Malaysia's #1 UniversityQS #56 Globally (2027)Kuala Lumpur (Main) + Cyberjaya (UMCCed)

University of Malaya (UM) — International Student Guide 2026

University of Malaya (UM) is Malaysia's oldest, highest-ranked, and most prestigious university — ranked #56 globally (QS 2027), #1 in Malaysia, and #9 in Asia (QS 2026). Founded in 1905, UM's 922-acre main campus in Kuala Lumpur — plus a Cyberjaya campus (UMCCed) for continuing education — hosts 40,000 students from 80+ countries across 14 faculties. With 41 subjects ranked in QS by Subject 2025 — 4 in the global top 50 and 38 ranked #1 in Malaysia — UM offers unmatched academic breadth and international recognition at public university fees.

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Why Choose UM

Key Benefits for International Students

Malaysia's #1 University · Public Research University · QS Top 60 Globally · 14 Faculties

🏆 Malaysia's #1 & QS Top 60 Globally — Consistent Upward Trajectory

UM has risen from #70 (2023) to #58 (2026) to #56 (2027) in QS World Rankings — a consistent upward trend reflecting strong research output and growing global reputation. As Malaysia's only top-60 globally ranked university, a UM degree carries exceptional international recognition in the GCC, UK, Australia, and beyond.

📚 41 Subjects Ranked — 4 in Global Top 50

UM has 41 subjects ranked in QS by Subject 2025 — making it Malaysia's most subject-ranked university. Of these, 4 are in the global top 50, 20 in the top 100, and 38 are ranked #1 in Malaysia. This breadth of subject-level excellence means UM graduates have recognised, discipline-specific credentials across all major fields.

🏥 UMMC — Malaysia's Premier Teaching Hospital

University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) is Malaysia's leading academic medical centre — a 1,000-bed teaching hospital on the UM campus providing medical, dental, and pharmacy students with world-class clinical training. MBBS graduates from UM are recognised by medical councils in the GCC, UK, and Australia.

🌆 Central KL Location — LRT Access, 400,000+ Alumni Network

UM's 922-acre campus is 6km from KL city centre, served directly by the Universiti LRT station (5 minutes walk). The campus includes modern libraries, a botanical garden, sports facilities, mosques, multiple residential colleges, and halal dining. An alumni network of 400,000+ in 80+ countries provides exceptional career networking.

Programmes & Fees

UM Programmes for International Students 2026

Fees shown are official total international fees for 2025/2026, taken directly from study.um.edu.my. Medicine (RM 528,000), Dentistry (RM 382,800) and Pharmacy (RM 168,000) are total fees for the full programme duration.

🏫 Cyberjaya Campus (UMCCed): UM operates its Centre for Continuing Education (UMCCed) at Bangunan CV23, Cyberjaya (since July 2023), offering Diplomas, Executive Diplomas, Professional Certificates, and Islamic Studies — ideal for students wanting to study in the heart of Cyberjaya's tech hub under the University of Malaya name.

