Is MBA in Malaysia worth it? Here are the Pros and Cons

Is MBA worth it in Malaysia?

Yes.

There are plenty of benefits of studying MBA, or Master of Business Administration, in Malaysia.

If you are an international student, living in Malaysia costs much less compared to living in the US, UK, and other English-speaking countries.

English is commonly used in Malaysia aside from the national language (Bahasa Malaysia), so you’ll be able to adapt easily.

Malaysian students also benefit from getting their MBA locally because the fees are much cheaper.

MBAs in Malaysia are very affordable, costing about RM20,000 - RM31,000 (Public university) and RM30,000 - RM265,000 (Private university). 

Top universities for MBA in Malaysia include:

• Universiti Malaya (UM)
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

There are more universities in Malaysia that offer MBA full-time and part-time. You can find out more in this guide to MBA in Malaysia.

What are the Pros and Cons of MBA?

Pros:

1. Earn a higher salary

A survey revealed that 38% of job candidates studied for an MBA to raise their salary.

Employers are also willing to pay more to MBA graduates due to their versatile skill set, communication skills, and strategic thinking. 

2. Be noticeable among hiring managers

Having an MBA degree on your resume already gives a good impression of the potential you possess.

Of course, your performance in interviews matters too, but with an MBA degree, you will stand out more than your peers in a job search.

3. Upgrade transferable skills and knowledge

MBA programmes consist of modules that ensure you gain all the skills and knowledge that matter in your career progression, as shown by the course offered by Taylor’s University:

• Project Management and Consultancy
• Managing Decisions
• Leadership: Leadership and Management of Change
• Research Methodology for Executive
• Delivering Value to Customers

Cons:

1. Your MBA doesn’t guarantee a job position

Your MBA is not a free pass to any job you want. You have to work for it, just like everyone else. Put effort into your job search and interview.

Your employer wants to know what you can do to help the company improve, not just for the fact that you have an MBA degree.

2. There are scams related to MBA degrees

Be careful not to fall victim to scams that offer extremely cheap MBAs. The people behind these unethical ways are only going after your money.

As a result, you might end up with a fake, non-credible certificate. Make sure to research about certified and accredited institutions before you enrol.

3. MBA is more useful in business/management-related fields

Do what is suitable for your own career and expertise. MBA is a niche programme that specialises in business and management fields.

If you wish to upskill and improve in your current field, it is better to take a relevant Master’s degree instead, which brings us to the next point.

Do you know the actual difference between MBA and Master’s?

We’ll break it down for you:

MBA - MBA involves finance, leadership, technology, and marketing subjects. You gain a deeper understanding of business management. It is an ideal programme if you aspire to explore roles in management, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.

Master’s degree - Students typically choose this course to achieve a higher standard of expertise in a particular field to boost their career development. It is best to study a Master's degree that is relevant to your Bachelor’s degree.

Where to find online MBA in Malaysia?

With the pandemic halting most physical classes, online MBA is a great option for you to further your studies.

These Malaysian universities and branch campuses offer top-quality online MBA programmes accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA):

• Universiti Sains Malaysia 
• UNITAR International University
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
• UCSI University
• Putra Business School
• Taylor’s University
• Heriot-Watt University

How much can I earn with MBA?

With an MBA degree, you can explore more managerial and leadership roles that offer higher salaries*, such as:

Financial Analyst: RM 47,009 per year

Accounting Manager: RM 58,958 per year

Management Consultant: RM 65,439 per year

Chief Financial Officer (CFO): RM 100,000 per year

*average salaries with 1 - 4 years of experience