Universiti Malaya (UM): Studying in Kuala Lumpur as an International Student
Malaysia's oldest university, QS #58: fees by program, entry grades, the Malay course rule and the real cost of the visa package.
Universiti Malaya is Malaysia's oldest university and a public research university in Kuala Lumpur. It began in 1905 as a medical college in Singapore and became an independent university in Kuala Lumpur in 1962. About 32% of its roughly 18,900 students are international.
UM suits strong students who want a public university degree and a top-60 QS ranking. Computer science, engineering, business and medicine are the main English-taught routes for international applicants. Non-medical programs cost a fraction of the MBBS fee.
UM is a weaker fit if you need an undergraduate scholarship or finished only 11 years of school. It also does not suit anyone who wants to avoid Malay entirely: every international student must pass a Malay course.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
Type | Public research university, self-accrediting under MQA |
Founded | 1905 (as a medical college); independent university in Kuala Lumpur since 1962 |
Campuses | Kuala Lumpur (922 acres, near Bangsar, Mid Valley and KL Sentral) and Bachok, Kelantan |
Academic structure | 14 faculties, 2 academies, 3 institutes, 2 centers |
Programs | 75 bachelor's, 113 master's, 32 doctoral |
Students | About 18,900; 32% international; 9.7 students per staff member (THE) |
Rankings | QS World University Rankings: #58; THE: 201–250 |
Undergraduate intakes | October (main) and March; MBBS in October only |
Universiti Malaya tuition fees for international students
UM quotes international fees for the whole program, not per year, and you pay by semester. The current price list was updated on 22 October 2025. No list for the next academic year is published yet, and fees may change without notice. Fees exclude 6% SST, so add it where it applies.
| Program (bachelor's) | Total fee, RM (current list) | Duration | Approx. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
Computer Science (all 5 tracks) | 89,200 | 3.5 years | ~RM 25,500 |
Engineering (Civil, Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical) | 132,100 | 4 years | ~RM 33,000 |
Economics / Business Administration | 77,100 | 3.5 years | — |
Finance | 84,100 |
The one-time admission fee (RM 800 for undergraduates) is already included. Master's programs are also priced per program: Master of AI or Cyber Security RM 48,100, Data Science RM 41,700, MBA RM 79,100.
Two costs sit outside tuition. The application fee is RM 500, non-refundable. After accepting an offer, you pay UM's International Student Processing Fee, which covers EMGS, eVAL, the Student Pass, medical screening, insurance and UM's visa handling. For Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain it is RM 5,451 (one-year pass) or RM 6,151 (three years); for India RM 5,481 or RM 6,241. The visa fee of RM 17–50 comes on top, and the package is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
We confirm the current fee for your program and nationality before you apply. For a full budget, see our guide to the cost of studying in Malaysia.
Bachelor's fees at Universiti Malaya
RM for the whole program, current price list, before 6% SST
- Engineering (4 years)RM 132,100
- ArchitectureRM 103,900
- Accounting (3.5 years)RM 99,100
- Computer Science (3.5 years)RM 89,200
- Finance (3.5 years)RM 84,100
- Economics / Business AdministrationRM 77,100
- Arts, Shariah, Malay Studies
Programs and the degree you receive
Main undergraduate areas
- Computer Science with 5 tracks: AI, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Networks, Multimedia (3.5 years).
- Engineering: Civil, Biomedical, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical (4 years).
- Business and Economics: Economics, BBA, Finance, Accounting (3.5 years).
Most programs are taught in English. Some humanities and social science programs also use Malay, and Malay Studies and parts of Islamic Studies run mainly in Malay or Arabic. Every international student must pass a Malay course before graduating.
You receive a Malaysian bachelor's degree from a public university, listed automatically in the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR). If you plan to practice medicine or dentistry at home, check your home regulator's rules before applying. For postgraduate study, see our page on master's in Malaysia.
