SharifStudy Best way to Study in Malaysia
While the Federal Government is in charge, each state and federal territory in Malaysia has its own Education System. In Malaysia, education covers various stages: preschool, primary, secondary, post-secondary, and tertiary education.
You can choose between government schools (where education is free for Malaysians), private schools, or homeschooling to study in Malaysia. International and private schools might charge tuition fees. Primary education is compulsory by law.
Like in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, there are standardized tests. Malaysia has 43 universities, 31 private university colleges, 9 foreign university branch campuses, and 414 private colleges.
We are here to help you explore the educational opportunities in Malaysia. Join us and discover the exciting learning options available!
Levels of Malaysia Education System
Primary Education
In Malaysia, only primary school education is mandatory. Here, a diverse mix of multilingual public schools, private institutions, and home educators all exist alongside each other.
After completing unregulated preschool education, a child typically begins primary school at the age of 7, and this phase lasts for 6 years.
During their primary education, students are instructed in their preferred community language. To progress to higher levels of education, they are required to successfully complete a primary school achievement test.
Secondary Education
In Malaysia, there’s no middle school. Secondary education is split into two phases. After the initial 3 years of general education, students take an exam. Then they choose between arts and science for 2 more years, based on personal preference and teacher advice.
Once they pick a stream, switching is hard. After this, they can either finish 6th form or study for 2 more years to get matriculation exemption.
Vocational Education
The Department of Skills Development is responsible for regulating and supervising both public and private training institutions.
They have created nearly 1,000 standards for certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma training programs and are in the process of introducing more standards in about 20 key areas they have identified.
Tertiary Education
Malaysia has several public universities, but there have been concerns about the academic freedom of the faculty in these institutions.
After completing secondary education, students can choose to attend private tertiary institutions. These private universities are becoming known for providing high-quality international education, and they attract students from around the world.
Many of these institutions offer programs in collaboration with foreign universities, particularly from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This allows students to study abroad for part of their program and obtain overseas qualifications.
Numerous private colleges provide “twinning” programs, where students complete a portion of their degree at the local institution and the rest at another university.
The nature of these programs varies, ranging from full “twinning” arrangements where all credits and transcripts can be transferred automatically, to programs where the local institution offers an “associate degree” that the partnering university may accept at their discretion.
International Schools Grades
International schools in Malaysia offer a range of curriculums, including the Cambridge International Curriculum from the UK, the Australian Curriculum from Western Australia, the Canadian Curriculum from Ontario, and the IB Curriculum from Switzerland.
Due to the age arrangements in these schools, many students graduate and enter university at the age of 17.
| Grades | Typical Ages |
| Preschool | |
| Pre-school playgroup | 3-4 |
| Kindergarten | 4-6 |
| Primary school | |
| Year 1 | 6-7 |
| Year 2 | 7-8 |
| Year 3 | 8-9 |
| Year 4 | 9-10 |
| Year 5 | 10-11 |
| Year 6 | 11-12 |
| Secondary school | |
| Year 7 | 12-13 |
| Year 8 | 13-14 |
| Year 9 | 14-15 |
| Year 10 | 15-16 |
| Year 11 | 16-17 |
| Year 12 | 17-18 |
| Post-secondary education | |
| Tertiary education (College or University) | Vary |
National Education Blueprint 2013–2025
In 2013, the National Education Blueprint was released, encompassing the entire range of education in Malaysia, from preschool to post-secondary levels.
What made this blueprint remarkable was its innovative approach, which involved evaluating and assessing Malaysia’s education system from multiple perspectives.
These perspectives included assessments by international organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as collaboration with six local universities.
The Ministries also collaborated with various government agencies to ensure alignment with other education-related policies. Additionally, they engaged with the public on an unprecedented scale.
Over 55,000 Ministry officials, teachers, school leaders, parents, students, and members of the public throughout Malaysia were involved through interviews, focus groups, surveys, National Dialogue town halls, Open Days, and roundtable discussions.
The Ministry received more than 200 memorandums and 3,000 articles and blog posts as part of this extensive engagement effort.
History of Malaysia Education System
Malaysia’s education system has a long history, dating back to 1824 and continuing through 1957. This paper discusses 201 years of changes and developments in Malaysian education, from the past to the present.
