MBA Courses in Malaysia

We've put together a list of some of Malaysia’s best public and private universities that offer MBA programmes.

Malaysia's highly qualified universities offer MBA programmes either on a full time or part time basis. Other options such as executive and accelerated MBA courses are also available, so you can choose a type that best matches your schedule and meets your needs.

During your studies, you will hold in-depth discussions of real-world case studies, take classes in financial accounting, management accounting, marketing, economics and more. Sounds pretty great, right? It gets even better.

Take it up a notch by studying for your MBA locally! In Southeast Asia, Malaysia has one of the best education systems. Many Malaysian universities are internationally acknowledged as well.

Read more about MBA here.

Top 10 notable MBA universities in Malaysia

Malaysia is home to a number of prestigious universities that offer top MBA courses. If you're ready to kick off your career field into another level, MBA is never the wrong choice for you.

Ready to get started? Below are the notable 10 universities to take your MBA:

1. Universiti Malaya (UM)
2. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
3. Management & Science University (MSU)
4. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
5. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
6. UCSI University
7. Putra Business School
8. Taylor’s University
9. University of Nottingham
10. Heriot-Watt University

1. Universiti Malaya

Universiti Malaya (UM) received a 4 Palmes of Excellence award in the 2021 Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking in Far East Asia. The tertiary insitution's MBA is also fully accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), giving the degree international credibility and status.

• Duration: 3 – 8 semesters, 1.5 – 2.5 years  

• Intakes: February and September 

• Estimated fees: RM770 (Admission) & RM28, 400 (Tuition) 

• Entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree (min. CGPA 3.00), min. 3 years full-time work experience after completing first degree, or a minimum of IELTS score 6.0 or TOEFL score 550 (paper) / 213 (computer). 

2. Universiti Sains Malaysia

Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) programme includes core and elective courses, as well as a research project and viva voce (thesis defence).

Another highlight is USM’s collaborative MBA Dual Degree programme with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) with the specialisation in ASEAN Business.

• Duration: 4 – 10 semesters, 2 – 5 years

• Intakes: April and October 

• Estimated fees: RM310.00 (Admission) & RM23, 760.00 (Tuition)

• Entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree recognised by USM’s Senate, min. CGPA 2.75, min. 1 year working experience, or min. CGPA 3.50 (without working experience), or pass the interview. 

3. Management & Science University (MSU)

MSU is one of the top private universities in Malaysia.

• Duration: 1.5 - 5 years

• Intakes: October, January and April

• Estimated fees: RM 18,200 

• Entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree with minimum CGPA of 2.50 (or its equivalent qualifications as accepted by the HEP senate), or minimum CGPA of 2.50 subject to a minimum of 5 years of working experience in relevant field. 

4. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) industrial partners co-developed the university’s MBA programme, making it very industry-driven. This means that students are provided with highly relevant content that is suited to the most current business needs. Specialised and elective courses are offered, with a special emphasis on action learning and leadership development.

• Duration: 1 year (full time) or 2 years (every alternate weekend)

• Intakes: October and March

• Estimated fees: RM 30,820 - RM 41,160

• Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree, CGPA 3.00 and above (without working experience), or CGPA 2.00 – 2.49 (min. 5 years working experience), or CGPA 2.50- 2.99 (min. 2 years working experience).

5. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

As a fellow recipient of Eduniversal’s 3 Palmes of Excellence award, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is another great option for students looking to study for an MBA. Compared to other institutions, UTM offers more unique areas of concentration such as aviation management, Islamic finance and even techno-entrepreneurship.

• Duration: 3 - 4semesters

• Intakes: February and September

• Estimated fees: RM22, 150 (Full time) or RM25, 500 (ODL) 

• Entry requirements: A recognised Bachelor's Degree, min. CGPA 2.5.

