Going public

postgradasia studies the options and entry requirements for postgraduate studies at local public universities.

 

Public universities have much more to offer than just low tuition fees. The close proximity is a great advantage for those who do not wish to relocate or put their career and personal obligations on hold.  In addition, most public universities are equipped with a wide range of facilities and learning resources that are hard to rival. 

 

There are many postgraduate courses at public universities that are just as good as those overseas. The key is to choose carefully.

 

Choices galore

Public universities offer courses in various fields (ranging from arts and social sciences to engineering) and modes of study (coursework, research or mixed). Most students require one to two years to complete a Master’s degree and three to four years for PhD. As a rule of thumb, the more time you spend on campus, the shorter the course duration will be. 

 

Quality education (at a fraction of the price)

Most private institutions charge RM10,000 to RM120,000 or more per course whereas public universities fees range between RM2,000 to RM50,000 per course for local students. 

 

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial assistance are widely available for top performers. However, competition is tight. So you are advised to secure your own financial resources via personal or education loans, external scholarships, or simply by saving up. 

 

Entry requirements

The medium of instruction for postgraduate study in public universities is usually either English or Malay, or a combination of the two, though some courses will require you to know other languages such as Arabic and Chinese as well. English is especially important for those who are studying technical and science-related subjects. 

 

When it comes to academic qualifications, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree, master’s or professional qualification in a relevant area of study that is recognised by the university. Certain courses, such as those in the fields of management, science and engineering, will also require you to have at least two to three years of working experience. As entry is competitive, you should ideally have a CGPA of 3.0 and above or equivalent.

 

How to apply

Although you can apply throughout the year, most postgraduate intakes tend to fall in July and December. 

 

The majority of public universities require prospective students to apply online. If the institution does not have an online application system, you may obtain a physical application form from the graduate school or request one through email.

 

The typical application procedure for most universities is as follows. (Please refer to the individual universities for procedural details for the course you are considering.)

 

Complete the application form and submit certified copies of supporting documents as requested online and/or to the university or graduate school’s admission department.

 

Generally these will include copies of your:

You may need to submit  other necessary documents depending on the course. You may also be required to sit for an interview before you are accepted, particularly with courses that require you to possess specific skills and talents. 

 

Public universities receive many applications each intake. Thus it’s best to apply early.

 

List of public universities

There are currently 20 public universities in Malaysia. The following 19 offer postgraduate courses.

 

What you get out of a postgraduate education tends to correspond to the amount of research and independent study you put into it and how actively you participate in teamwork and discussions. Hence it is crucial that you select a graduate school that facilitates these activities and is conducive for learning.