A List of the Best Private Universities in Malaysia Offering Top Rate Banking, Finance & Investment Degree Programmes
Banking is also an ideal launching pad for those who are aiming to achieve their ultimate goal of becoming big players. Those who specialise in investment can work as stock and bond brokers, traders and company investment analysts. Rewards for working in the Banking & Finance sector in Malaysia is very good and the most high paying salary areas are found in pension fund management, life insurance, investment funds management and financial institutions. However, to earn high salaries, one must be equipped with highly specialised knowledge, great acumen, top leadership, communication & critical thinking skills. In order to increase your chances, choose a top private university to begin your studies in Banking & Finance. Read on to find out more about the Top Private Universities in Malaysia offering the Banking & Finance degree courses.
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Top Private Universities in Malaysia with for Finance, Banking and Investment Degree Programmes
Darren, Finance & Investment Graduate from UCSI University
A Banking and Finance degree is for students who desire a career in the financial sector in roles such as securities analyst, financial or investment manager, or as a private, commercial or investment banker.
In a Banking & Finance course students will typically learn about how the economy works, how decisions are made in banking and finance and how financial systems and capital markets operate in an international context. Furthermore, they will learn how government policies influence the overall stock market index, how corporate actions affect stock prices and how private and corporate wealth is created.
A career in Banking & Finance can be very satisfying with high salaries. Studying at a top private university for Banking & Finance will set graduates apart and propel them to a successful career in the financial services sector. Top Universities have a proven track record and experience in producing highly employable graduates with excellent skill sets. Their fine tuned curriculum with a solid internship programme not only builds your knowledge but your experience and familiarity with the job requirements. A vibrant international student environment enhances your worldview, multicultural and communication skills in this age of globalisation. This is important as graduates now have more ambition to work in top Multinational Companies (MNC) and overseas.
Study at the Best Universities in Malaysia for Banking & Finance
Darren, Finance & Investment Graduate from UCSI University
The main difference between banking and finance is that banking is a specific subset of finance. While banking is focused on managing deposits, loans, and other financial products and services provided by banks, finance covers a broader range of activities related to managing money and investments.
Finance is a dynamic and ever-changing field that involves the evaluation of alternative choice investments, the monitoring of performance and the management of funds.
It uses, analyses and interprets data from companies’ operations, business units and accountants to make critical decisions on the companies’ day-to-day activities, investments, financing and risk management.
Finance plays an important role in almost all areas of business management and involves corporate strategy, marketing management, the design of reward packages, control and operations management. Therefore, studying finance is a must to all business students at university level.
There is a demand for top graduates in banking and finance in Malaysia. Salaries for banking & finance graduates in Malaysia can be very high.
In order to succeed in the competitive banking & finance industry, students must choose the best universities in Malaysia to study. Students should choose the right university that fits them which has a good reputation for accounting, banking & finance programmes, excellent facilities, top lecturers, student support services and an English-speaking student environment. Graduates from accounting programmes are able to work in the banking and finance industry therefore the degree courses are included in the listing.
Why Study at the Best Private Universities for Banking & Finance Degree Programmes?
Vincent Yeoh, Accounting & Finance at Asia Pacific University
There is a demand for top graduates in banking and finance in Malaysia. Salaries for banking & finance graduates in Malaysia can be very high.
In order to succeed in the competitive banking & finance industry, students must choose the best universities in Malaysia to study.
Students should choose the right university that fits them which has a good reputation for accounting, banking & finance programmes, excellent facilities, top lecturers, student support services and an English-speaking student environment.
Graduates from accounting programmes are able to work in the banking and finance industry therefore the degree courses are included in the listing.
Recognition & Accreditation
The Banking & Finance degree programmes at the private universities should be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Professional Certification
Banking and Finance graduates may go for the the professional certifications by
- FPAM – Financial Planning Association of Malaysia
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Asian Institute of Chartered Banker (AICB)
Specialised Labs
At some private universities students have access to state-of-the-art trading rooms, helping you develop practical skills for your career. Additionally, students have the chance to gain certification for taking part in Bloomberg Core Concepts training as well as to participate in a live trading simulation.
Duration
Banking & Finance degree programmes will take 3 years to complete. This doesn’t include Pre-University for students who are after high school. Depending on the Pre-U programme, it will range from 12 months to 24 months to complete.
Which are the Top Private Universities in Malaysia for Banking & Finance?
Chew Ling, Accounting & Finance at Taylor’s University
There is a demand for top graduates in banking and finance in Malaysia. Salaries for banking & finance graduates in Malaysia can be very high. In order to succeed in the competitive banking & finance industry, students must choose the best universities in Malaysia to study.
