APU Malaysia offers accredited engineering and IT degrees at roughly half the cost of Australia or Canada. Iranian students find strong community support, flexible admissions, and a pathway to work in Southeast Asia or global tech roles.
Why Iranian families are choosing APU for engineering and IT
When families come to my office in Kuala Lumpur, the conversation usually starts the same way. 'Dr. Tarek, is Malaysia really the right choice for my son? What about his engineering degree — will it be recognized back home? Will he feel isolated?' I've had this conversation hundreds of times, and here's what I tell them: APU is one of the most straightforward, affordable, and genuinely welcoming options if you're Iranian and serious about engineering or IT.
Let me be honest about what I've observed. Iranian students at APU tend to thrive for one specific reason: they're not there chasing a visa or a status symbol. They're there because the program works, the costs make sense, and there's already a community in place. Personally, I'd argue that matters more than the university's ranking.
The real cost picture — and why it matters
Let's start with money, because that's the question every family asks first. APU's engineering and IT programs run roughly RM 60,000–80,000 for a three-year degree. In USD, that's about USD 13,000–17,000 per year. Compare that to Australia (USD 20,000–30,000 annually), Canada (USD 15,000–25,000), or the UK (USD 18,000–35,000), and you see the gap immediately.
| Destination | Annual Tuition (USD) | Total 3-Year Degree | Living Costs/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| APU Malaysia | 13,000–17,000 | 39,000–51,000 | 6,000–8,000 |
| Australia | 20,000–30,000 | 60,000–90,000 | 14,000–18,000 |
| Canada | 15,000–25,000 | 45,000–75,000 | 12,000–16,000 |
| UK | 18,000–35,000 | 54,000–105,000 | 13,000–20,000 |
But here's what matters more than the headline numbers: what you get for your money. APU's engineering curriculum is accredited internationally (IEA Accords, EUR-ACE). Your son or daughter will graduate with a degree that's recognized in Iran, across the Gulf, and globally. It's not a backdoor degree or a credential that only works in Malaysia — it's legitimate.
Living expenses in Kuala Lumpur run about RM 2,000–2,500 per month (USD 400–500), depending on lifestyle. That includes student housing, food, transport, and a bit of social life. If your family is already thinking 'that's less than one month in Toronto,' you're starting to understand why this option gets taken seriously by Iranian families with moderate budgets.
The EMGS visa process for Iranian students
One of the real hurdles I see families worry about is the visa. Iran isn't on Malaysia's preferred list for certain things, and that creates anxiety. Here's the honest version: the EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) student visa process for Iranian applicants takes 4–6 weeks, not 2 weeks like for some nationalities. You'll need to prove financial capacity (typically RM 50,000–70,000 in a Malaysian bank account or a guarantee letter), and EMGS will conduct background checks.
Have I seen Iranian students rejected? Rarely. In my experience working with Gulf families and international students across the region, the rejections come from incomplete paperwork or financial red flags, not nationality. If you submit genuine documents, credible proof of funds, and a clean record, the process moves forward. I've had families do this successfully dozens of times.
Key thing families often miss about EMGS visas
The EMGS financial requirement (RM 50k–70k in a Malaysian bank account) looks like a barrier, but it's not permanent money. Once your visa is approved, that money can be used for living expenses, tuition, and travel. It's a proof-of-means requirement, not a deposit you lose. I've had parents deposit the sum, wait for visa approval, then use it for their child's first year at university.
APU's engineering and IT programs — what you're actually signing up for
APU offers two main pathways for engineering: Mechanical and Electrical (with specializations in power systems, controls, or embedded systems). On the IT side, you have Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology. All three-year degrees. All require the standard first-year foundation if you're coming from Iranian high school (IB or equivalent). Most Iranian students do that foundation year, so the full timeline is usually four years on campus.
Class sizes at APU sit between 25–40 students per cohort in specialized programs, which means you actually get to know your lecturer and have time for questions. The library and labs are decent — not world-class, but genuinely usable. I've visited the campus, and I'll be frank: it's a functioning university environment, not a prestige brand. That matters differently depending on what you value.
The curriculum itself leans toward practical skills. Lots of project work, lab time, internship placements through APU's industry partnerships. By third year, you're doing real-world capstone projects, often with Malaysian companies in tech and manufacturing. That's valuable whether you plan to return to Iran, stay in Malaysia, or move elsewhere for work.
The Persian-speaking community — and how it actually helps and hurts
This is the part I want to be genuinely honest about. APU has a visible Iranian student population. How visible? Roughly 30–50 Iranian students across all programs at any given time, concentrated in engineering and IT. That means you won't be alone. You'll find Farsi spoken in hallways, you'll connect with others who understand the homesickness and the culture gap, and yes, the first month feels less isolating because of that.
Here's the trade-off nobody always says explicitly: a tight community can be wonderful, or it can become an echo chamber where you default to spending time only with other Iranians and never actually integrate into Malaysia or the broader international student environment. I've watched both things happen at APU. The students who thrive are the ones who use the Persian network for emotional grounding but deliberately build friendships across other nationalities too. That's the balance.
Practically: you'll find Iranian food in Kuala Lumpur (KL has multiple Iranian restaurants and grocery stores). You'll have Farsi-speaking counselors or advisors who understand home country contexts. You won't be trying to translate bureaucratic forms with Google Translate. That's real support.
Post-graduation: work and onward mobility
The question most parents ask me toward the end of the conversation is always the same: 'Can my daughter actually get a job after?' The honest answer is: yes, but not automatically, and it depends on what she's willing to do.
APU graduates in engineering and IT find work in Malaysia fairly easily. Kuala Lumpur's tech sector is growing. Malaysian companies in fintech, manufacturing, telecommunications, and software development actively hire APU graduates. Salaries run about RM 3,500–5,000 per month (USD 750–1,050) for entry-level roles — not high, but sustainable for a young engineer to stay in KL for 1–2 years, gain experience, and build a CV that looks good anywhere.
Many Iranian students use Malaysia as a stepping stone. Work in KL for two years, get international experience on the CV, then move to the Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain) where salaries jump significantly and Iranian credentials are widely accepted. Others move to Europe or North America after gaining that two-year work history. A few return to Iran with an internationally recognized degree and work in Tehran's growing tech sector.
The visa situation in Malaysia post-graduation is straightforward. If you find a job, your employer sponsors a work visa (Employment Pass). If you want to stay longer, you can. No surprises there.
Things to know before you decide
I'll tell you the things that surprise Iranian families when they arrive:
The weather is intense. Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid year-round — 28–32°C (82–90°F), with occasional heavy rain. If you've only lived in a temperate climate, prepare for the adjustment. A/C becomes your best friend.
English is the language of instruction, but not everyone speaks it equally. Most lecturers are fluent. Some support staff less so. You'll manage, but don't expect perfect English from every interaction. Have patience for clarifications.
Malaysian culture is different from Iran or the Gulf. It's more relaxed about certain social rules, stricter about others. Respect local customs (dress modestly at university, be mindful of Islamic practices during Ramadan), and you'll have no trouble. Plenty of Iranian students navigate this beautifully.
The degree is recognized, but it's not MIT or Cambridge. APU is a solid, accredited institution with real outcomes. It's not a prestige brand that opens every door in America or Europe. If your plan is 'engineering degree, then get into a top-tier graduate program at Stanford,' this is a viable path but not a guaranteed one. Be realistic about that.
The real reason Iranian families choose APU over alternatives
After 200+ consultations, I've noticed the pattern: families choose APU when they've looked at all the options — Australia, Canada, Turkey, the Gulf — and realized they want affordability + community + genuine recognition, not necessarily prestige. APU delivers on all three. If your family is searching for a name-brand university or a credential that impresses in America, there are other paths. If you want a pragmatic, affordable, friendly place to earn a real engineering or IT degree with people who understand your background, APU delivers that.
How to apply and get support
APU's admissions process is straightforward. You submit your Iranian high school transcript (or IB/A-Levels if you have them), proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS score, or APU's own English test), and a copy of your passport. The application is online, and APU typically responds within 2–3 weeks.
Here's where I come in. At Myuni Features Education, we place Iranian and Gulf students at Malaysian universities, including APU, at absolutely no cost to you. We handle the application, we liaise with APU on your behalf, we help you prepare your EMGS visa documentation, we arrange your student housing, and we pick you up from the airport when you land. All free. The universities pay us a placement fee — you pay nothing.
Why would we do that? Because we're registered in Malaysia, we have relationships with every major university, and we believe students deserve to be supported through this process by people who actually live here and understand both your background and what you'll encounter.
If you're seriously considering APU or want to explore other Malaysian universities that might fit your goals better, message me on WhatsApp or email. No obligation, no pressure. I'll give you the honest version of what to expect, whether Malaysia is actually right for you, and what your next step is.
