INTERNATIONAL student applications to Malaysia are expected to surpass 100,000 this year for the first time.
This, says Education Malaysia Global Services chief marketing officer Shahrill Sabarudin, is due to the country’s higher education ecosystem becoming increasingly attractive to students from across the world.
“Malaysia’s strong quality assurance framework has helped build international confidence in our higher education sector,” he said at the launch of the United Kingdom-Malaysia Transnational Education Network (UK-Malaysia TNE Network) in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Transnational education (TNE) refers to an education model in which students have access to an international learning experience without having to leave their nation’s borders.
Led by the British Council, the UK-Malaysia TNE Network will bring together universities, policymakers, regulators and sector stakeholders to share insights, address common challenges and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
The network also aims to showcase the impact of UK TNE in supporting student success, internationalisation and skills development across the region.
Welcoming the establishment of the network, Shahrill said greater collaboration between institutions would support Malaysia’s aspirations to strengthen its position as a regional education hub.
“For UK TNE programmes, quality assurance processes are strengthened further through oversight by both Malaysian and UK quality assurance bodies, providing additional confidence to students, parents and employers,” he said.
Speaking at the event on Sept 3, British Council Malaysia country director Jazreel Goh said there continues to be strong demand among young people in South-East Asia for UK qualifications delivered closer to home.
“In 2024/25, the region recorded its fastest growth in UK TNE enrolments in a decade, with Malaysia playing a significant role.
“UK TNE enrolments in Malaysia grew by around 11% compared to the previous year, reflecting the continued confidence students place in UK education and Malaysia as a study destination,” she said.
She added that Malaysia’s UK TNE sector has evolved into a globally recognised success story.
“Over several decades, it has widened access to high-quality UK education, created opportunities for students from Malaysia and across the region, and supported the development of talent and expertise needed for future economies,” she said.
She noted that UK TNE remains highly valued because it combines academic excellence with the transferable skills increasingly sought by employers.
Beyond qualifications, students gain critical thinking, problem-solving, independent learning and research capabilities, she elaborated.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma, who officiated at the event, said TNE has been central to the UK-Malaysia education partnership for many years and remains one of the strongest examples of educational collaboration between the two countries.
“The launch of the network reflects our shared commitment to ensuring this partnership continues to grow and evolve. By working together, we can expand access to education, nurture talent, strengthen research and innovation, and create new opportunities for students and institutions across the region,” he said.
The event, which took place during the UK-Malaysia TNE Leadership Forum 2026, also marked the launch of the third edition of the UK-Malaysia Education Guide, developed by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), and the TNE Handbook, developed by the British High Commission.
During the forum, Quacquarelli Symonds regional partnerships director E Way Chong noted that by 2030, around 8.5 million international students are expected to study abroad, with significant growth in intraregional mobility across East Asia and the Pacific.
“Malaysia is well positioned to benefit from these trends due to its quality higher education offerings, affordability and strong international partnerships,” he said.
He added that international student enrolments in Malaysia continue to grow, with increasing interest from China and other key Asian markets, and urged institutions to maintain a strong focus on teaching quality, student experience and academic reputation.
