Asia Pacific University (APU) in Kuala Lumpur: fees, entry and dual degree
A private Malaysian university focused on IT, engineering and business, with a UK dual degree option and direct bachelor's entry after Year 12.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is a private Malaysian university in Kuala Lumpur, best known for computing, cyber security, engineering and business. It started in 1993 as the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) and today teaches more than 80 programs in English, from Foundation to PhD. Many bachelor's and coursework master's programs come with a second degree from De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, UK.
APU suits applicants who want an English-taught IT, engineering or business degree at a mid-range private-university price. It also suits students with Standard XII, FSc/HSSC, HSC, WAEC/NECO or Thanaweya A'ama: these certificates give direct entry to year one of a bachelor's degree, without a Foundation year.
It suits you less if you need public-university prices, if you are counting on a merit discount with a national curriculum, or if you plan to stay and work in Malaysia after graduation with a Pakistani, Nigerian, Egyptian or Bangladeshi passport. We explain each of these points below.
| Key fact | APU |
|---|---|
Type | Private Malaysian university, not a branch of a foreign university |
Registration number | DU030(W) |
Roots | Founded in 1993 as APIIT; part of the APIIT Education Group |
Campus | Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur; about 15 minutes by car to the city center |
International students | More than half of all students, from 130 countries (university data) |
QS World University Rankings | #=528 |
Dual degree partner |
Asia Pacific University tuition fees (current price list)
APU publishes fees in Malaysian ringgit (RM). The figures below come from the current APU Fee Guide for international students and do not include the 6% Service Tax (SST). Since 1 July 2025, SST has applied to all fees that APU charges non-Malaysian students, so add 6% to every line.
| Program (international students, current prices) | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
Foundation | 12 months (3 semesters) | RM 28,400; Engineering route RM 29,200 |
Diploma | 2 years | RM 54,200 for the program (RM 27,900 per year) |
Bachelor's: IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, Cyber Security, Business, Accounting, Finance, Psychology, International Relations, Hospitality, Design, Media, Games | 3 years | RM 34,900 / 36,100 / 37,500 by year; RM 108,500 in total |
Bachelor's: Architecture | 3 years | RM 35,800 / 36,800 / 37,800 by year; RM 110,400 in total |
Other costs to budget for (before SST)
- One-time international student registration fee: RM 5,000, including the student card.
- Stage 1, paid when you accept the offer: about RM 3,600. It covers the EMGS visa fee, APU's application and processing fee, and airport pickup.
- Stage 2, paid after the Student Pass is approved: RM 2,000. It covers the EMGS medical check, first-year insurance, i-Kad, eVAL and the Student Pass.
You pay in ringgit. APU's reference dollar amounts use about 3.80 RM per dollar, while the market rate is about 4.05–4.10, so budget for the difference. Next year's fees are not published yet; expect possible indexation. More on budgets: cost of studying in Malaysia.
APU Merit Awards give 10–30% off tuition to all nationalities, but only for A-Levels (AAA to ABB/AAC), O-Levels/IGCSE (4 to 9 A grades) and the IB (26 to 34+ points). CBSE, FSc, WAEC and other national certificates are not in the award tables. Keeping the award requires a CGPA of 2.50 or higher.
APU fees for the whole program
RM for the whole program, current APU Fee Guide, before 6% SST
- Foundation (12 months)RM 28,400
- Diploma (2 years)RM 54,200
- Bachelor's: IT, Computing, Business and moreRM 108,500
- Bachelor's: ArchitectureRM 110,400
- Bachelor's: Engineering (4 years)RM 137,200
- MBA (full-time)RM 42,000
Programs and the degree you receive
APU's bachelor's degrees cover computing (IT, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI), business and finance (Business, Digital Marketing, Accounting, FinTech, Actuarial Studies), Psychology, International Relations, Design, Games, Media, Architecture, Hospitality and Engineering (Mechatronic, Mechanical, Computer, Electrical & Electronic, Petroleum).
Before a bachelor's, you can take a 12-month Foundation or a Diploma of 24+ months. At the graduate level, APU offers an MBA, MSc degrees in AI, Cyber Security, Data Science and Software Engineering, and PhD and DBA programs. Master's programs are assessed 100% through coursework, with no exams.
With the dual degree option, you graduate with two degrees and two transcripts, from APU and from De Montfort University. DMU has approved 25 bachelor's and 23 master's programs for it. Hospitality students get a dual award with Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland (HTMi), already included in the fee.
