Study Nursing in Malaysia

What is Nursing about?

Nursing is a profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals. A nurse is always projected with an image of a care provider.

It is not easy to be a nurse as being a professional nurse requires a lot of knowledge in the medical field and also many soft skills to deal with patients and their families.

To be a professional nurse, you can earn your qualification by studying a diploma or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

In a typical nursing course, you will learn about nursing fundamentals, communication, primary health care, psychology, nursing care for various types of patients and other subjects which are important to provide the best health care support to patients.

As nursing is a specialised profession that focuses on caring and educating within the healthcare system, you will expect to gain your knowledge as a nurse not only through these subjects but also through hands-on practice in any healthcare setting.

Why Study Nursing in Malaysia?

Do you want to become a successful nurse and pursue your dream in health care? Malaysia is a top choice for studying nursing courses.

Here's a lowdown!

Top-Notch Education: Malaysian universities offer internationally recognized nursing programs that emphasize topics like patient care and psychology to make sure you’re well-versed for your future career.

Hands-On Learning: Practical experience is key! Nursing courses in Malaysia focus on clinical training, allowing you to apply your knowledge in real healthcare settings. You'll build essential skills that set you apart in the job market.

Career Opportunities: With the demand for skilled nurses on the rise, graduates can expect plenty of job prospects and salary around RM 3,000 to RM 5,000 per month as a starting salary, both locally and internationally.

Cultural Experience: You can enjoy different cultural experiences in Malaysia. This immersion not only enriches your education but also enhances your ability to provide culturally competent care, a vital skill in today’s globalized environment.

Affordable Living:You can live affordably while you learn! Tuition fees can range from RM 25,000 to RM 60,000 for a nursing degree, while living costs in Malaysia are way lower compared to many Western countries.

10 Best universities for studying nursing in Malaysia

It might be a hard decision to make when it comes to choosing the best nursing school to pursue your dream. Therefore, we have listed some suggestions of where to study Nursing in Malaysia below:

Management & Science University (MSU)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
International Medical University Malaysia (IMU)
AIMST University
UCSI University
Sunway University
MAHSA University
Monash University
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
University of Malaya (UM)

1. Management & Science University (MSU)

Management & Science University (MSU) is a Tier 5 Excellence rated institution in Malaysia, recognized for its high-quality education. It specializes in fields such as Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Nursing, and Pharmacy, alongside Business and Management.

MSU is committed to enhancing employability, ensuring its curriculum equips graduates with the skills needed to succeed in competitive job markets.

Nursing Courses at MSU

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)	3 - 4 years	30,000 - 60,000
Diploma in Nursing	2.5 - 3 years	20,000 - 30,000

2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia the National University of Malaysia, ranks in the Top 137 of the 2024-25 QS World University Rankings. Located in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, UKM is a leading public university.

UKM has expanded from three faculties to 13 faculties and 12 research institutes, with around 172,000 alumni globally. The university offers various Student Mobility Programmes in partnership with international institutions.

Nursing Courses at UKM

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Bachelor of Nursing Science	3 - 4 years	30,000 - 60,000

3. International Medical University Malaysia (IMU)

International Medical University is Malaysia’s first and most established private institution dedicated to medical and health sciences education, with 29 years of specialized experience. Ranked #151-200 in QS University Ranking 2024, IMU focuses on comprehensive healthcare education through its five schools within the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

IMU offers a variety of programs in medicine, health sciences, and complementary medicine

Nursing Courses at IMU

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)	4 years	60,000 - 80,000
Diploma in Nursing	3 years	25,000 - 35,000

4. AIMST University

AIMST University registered with the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, has been a recognized tertiary educational institution since it began operations on October 30, 2001. As of 2024, AIMST University ranks in the Top 100 of the QS Southeast Asia University Rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.

The university offers a range of programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in healthcare and beyond.

Nursing Courses at AIMST University

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Diploma in Nursing	3 years	20,000 - 30,000

5. UCSI University

UCSI University is recognized as one of the top private universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, currently ranked #265 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Offering a diverse range of foundation, diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs, UCSI is dedicated to providing quality education that meets industry demands.

The university has an impressive graduate employability score of 100%. Additionally, UCSI offers scholarships of up to 100% to help students achieve their educational goals.

