Top 5 Popular Degree Courses in Malaysia 2026: Student Numbers, Graduate Data & University Fees

Choosing a bachelor's degree is one of the biggest education decisions Malaysian students make after completing SPM, STPM, Foundation or Diploma.

Many students naturally ask similar questions:

What are the most popular degree courses in Malaysia? How many students choose them? How many graduates enter the job market each year? And how much does it cost to study these degrees?

Instead of relying on opinions, this guide looks at published Malaysian higher education statistics, graduate employment data and university tuition fees.

We focus on five popular degree fields: Business Management, Computer Science and IT, Accounting, Medicine and Mass Communication.

These fields were selected by comparing bachelor's-level participation within the leading disciplines reported for Malaysian private higher education institutions in 2024.

Important data note: The enrolment dataset includes Malaysian and international students, and the original discipline totals include certificates, diplomas and degrees. The degree-level figures below are estimates calculated using the published degree shares. They are not a definitive nationwide ranking of degrees chosen by Malaysian citizens.

What Are the Most Popular Degree Courses in Malaysia?

A 2024 private higher education analysis based on Ministry of Higher Education data identified Business Management, Computer Science and IT, and Accounting among the largest disciplines by enrolment.

Medicine and Mass Communication also recorded substantial bachelor's-level participation.

Using the published degree proportions, the approximate bachelor's enrolment figures for these five fields are:

1. Business Management: Approximately 38,300 degree students from 74,364 total discipline enrolments.
2. Computer Science and IT: Approximately 28,100 degree students from 41,630 total enrolments.
3. Accounting: Approximately 12,600 degree students from 26,862 total enrolments, including professional accounting pathways in the original category.
4. Medicine: Approximately 11,300 degree students from 12,988 total enrolments.
5. Mass Communication: Approximately 6,600 degree students from 8,527 total enrolments.

These figures represent students enrolled in the programmes during 2024, not the number of new students admitted or graduating in that year.

The full research can be found in Malaysia's Top 10 Most Popular Study Disciplines in 2024.

1. Business Management Degree in Malaysia

Business Management remains one of the largest study disciplines in Malaysia's private higher education sector.

In 2024, the discipline recorded 74,364 students across certificate, diploma and degree levels. Approximately 51.5% were studying at degree level, equivalent to around 38,300 students.

A Business Management degree generally covers management, marketing, finance, human resources, business strategy and organisational operations.

How Much Does a Business Management Degree Cost?

At Asia Pacific University (APU), the three-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management has a published Malaysian tuition fee of RM100,400 for the entire programme.

The fee consists of RM32,400 for Year 1, RM33,400 for Year 2 and RM34,600 for Year 3. Deposits and miscellaneous fees are excluded.

Students can verify the amount through APU's official Business Management programme page.

APU is located in Bukit Jalil. Students relocating for university can compare student accommodation near Asia Pacific University when budgeting for their studies.

How Many Business Graduates Enter Employment?

According to MOHE's 2025 statistics, 94,891 students graduated across all qualification levels in the broader Business, Administration and Law field.

In the 2025 Graduate Tracer Study, 58,953 Malaysian graduates in this broad field were recorded as employed, representing a 92.0% graduate employment rate among respondents classified as employed or unemployed.

These totals include Accounting and other business-related qualifications. They are not figures for Business Management bachelor's graduates alone.

2. Computer Science and IT Degree in Malaysia

Computer Science and Information Technology continue to attract interest as artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity and data-related technologies become increasingly relevant.

In 2024, Computer Science, IT and Information Systems recorded 41,630 students across all qualification levels in the private higher education dataset.

Approximately 67.4% were at degree level, giving an estimated bachelor's enrolment of around 28,100 students.

How Much Does a Computer Science Degree Cost?

APU's three-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science has a published Malaysian tuition fee of RM104,600 for the full programme, excluding certain additional charges.

UTAR also offers a three-year Bachelor of Computer Science at its Kampar campus, with a previously published estimated programme fee of approximately RM55,100 for Malaysian students. UTAR advises that estimated fees can vary.

Students can compare more university examples in Westay's Computer Science degree fees in Malaysia 2026 guide.

Those attending UTAR Kampar can also explore student accommodation near UTAR Kampar.

How Many Computer Science Graduates Enter Employment?

MOHE recorded 30,685 graduates across all qualification levels in Information and Communication Technologies in 2025.

