Kuala Lumpur is a place where you can let your ambitions run as high as its famous skyscrapers. With an ever-growing list of things to see and do joining forces with some of Asia's top-ranked universities, it's no surprise that a great number of ambitious learners make it their new home each year. Want to know what it's like to study in Malaysia's capital? Find out with our Kuala Lumpur student guide.
What is Kuala Lumpur like?
Location and demographics
Kuala Lumpur is located in the west of Peninsular Malaysia, itself the western part of the country. Bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains and crossed by the Klang River, this fast-growing metropolis is a mix of the modern and historic.
Around two million people live in the city itself, with almost eight million living in the wider area. These figures make it the most populous place in the country.
The city is also diverse. More than 10 per cent of residents are not citizens of Malaysia, while the remainder are predominantly members of the country's major ethnic groups: Malaysian Malays (47.7 per cent), Malaysian Chinese (41.6 per cent) and Malaysian Indians (10 per cent).
Accordingly, you will hear a range of languages spoken in the area. Malay is the most common, but the majority of residents can also speak English. In addition, various Chinese and Indian languages can be encountered.
Kuala Lumpur is also home to a large number of followers of different religions. Almost half of residents (45.3 per cent) practise Islam, but there are sizeable populations who practise Buddhism (32.3 per cent), Hinduism (8.2 per cent) and Christianity (6.4 per cent).
Culture and history
Kuala Lumpur's origins as a city date to around 1857. It was then that a member of Selangor's royal family, Raja Abdullah, decided to open up an area in the Klang Valley for tin prospectors at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. This is what ultimately became Kuala Lumpur.
After civil war erupted a decade later, the area came under British rule. Subsequently, it was rebuilt and repopulated. Farmers were brought in, schools were founded, and commercial enterprises popped up everywhere.
The colonial administration lasted until 1942, when Japanese forces captured the city. Although they surrendered it back to Britain in 1945, this paved the way for the independence of Malaysia, which was declared in 1957.
Over the time since, Kuala Lumpur has continually progressed. Today, it is one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent and sophisticated cities, attracting visitors – and students – from across the world.
What universities are in Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur is home to five universities that feature in the QS World University Rankings, including one that ranks well inside the top 100. In addition, there are several other reputable institutions in the city, with some specialising in particular fields of study.
Some of the universities in KL include:
- University Malaya (UM). Malaysia's oldest university, and its most highly rated. With a history dating to 1905, it is now ranked 65th worldwide by QS.
- UCSI University. A private university that has grown substantially since it was established in 1987. Today, it is ranked 21st in the world for performing arts by QS.
- Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). Offers courses in a range of subjects, but focuses on the field of IT. According to QS, it is Malaysia's most international university, with the world's 16th-best score on its international student ratio metric.
- Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Has 14 institutes at 12 campuses across Peninsular Malaysia, some of which run in collaboration with institutions in other countries.
- HELP University. A private university where one in four students are international.
Want to know where else you can study in the country? Read our guide to the top universities in Malaysia.
What does Kuala Lumpur offer students?
What is transport like in Kuala Lumpur?
As you might expect from such a well-developed city, Kuala Lumpur's public transport system is large and advanced. The Klang Valley Integrated Transit System offers an array of ways to get around the city and the wider area, including trains, monorail and buses.
The latter in particular can make for a great way to explore the city. The Go KL City Bus is a completely free service that runs 14 routes around Kuala Lumpur with great regularity. If you are in the heart of the city, you should rarely expect to wait more than 15 minutes for a ride, and never expect to pay.
Want to take a look around the rest of the country? Read our guide to getting around Malaysia.
What is the entertainment like in Kuala Lumpur?
Having fun in Kuala Lumpur is easy – even on a student budget.
If a trip to the movies is your favourite way to pass the time, you're in the right place. KL has dozens of cinemas, with many offering generous student discounts. Head to the one at Mid Valley Megamall, and you could easily spend the whole day wrapped up in the big screen. With 21 halls, it is the largest cinema in Malaysia.
If live performances are more your style, you also have plenty of choice. Intimate shows by musicians from around the world take place at venues including Zepp and KL Live, while for big events, you can head to Bukit Jalil National Stadium. With a capacity of more than 87,000, this huge arena regularly hosts top-level sport and international entertainers. Ed Sheeran, Blackpink and Jay Chou are just some of the stars to have delighted its crowds.
What is the accommodation like in Kuala Lumpur?
As an international student in Kuala Lumpur, you may find yourself with a choice between university-run and private accommodation.
The nature of the former will depend on where you are studying, but provision is extensive. At Universiti Malaya, 12 on-campus residences house up to 12,000 students, while multiple off-campus options include a site reserved for international students. However, while this is a large number, it needs to be considered alongside the fact that the university has an enrollment of around 30,000. As such, many students have to live elsewhere.
Those that do still have a range of options. Private rentals – including flats, homes and single rooms – are constantly advertised, in addition to large student residences run by organisations other than universities. Often, you can still find these through university accommodation services, whose recommendation should ensure that the place you choose to stay is of a good standard.
Interested in studying in another part of the country? Explore our guide to student accommodation in Malaysia.
How much does it cost to live in Kuala Lumpur?
Although it is one of the most expensive places to live in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur compares favourably with many other top international study destinations. Indeed, it places 9th for affordability on the QS Best Student Cities ranking.
Estimates for a manageable international student budget in Kuala Lumpur vary. However, you can look to be spending anywhere between RM 1500 and RM 2500 per month, excluding tuition fees. A large amount of this money will go on accommodation, and as such, it may also be where the biggest saving can be made. Look closely at your options for your living arrangements, and think carefully about how you will afford them.
Remember, there are many places where you will be able to receive a student discount, even if this is not clearly advertised. So, whether you are spending in a shop, restaurant or transport service, it is always worth looking into whether they offer such a benefit.
For an introduction to expenses elsewhere in the country, visit our guide to student living costs in Malaysia.
What are the main attractions in Kuala Lumpur?
In a major city like this, you will never run out of things to see and do.
For shopping, KL has countless malls and markets. Many can be found in Bukit Bintang, which is the city's main retail and entertainment district. Head there to be amazed by Berjaya Times Square, a skyscraping building that contains a hotel, indoor amusement park and 19-storey shopping centre.
Incredibly tall buildings are a well-known feature of the city. Several of the world's tallest belong to Kuala Lumpur, including the second-tallest, the jagged Merdeka 118. Famously, the city was also once home to the tallest buildings of all. Although the Petronas Towers lost that title in 2004, they remain an emblem of Malaysia.
Back at ground level, there are also numerous popular parks and museums, including the vast Bird Park and the fascinating Islamic Arts Museum. Historic Malaysian culture rubs alongside the modern all around the city.
Has our Kuala Lumpur student guide raised your interest in studying in the city? Find out more about the Malaysian higher education system and its tuition fees. If you're really keen, you might also want to check out how to apply for a student visa in Malaysia.
Chat with Couru
