Online learning provides an alternative way for students to gain subject-specific knowledge and skills. This learning format has been gaining popularity in Malaysia, especially in recent years, due to rapid technological advancements and the pandemic. Many universities are recognising the need to offer more flexibility and accessibility to students, resulting in more online courses being offered by various institutions.
What is an online course?
An online course is a virtual educational experience conducted on an e-learning platform. It typically involves online lectures, interactive assessments, and opportunities for collaboration with peers and lecturers over the internet.
Online programmes are a great option for working professionals and mature learners who are busy with personal and professional obligations, as many courses offer self-paced learning.
Read further to discover all about studying an online course in Malaysia.
Types of online courses in Malaysia
You can find many types of online university courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Malaysia. You have a wide array of options depending on your study level. These online programmes cover various disciplines and have varying study durations.
- Diplomas: There are online diploma courses in business, business management, logistics management and more. You can typically finish your studies in two to two and a half years.
- Bachelor’s degrees: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree can explore various online programmes such as accounting, international business and manufacturing management. These programmes usually take three to five years to complete.
- Master’s degrees: Online courses may cover project management, facility management and human resource management. The common duration period of these courses is three years.
- Doctorate degrees: There are also online doctorates in finance, business administration, management and more. These programmes generally take three to four years of study.
Some courses offer practical training to help you gain hands-on experience to complement your online education. Online programmes are also available for part-time study for busy working professionals. You may find courses that accept student intakes all year round due to their self-paced learning modes with no scheduled classes.
You can compare online courses and universities here.
Choosing the right online course
There are many factors to consider that can help you choose a course that suits you, such as:
- Career goals: The first thing you need to do is to establish your long-term professional objectives. Once you figure out what industry you want to enter and what knowledge and skills are necessary for your career, you can determine your preferred study area.
- Course content: Once you know what to study, you can look for online courses that align with your interests and professional goals. Take the time to go through the subjects offered in the course to check if they’re relevant to you. You can also check the assessment methods and delivery formats to see if they match your learning style.
- Flexibility: Online courses are a popular choice for individuals who want to study at their own pace. Find out if your desired course allows you 24/7 access to course materials, provides recorded lectures and offers flexible deadlines. Some programmes are also available in part-time mode for busy working professionals.
- Accreditation: Ensure the course is accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). This ensures that the programme meets the required quality standards and is recognised by other educational institutions and employers. Some courses are also accredited by other professional organisations, which adds more value and recognition to your qualification.
- Faculty expertise: Investigate if the lecturers for the course have relevant expertise in their field. You can gain great insight from lecturers with years of industrial or research experience.
- Student support: As you will be studying by yourself, knowing how you will be assisted throughout your online learning journey is crucial. Check the availability of student support services such as virtual library resources, career counselling, technical support and other forms of assistance that can enrich your learning experience.
Top institutions offering online courses
Discover various online courses offered by higher education institutions in Malaysia. These institutions are arranged according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 for Malaysian universities in the Asia region.
Undergraduate level
| University | Programme |
|---|---|
| University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia |
Diploma in Business Management Online
|
| INTI International University |
Bachelor of Business (Hons) Business Administration Online
|
| Multimedia University (MMU) |
Bachelor of Management (Hons) Online
|
| Open University Malaysia (OUM) |
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Online
|
| UNITAR International University |
Diploma in Business Administration Online
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Online
|
| MILA University |
Diploma in Business Administration Online Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Online
|
| MAHSA University |
Bachelor of Business Administration Online
|
| SEGi University |
Bachelor of Business Management (Hons) Online
|
Postgraduate level
| University | Programme |
|---|---|
| University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia |
Master of Business Administration ODL
|
| Taylor's University |
Master of Business Administration Online
|
| UCSI University |
Master of Business Administration Online
|
| INTI International University |
Master of Business Administration Online
Doctor of Business Administration Online
|
| Sunway University |
Master of Business Administration Online
|
| Asia Pacific University (APU) |
Master of Business Administration Online
|
| Multimedia University (MMU) |
Executive Master of Business Administration
|
| Open University Malaysia (OUM) |
Doctor of Business Administration Online
|
| UNITAR International University |
Master of Business Administration Online
Doctor of Business Administration Online
|
| MAHSA University |
Master of Business Administration ODL
|
| SEGi University |
Master of Business Administration Online (Global Business)
|
| HELP University |
Master of Business Administration Online
|
FAQs about online courses in Malaysia
Yes, online courses offered by educational institutions in Malaysia are respected just as much as face-to-face courses. Online students will graduate with the same amount of knowledge and expertise as their on-campus peers. They will also develop important life skills during their online learning journey, such as time management, self-discipline and digital literacy, which employers highly favour. These qualities will help them stand out in a competitive job market.
While online and traditional courses share the same syllabus, there are some distinctions between the two formats. Traditional programmes usually require students to attend physical classes at universities. Online programmes are more accessible as they use digital platforms to reach students regardless of where they are located.
Traditional courses typically have a fixed class schedule that students need to adhere to. In comparison, many online university courses adopt a self-paced learning mode, allowing students to study when it’s convenient for them.
The cost of traditional degrees may also be different from the cost of online degrees. Some universities offer cheaper online courses than their on-campus counterparts, making online education a more cost-effective option for students.
You can save money as some online courses are cheaper than face-to-face courses. You also don’t have to spend money commuting to attend classes and finding accommodation if you live far from the university. Studying online allows you to study in the comfort of your own home. This provides accessibility to choose from a wide variety of courses from various universities. Many online courses are often self-paced, so you can study at any time that suits your schedule. If you are a working professional, you can pursue your education without compromising your professional commitments.
Online courses are accredited if they’re offered by higher education institutions recognised by the Malaysian Government. Some online programmes of specific disciplines may also be accredited by relevant professional organisations, such as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). These additional recognitions help to add more value for graduates when they enter the job market.
While there are no scholarships specifically for online courses in general, you can apply for scholarships offered by your university. Many institutions have their own financial funds to help their students, with no mention of where they need to complete their studies according to their eligibility criteria. This may allow online students to share the same eligibility for scholarships as on-campus students unless stated otherwise.
You can also apply for scholarships provided by universities that exclusively offer online courses, such as Open University Malaysia (OUM) and Wawasan Open University. OUM offers tuition fee waivers for three consecutive semesters to successful applicants enrolled in diploma or bachelor’s degree programmes at the university.
It’s also worth checking out scholarships offered by external organisations, such as the Hong Leong Foundation Scholarship and the CIMB Asean Scholarship. These scholarships are open to undergraduate students with varying eligibility conditions. Postgraduate students can look into the Khazanah Watan Scholarship. There is no mention of where you should be located to pursue your studies, so you may be able to apply.
You can apply for a study loan if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for any scholarships. Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) is a government body that determines your loan according to your household income. The organisation covers long-distance learning programmes offered by selected public universities. This fund is available to students pursuing their education at diploma, master’s or PhD level.
Universities offer various application methods. You may complete an online application form and submit it directly on the university’s website. Some institutions allow you to download the form and send it by post, email, or fax. In some cases, you may be required to create an account on their website to access the application form.
Delve further in online courses in Malaysia
Studying an online university course offers you a plethora of benefits. You can gain the same job-ready skills as your on-campus peers at a lower cost and study at any location. Remote learning also improves your self-discipline as you would be studying by yourself. You can explore diverse online programmes offered by institutions in Malaysia at the top of the page.