Studying MBBS Expensive? Not With These 6 Universities!

One of the misconceptions, or the reality that students who study medicine is that it can be quite expensive, and could be a deal-breaker for many who are considering options for what to study when they go to university. 

We’re here to tell you that that’s never the case, and there are always institutions in the country that can help you reach your dreams of pursuing a future in medicine!

Here is a list of universities with their MBBS course fees under RM400,000, before we take a deeper dive into each university as you read on.

• MAHSA University
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM376,550 (5-year programme)

• Quest International University (QIU)
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM313,800 (5-year programme)

• Manipal University College Malaysia
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM360,500 (5-year programme)

• SEGI University
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM365,550 (5-year programme)

• AIMST University
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM326,100 (5-year programme)

• UCSI University
  • MBBS Course Fees: RM372,260 (5-year programme)

Now that you’re introduced to the universities in this article, let’s learn more about what they can offer!

1. MAHSA University

Foundation Course Fees	From RM16,000 – 22,300
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM376,550
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS At MAHSA University?

Reason 1: One of the best in the business

MAHSA University is yet another popular place to study medicine in Malaysia with affordable MBBS course fees, touted as one of the premier institutes for health care and training. The Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience, and Nursing (where you can find the medicine degree) is the largest in the university. 

MAHSA University gains its global prestige by being listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, giving students an international edge without having to leave home (or you can study abroad too, of course)! Students will also be learning from staff with PhD qualifications, who have industry experience for more than 10 years. 

Reason 2: Strong partnerships with prominent global and local bodies

The university also partners with industry specialists involved in medical R&D, namely the American Heart Association, National Heart Institute of Malaysia, and University Malaya to name a few. The AHA only has 1 university partner in Malaysia, and it so happens to be MAHSA!

MAHSA also partners with several hospitals in Malaysia to provide students clinical practice opportunities. From Year 3 onwards during students’ clinical years, they will be posted at Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, or Hospital Tanjung Karang for 2-8 weeks. Hospital Tanjung Karang is also utilised by the university during students’ pre-clinical phase in the university’s Early Clinical Exposure modules. 

Reason 3: Pay affordable fees, get premium facilities!

Don’t be fooled by the fees, as MAHSA University provides state-of-the-art facilities so that students can hone their skills, at a fraction of the cost!

2. Quest International University

Foundation Course Fees	RM12,300
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM313,800
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS at Quest International University?

Reason 1: No need to travel far to take the USMLE!

Launched in 2008, it is one of the well-established private universities in Perak with affordable MBBS course fees, located in the heart of Ipoh City. 

Students at Quest International University will pave the way to the USA, with the course structured in line with the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Preparatory Course. Students will not have to travel far to sit for the examinations too, as the university is also the Official Examination Centre for the Northern Malaysian Region for the USMLE. 

Reason 2: Practicals from Day 1

Quest International University’s curriculum is unique because it employs an Integrated Hybrid Problem-Based Curriculum, emphasising practical elements to study medicine. The 5-year course will be split into Phase 1 (Years 1-2) and Phase 2 (Years 3-5). All phases will expose students to clinical practice. 

You’ve heard that right, you’re starting clinical practice as early as in Year 1.

Quest International University also encourages a two-way communication system via mentorship programmes, where students are linked with lecturers to ensure that they can take the learning and understanding modules at a more personal level, even outside of the classroom.  

Reason 3: A designated building for MBBS students

Students who pursue a degree in medicine at Quest International University will also experience exclusivity, as their teachings will be conducted at a dedicated building within the university compounds. Students will be able to access facilities such as those below:

3. Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)

Foundation Course Fees	RM13,600
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM360,500
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS At Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)?

Reason 1: A household name for affordable medical education

With over 26 years of medical education in Malaysia, Manipal University College Malaysia is a household name locally and abroad, producing over 10,000 graduates who are contributing to the Malaysian healthcare sector! The university is also the first Indo-Malaysian collaboration in education and among the pioneers of private education in the country. 

Reason 2: You will enjoy state-of-the-art tech in class

Students will have an immersive experience at university ensuring that they are all-rounded when they enter the workforce. Students will have more tutorials, research on clinical case correlations, and even operation theatre simulation training. This is further backed up with the help of state-of-the-art technologies such as an anatomage table that provides 3D visualisation, and a virtual dissection tool for anatomy and physiology.

Reason 3: Campuses for different purposes

Students will study their pre-clinical years (Years 1 & 2) at the Melaka campus, before being placed in the Muar campus for their clinical years (Years 3 – 5), where they will also be placed in hospitals around Johor. Students at Manipal International University Malaysia will also be able to study abroad through a one-month clinical elective posting at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India.

Yes, with affordable MBBS course fees, you can also study overseas! Alternatively, this elective can also be conducted locally. 

Reason 4: Gain important knowledge before setting out for the real thing

Another unique feature of the medical course at the university is an extra preparatory stage before practicing. Students will undergo shadow housemanship in their final year, and the practice allows students to follow a houseman to experience “almost real life” working conditions. Sort of like a practical before the practical, if you can picture it. 

Reason 5: Ample provisions for a full MBBS experience

Virtual equipment and facilities aside, partnerships with various teaching hospitals in the country also mean that students have over 1,000 patient beds to work with when they study at Manipal University College Malaysia. Within the campus, more facilities help enhance students’ skills. 