6. UCSI University

UCSI University’s MBA programme is unique in Malaysia, as it is the only one in the country that is based on the famous Blue Ocean Strategy framework. The class sizes are kept small in order to foster a highly interpersonal learning environment for students.

Apart from the usual lectures, case studies and presentations, the course module also includes workshops, debates and guests speakers for a more dynamic learning experience.

• Duration: Minimum 1 year

• Intakes: January, May and September

• Estimated fees: RM36,500 (Local) & RM55,960 (International) 

• Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree, min. CGPA 2.00 (subject to rigorous internal assessment).

7. Putra Business School

Putra Business School offers different MBA specialisations which students can undertake in their studies, such as finance, marketing and human potential management.

• Duration: 1 year 4 months - 2 years (full time) or 2 years 8 months - 3 years (part-time)

• Intakes: January, May and September

• Estimated fees: RM32,000 (full time) or RM35,000, RM37, 600 (international) 

• Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree, min. CGPA 2.00 (subject to rigorous internal assessment and without working experience), or min CGPA 2.5 accepted by the HEP Senate. 

8. Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University’s MBA is a coursework programme covering the latest insights from industry experts as well as elective modules reviewed based on market trends. This MBA curriculum imparts the basics of business knowledge and seeks to provide personalised leadership development for its students.

• Duration: min. 1 year (full-time) or max. 5 years (part-time)

• Intakes: January, March and August

• Estimated fees: RM 49,920

• Entry requirement: A bachelor's degree, min. CGPA 2.75, CGPA between 2.75 and 2.50 (2 years working experience and interview), or CGPA less than 2.5 (min. 5 years working experience)

9. University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offers one of the best MBA programmes worldwide, having scored a spot in the 2019 QS Global MBA Rankings. Students in the Malaysian campus are provided with an identical syllabus, so they can be sure that they will receive the same high-quality education. In total, students will complete 12 taught modules and a management project.

• Duration: 1 year (full time) or 2 – 4 years (part time)

• Intakes: February, June and September

• Estimated fees: RM 64,500 (local) or RM68,365 (international)

• Entry requirements: A relevant second class honours degree (or international equivalent), or a relevant professional qualification equivalent to a first degree with honours, plus min. 3 years or more full-time management or leadership work experience.

10. Heriot-Watt University

The MBA is one of Heriot-Watt University’s flagship programmes. The seminars are not only delivered by top academics in Asia, but also by the university’s faculty from the UK who regularly fly to Malaysia to update students on current trends and practices. Students who want to find out more information can also attend one of the university’s MBA previews.

• Duration: 2 years (part-time)

• Intake: January, May and September 

• Estimated fees: RM 58,050

• Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree (min. 2 years working experience)

What are the entry requirements to MBA in Malaysia?

Guidelines for admittance into an MBA program in Malaysia vary widely from institution to institution. Usually, you would have to hold an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent qualification in a subject area that is relevant to the MBA course you are applying for. Other entry requirements may touch on:

• CGPA (typically a minimum of 2.75 out of 4.00)

• Working experience (most universities set this at a minimum of 2 years)

• Passing of English language proficiency exams (such as TOEFL and IELTS)

• Age (some universities set a minimum age requirement)

How much does MBA cost in Malaysia?

To give you a general idea, here is the MBA fee range in Malaysia based on the type of institution:

• Public university: RM 20,000 – RM 31,000
• Private university: RM 30,000 – RM 265,000

You will find that universities charge differently for their MBA courses, depending on what type of institutions they are. Other factors are the types of courses offered and the modules. The prestige of the programme also influences the cost of the MBA.

It all depends on what you want to study and which university and course fit you best. You can use this website to browse through the various MBA courses available in Malaysia and find out the exact tuition fees for each of them. Keep in mind that there may be additional costs for your course, including course materials and access to institution facilities.

There are also branches of high-ranking foreign universities in Malaysia. These institutions are a great option if you are keen on getting an MBA degree from an advanced nation like the UK.

