How much does it cost for a International School and University education abroad?

Japanese families immigrate to Malaysia for International Education.

Recently, Malaysia has experienced a growing trend of education migration, with Japanese parents opting to immigrate here to enroll their children in international schools. This choice has become popular due to the more affordable yet globally recognized education it offers.

From the perspective of parents who want to cultivate their children into globally competitive individuals, many choose international schools where their children can acquire English language skills and multicultural understanding from a young age. However, even though to some it may be affordable, the education expenses are still expected to be considerable.

Rising cost of education fees.

Today, our Japanese Private Wealth team will simulate and find out how much it would cost for a child’s education until they graduate from university.

In this simulation, we will use Peninsula International School Australia, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which adopts the Australian education curriculum. Although they are currently having an offer, we will simulate based on the regular prices as the end date of the offer is unknown.

Tuition Fees - Peninsula International School Australia:

Preparatory: RM35,000  

Year 1: RM37,200  

Year 2: RM42,000  

Year 3: RM46,600  

Year 4: RM51,300  

Year 5: RM56,000  

Year 6: RM60,800  

Year 7: RM65,500  

Year 8: RM70,200  

Year 9 - 12: RM75,000

Let's assume that your child is in Year 1 of primary school. At this stage, the estimated cost until high school graduation would be RM729,600. Some schools experience an annual increase of approximately 4-5% in tuition fees due to inflation. Taking into account a 4% annual increase, the estimated cost would be RM939,598. Due to inflation, there would be a difference of RM209,998 (approximately USD$44,977 ) at this point.

After high school graduation, let's assume your child continues their education at Monash University in Australia, majoring in Bachelor of Commerce. As of 2023, the current tuition fee is A$49,200. However, tuition fees at Australian universities also increase due to inflation. Between 2020 and 2022, tuition fees at the University of Melbourne increased by an average of 3.2%, while at the University of Sydney, it increased by 3.8%. Monash University's engineering course saw a 6% increase in tuition fees.  

Although the exact duration and amount of tuition fee increases are unknown, it is predicted that the tuition fees will be higher when a child in Year 1 enters university in 2023. Assuming a 3.5% tuition fee increase three times over the next 12 years, the estimated tuition fees at the time of enrolment would be approximately AUD$54,549, and over three years, it would amount to approximately AUD$163,647. Additional expenses such as living costs for studying abroad are not included in this simulation.

There are different types of international schools with varying price ranges and curricula. Some families may be attending international schools in Malaysia, while others may return to Japan and enrol in private or public schools there. The cost of universities also varies depending on the country and program, so please consider this information as part of your reference materials.

Education fee planning.

This simulation is just a small portion of scenarios, so we encourage you to conduct your own simulation considering the inflation rate. If you find that it is too complex, our team of Private Wealth Managers can help you plan for your child’s educations fees abroad. With professional help and a stable education plan, we can help you prepare for any surprises that may arise. Feel free to consult with us about whether your current financial situation can achieve your goals and how to manage any surplus funds.  

Read our case study on how we helped an expatriate family in Bangkok plan for their child’s education here.

Discover how Fixed Income Portfolios can help you fund your child’s education here.

With a team comprising Japanese and international experts, we are fully committed to supporting you in achieving your financial goals. If you are interested, please feel free to consult with us by contacting info@melbournecapitalgroup.com or filling out the form below. We also accept inquiries via Twitter DM.