Planning to Study in Malaysia? Here's Your Complete 2026 Intake & Application Deadline Guide

31 July 2025

Planning to go for higher studies in Malaysia in 2026? You are not the only one. Malaysia has quietly become one of the most affordable and student-friendly global education centers, especially for Indian students in search of good quality studies at moderate rates. From globally acclaimed universities like University of Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to traditional private universities like Taylor’s University and Sunway University, Malaysia offers various intakes with definite deadlines and globally recognized degrees. But for your international learning experience to be seamless, the application schedule as much as anything else is important to know.

We assist Indian students in overcoming deadlines, submitting proper applications, and getting admissions at the best Malaysian universities. To give you a head start for the year 2026, we have divided the major intakes, what they are, and when to apply for your best possible success.

How to Understand Malaysia’s Major Intakes for 2026

Two large intakes occur in the majority of Malaysian universities, i.e., in February/March and September/October, whereas smaller intakes occur in June or July in some universities. Universiti Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia are public universities which have only fixed intakes, whereas the private universities may have intakes at any time.

In brief, you should learn the following:

1. February/March Intake in 2026

It is the most common intake among Indians for the program such as diploma and bachelor degrees in the private colleges.

• Application Window: Opens as early as August 2025 and can go up until December 2025.
• Best for students who prefer applying early in the year and can arrange their academic calendar according to Indian academic dates.

2. September/October 2026 Intake

It is the main intake of most Malaysian universities, particularly public universities. Various bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD courses open here.

• Application Window: Tends to open in February 2026 and close by June or July 2026.
• Competitive courses like engineering, medicine, and international business also get filled soon, and hence early application is recommended.

3. Short Intake (June/July 2026)

There are certain private universities that admit a short intake mid-year for a few programs like hospitality, IT, or business.

• Application Window: Tends to open sometime in February 2026 and may continue until April or May 2026.
• This intake is for latecomers to the previous deadlines or individuals who want an immediate academic head-start and do not wish to wait for the regular sessions.

Latest Update: What Changed for 2026?

All Malaysian universities in the 2026 cycle have digitized their admission websites and are implementing completely online applications. Other than that, some universities have also revised their deadline policy to favor early application at least 2–3 months prior to admission opening. International students from India are suggested to prepare documents like transcripts, passport, statement of purpose, and English language test scores (IELTS or equivalent) in advance.

In addition, since 2026, EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) has implemented shorter processing times for visas, with a goal of issuing student passes within 14–21 working days, and early submission is all the more essential.

Why Timing Is Important

Procrastinating may lead to fewer course choices, delayed processing of visas, or failing eligibility for scholarships. Malaysian universities also follow the rolling admissions practice, where prior applicants receive faster responses.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we take you through all the steps – right from shortlisting the colleges to sending applications and visa approvals. Our team members do not let you miss a single deadline and make the best available offer available to you. Contact BCES Admissions Abroad today at +91 9319996328 and let our expert counsellors help you navigate the 2026 admissions process with ease and confidence.