5 reasons why Malaysia is the best place to study your MBA

1. Save A LOT on tuition fees

You can obtain your MBA at a fraction of the cost of MBA programmes in the UK, USA, Australia and Singapore. From major cities like Kuala Lumpur to smaller cities like Johor Bahru and Penang, there are universities that will fit your budget.

Overall, the tuition fees of MBA courses in Malaysia are considerably more affordable compared to other countries.

Malaysia: RM 20,000 – RM 265,000

UK: RM 178,000 – RM 498,000

USA: RM 213,000 – RM 499,000

Australia: RM 147,000 – RM 385,000

Singapore: RM 61,500 – RM 436,000

However, it does not mean that the quality of your learning experience and MBA degree will lack in any way.

The government takes the standards by which educational institutions operate very seriously, with the enforcement of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act, 2007. This Act ensures that Malaysian universities are constantly monitored so that students receive a quality education that is up-to-date, relevant to the industry, and recognised internationally.

2. World's best universities

Malaysia is home to some of the world's most distinguished universities. In the reputable 2024 QS World University Rankings, several Malaysian universities not only made it on the list but they ranked highly out of 1,000 institutions worldwide.

The table below shows the current top five universities in Malaysia – if you take your MBA in any of these institutions, you would be studying in one of the best 300 universities across the globe!

Additionally, universities in Malaysia have intakes throughout the year. Intake times vary widely by location, though most MBA programmes offer multiple start times. You can use EasyUni to find the intake dates for the universities you are interested in.

3. Familiarity

One of the best aspects of studying domestically is comfort!

Many students who study abroad suffer from homesickness. When asked what they miss the most, they often mention the 3 Fs: Family, friends and… FOOD. Yes, nothing really compares to Malaysia’s nasi lemak, roti canai and chicken rice.

Since you are familiar with the culture around you, your mind will also be at ease. Greetings, customs, what counts as a common courtesy (and what doesn’t) – you’ve got all of that ingrained in your Malaysian DNA.

You don’t have to be nervous about accidentally breaking a cultural taboo. Plus, as a native speaker of the languages in Malaysia, you don’t have to worry about the language barrier that plenty of students face overseas.

You can get all the inside jokes too, which is actually beneficial to your well-being – laughter is the best medicine, after all.

You will also have the emotional and physical support of your family and friends. A hug goes a long way! With your stomach and mind at peace, it’s much easier to focus all your energy into your studies and nailing your MBA.

4. MBA specialisations

While there are general MBAs offered, those wanting to study for an MBA in Malaysia can also specialise in a specific topic, making them standout candidates for employment.

This is also advocated by Luc Craen, the managing director of EU Business School, who states that the specialisation trend will continue even beyond 2018. In his own words, “people need to be more specialized in certain aspects” in order to meet the ever-changing needs and requirements of companies.

Among the MBA courses offered in Malaysia are information technology (IT), marketing, finance, human resources and international business – with MBA graduates in IT being in high demand.

5. Networking opportunities

Are you worried that your network will be too limited if you study locally? Don’t be.

There is actually an increasing amount of international students studying in Malaysia, which means you can still make connections and build your network beyond Malaysia, right here in Malaysia.

To date, there are more than 130,000 international students in tertiary education, according to the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. These numbers are set to go even higher from now, especially since the government is determined to raise Malaysia’s prominence as a global education hub.

Now is really the best time to study in Malaysia too. The economic growth of the nation is stable, with World Bank country director Mara K. Warwick even commenting that “Malaysia is a success story”, with the nation moving towards a high-income economy under the leadership of a brand new government.

Studying in Malaysia also makes it easier to work part-time while you take your MBA. If you are an international student in another country, you will most likely be restricted in terms of job options. Usually, foreign students are only allowed to work a certain number of hours and only in selected sectors.

They also have to go through an application process to be allowed to work part-time. In your home country, you have much more freedom in this matter.

This wraps up our guide to MBA courses in Malaysia!