According to an online study conducted by Ipsos MORI commissioned by HSBC this year, 88% of Malaysian parents prefer to send their children abroad for tertiary education. Parents have viewed foreign education as gateway to better employment; though many may have underestimated the cost of tertiary education.

Interestingly, a separate survey ‘Youth Perspective’ by Perspective strategies, involving over 2,021 undergraduates and six formers in the country recently, showed 70% of young Malaysians desire to work abroad. Political and social reasons are cited as main cause for the decision.

However, in the short term at least a constraining factor on ability to study abroad might be affordability, with the Malaysian Ringgit recently falling to a 17 year low. One year ago the ringgit was around RM5.40 to the British Pound, however it has now surpassed RM6.

Commentary, by June Lo, British Council Malaysia:

Both surveys suggest positive market outlook for foreign education in Malaysia and would support the continuous growth of Malaysian students in the UK. Malaysian students who aspire to work abroad may see foreign education as a stepping stone or first step to fulfill their dreams. However the recent fall of the Malaysian Ringgit to a 17 year low may also prevent some families from being able to afford overseas education in the short term.