4. SEGI University

Foundation Course Fees	From RM14,400 – 21,060
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM365,550
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS At SEGI University?

Reason 1: Well-known affordable MBBS provider

When it comes to affordable MBBS course fees, you’re bound to stumble upon SEGI University.  The MBBS degree at the university is also 1 of only 2 institutes in Malaysia to receive a 5 Star Plus rating from QS ratings for Prioritizing Society’s Needs in Malaysia, and among only 20 institutions globally to achieve this. 

Reason 2: Practice exclusively in Sarawak

Students will conduct their pre-clinical years at the campus in the Kota Damansara campus, benefiting from a wealth of clinical methodologies before doing their clinical years from Year 3 onwards at the SEGI Sibu Clinical Campus. The university is the only institute with exclusive access to Sibu Hospital, the second-largest hospital in Sarawak,

Reason 3: Partnership with Duke University and specialisations

Students will have the opportunity to use the SEGi-Duke-Clinical Research Centre, which was built to survey and diagnose respiratory viruses. The CRC also served as a testing hub during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another exclusive feature that SEGI University provides for its students is exposure to 21 specialist expertise areas to help broaden their horizons before coming out to practice. 

Reason 4: A pathway to the USA, incorporated

Need a pathway to the USA? SEGi University also provides this! The university also incorporates preparatory courses for the USMLE for students from Year 2 onwards. Taking this examination allows students to practice medicine or residency in the USA. 

Reason 5: Ample facilities on all campuses

During the 5 years of studying at SEGi, students have the privilege to access these facilities, present on both campuses:

5. AIMST University

Foundation Course Fees	RM10,900
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM326,100
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS At AIMST University?

Reason 1: Non-profit with a great local reputation

AIMST University is a non-profit private university established in 2001, and is the 3rd oldest medical school in Malaysia, producing 2,000 doctors to date. The university aims to offer world-class education at affordable rates to all, as aspired by its founder, Tun Dato’ Seri Utama S. Samy Vellu. 

Reason 2: UK syllabus at home, with a hint of personalisation

Located in Bedong, Kedah, students will spend the whole period of their studies here. The syllabus is referenced heavily from major medical schools in the UK, and will be exposed to many practical elements even during their pre-clinical phase. 

A unique aspect of ensuring students can also explore different paths of the medical discipline is through the Special Study Modules (SSM). Students will be conducting research based on the topics provided in the SSM, present in Years 2, 4, and 5, helping them gain strength in the area of research. 

Reason 3: Key practical facilities a stone’s throw away

Students will also be gaining exposure to dealing with patients on campus, with a health clinic that is built within the campus. The clinic is managed by doctors in the university, who become guides to students who are there during their clinical practice phase.

Being a health-centric university, students at AIMST University can use on-campus facilities provided for them to help them gain more practical knowledge before setting off for their future careers. Facilities include anatomy and pathology museums, clinical skills laboratory, and 4 teaching hospitals with a combined bed strength of over 2,000. 

Teaching hospitals: 

• Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Sungai Petani, Kedah
• Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah
• Hospital Kulim Kedah
• Hospital Kepala Batas Penang

Reason 4: You still have the opportunity to study abroad!

With a fraction of the cost, students can also study medicine abroad with a 5-week elective posting at partner hospitals in the UK, Australia, Phillippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and India during their final year. This 5-week elective posting can also be done locally, at national centres or hospitals.

6. UCSI University

Foundation Course Fees	From RM17,205 – 23,000
Undergraduate MBBS Course Fees	RM372,260
Duration of degree	5 years

Why Study MBBS At UCSI University?

Reason 1: The first private university to offer MBBS in Malaysia

Now, we did mention a university that was one of the pioneers in private medical health sciences in Malaysia earlier, but we’re going to read about the first to do it in Malaysia; UCSI University. Established in 1992, the university is also the 2nd best private university in Malaysia.

Reason 2: Has its very own hospital

Throughout this article you’ve read about universities having dedicated faculty buildings to themselves, but what about a university having a hospital that isn’t just open to the public, but dedicated to teaching students during their clinical years?

UCSI MBBS students will be placed at the Springhill Campus in Negeri Sembilan, where the UCSI Hospital is also located. The hospital is private but will be opening its public wing soon, and as mentioned earlier serves the community nearby, and is also the student’s dedicated teaching hospital. 

And with the MBBS course fees under RM400,000? Convincing enough?

Reason 3: Brush shoulders with the greats!

The course opens prestigious doors thanks to UCSI’s collaboration with the best institutions in the world. Since 2014, UCSI students have had the opportunity to pursue a 1-year research programme at Harvard University, and this partnership is still ongoing. Students will also have weekly online training sessions with experts from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Reason 4: Modern-day facilities to be up-to-date

UCSI keeps up to date with the latest technologies the industry incorporates so that students are prepared for the ever-modernising landscape of medicine. Facilities include computerised multi-purpose labs, 3D cyber anatomy software for anatomy dissection sessions, and the list goes on:

Yes, You Can Afford To Study Medicine In Malaysia!

So, studying medicine might not leave such a huge dent to your bank account, and there are institutions in Malaysia that can provide you with the best medical education there is, with really affordable MBBS course fees!

Have you been gunning to study medicine in Malaysia, but don’t know where to start? Uni Enrol’s counsellors are ready to help you from A-Z!