If you've always wanted to study MBBS (Medical Degree) in Malaysia, our guide will show you everything you need to know.

From revealing the best medical universities in Malaysia to letting you know the detailed steps on how to be a doctor in Malaysia, this guide has got you covered.

Read on for more insights on studying a Medical Degree and becoming a doctor!

Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

✓One of the oldest MBBS programmes in Malaysia, with 49 batches to-date (as at 2022).

More Info

#1. What Is Medicine?

Medicine relates to diagnosing, treating and preventing a sickness, disease or injury. It involves utilising healthcare practices to maintain and restore the health and wellbeing of a person.

From treating the common cold to performing complex surgeries, doctors play a significant role in keeping today’s society well and healthy. When you are sick or unwell, a doctor performs an examination to find out the cause of your illness (also known as a “diagnosis”). The doctor then suggests suitable treatments for you and prescribes the right medication to help you recover.

As part of your Medical Degree, you will gain extensive knowledge in medical sciences and the right clinical skills to provide effective patient care. This includes being able to accurately diagnose and treat patients, explain treatments to patients and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.

Medical Fields and Specialties

Medicine as a whole is broad and multidisciplinary. There are many departments within medicine and you will require years of training and experience before you are able to specialise in a particular field.

Here are some of the specialties within medicine in major hospitals.

As part of your clinical training during your Medical Degree and your 2-year housemanship, you will be exposed to many of these major departments. This allows you to gain a good understanding of them before deciding on your medical specialty.

For more medical specialisations, you can check out the National Specialist Register.

Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

✓One of the oldest MBBS programmes in Malaysia, with 49 batches to-date (as at 2022).

More Info

#2. Entry Requirements to Study Medicine

a) What subjects are needed to study medicine?

To study a Medical Degree, you must have studied these subjects for SPM or equivalent, based on the Malaysian Medical Council’s (MMC) requirements for medicine:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics or Additional Mathematics

As for A-Level, STPM or equivalent, the required subjects are:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics or Mathematics

In addition to that, you must also have a level of competency in English to be able to successfully complete a Degree in Medicine.

b) What are the requirements to study medicine?

These are the general entry requirements to pursue a Degree in Medicine:

• A-Level: BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
• STPM: BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
• Australian Matriculation: Average of B in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics; and 5Bs in SPM including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics
• Foundation in Science or Matrikulasi: Minimum CGPA of 3.00 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics; and 5Bs in SPM including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics
• UEC: B5 in 5 subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Advanced Mathematics

#3. Studying a Medicine Course

a) What subjects will you study for a Medical Degree?

Most Medical Degrees are split into 2 phases — Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Phase 1 (the first 2 years of your degree) focuses on pre-clinical training in an academic setting where you’ll learn the theoretical basics of medical science. Some of the subjects you’ll study are:

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Pathology
• Clinical Medicine

Phase 2, which consists of the remaining years of your degree, focuses on clinical training where you will undertake clinical rotations at hospitals and health clinics. You will gain hands-on experience with patients and get the chance to try out various clinical disciplines such as general medicine, surgery, paediatrics and internal medicine.

b) How long is an MBBS Degree?

A Medical Degree is 5 years long in Malaysia.

c) How much does it cost to study medicine in Malaysia?

The total estimated fees to pursue a Medicine Degree in Malaysia for 5 years can range from RM250,000 to RM650,000.

#4. How to Become a Doctor in Malaysia

This is the general pathway to becoming a doctor in Malaysia.

• Step 1: Complete a pre-medical course (e.g. A-Level, STPM, Foundation in Science) after SPM.
• Step 2: Enrol in a MBBS Degree that's typically 5 years long.
• Step 3: Undergo 2 years of housemanship, which is a compulsory internship for all aspiring doctors.
• Step 4: Once you've completed your housemanship, you can apply for full registration as a medical officer with MMC.
• Step 5: You will need to continue 2 years of compulsory service with the government.
• Step 6: If you want to be a specialist (e.g. anaesthesiologist, gynaecologist, paediatrician), you will need to pursue postgraduate studies, which take about 4-5 years. You'll also need to undergo 2-4 years of supervised training as a specialist.
• Step 7: Finally, once you’ve met the criteria to be a specialist, you can register yourself with MMC as a specialist.

To summarise, it generally takes a total of 8-9 years to become a fully registered doctor after completing SPM, and more than 10 years to become a specialist.

#5. Should You Study Medicine?

a) Is medicine the right course for you?

If you find yourself pursuing medicine for the money, prestige or due to pressure from your parents, we highly encourage you to consider your decision carefully. This is because medical school can be demanding, time consuming and expensive.

Here are some questions to ponder before deciding to be a doctor:

• Do you consider yourself analytical and investigative?
• Do you enjoy conducting science experiments?
• Do your friends say you're a good listener?
• Do you have excellent grades in science and maths?
• Can you endure long hours and working night shifts?
• Are you prepared for a lifetime of study?

Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

✓One of the oldest MBBS programmes in Malaysia, with 49 batches to-date (as at 2022).

More Info

b) Skills required to be a doctor

Here are some key skills a good doctor should have:

• Compassion and a genuine concern for others
• Tenacity and determination
• Ability to think critically and solve problems
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong listening and communication skills when dealing with patients
• Good judgement and strong decision-making skills

#6. Job Options with a Medical Degree

Upon graduating with a Medical Degree, most medical graduates will go on to fulfil the requirements to become a medical doctor.

If you would like to be a medical specialist, you will need to pursue the relevant postgraduate qualifications. Here are some medical specialist careers:

• Paediatrician
• Psychiatrist
• Dermatologist
• Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Ophthalmologist
• Radiologist
• Vascular Surgeon

If you prefer alternative career options in non-clinical fields, you can consider the following jobs:

• Hospital Administrator
• Medical Researcher
• Medical Journalist
• Lecturer
• International Aid Worker

#7. Best Medical Universities in Malaysia

If medicine is right up your alley, then check out some of these Malaysian Medical Council recognised universities below. You can also use our university comparison tool to compare other medical schools in Malaysia.

• Featured

• Featured

Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)

Bukit Baru, Melaka

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Intake

Apr*, Oct

*This may be a special intake. Contact us to find out more.

Tuition Fees

RM360,000

More Info

One of the oldest private medical and dental institutions in Malaysia

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• One of the oldest MBBS programmes in Malaysia, with 49 batches to-date (as at 2022).
• Learn human anatomy using cadaver dissection, with real human body parts available in MUCM's Anatomy Museum, supplemented with a modern, state-of-the-art Anatomage table
• Gain valuable experience through Shadow Housemanship in Semester 10, where you are attached to a houseman, giving you the opportunity of being in operating theatres and practise simple tasks like taking blood samples and cleaning wounds
• Learn from MUCM's clinical teaching faculty, who are specialists with extensive years of clinical practice locally and overseas

• Bukit Baru: RM360,000

• Duration: 5 years

Highlights

• One of the oldest MBBS programmes in Malaysia, with 49 batches to-date (as at 2022).
• Learn human anatomy using cadaver dissection, with real human body parts available in MUCM's Anatomy Museum, supplemented with a modern, state-of-the-art Anatomage table
• Gain valuable experience through Shadow Housemanship in Semester 10, where you are attached to a houseman, giving you the opportunity of being in operating theatres and practise simple tasks like taking blood samples and cleaning wounds
• Learn from MUCM's clinical teaching faculty, who are specialists with extensive years of clinical practice locally and overseas

Campus

• Bukit Baru: RM360,000

Duration

• Duration: 5 years

More Details

View other institutions

IMU University

Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Intake

Feb, Sep

Tuition Fees

RM540,000

More Info

Malaysia's first and most established private medical and health sciences university

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• Largest private medical school in Malaysia
• Clinical exposure as early as Semester 1 and an intensive 6-month Senior Clerkship in Semester 10 (unique in Malaysia), enabling you to be better prepared for patient care
• Medical curriculum that’s benchmarked to international standards and is accepted by 21 international partner universities for credit transfer

• Bukit Jalil: RM540,000

• Duration: 5 years

Highlights

• Largest private medical school in Malaysia
• Clinical exposure as early as Semester 1 and an intensive 6-month Senior Clerkship in Semester 10 (unique in Malaysia), enabling you to be better prepared for patient care
• Medical curriculum that’s benchmarked to international standards and is accepted by 21 international partner universities for credit transfer

Campus

• Bukit Jalil: RM540,000

Duration

• Duration: 5 years

More Details

RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC)

George Town, Pulau Pinang

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB BCh BAO)

Intake

Sep

Tuition Fees

RM620,000

A RM500 application fee waiver code is available for EduAdvisor students enrolling in this programme. Contact us to obtain the code.

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• Guaranteed spot to study in Ireland, either in RCSI or UCD, for the first 2.5 years of your medical degree programme, enabling you to immerse in the rich academic traditions and learn from renowned professors and researchers at the forefront of medical innovation
• As the only medical school in Penang, RUMC students enjoy exclusive access to Penang's teaching hospitals, allowing you to benefit from direct patient interaction, dedicated support from clinical staff and a high patient-to-student ratio
• Awarded by the National University of Ireland (NUI), one of the most respected universities in the world, RUMC's medical degree is recognised by key international bodies such as ECFMG, FAIMER and WDOMS, enabling you to practice medicine in countless countries across the globe
• RUMC's dual accreditation from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and the Irish Medical Council (IMC) unlocks global career opportunities and opens doors for diverse practice, specialisation and collaboration

