Malaysian students rethinking higher education in UK

Students exploring alternative pathways, destinations amid rising costs, currency challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – The rising cost of U.K. education is making Malaysian students explore alternative pathways and destinations, reports PIE News.

Since the 1980s, Malaysia has been a reliable source of international undergraduate students for UK higher education institutions. But things have changed in recent years.  

“The way students make decisions has definitely evolved,” says Phil Pedro, assistant headteacher at Epsom College in Malaysia. 

“There’s a lot more thought going into things like long-term value. It’s no longer just about getting into a well-known university, but about whether the experience and outcomes justify the cost.”

Parents are also becoming more involved in the decision-making process. They are asking more detailed questions and are heavily weighing post-graduation employability. Courses with practical components, such as internships or work placements, factor into their decisions, often augmenting their perceptions of value.

“The conversations we’re having now go far beyond rankings – they’re about finding the right fit, balancing cost with opportunity, and thinking carefully about the path ahead,” Pedro says. 

While the first-year-entry route has been typical for many Malaysian students going to the U.K., 

students are now considering alternative pathways.

“In recent years, we have seen growing interest in transnational education options such as twinning programmes, credit transfer pathways, and branch campuses as a more affordable and flexible route to obtaining a U.K. degree with less money being spent,” observes Eswary Govindasamy, senior executive – university placement at Sunway University.

Some are postponing their plans to study in the U.K., opting instead to stay in Malaysia for their undergraduate degree and then going abroad for their postgraduate studies. The one-year duration of most postgraduate-taught courses is perceived to be more financially viable, with the added benefit of graduating with a higher qualification.

Additionally, as other Anglophone destinations such as the US, Canada and Australia become increasingly expensive – in step with the U.K. – Malaysian students and parents are exploring a wider range of non-traditional destinations. East Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, have emerged as attractive options due to their cultural similarities and the generous scholarships available.

Harri Suominen, chief innovation officer and co-founder of Edunation, a pathway provider to European universities, has observed this trend firsthand. “There’s been a noticeable shift from the traditional ‘big four’ English-speaking countries to a broader ‘big 10’ that includes European nations such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Finland,” says Suominen. 

“This transition is driven by factors like certain restrictions in the big four countries, and on the other hand, affordable tuition, high-quality education and living standards, and favourable work opportunities in Europe.”

Emma Davidson of Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar, a British-style international school located in Mantin, says a lot of students and their parents put a pot of money aside for their university education but it seems as though the pot is not enough for some courses, universities, and cities. “These students need top-up scholarships, not necessarily full scholarships, because parents and students have done their bit [but need a bit more help to get there],” says Emma. 

“In the past, a university-awarded scholarship was often a nice thing to have. Now it seems to make or break a student’s decision. The universities that have good funding are attracting more attention.”