It also looks into the future of education in Malaysia, particularly based on the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
Pre- British Period (Prior to 1824)
Back in 1824, education in Malaysia was quite informal. It focused on teaching religion, values, and practical skills like farming, fishing, and martial arts for survival.
In the year 1918, a significant transformation occurred in the vicinity of this school. The majority of students chose to establish their own quaint huts in close proximity, leading to the blossoming of economic opportunities.
Fast forward to the present day, a few schools from that age still endure, now operating in a considerably more structured manner.
Pre World War II (1824 – 1941)
Between 1824 and 1941, the colonial doctrine of “Divide and Rule” predominantly shaped the educational landscape in the Malay Peninsula.
The administration implemented a four-language model of education (Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and English), segregating each into separate school systems, each serving distinct objectives.
It’s worth noting that during this period, the tumult of war had a profound impact, and it was during these times that the foundations of counseling concepts began to take shape in the United States.
The Pre Independence (1941 – 1957)
The time before Malaysia gained independence, known as World War II, brought significant changes to the Malaysian education system, then called Malaya. The Japanese military occupied Malaya from 1941 to 1946 and introduced the Japanese language into the schools.
They turned Chinese and English schools into Nippon-Government schools. Meanwhile, Tamil and Malay schools had to include the Japanese language and follow a Japanese curriculum.
It’s important to note that the Japanese completely got rid of English and Chinese in schools, aiming for Japanese influence only. Schools that still used English and Chinese languages could face the death penalty.
The Post Independence (1957 Onwards)
Following independence, the National Education Policy was integrated into the Education Act of 1961. This marked the development of a comprehensive education system, with the establishment of various departments.
These included the Educational Planning and Research Division in 1963, the Vocational Division in 1964, the Textbook Bureau in 1967, Educational Media Services in 1972, the Curriculum Development Center in 1973, and the introduction of guidance and counseling services in 1965.
Types of Malaysia Education System
Malay Medium Schools
The roots of Malay education trace back to the “pondok school” concept, which placed a strong emphasis on Quranic teaching.
It was in 1858 that British Malaya administration extended its influence by expanding and assuming control over most Malay schools, accompanied by financial support.
These schools received backing from the British East India Company, and by 1938, around 788 Malay schools in the Straits of Malacca (Melaka) and the Federated Malay States benefited from this assistance.
The core objective of Malay education during this era was to impart essential skills in reading, writing, arithmetic (mathematics), and vocational training, enabling students to excel as proficient farmers and fishermen.
English Medium Schools
English education took root in Malaya with the establishment of Penang Free School in 1816. By 1938, the educational landscape had seen the growth of 56 government schools, 59 supported schools, and 106 private English schools. These schools adhered to a curriculum modeled after that of Great Britain.
A significant development occurred in 1905 with the establishment of the Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
This institution had a pivotal role in training administrators for the Malayan Civil Service, with a notable proportion of its students hailing from aristocratic backgrounds, including the Royal Family and the upper echelons of society.
Chinese Medium Schools
The political dynamics unfolding in China heavily influenced the landscape of Chinese education in Malaya in 1829. The origins of Chinese education in this region trace back to Singapore.
The curriculum closely mirrored that of China, with teaching materials and educators imported directly from China. It was the Chinese community itself that provided full support and maintenance for these educational system.
Tamil Medium Schools
Tamil primary education began in Malaya in 1816 when the first school for Tamils opened in Penang. This school was mainly for Indian people who came to Malaya as traders and workers on rubber, tea, coffee, and sugar plantations.
Over time, these plantations did well, and some were owned by rich Indian traders.
In 1923, an important event happened when the Federated Malay States Ordinance required plantation owners to create schools for their workers’ kids.
By 1905, there were 13 government schools, 23 Christian missionary Tamil schools, 551 estate schools, and 60 private Tamil schools all over the Malay Peninsula.
FAQs
1. Is Malaysia a good place for education?
- One of the key reasons to consider Malaysia as a study location is its excellent educational system. The government has made great progress in developing a strong framework for higher education, positioning it as a key hub in Southeast Asia.
2. How many semesters are there in a year in Malaysia?
- An academic year is divided into two semesters: Semester 1 (January-May) and Semester 2 (June-November), with exams at the end of each semester.