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Admission requirements for international students
UM asks for at least 12 years of schooling. Accepted qualifications include STPM, A-Level, IB, a high school or Grade 12 certificate, or a diploma with a CGPA of at least 3.00. Some programs add an interview and a test.
How to apply to UM
1
Check the academic entry for your program. Computer Science example: A-Level B in Mathematics plus B in Physics, Computing, Chemistry, Biology or Further Maths; IB 30 points with 5 (HL) or 6 (SL) in math and science; a senior high school certificate with an average of 65% and at least 60% (B-) in math and one science; or a diploma with CGPA 3.00.
2
For MBBS, the bar is higher: A-Level A grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Maths; IB 36 points; a foundation with A in Biology and Chemistry; or a degree with CGPA 3.7. You also need MSAT, BMAT, MCAT or GAMSAT, an interview, a test and a medical report.
3
Take an English test. Most programs: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 46, PTE Academic 51 or MUET 4.0. Medicine: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, PTE 59 or Cambridge 169. Scores are valid for 2 years; IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS UKVI are not accepted.
4
Prepare certified copies of certificates and transcripts, with an official English translation if needed. A school principal, government officer, Commissioner of Oaths or embassy can certify. Malaysia is not in the Apostille Convention, so an apostille does not replace this.
5
What to know before you apply
Scholarships are almost nonexistent for international undergraduates. Of 13 entries on UM's undergraduate aid page, only one is open to them: a PTE-sponsored award that in the last round was a single GBP 3,000 prize decided by an essay contest. Plan to pay the full fee. Postgraduates have more options: UM Bright Scholarship for PhD by research, and the government's Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) for master's and PhD, which includes RM 1,500 per month.
The 12-year rule matters. If your school system ends after 11 years, you may not meet it directly. UM's current booklet lists a one-year Foundation, but whether international students can join it for your intake still needs to be confirmed.
Choose your program carefully. UM's older guidance says you cannot switch programs after accepting an offer; a new application would be needed.
Post-study work depends on your passport. Malaysia's 12-month Graduate Pass is open to citizens of 32 countries, including India and the GCC states, but not Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt or Bangladesh. For GCC expat families, citizenship counts, not residence.
Rankings and accreditation
UM ranks #58 in the QS World University Rankings, up from #60 in 2025, and #12 in QS Asia. In the THE World University Rankings it sits in the 201–250 band. THE subject results: Education =80, Business and Economics 101–125, Law 126–150, Engineering 151–175.
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) oversees program quality. As a self-accrediting university, UM has all its qualifications listed in the MQR, where you can check your program.
Housing and student life
UM's residential colleges (Kolej Kediaman) charge international residents RM 900 per month for a single room and RM 450 for a shared room of 2–6 people. Rooms have fans and shared bathrooms, and places depend on availability.
Off campus, UM estimates rent at roughly RM 800–2,200 per month; the campus is close to Bangsar, Mid Valley and KL Sentral. Overall, a student in Kuala Lumpur needs about RM 2,000–3,500 per month.
Part-time work is limited to 20 hours a week, with immigration approval, during holidays longer than 7 days. Do not build your budget around a job.
Student visa
You need a Student Pass through EMGS even if you can visit Malaysia visa-free as a tourist. Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months. EMGS's official time is 14 working days for a complete file, but plan for 4–8 weeks. Medical screening follows within 7 working days of arrival, and insurance (included in UM's package) is compulsory. Travelers from Nigeria need a yellow fever certificate. Only master's and PhD students can bring family. Step-by-step details are on our Malaysia student visa page.
Other options
If UM's entry grades or fees do not fit, compare it with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, a public university with lower program fees, or with private options such as Taylor's University, Asia Pacific University and UCSI University. See the full list of universities in Malaysia or our 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
Not sure your grades meet UM's requirements? Send us your certificates and English score. We check them against your program's entry rules, list what to certify and compare UM with 2–3 alternatives in your budget. The first consultation is free. Contact us through the site form, WhatsApp or Telegram, or visit our contacts page.
