KUALA LUMPUR: With the Covid-19 pandemic showing signs of abating, students are looking to further their studies at foreign universities.
While British educational institutions are still the most popular destination for Malaysian students, those in Australia and New Zealand are gaining traction too.
Interstudy Education Consultants director Ivan Ong said applications to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK went up by 30 per cent this year compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Sought-after courses in the UK included engineering, business, information technology, law and allied health courses, he said.
"During the last two years, most international universities offered online classes and Covid-19 restrictions also robbed students the opportunity of experiencing campus life.
"So, most of them enrolled in local varsities for their undergraduate degrees. They were reluctant to wait out the pandemic since it would hamper their career plans.
"But, with countries now relaxing their restrictions, students are confident about pursuing courses at their dream universities.
"The UK is the top destination since the country has lifted almost all of its Covid-19 restrictions.
"In February and July, we also saw Australian universities recording strong numbers of Malaysian students for both bachelor's and master's programmes," he told the New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, private colleges are seeing a rise in the number of students opting for their foundation programmes over other pre-university programmes, such as the A-Levels, before heading overseas for their first degree.
DISTED College chief executive officer Professor Dr Brian Imrie said foundation programmes were currently in demand because many leading international universities were accepting foundation programme graduates from local universities.
"Students see foundation programme as a cheaper and quicker option to other pre-university programmes.
"For students taking the diploma route, they can study for two years at a local college and then enter universities in UK, Australia and New Zealand that allow them to complete their bachelor's degree within two years.
"Furthermore, many top-ranked universities are currently offering generous scholarships to draw international students.
"For example, the University of Canterbury in New Zealand offers scholarships for students aspiring to take up selected business courses once they complete their diploma with DISTED College. This could help students save up to 10 per cent in tuition fees," he said.
In terms of study destinations, Imrie said very few students were inclined to study in the United States or at universities in the Northern Asian region.
However, he said demand was picking up for universities in Australia and New Zealand.
"The leading factor for students in selecting a study destination is lifestyle experience, including the possibility of working part-time during their studies and a possible residency upon graduation.
"The second factor is ranking of the university and the disciplines it is famous for. Cost and exchange rate are secondary to these two aspects," he said.
Meanwhile, National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) secretary-general Dr Teh Choon Jin advised cash-strapped students to consider doing dual degree awards or the 3+0 degree programmes at private universities.
"Unlike twinning programmes, these two options would allow students to either complete their entire degree programme locally or go overseas at any level during the programme duration according to their financial means," he added.