Are international students primarily in postgraduate studies?

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International Students Predominantly Enrolled in Postgraduate Programmes at Public Universities

International students constitute a significant portion of postgraduate enrolments at Malaysian public universities, while their presence in undergraduate programmes is considerably smaller, indicating a clear prioritization of local students for undergraduate admissions. As of December 31, 2025, international students represented 8.9% of the total 634,706 students enrolled in public universities. The data further reveals a distinct pattern in their distribution across academic levels.
Postgraduate Enrolment Dominance

At the postgraduate level in public universities, international students comprised 33.74% of total enrolments. Specifically, out of 114,601 postgraduate students, 38,672 were international. This substantial figure underscores that the majority of foreign students pursuing higher education in Malaysian public institutions are engaged in master's and doctoral studies, aligning with university research capacities and academic qualifications.
Undergraduate Admissions Focus on Local Students

In contrast, international student representation at the undergraduate level in public universities is notably lower. International students accounted for only 3.44% of the 520,105 undergraduate enrolments, totaling 17,893 students. This statistic directly supports the assertion that undergraduate programmes at public universities continue to prioritize local students, with admissions for international undergraduates implemented on an "over and above" basis, outside existing quotas.
Overall International Student Presence

When considering all higher education institutions, both public and private, international students made up 12.6% of the total student population, numbering 159,138 out of 1,264,541 students. While this indicates a broader international student presence across the Malaysian higher education landscape, the specific breakdown for public universities highlights the concentration of these students in advanced academic pursuits rather than competing for undergraduate placements with local Malaysian qualifications such as SPM, STPM, matriculation, or diplomas.

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Are international students primarily in postgraduate studies?

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