In the same year's Graduate Tracer Study, 15,767 Malaysian ICT graduates were recorded as employed, giving a 92.5% employment rate among the field's employed and unemployed survey respondents.

The broader ICT category includes multiple computing programmes and qualifications. It should not be interpreted as the number of Computer Science bachelor's graduates alone.

3. Accounting Degree in Malaysia

Accounting remains a popular option for students interested in auditing, taxation, financial reporting, corporate finance and professional accounting qualifications.

The 2024 private higher education data recorded 26,862 students in Accounting and related professional accounting pathways.

Approximately 46.8% were classified at degree level, equivalent to roughly 12,600 students.

How Much Does an Accounting Degree Cost?

UTAR's Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Accounting at Kampar has a previously published estimated total fee of approximately RM54,300 for Malaysian students.

At Taylor's University, the three-year Bachelor of Accounting (Finance) (Honours) publishes a 2026 local programme fee of RM121,838, subject to the university's fee revision policy.

For a broader comparison, read Westay's Accounting degree Malaysia 2026 university fees comparison.

Students attending Taylor's Lakeside Campus can also explore student accommodation near Taylor's University in Subang Jaya and the surrounding area.

How Many Accounting Graduates Enter Employment?

Accounting falls within MOHE's wider Business, Administration and Law classification.

This field recorded 94,891 graduates across all qualification levels in 2025, with 58,953 Malaysian graduates recorded as employed in the Graduate Tracer Study.

These are the same broad-field figures mentioned in the Business Management section, not an additional Accounting-only total.

Without a separately published Accounting bachelor's breakdown, it would be misleading to claim that 94,891 accounting students graduated or that 58,953 accounting graduates entered employment.

4. Medicine Degree in Malaysia

Medicine is another significant degree-level discipline in Malaysia's private higher education sector.

The 2024 dataset recorded 12,988 students in its Medicine-related category, with approximately 87.0% studying at degree level.

This represents an estimated 11,300 degree students enrolled during the year.

Medicine generally requires a longer commitment than a standard three-year business or computing degree, and students must consider clinical training and subsequent professional requirements.

How Much Does a Medicine Degree Cost?

Sunway University offers a five-year Doctor of Medicine programme with a 2026 estimated annual course fee of RM100,200 for Malaysian students.

Monash University Malaysia offers a five-year Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine programme with a 2026 annual tuition fee of RM117,600 for Malaysian students.

These are annual fees, not fixed five-year totals. Future-year charges and additional expenses may apply.

Monash's programme also includes clinical training based in Johor Bahru during Years 3 to 5, so students should consider accommodation needs across different study locations.

Students beginning studies in Bandar Sunway can compare student accommodation near Sunway University and student rooms near Monash University Malaysia.

How Many Medicine Graduates Enter Employment?

MOHE recorded 16,641 graduates in the wider Health and Welfare field in 2025, across all qualification levels.

The Graduate Tracer Study recorded 12,343 employed Malaysian graduates in Health and Welfare, representing an employment rate of 93.0% among labour-force survey respondents.

This category includes nursing, allied health and other healthcare qualifications. It does not reveal the exact number of Medicine or MBBS graduates.

Medical graduates may also need to complete professional training and registration requirements before practising independently.

5. Mass Communication Degree in Malaysia

Mass Communication appeals to students interested in journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, digital media and content production.

In 2024, private institutions recorded 8,527 students across Mass Communication qualifications.

Approximately 77.4% were at bachelor's level, representing an estimated 6,600 degree students.

How Much Does a Mass Communication Degree Cost?

Taylor's University offers a three-year Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) with a published 2026 Malaysian programme fee of RM120,650.

The programme offers pathways including Digital Media Production, Journalism, Advertising and Brand Management, and Public Relations.

Students can check the official Taylor's Mass Communication programme and fee information.

Students relocating to Subang Jaya can explore rooms for rent near Taylor's University when estimating monthly living expenses.

How Many Mass Communication Graduates Enter Employment?

Mass Communication is represented within the wider Social Sciences, Journalism and Information field in MOHE's national statistics.

In 2025, this broad field recorded 21,988 graduates across all qualification levels.

The Graduate Tracer Study recorded 11,711 employed Malaysian graduates in the field, representing a 90.7% employment rate among labour-force respondents.