Moreover, students should choose the right university that fits them which has a good reputation for banking & finance programmes, excellent facilities, top lecturers, student support services and an English-speaking student environment. Graduates from accounting programmes are able to work in the banking and finance industry therefore the degree courses are included in the listing.
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
- Monash University Malaysia
- Taylor’s University
- Asia Pacific University (APU)
- Sunway University
- HELP University
- UOW Malaysia
- Multimedia University (MMU)
- UCSI University
Education Pathway to a Banking & Finance Degree in Malaysia
Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels with at least 5 credits including the relevant subjects may enter a Foundation in Business or Foundation in Arts at a top private university in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 3-year banking or finance degree programme.
Pre-University graduates in Malaysia from programmes such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Students with at least 3 credits in SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels may go for the Diploma in Accounting or Diploma in Finance and then enter into Year 2 of the accounting, banking or finance degree programme.
What you will study at a top course in Banking & Finance in Malaysia?
Bryan & Wen Kai, Fintech at Asia Pacific University (APU)
Those who intend to undertake undergraduate degree studies in finance should expect challenges particularly in the form of financial theories and formulas. However, these can be overcome by a good understanding of Mathematics to start off with – Additional Mathematics will be an added advantage.
The Banking and Finance degree course provides a thorough grounding in both theory and current practice, including specialist modules in commercial banking, investment banking and risk management in banking. In addition, students will also develop the analytical, quantitative, research and communication skills required by leading employers in retail and investment banking, and financial services more generally.
Graduates who major in Banking and Finance in Malaysia will be equipped with the necessary skills in critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and interpersonal communication and computing.
They will also deal with asset valuation, financial asset pricing, financial modeling using spread sheet techniques and capital budgeting decisions and risk management. Though a finance degree course followed by a finance career involves a long and difficult journey, there is usually a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and it’s very much worth a lifetime’s journey.
Studying Finance in Malaysia
Chee Kin, Actuarial & Finance Graduate
Finance studies and addresses the ways in which individuals, businesses and organizations raise, allocate and use monetary resources over time, taking into account the risks entailed in their projects. The term finance may thus incorporate any of the following: * The study of money and other assets* The management of those assets* Profiling and managing project risks* As a verb, “to finance” is to provide funds for business. Finance is the most encompassing of all business enterprises. To understand finance you must know about the entire business, indeed the entire economy.
“Finance” is a broad term that describes two related activities: the study of how money is managed and the actual process of acquiring needed funds. Because individuals, businesses and government entities all need funding to operate, the field is often separated into three sub-categories: personal finance, corporate finance and public finance.
All three categories are concerned with activities such as pursuing sound investments, obtaining low-cost credit, allocating funds for liabilities, and banking. Yet each has its own specific considerations. For example, individuals need to provision for retirement expenses, which means investing enough money during their working years and ensuring that their asset allocation fits their long-term plans. A large company, on the other hand, may have to decide whether to raise additional funds through a bond issue or stock offering. Investment banks may advise the firm on such considerations and help them market the securities.
As for public finance, in addition to managing money for its day-to-day operations, a government body also has larger social responsibilities. Its goals include attaining an equitable distribution of income for its citizens and enacting policies that lead to a stable economy.
Are candidates with professional qualifications more valuable than those with a degree in finance?
Chun Tim, Foundation in Business into Finance at Taylor’s University
In addition to an undergraduate degree, professional qualifications can help a candidate stand out from the crowd when there are several otherwise equal candidates with the same levels of experience. Choosing to study a professional course will always be looked upon favourably as it shows a commitment to improving your skills.
For example, the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification can be valuable as it is occasionally a requirement for front office related banking roles, particularly in investment research type positions. Alternatively, in Hong Kong some employers want to see that candidates have completed a master’s degree or have plans to continue further education to advance themselves, as opposed to having the CFA qualification.
In functions like compliance, certain professional qualifications like Certificate of Anti-Money Laundering (CAMS) are mandatory. This usually applies to newly set-up functions whereby they need professionally qualified individuals to be able to drive new initiatives in-house.
What Skills Should You Have In Order to Be Successful in Your Future Career?
The ‘soft skills’ of problem solving, communication and open-mindedness are considered the most critical to success in multiple industries including banking and finance, and these skills are sought by employers in both the West and Asia.
These soft skills can include anything from being able to work efficiently as part of a team and build relationships, to the manner in which phone calls and emails are handled, to giving presentations in front of clients and management as well as getting buy-in internally and externally.
Organisational skills are also commonly cited by employers as a soft skill they value and look for. There are plenty of ways you can demonstrate your organisational skills, from running events to breaking a large project down into manageable pieces or planning your busy workload to ensure all tasks get done on time.
