

Study at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
A public engineering and technology university in Johor Bahru: fees for the whole degree, entry grades by country and the visa route.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a public research university focused on engineering, computing and science. It received university status in 1975, and its main campus is in Johor Bahru, about 300 km south of Kuala Lumpur. UTM has 32,004 students, including 4,852 international students.
UTM suits students with strong math and science grades who want an engineering or computing degree, with tuition quoted as one sum for the whole program. It is a weaker fit if your grades are borderline, since the Bridging Programme has ended, or if you want business or accounting.
| Key fact | UTM |
|---|---|
Type | Public research university, engineering and technology profile |
University status | Since 1 April 1975 |
Campuses | Johor Bahru (Skudai, main, 2,400 acres), Kuala Lumpur, Pagoh |
Students | 32,004, including 4,852 international |
QS World University Rankings | #153 |
THE World University Rankings | 401–500 |
Accreditation | Self-accrediting university under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) |
Intakes | September (all programs); February (selected programs) |
Minimum English | IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 46 or PTE Academic 51 |
How to apply | Online through the UTM SMARt portal |
Tuition fees at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
UTM quotes undergraduate fees in Malaysian ringgit (RM) for the whole program, not per year. The figures below come from UTM's current fee schedule for international undergraduates. The page does not name an academic year, so we confirm the figure for your program and intake before you apply.
| Program group | Length | Total tuition (RM) |
|---|---|---|
Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical and others) | 8 semesters (4 years) | 75,000 |
MJIIT engineering (Electronic Systems, Mechanical Precision, Chemical Process) | 8 semesters (4 years) | 75,000 |
Computing / IT | 8 semesters (4 years) | 71,000 |
Science; Landscape Architecture; Quantity Surveying | 8 semesters (4 years) | 63,000 |
Artificial Intelligence |
For engineering, this is about RM 18,750 per year. The first semester is higher (RM 14,758 for engineering). By our reading of the schedule, it already includes the RM 6,152 registration fee, so the total should not grow by that amount; we confirm this with UTM.
Costs outside tuition
- Application fee: about RM 450, paid only through the SMARt system (UTM FAQ).
- Conditional Offer and Final Offer: each carries a non-refundable processing fee; UTM does not publish the amounts.
- Personal bond: RM 1,500–2,000, set by immigration according to your nationality and refunded after you graduate.
The registration fee is paid in full, in MYR, through ecommerce.utm.my, telegraphic transfer or CIMB Clicks. For a full budget, see the cost of studying in Malaysia.
Bachelor's fees at UTM
RM for the whole program, UTM's current fee schedule
- Engineering (4 years)RM 75,000
- MJIIT engineering (4 years)RM 75,000
- Computing / IT (4 years)RM 71,000
- Science, Landscape, Quantity SurveyingRM 63,000
- Artificial Intelligence (3 years)RM 54,788
- Architecture (BSc, 3 years)RM 51,620
Programs and the degree you receive
UTM's current programs for international undergraduates include:
Undergraduate programs for international students
- Engineering: Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Mechanical, Aeronautical, Naval Architecture, Chemical (including Gas and Bioprocess), Petroleum, Nuclear, Geomatics.
- Computing: Software Engineering; Computer Science (Networks & Security, Graphics & Multimedia).
- Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence.
Most programs start only in September. Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Civil and three MJIIT programs also take students in February. Engineering, computing and science degrees last 8 semesters (4 years). Architecture (BSc), AI and HRD take 6 semesters (3 years) plus short semesters.
Most undergraduate programs run in Johor Bahru; MJIIT programs are in Kuala Lumpur. Check the campus for your program.
You receive a UTM bachelor's degree, listed automatically in the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) because UTM is self-accrediting. Programs for international students are delivered in English, according to UTM's admissions pages, plus a basic Malay language course among the general subjects.
If you do not meet direct entry, UTMSPACE runs a one-year Foundation (ASASI UTM) open to international students, with a separate application. For postgraduate study, a coursework Master in Engineering costs RM 31,000 for 3 semesters; see our guide to a master's in Malaysia.
