The MIBP program has been upgraded to a Semester in KDU University College program!
Due to the requests of the institutions that send their students to MIBP program, the program has been modified to better suit the needs of the sending schools. MIBP program will from now on be organized so that the participants attend regular semester programs of KDU. This increases the participants contact with local students. The transcript from the program will also from now on be issued and signed by KDU University College.
KDU with its 46,000 graduates is one of the highest ranked academic institutions in Malaysia. As of October 2010 KDU College Petaling Jaya has been awarded and upgraded to university college status by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia and shall hence forth be known as KDU University College.
KL is a metropolis that combines Asian tradition with western luxury – at a very modest price level. You can also inexpensively travel around the southeastern continent: Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.
The fast and easy application procedure allows you to apply not just together with your partner or friend, but also in a larger group.
The courses are held in English. The knowledge of Asia is an excellent asset later in the job market. Most participating students come from Finland, but some also from top universities in Sweden, France and Germany. Although the program is suitable for anyone with an international career in mind, typical majors of participants include business administration, industrial engineering, economics, law and political science.
We are constantly taking applications for the fall and spring semesters. After sending in the form, you will receive the answer within a week.
The goal of the program is to familiarize the students with topics in international business from finance to marketing – with a strong focus on Asia. Previous knowledge of business administration is an asset, but not a requirement.
Our local partner in Kuala Lumpur is KDU College, which is one of Malaysia’s leading higher educational institutions (ranked no 2 private college by the leading newspaper of Malaysia). It is a part of a corporation listed in Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
Semester schedule
Fall semester: September to January
Spring semester: January to June
Courses
You can download the actual course listings from below.
Detailed course descriptions for the Fall 2012.
Detailed course descriptions for the Spring 2012.
Detailed course descriptions for the Fall 2011.
Detailed course descriptions for the Spring 2011.
Detailed course descriptions for the Fall 2010.
Detailed course descriptions for the Spring 2010.
With the course descriptions, the courses can be pre-accepted by the participants’ responsible professor at his/her home university. After completing the MIBP, each student will receive a Transcript and a Certificate as a proof of attending the Malaysia International Business Program. This way, the credits earned can be incorporated in the degree. The certificate is also a valuable attachment to a job application when entering the job market.
The tuition fee of the MIBP program is EUR 2500 per semester. In many cases, the tuition can be funded with a scholarship. Please ask your school’s exchange coordinator for details.
Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur provides a colourful mixture of cultures and a warm weather. “The Gateway” to Asia is also a major travel hub. The budget airline network, and the extensive bus connections help to get the most out of lecture-free days. Malaysia is also a fast growing market for multinational European companies that are opening operations in the country. It has turned into a strong exporter of semiconductors and other electronic products. The capital is well known of its shopping malls, with brand clothes/electronics/etc. at bargain prices compared to those of Europe. When one wishes to dig deeper in the local culture, there are lots of exotic cuisines and shops: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, etc.
The participating students usually travel as much as possible. Popular destinations include Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, etc. and even China. There are frequent bus connections to the nearby islands’ beach and diving resorts and to the neighboring countries. The low cost carrier Air Asia (based at the KL airport with about 200 flights a day) makes it possible for exchange students to spend long weekends abroad.
Accomodation
Typically students form groups of 4-5 students, and rent a high standard flat from the free rental market. Many choose one of the apartment hotels downtown, with often a great view over the city through the window, cleaning and 24 hour security service, a large swimming pool on the roof, cable television, etc. As many hotel complexes are an integral part of a shopping mall, there are often restaurants, shops and cafeterias in the basement. Renting an apartment is usually easy, and Academy Access aids the participants by providing a list of brokers who can help in finding a suitable apartment. It is also possible to live in a student dormitory. The rents in central apartment hotels in Kuala Lumpur are very reasonable. The MIBP students usually share a taxi to school and back.
Applying
The application process is extremely straightforward. You will receive the letter of acceptance in about a week. The only entry requirement is that you feel, that you can follow university/college-level business courses that are taught in English. Usually all qualified applicants are accepted to the program. In order to have enough time to apply for scholarships and for other preparations, it is in your interest to send your application as early as possible. The decision of acceptance is typically made in 2-7 days and you will then receive a letter of acceptance.
Download your application form here.
The program tuition fee is 2.500 euros including all of the five courses.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For spring semester: October 31st (We can also accept students after the deadlines. In these cases, call or mail directly to Dr. Kari Jaaskelainen + 358 40 501 7627 firstname.lastname@academyaccess.com)
For fall semester: June 30th (We can also accept students after the deadlines. In these cases, call or mail directly to Dr. Kari Jaaskelainen + 358 40 501 7627 firstname.lastname@academyaccess.com)
To apply, you need to print out our two-page application, fill it, and send it back to Academy Access. Please let us know if you have problems opening or printing the file. The required attachments are:
1) An official transcript of record (not required from HSE students) and
2) a photograph for a picture roster for professors.
