Should You Study in Malaysia or Thailand?

Submitted by sabrina@qs.com on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 16:30

If you want to study in Southeast Asia, both Thailand and Malaysia are bound to be top of your list. Both are highly affordable, with very low costs of living (especially if you love street food), both offer English-taught courses, and both are culturally rich, with lots to explore during your spare time. So, should you study in Malaysia, or Thailand? The answer is likely to be largely swayed by your own personal preference, as the two countries offer two different, yet equally exciting, study abroad experiences, but to make the decision easier we’ve compared both countries on a number of factors. 

Top universities

There are nine top universities in Malaysia featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, while Thailand has eight entrants. The highest ranked university in Malaysia is Universiti Malaya (UM) at joint 114th in the world, up 19 places from last year’s edition. In Thailand, Chulalongkorn University is the highest ranked at joint 245th, up seven places from last year. The table below shows how each country’s remaining entrants compare:

Malaysia

Thailand

Universiti Putra Malaya (UPM)

·         Ranked 229th in the world

Mahidol University

·         Ranked joint 245th in the world

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

·         Ranked joint 230th

Chiang Mai University 

·         Ranked 551-600

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

·         Ranked 253rd

Thammasat University 

·         Ranked 601-650

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

·         Ranked joint 264th

Kasetsart University 

·         Ranked 751-800

Universiti Teknologi Petronas 

·         Ranked 601-650

Khon Kaen University 

·         Ranked 801-1000

International Islamic University Malaysia

·         Ranked 701-750

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi 

·         Ranked 801-1000

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

·         Ranked 701-750

Prince of Songkla University

·         Ranked 801-1000

 Universiti Teknologi MARA

·         Ranked 751-800

--

More top universities in Malaysia and Thailand can be found in the QS Asia University Rankings.

Malaysian universities may have a clear lead in terms of World University Rankings performance, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best place to go for every subject. If we look at the QS World University Rankings by Subject, we’re able to get a clearer picture of where Malaysian and Thai universities are strongest. For example, the Thai Kasetsart University is ranked 29th in the world for agriculture, higher than any Malaysian university (the highest-ranked in Malaysia for this subject is Universiti Putra Malaysia).  

Both Thai and Malaysian universities are strong for engineering, but Malaysia takes the lead, with five universities ranked in the global top 150 for the broad subject area of Engineering and Technology, while Thailand has just two in the top 300 - Chulalongkorn University and Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

Affordability

As mentioned, both Thailand and Malaysia are affordable study destinations, but to find out which one’s cheaper we’ve put together the following table of some average costs – bear in mind that your actual costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, spending habits and location (large cities are typically more expensive to live in).

As tuition fees vary between universities, we’ve listed fees at each country’s top ranked university:

 

Annual international tuition fees

Study level

Malaysia – Universiti Malaya

Thailand - Chulalongkorn University

Undergraduate

RM 7,078.22 per year (~US$1,650)

From 30,750 Thai Baht per year (~US$930).

Postgraduate

RM 11,706.99 (~US$2,700).

From 80,000 Thai Baht (~US$2,400).

You may also need to pay application and/or student union fees. More information on the average tuition fees in Malaysia can be found here.

Living costs

 

Average living expenses per month

Item

Malaysia

Thailand

Accommodation

RM 300-450 (~US$70-105)

15,000 Thai Baht (~US$450)

Food

RM 400-450 (~US$90-105)

10,000 Thai Baht (~US$300)

Books & course materials

RM 50-100 (~US$12-24)

[No data]

Clothing

RM 60 (~US$14)

1,141 Thai Baht (~US$34)

Public transport

RM 30-50 (~US$7-12)

1,203 Thai Baht (~US$36)

Phone costs

RM 30-80 (~US$7-19)

500 Thai Baht (~US$15)

Misc. personal expenses

RM 100-200 (~US$24-48)

[No data]

Total needed per month: approximately RM1,000 and RM1,500 in Malaysia (~US$230-350) and 15,000-20,000 Thai Baht in Thailand (~US$450-600). So, although there are differences between Malaysia and Thailand, in both countries you’ll spend no more than US$7,200 on living costs each year.

Student life & culture

Aside from just comparing the top universities and their associated costs – what’s it like to actually study in Malaysia or Thailand? Both are far more than simply budget options.

Why study in Thailand?

  • You’ll receive a warm welcome from the locals – the country is known for being the ‘land of smiles’.
  • You can immerse yourself in Thailand’s rich culture, which blends the old and new. Thailand’s cities host international businesses on the doorstep of Buddhist temples and outdoor markets.
  • You can eat delicious, cheap Thai street food, with capital city Bangkok hosting a legendary street food scene. Foodies will be in heaven.
  • Thailand has pleasant weather all year round and beautiful natural landscapes.
  • The country has one of the strongest economies in the region.
  • Thailand will definitely appeal to animal lovers; you can see elephants, tigers and monkeys, among others.
  • If city life gets too hectic, you’re never far away from a beach.

Find out what else you should know about studying in Thailand >

Why study in Malaysia?

  • Malaysia hosts international branch campuses of prestigious universities such as the UK’s Nottingham University and Australia’s Monash University, allowing you to get the same high quality education for a much lower cost.
  • Malaysia has the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia and is also one of the region’s most developed countries.
  • The country’s universities are steadily rising in the World University Rankings.
  • English is widely spoken in Malaysia, meaning you should be able to study there without facing a language barrier.
  • It’s hugely multicultural, meaning you can broaden your horizons.
  • It’s also one of the most tolerant Asian countries (although you’re still advised to dress modestly).
  • You can explore the country’s beautiful rainforests, beaches and jungles in your spare time, or stick to the fascinating historical sights you can see in the cities. (Here are some must-see places to visit).

Would you rather study in Malaysia or Thailand? Let us know in the comments below!

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Best US Universities for Sports Lovers

Submitted by craig@qs.com on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 11:10

If there’s one element of the US university experience that sets it apart from studying in other countries, it’s the American obsession with sports. More than fraternities and sororities, more than keg stands and cheerleaders, more than beer pong and red cups, the level of interest and hysteria over college sports teams is uniquely American.

If you’re a promising footballer, basketballer or athlete, picking a US university with a strong sports program could be the difference between you turning your natural ability into a successful career or it only being a hobby. Even if you’re more of a fan than a player, or if you’re just interested in sport-adjacent careers like physiotherapy, the top US universities for sport are likely to be far more appealing than other institutions.

But which universities are the best both on and off the field when it comes to sporting prowess? Where should you study if spending weekends in packed college football stadiums – either as a player or a supporter – appeals to you? Who can be expected to produce the next Tom Brady, or LeBron James?

Here’s our rundown of some of the top US universities for sports lovers.

University of Michigan

Regularly attracting crowds of over 100,000 to their home football matches, the University of Michigan is a true sporting powerhouse. The university has had 24 alumni in the last four US Olympic teams as well as 54 conference championships in the last 10 years and boasts incredible varsity facilities. Academically, Michigan isn’t too shabby either, with the sports program boasting an 80% graduation rate among its student athletes. Sport fans will also like the fact there are three professional sports teams based in nearby Detroit (NFL’s Detroit Lions, MLB’s Detroit Tigers and NHL’s Detroit Red Wings).

University of Florida

Particularly strong for football and basketball, the University of Florida is also a great party university, making the fan experience here one of the greatest in the US. You won’t be short on bars to celebrate victories in, whether you’re a player or a fan. Florida is also the joint eighth best university in the world for sports-related subjects, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, sharing the position with Pennsylvania State University.

University of Connecticut

Connecticut may not have any professional male sports teams, but this just means the university sides attract even more attention than normal. The basketball team has two men’s national titles in the last decade, but it’s the women’s basketball team that are the real stars at UConn, with a recent winning streak of over 100 consecutive games. If football’s more your thing then this probably isn’t the university for you, but there’s plenty for sports lovers to enjoy about studying in Connecticut.

Ohio State University

With more than 2,500 students playing for a university sports team, Ohio State is a university full of sporting activity. At the figurehead is the university’s football team, which has an enviable record in recent years and attracts crowds of over 100,000, nearly 30,000 of which are student season ticket holders. With 738,500 square feet of indoor recreation space, and fantastic school spirit, there are few places better for both athletes and fans.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Football and men’s basketball are the two most successful sports teams at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an institution that manages a perfect blend of campus culture and sporting prowess. Student athletes here have an impressive graduation rate of 70%, suggesting you’ll leave here with a good education as well as a sporting title or two.

University of Notre Dame

Few universities manage to be competitive in such a vast array of sports as Notre Dame, with the soccer, basketball, lacrosse, hockey and fencing teams all either winning titles or reaching semi-finals since the year 2000. Intramural sport is also in rude health here, with student teams existing for practically everything, from full-contact football to co-ed broomball. If being a spectator is more your thing, the Notre Dame stadium – home to four statues of former coaches – provides a matchday experience like few others.

Duke University

Duke’s 9,314-seat basketball stadium is one of the most well-known college sport venues in the country, with students often camping outside for weeks at a time in order to gain a seat for the big game. Varsity athletics is also in extremely healthy shape here, but it’s the two basketball championships since 2010 which get most of the attention. The football team has also performed well of late, although tailgating has been banned since 2010, taking some of the fun of being a fan away from the sport.

University of California, Los Angeles

Student athletes at UCLA get to enjoy some of the finest facilities in the US, in an environment which breeds success. With over 100 NCAA team championships to their name, UCLA has an illustrious sporting history and it’s only getting better each year. Sport fans are also spoilt for choice with countless professional teams on their doorstep, from the Lakers, Rams and Clippers to the Kings and the Dodgers.

University of Texas at Austin

If you like football, you’ll love the matchday experience at UT, where the stadium is filled with an enormous swaying mass of orange shirts, cowboy boots and foam fingers. It’s not just about the games under Friday night lights though; UT also has an enviable women’s athletics program and a proven track record of producing Olympic athletes (23 in the past four US Olympic teams).

Honorable mentions

Florida State University for its school spirit, the University of Oklahoma for its matchday atmosphere, Auburn University for its reward program, the University of Maryland, College Park for its basketball teams, the University of Georgia and its privet hedges, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for dominating women’s soccer.

Image credits: Michigan (One Raised Eyebrow; Flickr), Florida (Jared; Flickr), Connecticut (Matthew D Britt; Flickr), Ohio State (Prayitno Photography; Flickr), Wisconsin and Notre Dame (both Phil Roeder; Flickr), Duke (Mobilus in Mobili; Flickr), UCLA (Simon Shek; Flickr), Texas (Texas Crew; Flickr)

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Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

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Bogaziçi Üniversitesi

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University of Tabriz

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7 Unusual Careers with a STEM Degree

Submitted by sabrina@qs.com on Wed, 08/23/2017 - 15:58

Are you a STEM graduate (that is, a graduate of a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree)? If you are, you might be wondering what else you can do with your degree beyond the typical career paths. Here are some out-of-the-box suggestions if following the crowd isn’t for you…

Imagineer

Ideal for engineering or technology STEM graduates, if you’re creative and want to combine this with being an engineer, you might like to consider “Imagineering” – the implementation of highly imaginative, creative ideas into practical forms. The term was made famous by Disney, whose imagineers create immersive entertainment attractions for theme parks and resorts.
If you’re a fan of theme parks and would jump at the chance to design the next area of the Magic Kingdom, try to secure an internship with Disney to build your experience and get a taste of this line of work – you can find out more here. Disneyland imagineers earn an average of US$62,000 per year, according to CareerBliss.

Rollercoaster engineer

Speaking of theme parks, another unusual STEM career path lies in designing the rollercoasters themselves, a role which combines mechanical, structural, civil and electrical engineering, as well as physics. As a rollercoaster engineer, you’ll need to consider key factors such as safety, environment and riders’ enjoyment. And yes, you will get to ride your creation before it opens to the public. This is a very competitive career, so you’ll need to network and build contacts with big names to help break in to the industry. Rollercoaster engineers earn an average of $84,190 in the US according the Bureau of Labor Statistics (figures are for mechanical engineers). 

Patent attorney

Did you almost pick law over your STEM degree? If you’ve got an interest in legal dealings and want to combine this with your science or engineering knowledge, you might like to consider becoming a patent attorney. Patent attorneys advise their clients on whether their product is new, innovative, and suitable to be patented. You’ll lead your client, which may be an individual or a company, through the process of obtaining a patent and work to enforce their rights if patents are infringed. You’ll need a good grade in a science or technology degree to be eligible to train for this role, which is a protected title in the UK (meaning you’ll need to be fully qualified and entered on the Register of Patent Attorneys to use the title). Patent attorneys earn an average of £50,218 in the UK and $135,014 in the US, according to PayScale.

Music machine learning engineer

Next on our list of unusual careers with a STEM degree is a role which allows you to combine a love of music with your knack for technology. Machine learning engineers apply machine learning methods to large data sets to personalize and optimize the services of online music services such as iTunes Radio and Spotify. You’ll work through massive amounts of data, something which requires strong data engineering skills, and you’ll also prototype new algorithms and optimize solutions. The average salary of machine learning engineers in the US is $107,373 per year.

Storm tracker

If you’re fascinated by different weather phenomena such as tornados and thunderstorms, you might be interested in this branch of meteorology. Although the job title probably makes you think of adrenaline junkies driving into storms to capture dramatic photos and videos, this role is a lot safer than it sounds. You’ll study the science of storms, using computer programs to gather scientific data on extreme weather occurrences. Storm trackers (atmospheric scientists) earn an average of $89,820 a year in the US.

Ethical hacker

With so many negative hacking stories in the news these days, the word ‘hacker’ has gained some pretty negative connotations. But, if you’re skilled in computer systems and interested in using your skills for good, the role of an ethical hacker might be for you. As an ethical hacker, you’ll knowingly try to hack a company’s computer network in order to help them identify and fix potential security problems. To become an ethical hacker, you’ll need extensive experience with computer systems, as well as problem-solving and communication skills. Ethical hackers earn around £50,000 in the UK and $71,331 in the US.

Robotics engineer

Concluding our look at unusual careers you can do with a STEM degree, how about designing robots to explore the ocean floor (or even the floor of another planet), or creating mechanical arms to work on the production line of car manufacturing? As robots become increasingly common, demand for robotics engineers will in turn become greater. As well as designing and maintaining robots, you’ll also develop new applications for your robots and conduct research to expand their potential. Robotics engineers earn an average of $80,395 in the US.

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