Bangladeshi students are increasingly turning to Malaysia as a preferred destination for higher education, with enrolments surging nearly 47 percent in a single year. According to data from Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), 6,103 Bangladeshi students enrolled in Malaysian institutions in 2024. By November 2025, that number had jumped to 8,957, indicating a rapid rise in demand for Malaysian education among Bangladeshi families. Malaysia now ranks second in international student enrolment growth in the country, behind China, which saw a rise from 19,202 students in 2023 to 29,388 this year.
India follows Bangladesh in third place.
Education experts attribute this growing trend to a mix of affordability, academic quality, safety, and international recognition of degrees. “Malaysian universities offer comparatively low tuition fees, a politically stable campus environment, and degrees that are widely accepted in Europe,” told Daily Industry Dr. Mohammad Ali Zinnah, a professor at the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka. “Parents with means want safe, high-quality education for their children. Malaysia offers all of this along with strong research capacity, minimal security concerns, and straightforward admission processes. That combination explains the spike in Bangladeshi enrolments.”
Cost, Safety, and Recognition Driving the Trend: For many Bangladeshi students, cost-effectiveness remains a key factor. Sumaiya Jafrin Chowdhury, a postgraduate student at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), explained, “Malaysian universities are far ahead in terms of academic standards and research facilities. Compared with that quality, both tuition and living costs are low.” She also highlighted the additional advantages, such as the possibility of bringing spouses and parents and access to scholarships after enrollment.
Degrees from Malaysian universities also offer strong international mobility. “Many students cannot move directly from Bangladesh to Europe. Studying in Malaysia makes that pathway much easier later. That’s one of the main reasons so many students are choosing the country,” said Sumaiya.
Cultural and religious familiarity further reinforces Malaysia’s appeal. “Parents can visit without the visa hurdles and high costs typical of Western destinations,” she noted. “That sense of accessibility makes students feel more comfortable.”
Rising Global Profile of Malaysian Universities: Malaysia’s global university rankings have also contributed to its appeal. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, 27 Malaysian universities now appear on global tables-the second-highest number in ASEAN after Indonesia. Seven of the top ten universities in the region are Malaysian.
Among the top institutions, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and Universiti Malaya (UM) are ranked in the 201-250 global band, while Sunway University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) fall in the 301-350 range. Universities including Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) rank in the 401-500 bracket globally.
Dr. Zinnah noted that academic standards in Bangladesh fall short of expectations, with political instability often disrupting operations at domestic institutions. “Malaysia provides an internationally benchmarked, politically stable academic environment. This assurance, combined with lower costs and high-quality facilities, is why families are increasingly sending children there,” he said.
Rising Outbound Student Mobility: The trend of overseas study among Bangladeshis has been accelerating for several years. According to Bangladesh Bank, Bangladeshi students spent $662 million on foreign education in FY 2024-25, the highest on record, equivalent to BDT 80.79 billion at an exchange rate of BDT 122 per dollar.
Experts highlight that persistent gaps in quality at home and tighter visa regimes in Europe have pushed families to seek alternatives in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Professor Manzoor Ahmed, emeritus professor at BRAC University, told Daily Industry, “Expectations of quality education and better living standards continue to drive overseas study. Top students previously targeted the U.S. and Europe, but access to those destinations has narrowed. Malaysia is emerging as a practical alternative.”
Growing Demand Across All Levels: The surge is not limited to university enrolments. Md Jaris Islam, a PhD student at Universiti Tenaga Nasional and managing partner of Overseas Highway, which facilitates student admissions from Bangladesh, noted that demand has risen across secondary, higher secondary, and tertiary levels. “Fees at Malaysian schools and universities are now close to well-known institutions in Bangladesh, but Malaysia offers stronger academic standards and a better learning environment,” he said.
Jaris highlighted additional factors that make Malaysia attractive. “Student accommodation and flexible family arrangements reassure parents. Families can remain in Bangladesh or relocate if needed, which encourages guardians to send children abroad even before university,” he explained.
Job-market considerations in Bangladesh also influence student decisions. “Graduates from Malaysian institutions often find employment more easily and enjoy broader global recognition. Those who miss out on top universities in Bangladesh see Malaysia as a credible route to quality education and better prospects,” Jaris added.
Shifts in Global Destinations: Historically, the United States was the dominant destination for Bangladeshi students, with enrolment increasing nearly 250 percent over a decade-from 4,802 students in 2013-14 to 17,099 in 2023-24, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. However, new restrictions on foreign student admissions have slowed this momentum, and opportunities in Europe have also contracted.
“The combination of political stability, accessible campus environments, cost efficiency, and recognized degrees positions Malaysia as a leading alternative,” said Professor Manzoor Ahmed.
Implications for Bangladesh’s Education Sector: Experts warn that the trend reflects underlying challenges in the domestic education sector, including gaps in quality and limited capacity in top-tier universities. The growing preference for Malaysian education signals that families are willing to invest heavily in overseas study for better academic outcomes, safer environments, and enhanced career prospects.
“Bangladesh’s education system must urgently address quality, infrastructure, and research capacity to retain top students,” Dr. Zinnah emphasized. “If these issues are not addressed, the outflow of students will continue to grow, and families will increasingly view Malaysia as the preferred choice for higher education.”
Malaysia’s combination of affordability, quality, safety, and global recognition has made it an increasingly attractive destination for Bangladeshi students. With enrolments up 47 percent in just one year, experts predict that the trend will continue, fueled by gaps in domestic education, tight visa regimes in Western countries, and the pursuit of globally competitive qualifications. As Bangladesh faces ongoing challenges in its higher education sector, Malaysia’s rise as a preferred destination underscores the importance of improving academic standards, campus safety, and research opportunities at home to retain talent and meet the aspirations of students and families alike.
