There is no shortage of leisure activities for international students during their stay in Kuala Lumpur. Gyms tend to offer student discounts while universities often have their own sports facilities, which can be accessed for free. Furthermore, educational institutions allow students to form clubs and associations based on their hobbies, interests, and culture. Not only these organizations are a great way to make friends but also lead to a motivating non-academic life.
Since Kuala Lumpur has become a popular student destination, students from different universities have come together to hold sports tournaments and competitions. These school teams compete against each other on a regular basis, providing an outlet for students who wish to build a community while in the metropolis.
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting aspects of student life. Campuses in Malaysia are alcohol-free zones, so students tend to congregate in clubs and bars to relax. Many student clubs also regularly organize evenings, where consumption and transport are at reduced prices.
Studying in Kuala Lumpur allows expats to take advantage of very affordable travel opportunities in Southeast Asia. Discounted airfares and group travel are memorable experiences that truly enrich a student's stay in Kuala Lumpur. However, the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia has reduced the number of mainland travel options, and health protocols remain strict in most countries in the region.
Transportation
Many international students choose to live close to campus to avoid Kuala Lumpur's notorious traffic jams. Schools tend to provide shuttles with well-defined stops. Consequently, it is worth investing in a public transport card (TouchNGo). Public transport in Kuala Lumpur is very affordable and costs a fraction of a euro each way. There is an extensive transport network that serves most of the city and the suburbs.
The advent of ride-sharing services has also improved transportation options in KL. Many rideshare services offer discount codes and bonuses for frequent users.
Due to frequent traffic congestion in the city, maintenance and parking costs, buying a car is an unnecessary expense for students.
You can read more about the application process to study in Malaysia on the official government website.
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