Malaysia
STPM, UEC, A-level or Foundation for direct entry. SPM usually goes through a Foundation Year.
Southeast Asia · ASEAN
Study in the UK from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia
Personal UK university admissions support for Southeast Asian students, from choosing a course to getting your CAS and UK Student visa.
Qualifications we accept, by country
Vietnam
High school diploma (THPT) plus Foundation Year, or direct entry with A-level/IB.
Thailand
Mathayom 6 plus Foundation Year. International school students can often apply directly.
Indonesia
SMA certificate plus Foundation Year, or direct entry with A-level/IB.
- Shortlisting from 50+ UK partner universities
- Foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate routes
- IELTS waiver and English test advice
- CAS, Student visa and IHS guidance
- Scholarship and budgeting support
- 2-year Graduate Route after your degree
English language tool
IELTS requirement & waiver eligibility checker
Select your country and study level to see the typical IELTS score UK universities ask for, and whether your existing qualifications could waive the test entirely. Covers Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Study level
Typical requirement
IELTS 6.0
no band below 5.5
Choose your country to see waiver routes, accepted alternatives to IELTS and whether a UKVI SELT test is likely to be required.
Guidance only. English language policy is set by each UK university and by UKVI, and changes between intakes. Always confirm the requirement in your offer letter before booking or skipping a test.
UK visa help flow
CAS readiness checklist
Work through every item before you ask your university to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Tick items as you go, then download or print the checklist to share with your counsellor.
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1. Offer & acceptance
2. Academic documents
3. English language evidence
4. Financial evidence
5. Identity & health
6. CAS issuance
7. Student Route visa application
8. Post-decision & arrival
Once your checklist is complete, UKUNI verifies every document, checks your CAS statement line by line and files your Student Route application.
Get my CAS reviewedFunding comparison
Scholarships & funding options compared
Side-by-side comparison of university, government and sponsorship funding available to applicants from Southeast Asia and the Middle East — with eligibility notes and the exact next step for each route.
Award values and deadlines change every cycle. A UKUNI counsellor will shortlist the funding you actually qualify for and manage each application deadline for you.
Get my funding planFrequently asked questions
Can Malaysian students enter a UK degree directly?
Yes, with STPM, A-levels, UEC (at many universities) or a recognised Foundation/Diploma. SPM alone usually leads to a Foundation Year first.
Do Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian students need a Foundation Year?
Most national high school diplomas (Vietnam's Bằng tốt nghiệp THPT, Thailand's Mathayom 6, Indonesia's SMA) need a Foundation Year for UK undergraduate entry, unless you have A-levels, IB or strong grades accepted by specific universities.
Can I get an IELTS waiver from Southeast Asia?
Some universities accept SPM or IGCSE English (for Malaysia) or English-medium school study as proof of English. Check your options with our IELTS checker on this page.
What scholarships are available for ASEAN students?
Options include Chevening for postgraduates, GREAT Scholarships for some countries, and university international merit awards typically worth £2,000–£5,000 a year.