These 4 Universities Are Prime MBBS Providers. Here’s Why!

We all know that studying medicine at top private universities comes at a sizeable cost, but have you ever asked yourself; “What am I actually paying for?”

To put that into perspective, here are 4 universities considered “premium” to study medicine and what they can provide for the price you are willing to pay!

What Is Considered A “Premium University” To Study Medicine?

For this article, we will deep dive into the universities considered “premium” with these conditions: 

• The MBBS course fees is above RM500,000
• The university’s ranking and subject ranking according to QS Rankings.
• The university’s curriculum, pedagogy and facilities provided.

Let’s begin!

1. Monash University Malaysia

Location	Bandar Sunway, Selangor Johor Bahru, Johor
Foundation Course Fees	From RM24,450 – 39,000
Undergraduate Course Fees	RM560,500
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Do Students Choose To Study Medicine At Monash University Malaysia?

Reason 1: High prestige and ranking

Monash University is part of the Group of 8, Australia’s elite in their contribution to world-leading innovative research, and ranks in the Top 50 of the QS World University Rankings 2024. 

In terms of the quality of the course, Monash University ranks #17  for Anatomy and Physiology, and #40  for Medicine globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. 

Reason 2: Graduate with Australian certification and accreditation

Teachings will be conducted using a syllabus similar to the one used on the main campus in Australia, allowing students to gain a different and global perspective on the discipline. This means that students will graduate with a certificate from Australia. The course is accredited by the Australian Medical Council and Malaysian Medical Council allowing students to practice in both countries after they complete their housemanship.

Reason 3: State-of-the-art facilities

Students will gain an extra edge at Monash University thanks to the award-winning Medical Anatomy and Pathology E-Learning Laboratory (MAPEL); Monash’s state-of-the-art teaching lab. The lab hosts anatomy and pathology learning materials, supported by interactive multimedia and cutting-edge technological enhancements, creating a suitable platform for today’s digital-generation learners. 

Reason 4: High investment in research innovation

Apart from MAPEL, students benefit from exposure to various disciplines in the field of medical science, thanks to Monash University’s heavy involvement in research. Academics come from a wide variety of biomedical and clinical research backgrounds. The school has also set up advanced research labs, spearheading research in Diabetes, Molecular Medicine, Toxicology, and Oncology. 

Reason 5: Guaranteed clinical education outside of the main campus

Students will conduct their clinical years (Years 3 to 5) in Monash’s clinical school in Johor Bahru. The Clinical School is located next to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, where their clinical studies will be conducted. Within the school, facilities instill a more practical approach vital for the clinical years, such as simulation rooms, clinical skills labs, skill rooms, clinical research labs, and medical research labs. 

When Monash mentions a syllabus similar to the main campus in Australia, it covers all aspects, including clinical postings! A bonus would be that the clinical postings will be conducted abroad, as students will undergo a 3-month clinical attachment in Australia as part of their final year. 

2. International Medical University (IMU)

Location	Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Foundation Course Fees	RM29,850
Undergraduate Course Fees	From RM541,600 – 1,127,860
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Do Students Choose To Study Medicine At IMU?

Reason 1: Top standings locally and globally

IMU is Malaysia’s first private medical and health and sciences university, established in 1992. The university ranks in the Top 200-250 in the world according to the QS World University Rankings, whilst it’s MBBS course ranks in the Top 150-200 on the QS World University Rankings By Subject 

IMU is also considered Malaysia’s best medical learning institute in the country and is one of the only 3 institutions in the country to receive the 6-Star SETARA System accreditation awarded by the Ministry of Education.

Reason 2: Heavy investment and presence in medical research

Being one of the forefront universities in medical research among Malaysia’s private institutions, the Institute for Research, Development, and Innovation was formed within campus for students to engage in research across various disciplines. There are also ISO-standard labs, an in-house clinic, and anatomical and medical museums that students have the privilege to access. 

Reason 3: Variety of clinical teaching campuses in the country

Students who choose to complete their course locally can be dispatched to IMU’s other clinical teaching campuses in Seremban, Batu Pahat, and Kluang. Students also have an opportunity to progress to a medical career close to campus at IMU’s very own hospital (now acquired by Columbia Asia). 

Reason 4: Gateway to international education

One of the more unique features of IMU’s MBBS degree is that students can opt to study their remaining 2.5 to 2.5 years at over 20 partner universities in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK. 

You guessed it right; students who go through this pathway will also graduate with certification from the partnering universities. 

Reason 5: Pathway to a career in the USA

IMU also opens a pathway for students to become a doctors in the USA, too. Since 2017, IMU has integrated the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Preparatory course from semesters 1 to 10. Students also have the chance to take clinical electives at selected USA hospitals.

3. Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NuMed)

Location	Educity, Johor
Foundation Course Fees	RM27,580 – 40,000
Undergraduate Course Fees	RM503,000
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Do Students Choose To Study Medicine At NuMed?

Reason 1: International rankings in the comfort of home

Newcastle University ranks #110 in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. The university is also part of the UK’s Russell Group, showing strength in its research and teaching prowess. 

Reason 2: UK’s first dedicated branch campus in Malaysia

Newcastle University has a strong track record in medicine since it was established in 1834 as a medical school. NuMed is the university’s fully owned branch campus dedicated to medicine and biomedicine in Malaysia, the first university from the UK to do so in the country. 

What does that mean for the prospects? 

The answer is simple; students are provided the added benefit of receiving one of the best British-style medical education that is the same as the one offered at the parent campus, without leaving the country! The bonus; students are awarded the same degrees as those at the parent campus. 

Reason 3: Early clinical exposure

NuMed employs an integrated approach for their MBBS course, meaning students gain clinical knowledge through exposure from the first year onwards. This involves case-led teaching, using clinical cases to help students make links between new knowledge and clinical practice, through contact with patients and visits to general practices and hospitals. 

During their time studying at NuMed, students will use facilities such as mock wards, anatomy labs, and various simulation mannequins for practical purposes. This is done along with clinical exposure to help students understand beyond the theory aspect. 

Reason 4: Practicals are mobile and full of immersive experience!

There is a unique take on NuMed’s approach to the clinical years, where clinical rotations will become a staple. Students will be placed in government hospitals and community clinics around Johor, and practices encompass all levels of clinical experience. Students become “junior” housemen in their final year, where they will be attached to a clinical team in the hospital. 

Reason 5: Research pathways locally and abroad

Students can also opt for the research route, through the student-selected component included in their MBBS course in Year 5. Students can research and study topics of their choosing, and this module also allows students to conduct it locally, abroad, or in the UK.

4. RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC)

Location	Georgetown, Penang
Foundation Course Fees	RM30,000
Undergraduate Course Fees	RM619,500
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Do Students Choose To Study Medicine At NuMed?

Reason 1: Not 1, but 2 rankings!

RCSI University ranks #163 while UCD places #181 according to the QS World University Rankings. The universities also sit in the Top 2% of world universities offering MBBS. 

Reason 2: Rich history in medical education

RUMC is wholly owned by two of the oldest, most prestigious medical universities in Ireland, the Royal College of Surgeons and the University College of Dublin. The combination of the two universities totals up to 400 years of research expertise in the world of medicine, and within Malaysia itself, has produced over 2,000 alumni contributing to the Malaysian health sector. 

Reason 3: Study abroad first, then come home!

Unlike other campuses in Malaysia, RUMC’s syllabus is unique where it is transnational, and students are guaranteed a place to study at either RISC or UCD. RUMC students will conduct their pre-clinical years in Ireland before returning to the campus in Penang, where they will continue their clinical studies at major hospitals in Penang. 

This is rather special as most universities in the country have cross-border medicine courses where students study abroad in the later years rather than in the first 2 years. This also guarantees that every student in RUMC gains knowledge from international and local medical practices, giving them an extra edge upon graduating. 

Reason 4: High quality facilities abroad and locally

That’s not the only way students can stand out at RUMC, of course. Students benefit from learning the integrated theory aspects of the medical field through high calibre faculties of both campuses in Ireland, as well as the state-of-the-art facilities at both. Students will then practice exclusively in Penang Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital upon returning to Malaysia.

Reason 5: International accreditation and career prospects

Once RUMC students graduate, they will be conferred with an MBBS degree from the National University of Ireland, allowing them to practice in Malaysia, Ireland, and other countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Can You Make Premium, Affordable?

The answer is a resounding yes! Each of the universities above offers scholarships and bursaries to help ease the financial burden you may have to bear. There is also the option of the National Higher Education Fund or PTPTN. Your MBBS degree could cost up to RM1 million over 5 years, and PTPTN can assist you in covering a substantiation portion, too. 

Whichever way you look at it, choosing to study at the 4 universities mentioned above may be worth it, if you factor in all the reasons why you are paying the fees. It might be more affordable compared to studying MBBS in the home country of the universities we mentioned earlier, considering you are getting the same degree recognition from the parent university.  

Did we help you gain a clearer picture of what these university’s MBBS course fees entail? With the help of counsellors, like the ones that we have at Uni Enrol, we can make it clearer for you!