Secondary education in Malaysia begins at age 13 and lasts five years, following six years of primary school. It is divided into two stages: lower secondary (Forms 1–3, ages 13–15) and upper secondary (Forms 4–5, ages 16–17).
Upon completing Form 5, students sit the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) examination — the national qualification exam that is required for further education. In 2025, 413,299 candidates registered for the SPM — 2.58% more than in 2024. And the results were record‑breaking. The national average grade improved to 4.42 (from 4.49 in 2024). 94.29% of candidates — 366,435 students — received their certificates, and 13,779 achieved excellent results (A+, A, and A− grades across all subjects).
After the SPM, students have several options for further study: Form 6, Foundation programmes, Matriculation preparatory courses, or diploma programmes before entering university.
In 2025, the Malaysian Parliament passed amendments to the Education Act extending compulsory education from 6 to 11 years — covering 6 years of primary and 5 years of secondary school, and raising the compulsory education age to 17.
In the 2025/2026 academic year, there are 10,237 schools in Malaysia, enrolling 5.14 million students — 2.09 million of whom are at secondary level.
English is widely used in private and international schools, making Malaysia an attractive destination for international students. Since 2021, the number of local students in international schools has grown by more than 44%, exceeding 75,000.
The Malaysian system offers a variety of pathways — national curriculum schools, international schools (British, American, IB, Australian), and religious schools. There is plenty of choice.
Malaysia has become a leading educational hub in Southeast Asia, offering affordable tuition, English‑medium instruction, and strong international partnerships. There are 20 public universities, 54 private universities, 39 private university colleges, 10 foreign university branch campuses, 331 private colleges, 36 polytechnic institutes, and 105 community colleges in the country.
International branch campuses include the University of Nottingham, Monash University, and Heriot‑Watt University. Leading Malaysian universities include Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). In 2025, three Malaysian universities ranked in the THE Asia top 100.
Malaysia receives over 1.2 million higher education students. As of 31 March 2025, 139,341 international students from more than 160 countries were enrolled in Malaysian institutions. By the end of 2025, the number is expected to reach 150,000. International students make up 12.6% of all students in public and private institutions. In 2025, approximately 170,000 international students applied to study in Malaysia.
Malaysia is particularly strong in business, hospitality, engineering, IT, medicine, and Islamic finance.
Malaysia offers a growing number of short‑term programmes — English language courses, summer schools at universities, and cultural camps.
Many language centres offer summer programmes lasting from three weeks to one month, with start dates in June, July, and August. Programmes cater to different age groups — from children to adults — and some specialise in IELTS preparation and academic English.
English is widely spoken, making Malaysia one of the most accessible Asian destinations for international students. The country is known for its competitive tuition and living costs compared to Western destinations.
An important development: from 1 July 2025, a 6% Service Tax (SST) has been introduced on tuition fees for international students.
Summer programmes in Malaysia combine academic study with a multicultural experience in a safe and affordable environment. They often serve as a stepping stone to full‑time study in the country.
If you're considering Malaysia for your child — we'll help you navigate every stage, from choosing a school and programme type to document preparation and visa application. Get in touch — we'll tell you where to start.