Finally, candidates with strategic ability who are able to see how businesses can be impacted by broader business trends are becoming increasingly sought after. For this reason we encourage candidates to volunteer to chair meetings, help run a team project or mentor a junior member of the team.
The most ‘exportable’ class of finance professionals are probably based in either Singapore or Hong Kong and have worked for large multinational companies (MNCs). This is due to these countries’ Financial Services industries being more developed compared to Malaysia, for instance.
In fact, they are the regional hubs within Asia Pacific and their branches in Malaysia tend to report in to these countries. As such, the exposure that professionals receive in Singapore and Hong Kong is a lot more extensive and results in them developing better skill sets. To a certain degree this can be reversed by attracting Malaysian candidates who have worked overseas or by having businesses focus on talent from overseas although there are regulatory challenges around doing this.
Employers outside Asia increasingly value talent with international experience and an international mindset. These candidates are highly valued since they have worked in an MNC and also have local cultural understanding and knowledge of how business is done in Asia.
These candidates also develop cross-cultural communication skills, which can only come from being immersed in another culture. Their knowledge gives them intercultural understanding and cultural adaptability. With an increasing number of MNCs establishing or expanding their regional offices across Asia, demand for local talent with global business experience and acumen will only continue to increase.
Therefore, students should seek out private universities that have an English-speaking student environment with a lot of international students. This will help you to improve your language skills as well as expose you to multi-cultural skills and communication. Upon graduation, look for job opportunities in Singapore and develop your global business experience.
Jobs in the Banking & Finance Industry in Malaysia
Paul Kit, Finance at UCSI University
Worldwide, the financial services sector records the highest earnings and drives a country’s economic growth. The Financial sector stands as one of the largest sectors in Malaysia with more than 300,000 people employed. The role of the financial sector is envisioned to continue growing to be a key driver and catalyst of Malaysia’s economic progression.
This sector is projected to be more competitive, dynamic, inclusive, diversified, and integrated, with the ability to offer world class financial services, in terms of breadth, depth and quality to serve the needs of Malaysia.
Banking is a traditional career area for graduates, as is the wider financial services sector. Although many graduate entrants have a financial background there are also openings for those with degrees in other subjects: you can expect good training on a graduate programme and there may be a chance to extend your knowledge through professional exams.
The banking and finance industry plays a crucial role in promoting and sustaining the economic growth of a country. It safeguards the interests of its customers, sells its services and encourages investments. Different types of banks offer different kinds of services to different groups of customers.
- The banking and finance industry comprises:
- Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank)
- commercial banks
- finance companies
- money and stockbroking firms
- futures trading firms
Gary Ng , Accounting Graduate from KDU University College
Commercial banks provide financial advice to the public, businesses and industries, as well as the local government.
Merchant banks provide services to firms and corporations. They offer banking services and advice on takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and international trading.
Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank) does not provide banking services to the public. It functions as a central bank and acts as an intermediary for the government and other banks. It supervises other banks and foreign exchange, looks after the government’s interests, prints and withdraws money in circulation. It also provides advice to the Ministry of Finance and other government agencies.
Where can Banking & Finance Graduates work in Malaysia?
Vincent Yeoh, Accounting & Finance at Asia Pacific University (APU)
Many students have asked me where the can work after graduating with the degree banking, finance or investment. There are many areas where graduates can work in such as banks, investment banks, islamic banks, moneybrokers, insurance, reinsurance, fund managers, futures fund managers, and more.
Qualified people are required to fill up different posts in the various departments of a bank. The departments include:
- Accounts – Keeps a full record of the bank’s transactions.
- Loans – Policies and guidelines for loans are determined by the head-office, to be abided by branch offices.
- Investments – Handles investment in bonds and government securities to ensure maximum returns.
- International trade – Connects with overseas banks and assists Malaysian traders in establishing contacts with foreign counterparts.
- Sales and Marketing – Sells the bank’s services to the public and organises publicity campaigns for the bank.
- Personnel – Recruits new workers and takes care of promotions, transfers, pay and welfare of staff.
- Training – Responsible for the training of new recruits.
- Systems and Technology – Keeps up with the latest development in technology to help in the daily running of the banks.
- Economy – Provides the latest information on local and global economic trends. Researches and compiles statistical information.
Graduates can focus on banking & financial services jobs in a number of specialist areas including:
- Risk – Credit / Marketing / Operational
- Finance / Accounting / Audit
- Corporate / Consumer Banking
- Compliance
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Finance / M&A
- Investment Management
- Operations
- Actuarial
- Insurance
- Private Equity
- Treasury
