Asia Pacific University (APU)

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is a private university in Kuala Lumpur, located in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil. Its strength is applied computing — computer science, cybersecurity, AI and software engineering — alongside accounting, finance and business, all taught in English to students APU says come from more than 130 countries.

A bachelor's takes three years; for international students computer science or business management costs $26,540 (MYR 108,500) in total plus Malaysia's 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST). If your school qualification is not equivalent to Grade 12 or A-levels, you start with the 12-month Foundation at $6,950 (MYR 28,400).

APU in Kuala Lumpur is not Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan: the two share an acronym but nothing else.

APU suits you if you:

• want hands-on computing in English with industry experience — the computer science degree includes an internship of at least 16 weeks;
• want a three-year bachelor's with a clear ringgit budget and no local language to master first;
• like the option of a second degree from De Montfort University in the UK, open to bachelor's and master's students.

Look elsewhere if you:

• plan to stay and work in Malaysia on a Graduate Pass but your nationality is not on the eligible list (Russia and the CIS countries are not on the list APU publishes);
• expect a merit discount for a qualification other than A-levels, IGCSE or IB;
• want a research university high in overall rankings — APU is an applied university that itself cites 20th place worldwide for the International Students indicator in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Program titles are given as on APU's site and MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency) accreditation.

The computer science degree builds programming, mathematics for computing and an introduction to AI in year one; data structures, Java, web applications, concurrent programming and the internship in year two; algorithmics, advanced databases and a final project in year three. As MQA requires, international students also take Malay Communication Language.

Master's. The MSc in Artificial Intelligence, for example, runs a little over a year full time and costs $11,200 (MYR 45,800) plus SST. It requires a computing bachelor's with a CGPA of 2.5 (2.0 with additional assessment, or non-computing degrees with prerequisite modules) and IELTS 5.5, waived for English-taught degrees.

Direct bachelor's entry needs a qualification equivalent to Grade 12, A-levels or HSC, judged against the MQA list of international qualification equivalencies. Applicants from 11-year school systems, such as Russia and several CIS countries, depend on how APU assesses that certificate; if direct entry is not confirmed, the route is the Foundation.

Foundation lasts 12 months, with business and finance, computing, engineering, and architecture and design routes. Entry needs IGCSE or O-level-equivalent credits in five subjects including mathematics, and IELTS 4.0. Passing with a CGPA of 2.0 (and strong mathematics for computing degrees) leads to year one.

English. Bachelor's: IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 2.5 on the new scale or PTE 47. Master's: IELTS 5.5. Students below the bar can study at APU's language centre first.

Still at school? You can apply with forecast results and receive a conditional offer.

APU publishes start dates for the coming months; 2027 dates are not yet on its calendar. The next starts:

APU asks for complete visa documents at least eight weeks before a start date, so for overseas applicants the November 2026 starts are already tight and a 2027 intake is the realistic target.

1. Apply online with your documents; school leavers can use forecast grades.
2. Accept the offer by paying the $880 (MYR 3,600) pre-arrival application processing fee, which covers EMGS visa fees, APU application processing, airport assistance and transfer to the university and your accommodation on arrival; it is non-refundable once the offer is accepted. Four white-background photos are also needed.
3. Student Pass. APU files with EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services); processing takes about two to three weeks from a complete file, and you download the Visa Approval Letter from the EMGS site. Stay outside Malaysia while it is processed — entering on a visit pass can lead to rejection. Nationals of the countries on APU's single-entry-visa list, which includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the other CIS states, then need a Single Entry Visa from a Malaysian embassy or the eVISA portal, and APU asks students not to arrive more than two weeks before classes start.
4. Arrive with a passport valid for at least 13 months on departure; for the visa application APU asks for 24 months' validity from the start date. EMGS meets students at KLIA, you take an EMGS-panel medical check within seven days, and your passport is endorsed with a Student Pass valid for up to a year at first. Health insurance is compulsory.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia decides on the Student Pass through EMGS.

International fees from APU's program pages as of October 2026. SST of 6% is added to all tuition; deposits and miscellaneous fees are extra.

SST adds $510 (MYR 2,094) to the first bachelor's year alone. Fees are invoiced and paid in ringgit; APU's own dollar figures are indicative and use APU's rate ($28,555 for the computer science degree), so they differ from our ECB-based conversions; the exchange-rate risk is yours.

International Merit Awards. APU cuts tuition by 10–30% for final A-level results (AAA: 30%), IGCSE or O-level grades (8–9 A's: 30%) and the IB (34 points or more: 30%). Awards are first come, first served, secured by paying the $880 (MYR 3,600) fee, renewed yearly with a CGPA of 2.5 and limited to tuition. The current deadline is 31 October 2026.

National school certificates outside those systems, such as the Russian or Kazakh certificate, are not in the award table. Master's students can receive merit awards of up to 30%.

APU lets rooms in its on-campus residence in Technology Park Malaysia and in managed apartments nearby; electricity and laundry are paid as used.

The Graduate Pass gives bachelor's and master's graduates 12 months in Malaysia without an employer sponsor. It is limited to the nationalities on the list APU publishes, which includes countries such as China, India, Indonesia and the UK but not Russia or the CIS, and it requires a passport valid for 18 months, insurance and a Malaysian sponsor earning at least $365 (MYR 1,500) a month. Where it is not available, plan the APU degree — or the APU–De Montfort dual degree — as a step to work or a master's elsewhere.

• Budgeting tuition only. Add 6% SST, the $880 (MYR 3,600) pre-arrival fee and deposits.
• Applying a month before the start. APU wants a complete visa file eight weeks ahead.
• Entering Malaysia as a visitor during processing. It can cost you the Student Pass.
• Expecting a merit award for any certificate. The table covers A-levels, IGCSE and IB.
• Assuming a Graduate Pass. Check your nationality against APU's published list; Russia and the CIS countries are not on it.
• Mixing up the two APUs. Ritsumeikan APU in Japan is a different university.