Studying in Malaysia vs. Singapore
Malaysia and Singapore are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €553 in Malaysia and €1,525 in Singapore.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Malaysia
Cheaper monthly living
Malaysia
Lower visa proof of funds
Malaysia
Side-by-side comparison
Malaysia
Singapore
Currency
MYR (RM)
SGD (S$)
Public tuition (annual)
RM25,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
S$25,000
≈ €17,250 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
RM60,000
≈ €12,000 / yr
S$45,000
≈ €31,050 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
RM2,767 / mo
≈ €553 / mo
S$2,210 / mo
≈ €1,525 / mo
Visa proof of funds
RM24,000
EMGS Student Pass — proof of funds (≈ RM 2,000/month)
S$15,000
Student's Pass bank balance proof
Cities tracked
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru
Singapore City
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.