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Admission requirements for international students
APU publishes an official list that shows the entry level for each school certificate. Most Year 12 certificates from our main markets lead straight to year one of a bachelor's degree. Year 10 certificates lead to Foundation or Diploma first. Minimum marks depend on the program, and we confirm them for your certificate before you apply.
| Country | Direct bachelor's entry | Foundation or Diploma first |
|---|---|---|
India | Standard XII (ISC, CBSE AISSCE, state board HSC) | Standard X (ICSE, CBSE AISSE, SSC) |
Pakistan | HSSC / Intermediate (FSc) | SSC / Matric |
Bangladesh | HSC / Alim | SSC / Dakhil |
Nigeria | WAEC / NECO Senior School Certificate | WASC / GCE O Level (before 1989) |
Egypt and GCC | Thanaweya A'ama (including Al-Azhar), Tawjihiya (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait certificates |
How to apply to APU
1
Check your entry level against the table above. Some programs add subject rules: Computer Science (Cyber Security) with A-Levels needs two passes (A–D), including mathematics and a science or ICT.
2
Prove your English. IELTS 5.0 (PTE 47) covers IT, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Accounting and Hospitality. Business, Psychology and Media need IELTS 5.5 (PTE 51); Banking & Finance and the MBA need 6.0 (PTE 59). English-medium schooling (IGCSE, A-Levels, IB) can give an exemption.
3
Prepare certified copies. Your school, a notary or a Commissioner of Oaths can certify them. Malaysia is not part of the Apostille Convention, so no apostille is needed; add certified English translations. You also need a Health Declaration Form and a 35×45 mm photo on white.
4
Check your passport: APU wants at least 24 months of validity from the intake date. Applicants from Oman, Sudan and Iran also need a no-objection certificate (NOC).
5
Apply 6–8 weeks before your intake. APU usually decides within 2–3 working days, and predicted grades can get you a conditional offer.
What to know before you apply
- Refunds are strict. Application, processing and registration fees are non-refundable once you accept the offer. Tuition is refunded only if the visa is refused; after approval, never. Choose your program before you pay.
- No program switch after the visa application. A new program means a new Student Pass, so we compare programs with you before the offer.
- Merit Awards skip national certificates. With CBSE, FSc, WAEC or Thanaweya, budget for full tuition.
Rankings and accreditation
APU ranks #=528 in the QS World University Rankings, its best result so far, and #20 in the world for International Students. The APU MBA ranks #51 in Asia in the QS Global MBA Rankings. APU is not in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, only in the THE Impact Rankings.
In Malaysia, APU holds a 5-star (Excellent) SETARA rating in the Emerging Universities category. It is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Every program has a Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) code; Computer Science (Cyber Security), for example, is MQA/FA12440. Check your program's code in the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR). Engineering degrees are accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), which links them to the Washington Accord.
Housing and student life
APU has three housing options, all priced per person per month:
| Option | Monthly rent | One-time fee |
|---|---|---|
On-Campus Residence | En-suite twin RM 990–1,050; en-suite single RM 1,190–1,600; room in an apartment RM 1,440–1,760 | RM 400 |
Satellite Campus Residence @ TPM | Triple sharing RM 410 (no air conditioning), RM 510 (air conditioning), RM 610 (deluxe); single deluxe RM 740; utilities included | RM 280 |
Off-campus apartments | University-managed apartments near campus with a free shuttle | — |
Residents get a free shuttle to the LRT station. Plan roughly RM 2,000–3,500 a month for living costs; the lower end fits a shared room. Students can work up to 20 hours a week during holidays longer than 7 days, with approval arranged through the university, so do not count on it to pay tuition.
Student visa
Every applicant from our main markets needs a Student Pass through EMGS, even if no visa is required for tourism. The route is: offer, EMGS application, eVAL approval letter, a Single Entry Visa through the official eVISA portal where required, arrival, and a medical check within 7 working days. Nigerian applicants also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
EMGS aims to process a complete file in 14 working days; plan for 4–8 weeks. The Student Pass usually lasts up to one year and is renewed yearly. Only master's and PhD students can bring family. The full guide is on our Malaysia student visa page.
Other options
If APU does not fit your budget or certificate, compare it with private Taylor's University and UCSI University, or with public Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. See the full list of universities in Malaysia, our guide to master's degrees in Malaysia and the overview of studying in Malaysia.
14 questions to ask before you pay the deposit
Deposits are almost never refundable. Ask these by email before paying — and keep the university's answer on record.
- What to ask about the programme, accreditation and the degree
- What tuition does not include and when a deposit is refunded
- Who files the visa application — you or the university
- Five red flags that mean you should not pay
Send us your certificate, English score and passport details. We check them against APU's requirements for your program, estimate your full first-year budget including SST and visa payments, and compare APU with 2–3 alternatives in Malaysia. The first consultation is free; write to us through the site form, WhatsApp or Telegram on our contacts page.