• George Town: RM620,000

• Duration: 2.5+2.5 years

Highlights

• Guaranteed spot to study in Ireland, either in RCSI or UCD, for the first 2.5 years of your medical degree programme, enabling you to immerse in the rich academic traditions and learn from renowned professors and researchers at the forefront of medical innovation
• As the only medical school in Penang, RUMC students enjoy exclusive access to Penang's teaching hospitals, allowing you to benefit from direct patient interaction, dedicated support from clinical staff and a high patient-to-student ratio
• Awarded by the National University of Ireland (NUI), one of the most respected universities in the world, RUMC's medical degree is recognised by key international bodies such as ECFMG, FAIMER and WDOMS, enabling you to practice medicine in countless countries across the globe
• RUMC's dual accreditation from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and the Irish Medical Council (IMC) unlocks global career opportunities and opens doors for diverse practice, specialisation and collaboration

Campus

• George Town: RM620,000

Duration

• Duration: 2.5+2.5 years

More Details

AIMST University

Semeling, Kedah

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Intake

Oct

Tuition Fees

RM319,750

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• Early clinical exposure, with 3 to 6 weeks of hospital postings in your first 2 years
• Shadow Housemanship in Year 5, where you are attached to a houseman and follow them like a shadow, and will have the opportunity of being in operating theatres and practise simple tasks like taking blood samples or cleaning wounds
• Opportunity to study Special Study Modules (SSM) which will provide you with early exposure to research for postgraduate studies
• Unique curriculum involving the community, including R.E.D. Association (AIMST students raise funds to help the underprivileged students) and medical camps (AIMST students volunteering at villages 7-8 weekends a year)

• Semeling: RM319,750

• Duration: 5 years

Highlights

• Early clinical exposure, with 3 to 6 weeks of hospital postings in your first 2 years
• Shadow Housemanship in Year 5, where you are attached to a houseman and follow them like a shadow, and will have the opportunity of being in operating theatres and practise simple tasks like taking blood samples or cleaning wounds
• Opportunity to study Special Study Modules (SSM) which will provide you with early exposure to research for postgraduate studies
• Unique curriculum involving the community, including R.E.D. Association (AIMST students raise funds to help the underprivileged students) and medical camps (AIMST students volunteering at villages 7-8 weekends a year)

Campus

• Semeling: RM319,750

Duration

• Duration: 5 years

More Details

MAHSA University

Bandar Saujana Putra, Selangor

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Intake

Sep

Tuition Fees

RM364,900

Fees indicated include a special scholarship that is applicable to all EduAdvisor students enrolling in this programme. T&C applies. Contact us to find out more.

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• Gain early exposure to clinical medicine at Hospital Tanjung Karang in your first 2 years
• You will be exposed to Problem-based learning (PBL) sessions, where clinical cases are presented, and students work through the basic science of the disease and the identification of symptoms, signs and interpreting a variety of laboratory tests to develop rational differential diagnoses
• A number of academic staff with Memberships and Fellowships of the Royal Colleges in the UK and regional professional bodies
• Exposure to community medicine during the clinical phase of the programme

• Bandar Saujana Putra: RM364,900

• Duration: 5 years

Highlights

• Gain early exposure to clinical medicine at Hospital Tanjung Karang in your first 2 years
• You will be exposed to Problem-based learning (PBL) sessions, where clinical cases are presented, and students work through the basic science of the disease and the identification of symptoms, signs and interpreting a variety of laboratory tests to develop rational differential diagnoses
• A number of academic staff with Memberships and Fellowships of the Royal Colleges in the UK and regional professional bodies
• Exposure to community medicine during the clinical phase of the programme

Campus

• Bandar Saujana Putra: RM364,900

Duration

• Duration: 5 years

More Details

University of Cyberjaya (UoC)

Cyberjaya, Selangor

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Intake

Oct

Tuition Fees

RM450,000

A special UoC scholarship is applicable to all EduAdvisor students enrolling in this programme. Contact us to find out more.

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Duration

• Opportunity to learn Disaster and Relief Medicine and gain clinical exposure at a military hospital, which helps to prepare you to work in humanitarian and relief missions
• You will learn anatomy by dissecting on real cadavers
• Exposure to clinical studies even during the first 2.5 years
• Successfully produced more than 11,000 graduates to date

• Cyberjaya: RM450,000

• Duration: 5 years

Highlights

• Opportunity to learn Disaster and Relief Medicine and gain clinical exposure at a military hospital, which helps to prepare you to work in humanitarian and relief missions
• You will learn anatomy by dissecting on real cadavers
• Exposure to clinical studies even during the first 2.5 years
• Successfully produced more than 11,000 graduates to date

Campus

• Cyberjaya: RM450,000

Duration

• Duration: 5 years

More Details