Admission requirements for international students
UTM asks for a senior high school certificate, an English certificate and, for Architecture and Industrial Design, an interview. Engineering grades are checked in math, physics and chemistry or biology; computing in math plus two subjects; science in three subjects.
| School qualification | Minimum grade per subject (engineering) |
|---|---|
Pakistan: HSSC / Intermediate (FSc) | 75% |
India: CBSE (AISSCE), ISC, State HSC | B1 / B+ |
Nigeria: WAEC WASSCE / NECO SSCE | B2 |
Bangladesh: HSC / Alim | A+ |
Egypt (Thanaweya Amma, Al-Azhar), Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain | 80% |
GCE A-Level | C (Electrical Engineering: B) |
IB Diploma / IBCP | 4 (Electrical Engineering: 5; Computer Science: Math 5) |
How to apply to UTM
Check your grades — compare each required subject with the table above. Science and social science programs use the same grade across three subjects.
Meet the English requirement — IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 46 (Home Edition accepted), PTE Academic 51 (Online accepted), MUET 4.0 or Cambridge 160. Scores are valid for 2 years. A-Level, IB and some international school graduates may be exempt.
Prepare documents — certified true copies of certificates and transcripts with certified English translations. Malaysia is not part of the Apostille Convention, so an apostille is not needed. Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months. Add a 35×45 mm photo on a white background and the Health Declaration Form.
Apply online through UTM SMARt — a complete application is processed within about one working day, and the offer follows after all assessments.
Get your offer letters — the Eligibility Letter is free. A Conditional Offer and then a Final Offer follow, each with a processing fee. Only the Final Offer confirms admission and is used for the visa.
What to know before you apply
UTM has clear limits. Here is what applicants often learn too late, and how to handle it.
Honest limitations
- No Bridging Programme anymore. Older pages may still mention it. If your grades fall short, look at the UTMSPACE Foundation or a university with a pathway program.
- If your English is below the minimum, UTM lets you take an Intensive English Programme on campus, but you have at most 2 semesters to meet the requirement. It is safer to arrive with IELTS 5.5 or higher.
- No financial aid for international undergraduates. Budget the full tuition plus living costs from your own funds.
Rankings and accreditation
UTM ranks #153 in the QS World University Rankings, up from #181 in 2025 and #188 in 2024. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it is in the 401–500 band. THE data show 28% international students and 10.1 students per staff member.
UTM is self-accrediting under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), and its qualifications appear in the searchable MQR. If you plan to work in a regulated profession at home, such as engineering, check how your home authority recognizes Malaysian degrees before you enroll.
Housing and student life
UTM has more than 12,000 hostel places in 10 residential colleges on the Johor Bahru campus. Monthly rates:
| Room type | Price per month (RM) |
|---|---|
Double room | 360 |
Single room | 450 |
Single room with bathroom | 600 |
Executive room | 750–1,200 |
K Hotel | 395–650 |
Family apartment | 480–1,100 |
UTM estimates living costs at around RM 1,000–1,500 per month if you live on campus, including food and local transport in Johor Bahru. After you arrive, you must complete your medical check at the UTM Health Center within 3 days. Your insurance must be recognized in Malaysia and valid for at least 12 months; EMGS plans cost RM 456–958 per year.
Student visa
You need a Student Pass even if your country is visa-free for tourism. The route runs through EMGS: offer, application, visa approval letter (eVAL), entry visa if required, arrival, medical check and endorsement. EMGS aims for 14 working days on a complete file, but UTM advises planning 3–6 weeks. Do not buy flights before your approval letter and entry visa are issued. Full steps are in our Malaysia student visa guide.
Other options
If you want to study in Kuala Lumpur, compare UTM with Universiti Malaya, another public university. Private universities such as Taylor's University, Asia Pacific University and UCSI University offer more intakes and pathway programs. See all universities in Malaysia or our study in Malaysia overview.
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 documents meet UTM's requirements? Send them for a free check. We compare them with UTM's subject rules, plan your timeline and suggest 2–3 alternatives in Malaysia. Write to us through the contact form, WhatsApp or Telegram.