Study Level

Field of Study

Diploma in Management 📍 Cyberjaya (UMCCed)	Diploma	Business	2 years	RM 33,240
Diploma in Business Management 📍 Cyberjaya (UMCCed)	Diploma	Business	2 years	RM 33,240
Diploma in Accounting 📍 Cyberjaya (UMCCed)	Diploma	Business	2 years	RM 33,240
Executive Diploma in Management 📍 Cyberjaya (UMCCed)	Diploma	Business	1.5 years (part-time)	RM 29,780
Diploma in Islamic Studies 📍 Cyberjaya (UMCCed)	Diploma	Islamic	2 years	-
Bachelor of Civil Engineering	Degree	Engineering	4 years	RM 132,100
Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering	Degree	Engineering	4 years	RM 132,100
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering	Degree	Engineering	4 years	RM 132,100
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering	Degree	Engineering	4 years	RM 132,100
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering	Degree	Engineering	4 years	RM 132,100
Bachelor of Islamic Studies and Science	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Muamalat Management	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Al-Quran and Al-Hadith	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Shariah and Law	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Shariah	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Usuluddin	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Islamic Education	Degree	Islamic	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Professional Malay Language	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Malay Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Malay Literature	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Malay Studies	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – Anthropology & Sociology	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Geography	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Environmental Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – International & Strategic Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – Southeast Asian Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of East Asian Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Social Administration	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – History	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – Indian Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – Chinese Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arts – English	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Media Studies	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Science in Architecture	Degree	Architecture	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Building Surveying	Degree	Architecture	4 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Quantity Surveying	Degree	Architecture	4 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning	Degree	Architecture	4 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Real Estate	Degree	Architecture	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Business Administration	Degree	Business	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor in Accounting	Degree	Business	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Finance	Degree	Business	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Economics	Degree	Business	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Computer System & Network)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Multimedia Computing)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Data Science)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Computer Science (Information System)	Degree	Computing	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Dance	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Drama	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Music	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Performing Arts	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)	Degree	Medicine	5 years	RM 382,800
Bachelor of Counseling	Degree	Education	3 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Education (TESL)	Degree	Education	4 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education	Degree	Education	3 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of English Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Arabic Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Tamil Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Japanese Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of French Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of German Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Spanish Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Italian Language and Linguistics	Degree	Languages	3 years	RM 37,800
Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons)	Degree	Law	4 years	RM 81,600
Bachelor of Jurisprudence	Degree	Law	3 years	RM 81,600
Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBBS)	Degree	Medicine	5 years	RM 528,000
Bachelor of Biomedical Science	Degree	Medicine	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Nursing Science	Degree	Medicine	4 years	RM 100,800
Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours	Degree	Science	4 years	RM 168,000
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Physics	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Science in Statistics	Degree	Science	3 years	RM 63,000
Bachelor of Sports Management	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 43,200
Bachelor of Sports Science (Exercise Science)	Degree	Arts	3 years	RM 43,200
Master of Biomedical Engineering (Coursework)	Postgraduate	Engineering	1.5–2 years	RM 37,680
Master of System Engineering (Coursework)	Postgraduate	Engineering	1.5–2 years	RM 37,680
Master of Safety, Health & Environment Engineering	Postgraduate	Engineering	1.5–2 years	RM 37,680
Master of Mechanical Engineering (Coursework)	Postgraduate	Engineering	1.5–2 years	RM 37,680
Master of Road Safety Engineering	Postgraduate	Engineering	1.5–2 years	RM 37,680
Master of Engineering Science (Research)	Postgraduate	Engineering	2–4 years	RM 25,000
Doctor of Philosophy – Engineering (PhD)	Postgraduate	Engineering	3–5 years	RM 40,000
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	Postgraduate	Business	1.5–2.5 years	RM 35,000
Master of Computer Science	Postgraduate	Computing	1.5 years	RM 24,800
Master of Data Science	Postgraduate	Computing	1.5 years	RM 24,800
Master of Laws (LLM)	Postgraduate	Law	1–1.5 years	RM 23,000
Master of Public Health (MPH)	Postgraduate	Medicine	1.5 years	RM 31,100
Doctor of Philosophy – All Faculties (PhD)	Postgraduate	All Fields	3–5 years	RM 32,400

Showing all programmes.

Fees & Dates

Fees & Key Dates

Full cost details for international students in Malaysia.

Tuition & Admission Fees

Registration FeeRM 2,700

EMGS Visa Fee~RM 3,500

Approx. Total Upfront~RM 6,200

Comparison

How UM Compares to Other Top Malaysian Universities

Based on verified 2025–2026 data.

