Studying a doctorate is a great venture for individuals who want to conduct research in their field of work or study. You have the freedom to choose your subject area and how you want the research to be done while receiving support and guidance from an experienced supervisor.

Doctorate courses help you to begin or continue your research with the end goal of contributing valuable and new knowledge to your discipline or creating impactful solutions to current issues within your industry. 

Before registering for a doctorate programme, it’s best to equip yourself with knowledge of what it entails. Read further to find out how you can study a doctorate in Malaysia.

What is a doctorate?

A doctorate is the highest formal degree in education. According to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), this degree is regarded as a Level 8 learning achievement.

Studying a doctorate typically involves performing advanced and independent research or a project related to a specialised field under the guidance of a qualified supervisor. Upon graduating, the credential serves as evidence of your mastery of a specific area of profession or academic discipline.

You can enrol in a doctorate programme by research, coursework or mixed mode. The minimum credit you need to fulfil in a doctorate degree by coursework and mixed mode is 80 credits. A research-based doctorate doesn’t require any credit.

PhD vs doctorate

Some individuals may wonder about the difference between a doctorate and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A doctorate is an umbrella term for all doctoral-level degrees and can either be academic or professional. While both are doctoral degrees, they serve different interests and purposes.

A PhD is an academic doctorate designed to produce scholars who can contribute new academic knowledge in their respective fields, such as business and finance. PhD students typically perform theoretical research to produce a thesis or dissertation.

Another way to gain this academic qualification is through the PhD by prior publication pathway. This is a fast-track degree for students who did not take the traditional academic route leading to a PhD but have experience conducting research projects and own a portfolio of publications that are published in reputable journals.

PhD programmes are suited for students aiming for professional roles in academia and research organisations.

While PhDs are more theoretical in nature, professional doctorates are more practical. This application-based programme focuses on identifying complex issues within a specific industry, performing research to address them and developing practical solutions to solve these real-world problems.

Those pursuing professional doctorates are usually experienced industry practitioners looking to enter higher-ranking leadership roles within their field.

What are the entry requirements for a doctorate?

Academic requirement

The MQA outlines different entry requirements to a doctorate programme according to your qualification. Keep in mind that these are general admission guidelines and universities may have their own requirements.

Students applying for a doctorate research programme with a master’s degree qualification:

• A master’s degree in the field or related fields; OR
• Other qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree recognised by the Malaysian Government.
• Candidates without a qualification or working experience in the relevant fields must complete appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the university.

Students applying for a doctorate research programme with a bachelor’s degree qualification:

• A first-class bachelor's degree in the field or related fields with a CGPA of 3.67 or higher or its equivalent from an academic or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
• Candidates will undergo an internal assessment and must complete any other requirements from the university.

Students with a bachelor’s degree qualification registered for a master’s degree programme may apply to convert to a doctorate degree by research programme. They are subjected to the following conditions: 

• The application is submitted within one year after registering for their master’s programme for full-time and within two years for part-time candidates. 
• The candidate has shown competency and capability in conducting research at a doctoral level through rigorous internal evaluation by the university. 

Students applying to enter a PhD by prior publication programme must submit a formal application to the university that contains the following: 

• a minimum of five publications or equivalent works aligned with their specialisation; AND
• an executive summary of the above publications; AND
• a list of scholarly published or equivalent work.

Language requirement

Applicants are usually required to have a sufficient level of English language proficiency. Universities may accept results from different English language examinations with varying pass marks. Some of them include:

• Malaysian University English Test (MUET)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International Benchmark Test (IBT)
• Cambridge English or Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Some universities provide exemptions for students from English-speaking countries and those with qualifications taught in English, as long as they provide supporting documents. 

APEL.A

Local and international students who have relevant work experience may consider the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access (APEL.A) pathway. This is an initiative established by the MQA to help students who don’t meet academic requirements to gain entry to higher education institutions in Malaysia.

You must be at least 35 years old and have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. You are also required to have a minimum of five years of work experience after completing your bachelor’s programme.

The APEL.A assessment begins with a portfolio submission. You will also need to submit and present a research proposal related to your study area. You will then attend an interview as the final part of the assessment. Upon passing it, you will receive an APEL.A certification.

Keep in mind that the qualification doesn’t offer a guaranteed entry to your desired programme. You will still need to adhere to the university’s admission procedures. 

How long does it take to complete a doctorate?

According to the MQA, the common study duration for a full-time and part-time PhD and professional doctorate is three and four years, respectively. This applies to doctorates by research, coursework and mixed mode.

The minimum study period for a PhD by prior publication is six months and students must not exceed two years.

However, the specific duration of each doctorate may differ according to the programme design, area of study, mode of learning and the university offering the degree.

Can I study a doctorate online?

Yes, you can study a doctorate online. Many local universities offer online doctorate programmes to provide flexibility for students and working professionals who can’t take a career break. It will typically take three to four years to complete an online doctorate degree.

Studying an online doctorate can help you save money. Some online courses are cheaper than their on-campus counterparts. Furthermore, you can study in the comfort of your own home since you do not have to attend physical classes, allowing you to save money on accommodation since you don’t have to relocate closer to your institution.

Opting for this learning mode can also help you save time as you do not have to travel to the university. You can arrange online consultations with your supervisor without visiting their office. You will be able to spend time focusing on doing fieldwork and collecting data for your research.

Online doctorate degrees have the same amount of value as face-to-face programmes. You will need to ensure your doctorate programme is accredited by the MQA.

Discover various online doctorates offered by universities in Malaysia here.

Why should I study a doctorate?

Obtaining a doctorate doesn’t just grant you a certificate and a title. You can gain many benefits from acquiring one, such as:

• Become a subject matter expert: Build upon what you’ve learned in your bachelor’s or master's education and make valuable contributions to your specialised field by bringing in new knowledge with your research findings.
• Develop transferable skills: As a doctorate student, you will need various skills in conducting and presenting your research, such as problem-solving, collaborating with others and effective communication. These skills are highly favoured by employers across diverse industries.
• Build professional connections: Studying a doctorate programme provides numerous opportunities to grow your network and connect with students, faculty members and industry experts in your field. Keeping in contact with them can be valuable for your professional growth.
• Grow your career prospects: A doctorate degree can open more career paths in your specialised field. You can become a lecturer at a university, a communications expert or a researcher in the public and private sectors.

Top universities offering doctorates

You can check out the list below to find various business-related doctorate programmes offered in the country. These institutions are ranked according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 for Malaysian universities in the Asia region.

Doctorates in business

Doctorates in management

Doctorates in other fields

FAQs about doctorates in Malaysia

Conclusion

Graduating with a doctorate grants you various career opportunities in your specialised study area. These courses help you build in-demand research skills that play a big role in academia and other professional industries. Begin your journey to pursue the highest academic qualification in Malaysia by exploring a diverse range of doctorates at the top of this page.