These statistics include other social sciences and information-related courses and do not represent Mass Communication bachelor's graduates alone.

How Many Bachelor's Degree Students Graduate in Malaysia Every Year?

The Ministry of Higher Education's 2025 statistics recorded 143,241 bachelor's degree graduates across Malaysian public universities, private higher education institutions and polytechnics.

During the same year, institutions recorded 220,222 new bachelor's degree entrants.

These figures describe two different groups of students. The 220,222 entrants are not the same individuals as those graduating in 2025.

For graduates entering the labour market, MOHE's Graduate Tracer Study measures employment status at the time of its survey.

Its reported graduate employment rate is the proportion employed among graduates classified as employed or unemployed. It does not mean every graduate has found a new job, and it does not measure long-term career success.

Students can examine the official MOHE Higher Education Statistics 2025 and the MOHE Graduate Employment Search for more detailed information.

Does a Popular Degree Guarantee Employment?

No. High student enrolment does not automatically mean stronger employment prospects.

A degree can attract many students while also producing significant competition for entry-level positions.

Students should look at several factors before choosing their programme:

• Interest in the actual subjects
• Programme accreditation and recognition
• Internship and practical training opportunities
• Industry skills and career pathways
• Tuition fees and available scholarships
• Campus location and cost of living

For fields such as Computer Science, developing projects and technical skills can be valuable. Accounting students may need to consider professional qualifications, while communication students can benefit from building practical portfolios.

Ultimately, employment outcomes depend on more than the name of the degree.

Don't Forget the Cost of Living Near University

Tuition fees are only part of the cost of completing a bachelor's degree.

Students moving away from home may also need to budget for room rental, utilities, food, transport, mobile data and personal expenses.

Living costs can differ significantly between Bandar Sunway, Bukit Jalil, Cheras, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur and Kampar.

For example, Westay's cost of living in Bandar Sunway 2026 guide explores how accommodation, food and transport affect students' monthly budgets.

Students comparing university locations can also browse rooms for rent in Kuala Lumpur, student accommodation in Selangor or rooms for rent in Kampar.

A more realistic university budget should include:

Total Study Cost = Tuition Fees + Accommodation + Food + Transport + Utilities + Study Expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

What are five popular bachelor's degree fields in Malaysia?

Business Management, Computer Science and IT, Accounting, Medicine and Mass Communication are five fields with substantial bachelor's-level enrolment in the 2024 private higher education dataset. The figures do not establish a nationwide Malaysian-citizen-only top-five ranking.

Which of these fields has the highest student enrolment?

Business Management has the largest estimated bachelor's enrolment among these five fields, at approximately 38,300 students in the 2024 private higher education dataset.

How many bachelor's degree students graduated in Malaysia in 2025?

MOHE recorded 143,241 bachelor's degree graduates in 2025 across public universities, private higher education institutions and polytechnics.

Can graduate employment rates predict whether I will get a job?

No. Graduate employment statistics describe the employment status of survey respondents and do not guarantee future employment for an individual student.

Are university tuition fees the same for Malaysian and international students?

No. Universities often publish different tuition fees for Malaysian and international students. The fee examples in this article refer to Malaysian students.

Final Thoughts

Business Management, Computer Science, Accounting, Medicine and Mass Communication continue to attract substantial numbers of students in Malaysia's private higher education sector.

However, student popularity, annual graduate numbers and graduate employment are different measures. They should not be confused when comparing university courses.

The data shows that tuition fees can also vary considerably. Some three-year degree programmes cost around RM50,000 to RM60,000, while others exceed RM100,000. Medicine programmes can involve substantially higher costs over five years.

Before choosing a degree, consider the actual programme, professional requirements, employment opportunities and complete study budget.

Students relocating for university can also explore student accommodation near universities in Malaysia to compare living arrangements around their preferred campus.

The most popular degree is not automatically the right degree for everyone. The better decision is one that fits your interests, financial situation and long-term goals.

Data Sources and References

• Uni Enrol: Malaysia's Top 10 Most Popular Study Disciplines in 2024
• MOHE: Higher Education Statistics 2025, Chapter 1
• MOHE: Graduate Tracer Study Statistics 2025, Chapter 7
• MOHE: Graduate Employment Search
• APU: Business Management Fees
• Monash Malaysia: Medicine Fees
• Sunway University: Doctor of Medicine Fees
• Taylor's University: Mass Communication Fees