Study in Kuala Lumpur: Pros and Cons

One of the popular study destinations in Asia is Malaysia. In 2019, the country hosted more than 120,000 international students. One of the popular places to visit in the country is its capital city, Kuala Lumpur. 

If you are still having second thoughts about studying in Kuala Lumpur, let us help you with that. Check out our list of pros and cons of studying in the city. 

Why Study in Kuala Lumpur?

As an international student, aside from choosing the right program, you also need to take proper consideration of the country and city you will be staying in for 1 to 4 years. 

Although there are some similar benefits in all study abroad programs, there are experiences that are specific to some countries. Usually, the experiences you get abroad can also be crucial in shaping your worldview, values, enjoyment, and career opportunities. 

Just like other cities, there are specific experiences that you can only get in Kuala Lumpur, which can help you stand out in your future career. 

Pros of Studying in Kuala Lumpur

1.Cheap Cost of Leaving

As a popular study destination, Kuala Lumpur offers a cheaper alternative to other popular cities in Europe and the Americas. 

In fact, the estimated monthly cost for one month in Kuala Lumpur is only around RM2,046. 73 ($491.83) without rent. Meanwhile, food at an inexpensive restaurant can only cost around RM 14 ($3.37). 

2. People Can Speak in English 

If you are worried about communicating with other people in Kuala Lumpur, worry not. Because it is a metropolitan, and the center of many businesses in the country, most people staying in Kuala Lumpur can speak in English. 

In fact, in 2019, Malaysia ranked 2nd in Asian countries with high English proficiency. Thus, expect a lot of people, within or outside the academe to speak English. 

3. Quality Education

One of the main reasons students choose to study in Kuala Lumpur is its low cost of living. However, more than that, Kuala Lumpur also offers a quality education that’s on the same level as other top study destinations in the world. 

In fact, the country’s flagship university, University Malaya (UM), ranked in the world’s top 100 universities, per the QS World University Rankings. 

4. Low Crime Rate

Malaysia, in general, is a safe country. In fact, it’s even safer than different European countries, such as Spain, Italy, the UK, and France. 

Cons of Studying in Kuala Lumpur

Few Job Opportunities

One of the disadvantages of studying in Malaysia is the limited job opportunities for foreign students. As an international student in Kuala Lumpur, you can work part-time, or at least 20 hours per week. 

However, after graduating, there are fewer opportunities for foreign students who want to work in Malaysia. Thus, many students just return to their home countries to work. In case you want to increase your chances of working in Malaysia, in-demand fields include engineering, ICT, business and finance, and so on. 

Those are just some of the top pros and cons of studying in Kuala Lumpur. If you want to learn more about Kuala Lumpur and the whole of Malaysia as a study destination, check out our articles at MSM Unify. To begin, read our article on  Top Foreign University Branch Campuses in Malaysia.