Send the application to:
Prof. Veikko Jaaskelainen
Academy Access
Puolukkatie 3 B
02160 Espoo, Finland
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs of the semester?
In addition to the 2.500 euro tuition fee, typical costs for the whole semester will be:
Around 1.000 euros for the flight ticket.
200-250 euros per month for apartment
Then you should also budget for normal living costs, e.g. for meals and transport. In addition you will probably want to travel little bit around and do some shopping, so budget something for them also.
When do I have to pay?
You have to pay the 200 euro registration fee within two weeks from receiving our letter of acceptance. The remaining 2.300 is payable one month before the semester begins.
Can I apply already for a future semester?
Yes, you can apply already for a future semester, even if the courses for it have not been published. It is advisable to apply as soon as you have made your decision because you will then have a longer time to apply various grants and scholarships.
What do you mean by saying participate with a friend? Can I participate alone?
About half of our participants are students who wish to get in to the same exchange program with their boy-/girlfriend or a group of friends. In a typical exchange program this is not possible because a certain exchange destination has only limited number of places for students from individual school. In the case of Academy Access programs, we accept an unlimited number of students from any university or college and therefore e.g. couples from different schools can be sure that they will get to the same city and same program.
Then about another half of our participants are people traveling alone and they have it found easy to form groups to e.g. rent an apartment together. (We inform all the participants of other participants contact information, so the groups can be formed even before traveling to Malaysia.)
Where can I apply for grants?
The best place to start is your own university or college. They usually have grants for free mover students. In addition they know where students of your field have successfully obtained grants. If you are a Finn, you can find useful hints from SYL web page:
How do I find an apartment?
In our travel and housing instructions memo, we offer information about local agents, who can help in finding apartments. Further on, we inform all the participants of other participants contact information, so participants can form groups to rent apartments jointly even before traveling to Malaysia. Furnished apartments are very easy to find in Kuala Lumpur and they are usually very nice.
Where exactly in Kuala Lumpur is KDU college?
KDU college is in Petaling Jaya, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, about half an hour from down town KL, where most students choose to live. The visiting address is: KDU College S-13 Campus, 76 Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Can I stay for two semesters?
Yes, occasionally some students stay for both fall and spring semester.
Can I participate even if I have already graduated (or will graduate soon)?
Yes, you can and we have had several participants who did not need any more credits to earn their degrees but still wanted to get the Asian exposure.
Can I participate even if our school does not have an agreement with Academy Access?
Yes. Most of the schools where our participants come from do not have any agreements with us. Students simply print the course catalogues from our website and show it to their own professor in order to have the courses approved into their own degree. We will accept you also in the case your own school can not give you credit for the courses (if you e.g. have already enough business courses etc.).
I will only need one course. Can I have a reduced tuition fee?
No. Our cost structure is such that we have to charge the same, no matter how many courses one takes.
What is the latest time I can register for a semester?
Basically you should apply by October 31st for the spring semester and by June 30th for the fall semester. We can accept you even later, but then we have to charge additional 130 euro visa processing fee.
How will I know that the courses you offer will be accepted in my school?
Our courses have already been accepted in 40 European universities and Colleges. Very likely they will be accepted in your case also. To be sure, print the course catalogues from our website and show it to your own professor in order to have the courses pre-approved into your degree. We will accept you also in the case your own school can not give you credit for the courses (if you e.g. have already enough business courses etc.).
Do I get the normal government subsidies (e.g. KELA in Finland)?
To our knowledge you do, but you should always check this from your schools own Kela advisor.
I have not studied business courses before, but I would still like to participate. Is that possible?
Yes, it is. Our largest group of participants is business majors but we have also large groups of engineering students as well as students of other fields. Our courses are selected so that, they do not have any prerequisites.
Do you require a language test?
No. If you believe, that you are able to follow business courses given in English, you are welcome to participate.
How many years have I had to study before I can participate?
Typically our participants are in their 2nd to 4th year, but we have occasionally had successful first year students as well as people who have already graduated from their schools.
Need more information?
If you have a question, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us. We will do our best to answer you as fast as possible. You can also have a look at the frequently asked questions on this page.
Dr. Kari Jaaskelainen
mobile: +358 40 501 7627
ACADEMY ACCESS CONTACT INFO
E-Mail:
firstname.lastname
@academyaccess.com
Postal address
Academy Access Ltd
Puolukkatie 3 B
02160 Espoo, Finland
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