Nursing Courses at UCSI University

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)	4 years	70,000 - 90,000
Diploma in Nursing	3 years	30,000 - 40,000
Foundation in Science (Pharmacy, Medicine & Nursing)	1 year	25,000 - 26,000

6. Sunway University

Sunway University is a prominent private university situated in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sunway University engages in impactful research, particularly in the area of sustainability. As of the QS World University Rankings 2025, Sunway University holds a global rank of #539, reflecting its dedication to quality education.

The university is dedicated to create a comprehensive learning environment that prepares students for successful careers, especially in the healthcare field.

Nursing Courses at Sunway University

Course Name	Duration	Tuition Fees (RM)
Diploma in Nursing	3 years	35,000 - 45,000
Post Basic Certificate in Nursing	6 months	15,000 - 16,000

7. MAHSA University

MAHSA University has been a renowned and esteemed private institution of higher education since its inception in 2005. MAHSA offers programmes at various levels, from foundation and diploma to degree and postgraduate programmes in Healthcare such as Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, as well as Bioscience.

8. Monash University

Monash University Malaysia is the third-largest campus of Monash University - a premier research-intensive Australian university ranked among the top 100 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Their campus offers a distinctly international and culturally rich environment with approximately 8,400 students from 78 different countries and students are taught by highly qualified academic staff from across the world.

9. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Universiti Putra Malaysia is a leading research university in Malaysia located in Serdang.

As a world-renowned centre of learning and research, UPM has attracted students and staff from all around the world, making it a well-respected global entity. It is also recognised by independent government assessments as one of Malaysia’s leading research Universities.

10. University of Malaya (UM)

University of Malaya, or UM, Malaysia’s oldest university is situated on a 922-acre campus in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

The University of Malaya is committed to conduct teaching and learning, carry out research and provide quality services on a global level, generate and enhance knowledge through continuous improvement efforts for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially University of Malaya’s students.

(Check this out: List of highly-recognised Nursing programmes)

What are the major fields in Nursing?

Nursing major specialisations.

There are so many specialities and career path options and each of them has their own challenges and responsibilities. Here are some which are quite popular:

1. Children’s Nurse
As a children’s nurse, you will be involved in everything from nursing a sick newborn to a sick adolescent by providing care and support needed by the patients.

Children’s nurses are typically employed by hospitals, nursing agencies, and health centres to provide care for infants, adolescents, and children with a range of medical needs.

2. Registered nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is a fully qualified nurse who is licensed to practice and offer healthcare services. An RN works in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities and dialysis centres. An RN with advanced education/certification may be responsible to perform patient diagnosis and case management.

3. Labour and Delivery Nurse
Labour and delivery nurses bring new lives into this world by helping to deliver healthy babies and get moms through the process safely. The primary responsibilities of a labour and delivery nurse range from monitoring baby’s and mother’s vital signs during labour to coaching new mothers throughout the delivery.

4. Staff Nurse
A staff nurse is a hospital nurse whose rank is slightly below that of a charge nurse. They are responsible for assessing a patient’s condition and administer medications and injections. They are basically the first person you’ll come in contact with when you visit a hospital or a clinic.

What are the entry requirements and qualifications?

Every institution has different requirements for admission into a Nursing programme and the entry requirements are different for different levels of studies too. Generally, the requirements to study Nursing in Malaysia are:

Foundation/Diploma:

SPM/O-level: min. 5 credits (including BM, Mathematics, 1 Science)

Bachelor’s Degree:

Diploma in Nursing or its equivalent
STPM: min. CGPA 2.5
A-level: min. 3C

Master’s Degree

A relevant degree qualification

How long will I be studying in this programme?

The duration of study in Nursing programmes is different depending on your level of study. Below is the duration of the programme listed according to their study levels:

Study Levels	Duration
Foundation/Diploma	1 - 3 years
Bachelor’s Degree	3 - 4 years
Master’s Degree	2 - 2.5 years

How much does it cost to study Nursing?

The cost of studying Nursing in Malaysia is different for every institution but the fees are estimated to be around the cost as the table below:

Programme	Estimated Fees
Foundation/Diploma	RM 15,000 - RM 50,000
Bachelor’s Degree	RM 15,000 - RM 84,000
Master’s Degree	RM 18,000 - RM 30,000

Nursing professions in Malaysia

Nurses in their uniform.

Image source: iMoney

Studying a nursing course in Malaysia does not mean that your career option is limited to being a nurse. Here are some jobs that are directly related to a Nursing education or which a Nursing education would be useful: