Exploring the Cost of a Private School in Malaysia

As parents, we only want the best for our kids, especially when it comes to education. Private schools tend to provide better facilities and infrastructure than public schools, which also comes with a higher quality of learning experience.

But the question is, can we afford private schools? So, when my wife and I were looking at schools we considered for our child, the second thing we asked after touring the grounds was, “How much will all these cost?”

If you’re a parent, I understand your concerns about school fees, especially if you have more than one child. That’s double or triple the tuition fees (plus extra fees) in a year!

It’s something we want our savings to get ready for, so I’m sharing with you what my wife and I have gathered (with additional research of my own) because not all private schools in Malaysia will cost the same.

Check out what we’ve learned because these are the fees parents have to save up for years to come.

How much is a private school in Malaysia?

On average, a private school in Malaysia will have an annual cost of RM10,000 to RM20,000 for primary school and RM15,000 to RM48,000 for secondary school.

It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of a private school in Malaysia will vary greatly. There are several factors to consider, such as the reputation of the school, the location, facilities and amenities, and grade level.

So, don’t be surprised to find that some private schools are more expensive than others, even if they’re in the same city. The higher the quality of education, the higher the fees.

On that note, a tuition fee is also not so simple—it has several branches that make up the overall cost for the term or the year. That’s why you’ll find many factors that will make up the tuition fee. But what are these, exactly?

Application Fee

In Malaysian private schools, you need to pay the application fee, which acts as a processing fee. This will vary depending on the school, but on average, it costs anywhere from RM200 to RM1,500.

It’s a one-time payment, as it’s required only upon submission. It’s also non-refundable, even if the student plans to switch to another school sometime in the future.

Keep in mind that not all schools in Malaysia require this, but most do. 

Registration Fee

The registration fee ranges from RM500 to RM2,000. Like the application fee, this is non-refundable and is a one-time payment upon enrolment.

It’s required once the student receives the Offer Letter, which is issued after a successful submission. This is also non-transferable.

Deposit Fee

Schools require a deposit fee, which is typically equivalent to one term’s tuition fee, anywhere from RM2,000 to RM7,000. This fee applies to new applicants to the school.

This fee isn’t set, though. It increases over time as the student progresses at each year level. It’s also non-transferrable but refundable, depending on the school’s terms and conditions.

Usually, the school will refund the whole deposit fee if a written notice of withdrawal is submitted. Since each school will have their own withdrawal policy, this will vary.

For instance, some private schools in Malaysia will require a written notice at least one term in advance to get a full refund.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee is the most expensive thing parents have to pay the school. It will cover most of the activities or facilities, like recreational activities, technology, events, and others—but do note these factors will vary depending on the school.

Don’t be surprised to find that tuition fees will greatly vary, especially since it depends on the school system. It’s also important to note that the better the school’s facilities and amenities, the higher the tuition fee usually is.

This fee is payable by term or by year, allowing the parents or guardians to find the most suitable payment option. The schedule will vary as well, as it depends on the school.

You may come across private schools that offer monthly options that allow you to spread the tuition fee into smaller payments. But keep in mind that this may come with a small surcharge every month.

Tuition fees can cost an average of RM4,000 to RM9,000 for primary school or RM6,000 to RM12,000 for secondary school every term. However, depending on the grade level, this can cost less or more.

If you look at it from a yearly fee perspective, primary grade levels can cost anywhere from RM14,000 to RM21,000. Meanwhile, the annual tuition fee for secondary school students can sometimes reach up to RM48,000, depending on the school’s reputation.

In addition, upper secondary school students (Form 4 and 5 grade levels) will generally have the highest tuition fees.

Besides that, non-Malaysian students will usually pay increased tuition fees due to expenses related to serving foreign students, like visa and administrative fees.

In case of late tuition fee payments, there’s a possibility that the school will impose a late payment charge. It’s also possible for the school to not allow the student to attend the remaining classes and withhold records until the payment has been settled.

But there’s usually a grace period for this, which will vary depending on the school.

Other Fees

Wait, there are other fees besides the ones we already discussed? Yes, there are.

You see, the tuition fee doesn’t cover educational materials (books, notebooks, pens, bags, etc.), uniforms (regular and extracurricular uniforms), meals, field trips, extra outdoor activities, and school transportation.

The cost of these depends on the private school, as each one will have their own set of uniforms for boys and girls and different kinds of materials. Field trips will also vary because there’s no set place for each school.

These other fees will usually be available once you inquire about them to the school’s admissions team. It’s not that they’re a secret, but the costs can increase depending on the materials.

Boarding Fee

In Malaysia, some private schools will have boarding programs. It’s not a requirement but is ideal for students who prefer to stay at the school.

Boarding programs have benefits, mainly convenience. If the student lives on school grounds, there’s no need to worry about transportation.

Plus, it helps the student become more independent, as boarding schools will have their own set of rules and schedules that help with focus, academia, and life skills.

There are different kinds of boarding, and the availability depends on the school. The educational institution doesn’t necessarily have to be an exclusive boarding school to provide this amenity, as selected private schools also offer this.

Here are the types of boarding programs in Malaysia:

• Full boarding – the student stays at the school throughout the whole term.
• Weekly boarding – the student will stay at the school on weekdays and go home on weekends.
• Occasional/Day boarding – the student will stay at the school several days a week, which could also be on weekends.

A boarding program in a Malaysian private school will include accommodation, meals, and laundry service. Some schools, like international schools, will have other benefits and amenities, such as linen services, counselling, and weekend activities.

Boarding costs will also differ because each school will have their own amenities. But expect the price of full boarding to reach up to RM20,000 or more per term—there are private schools that can exceed RM100,000 per annum.

Meanwhile, weekly boarding costs anywhere from RM5,000 to RM15,000 per term. Also, not all schools will have occasional or day boarding programs, but the average is typically RM300 per night or less for weekdays.

Are there discounts in private schools in Malaysia?

The availability of discounts depends on the school. Generally, parents who enroll more than one student in the same school simultaneously will have discounted rates called student discounts.

But the discount only applies to the tuition fee, so you still need to pay separate application and registration fees. 

The student discount usually applies from eldest to youngest. For example, the eldest (also the highest grade level) will need to pay for the full rate, while the second sibling will get the first discount, then the third sibling gets the second discount, and so on.

You can find schools that offer 10% off the tuition fee for the second sibling. Then, the applicable discounted rate can increase the higher the number of siblings are enrolled at the same time.