Global Acceptance of Malaysian Qualifications: What Indian Students Need to Know Before Pursuing Foreign Study

2 August 2025

Seeking higher education overseas is a wish for most Indian students, and Malaysia has increasingly become a popular choice with the world-class universities it boasts, modest tuition fees, and multicultural society. But one of the most frequently asked questions by students and parents alike is: “Will a Malaysian degree be recognized in India or internationally?”

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we know how crucial this query is while making plans for your higher education and career. This article provides a simplified, recent, and student-centric synopsis of how Malaysian degrees are recognized all over the world, including their worth in India and elsewhere.

Malaysian Degrees: Internationally Recognised and Industry-Aligned

Universities in Malaysia, both local universities and offshore campus universities such as Monash University Malaysia, University of Nottingham Malaysia, and Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, provide globally accredited courses. Most of these universities are placed on the QS World University Rankings 2025, with University of Malaya having a good place globally.

Malaysian qualifications are typically instructed in English and have an international curriculum standard, particularly those based on the UK and Australia education systems. Such makes them highly sought after in English-speaking nations and throughout Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of Europe.

Recognition of Malaysian Degrees in India

Malaysian qualifications are acceptable in India if the awarding institution is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and included in the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) list of equivalences. If the awarding institution is a foreign branch campus (i.e., Monash or Nottingham), then it is essentially considered equivalent to a foreign degree and can be accepted directly by Indian institutions or employers.

But in the case of professional courses like medicine, law, and engineering, Indian students need to verify regulatory authorities like NMC, Bar Council of India, or AICTE for approval of the course before admission.

International Acceptance of Malaysian Degrees

Malaysia has entered into mutual recognition agreements with numerous nations. This enables graduates from Malaysian institutions to pursue higher studies or work in countries such as:

United Kingdom: Postgraduate applications and employment are readily accepted with Malaysian qualifications, particularly twinning or franchised degrees.

Australia and New Zealand: Accepted because of the same academic paradigms and collaborative arrangements. 

United States and Canada: Malaysian credentials are usually assessed by credential evaluation services such as WES or ECE, and most students have no problems taking Master’s and PhDs.

Gulf Countries and Asia-Pacific: Malaysian qualifications are in great demand in UAE, Qatar, Singapore, and Japan as a result of firm bilateral labor and education relationships.

Professional Licensing and Postgraduate Admissions

Although academic accreditation is universally accepted, students pursuing careers that need licensing (such as medicine, law, pharmacy, and architecture) have to ensure the country they intend to work in has any required licensing. Malaysian bachelor’s degrees are widely accepted by most international universities, including US, UK, Canadian, and German universities, for postgraduate study.

Education in Malaysia provides a combination of affordability, global recognition, and high-quality education. Provided that students opt for accredited programs and institutions, a Malaysian degree can lead to opportunities around the world, including India. BCES Admissions Abroad advises Indian students to select suitable universities and ensures their qualifications are suited to their intended future.

Still Lost on Degree Recognition? Let BCES Admissions Abroad guide you into taking the correct choice. Our professional counselors are at your finger tips. Call us today at +91 9319996328 to receive free advice on studying in Malaysia and elsewhere.