Feature	UM	UTM	UKM	UPM
QS World Rank 2027	🏆 #56	#158	#300–350	#250–300
QS Asia Rank	#9	#25	#60+	#50+
QS Subjects Ranked	41 subjects	15+	12+	10+
Engineering Fees /yr (Intl.)	RM 16,500/yr	RM 18,750/yr	RM 15,800/yr	RM 15,200/yr
Medical School	✅ UMMC (1,000 beds)	❌	✅ UKMMC	✅ HPUM
Intl. Students	12,400+	5,600+	4,000+	4,000+
Location	KL (LRT access)	Johor Bahru	Bangi, Selangor	Serdang, Selangor
Alumni Network	400,000+	248,000+	200,000+	150,000+

Application Process

How to Apply to UM as an International Student

We handle steps 3–5 on your behalf at no cost. Apply at least 4 months before your target intake.

1Choose your programme and confirm eligibility

Contact our advisors to confirm your qualifications meet UM's entry requirements. We review transcripts, English certificates, and recommend the right programme across UM's 14 faculties.

1–2 Days

2Prepare your documents

Required: certified academic transcripts, valid passport (min. 18 months), IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79, passport photo, and a personal statement. We review everything before submission.

3–7 Days

3Submit your application online

Applications are submitted via admission.um.edu.my. UM processes international applications within 3–5 weeks of receiving complete documents. We follow up on your behalf throughout.

2–4 Weeks

4Accept offer and process your visa

Pay the registration fee (RM 2,700) upon receiving your offer letter. We then initiate your EMGS student visa application (~RM 3,500). Visa processing takes approximately 4–8 weeks.

4–8 Weeks

5Arrive in KL and enrol at UM

Travel to Kuala Lumpur with your Visa Approval Letter (VAL). Take the LRT to Universiti station (5 min walk to campus), collect your student pass, apply for residential college accommodation, and attend UM's international orientation.

Welcome to UM! 🎓

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — UM International Students

UM offers two main intakes per year:

• October (Semester 1) — The main and largest intake. Applications typically open in May and close in August (deadline for October 2025 was August 30, 2025). This is the recommended intake for undergraduate and coursework master's programmes.

• March (Semester 2) — A smaller intake available for selected programmes. Applications open in September and close around January. Best for postgraduate students.

Apply at least 4–6 months before your target intake to allow time for offer processing and EMGS visa. We strongly recommend targeting the October intake for the widest programme availability.

Yes. UM's QS #56 global ranking ensures its degrees are recognised by employers and universities in the GCC, UK, Australia, Canada, and the US. UM's MBBS is accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and widely recognised in GCC member states after passing the relevant country's licensing exam. UM's engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) and recognised internationally through the Washington Accord.

For most undergraduate programmes: IELTS 6.0 (Academic) or TOEFL iBT 79. For postgraduate programmes: IELTS 6.5 (most coursework master's), though some programmes accept 6.0. Medicine (MBBS) may require higher scores. If you don't meet the requirement, UM's Centre for Foundation Studies offers English preparatory courses. Contact us and we'll advise on the exact requirement for your chosen programme.

Yes. UM has multiple residential colleges on the 922-acre campus with accommodation from approximately RM 150–400/month. Priority is given to first-year undergraduate international students. The campus also has a mosque, halal dining options, sports complex, health clinic, and botanical garden — creating a comprehensive, comfortable environment for Muslim students. We assist with the residential college application as part of our free service.

UM's Kuala Lumpur campus is served directly by the Universiti LRT station (Kelana Jaya Line), placing you 15 minutes from KL city centre (KLCC, Bukit Bintang), 45 minutes from KL International Airport (KLIA), and close to Bangsar — one of KL's most vibrant residential and commercial areas. This central location provides unrivalled access to internship opportunities, halal food variety, Islamic facilities, and Malaysia's international gateway.

UM offers several financial support options for international students: UM Excellence Award (merit-based, partial fee reduction for outstanding undergraduates), research assistantships and fellowships at postgraduate level, and external scholarships including the Malaysian Government Scholarship (MIS) for international students. Contact us for a complete scholarship assessment — we identify all available funding pathways as part of our free advisory service.

Ready to Study at UM?

Our advisors are available Monday to Saturday. Document review, application submission, visa guidance, and university liaison are all completely free.

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