Universiti Malaya (UM) is Malaysia's oldest and highest-ranked university: 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the best position any Malaysian university has reached. It is a public research university in Kuala Lumpur that admits international students through its own fee-paying channel, separate from the national system for Malaysians. Applicants with 11 years of schooling usually need a foundation year first; the Computer Science bachelor's then costs $21,860 (RM 89,200) for 3.5 years before tax. For applicants from Russia, UM degrees are on the government list of foreign qualifications recognised without a separate procedure.
| At a glance | 2026/27 intakes |
|---|---|
| Type | Public research university |
| Location | Kuala Lumpur, 922-acre (about 373 ha) campus |
| Ranking | QS World University Rankings 2027: 56th (58th in 2026) |
| Programmes | 75 bachelor's, 113 master's, 32 doctoral |
| Language | English, except some Islamic studies, Malay studies and language programmes |
| Bachelor's example | Computer Science: $21,860 (RM 89,200) for 3.5 years |
| Foundation | $8,580 (RM 35,000) for one year, September intake |
| Bachelor's intakes | October and March |
| Application fee | $120 (RM 500) |
Who UM suits
Choose UM if ranking, degree recognition and value matter most. Tuition is lower than at private universities and branch campuses, and a top-100 QS position helps with later master's applications elsewhere.
It is a weaker fit if:
- you want to start a bachelor's straight after 11 years of school — that requires a foundation year or A-levels;
- you need a February, April or August start — UM has only two bachelor's intakes;
- your grades are modest — UM's subject thresholds are higher than most private universities'.
For a comparison with private universities and branch campuses, see universities in Malaysia.
History and campus
UM traces its origins to 1905, when the King Edward VII College of Medicine opened in Singapore. It merged with Raffles College in 1949, and the university was formally established in Kuala Lumpur in 1962, with the mathematician Alexander Oppenheim as its first Vice-Chancellor. The main campus in Kuala Lumpur holds the faculties, libraries, sports facilities and 13 residential colleges; a second campus operates in Bachok, Kelantan.
Faculties and subjects
UM groups its programmes into three streams:
- science and technology — computer science and IT, engineering, sciences, built environment, sports science;
- health sciences — medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, biomedical science;
- social sciences — business and economics, law, education, arts and social sciences, languages and linguistics, creative arts, Islamic and Malay studies.
Programmes are taught in English unless stated otherwise; some in the Islamic and Malay studies academies, the arts and social sciences faculty and the languages faculty use Malay, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or other languages. International students also take a compulsory Basic Malay Language course.
Tuition fees
UM quotes the fee for the whole programme. It includes the admission fee — $200 (RM 800) for bachelor's and $250 (RM 1,000) for postgraduate study — while the 6% service tax for non-citizens is charged on top.
| Programme | Duration | International fee, 2026/27 intakes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation (Life Sciences or Social Sciences) | 1 year | $8,580 (RM 35,000) |
| Computer Science (five specialisations) | 3.5 years | $21,860 (RM 89,200) |
| Economics; Business Administration | 3.5 years | $18,890 (RM 77,100) |
| Accounting | 4 years | $24,280 (RM 99,100) |
| Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, biomedical) | 4 years | $32,370 (RM 132,100) |
| Architecture | 3 years | $25,460 (RM 103,900) |
| BA English | 3.5 years | $14,920 (RM 60,900) |
| Pharmacy | 4 years | $68,630 (RM 280,100) |
| Medicine (MBBS) | 5 years | $164,960 (RM 673,200) |
| Master in Data Science | 1 year | $10,220 (RM 41,700) |
| Master of Artificial Intelligence; Master of Cyber Security | 1 year | $11,790 (RM 48,100) |
| Master of Mechanical Engineering | 1 year | $13,500 (RM 55,100) |
| MBA | 1.5 years | $19,380 (RM 79,100) |
| PhD in Engineering | 3 years | $19,820 (RM 80,900) |
Fees come from UM's international booklet (updated 15 December 2025) and programme pages valid for 2026/27 intakes. Architecture, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy involve an interview and an entrance test.
Bachelor's admission
Which school qualifications UM accepts
UM separates two levels. SPM (Malaysia's Form 5 exam), O-level, IGCSE and Grade 11 qualify you for a foundation or diploma. Direct bachelor's entry requires the next level: STPM, A-level, IB, AUSMAT, a 12-year high school certificate or a completed foundation. An 11-year school certificate therefore normally leads to UM's foundation programme; the admissions office makes the final assessment after you apply.
Example: Computer Science requirements
| Qualification | UM requirement for international applicants |
|---|---|
| 12-year high school certificate | Average of at least 65%, with at least 60% in mathematics and in one of physics, chemistry, biology or computing |
| A-level | B in Mathematics and B in one science or computing subject |
| IB | At least 30 points, with 5 (HL) or 6 (SL) in Mathematics and one relevant subject |
| Foundation | CGPA of 3.00 out of 4, with B- in mathematics and one relevant subject |
| English | IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 46, PTE Academic 51, MUET 4.0 or Cambridge English 160 |
UM does not accept IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition or TOEFL ITP. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE results are valid for two years.
UM's foundation for international students
UM's Centre for Foundation Studies admits international students to two one-year programmes, Life Sciences and Social Sciences, at $8,580 (RM 35,000). Applications for September 2026 ran from 3 to 23 August 2026; judging by this cycle, the next window will open in summer 2027. To progress to a degree you need the grades the faculty sets — for Computer Science, a CGPA of 3.00.
How to apply
Apply through the MAYA portal and pay the $120 (RM 500) fee. You will need:
- a photo and passport copy;
- school certificates and transcripts certified by the issuing institution or your embassy;
- official translations into English or Malay;
- an English test certificate;
- any supporting documents, such as scholarship letters or work experience.
UM accepts only final, official results — not predicted, provisional, mock or trial grades.
Bachelor's deadlines
| Intake | International application window |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | 9 February to 30 August 2026; medicine until 9 June 2026 (closed) |
| March 2027 | 7 September 2026 to 30 January 2027 |
Types of offer letter
UM issues three kinds of letter. A full offer letter confirms your place and can be used for the visa. A conditional offer — for example, pending an English score — cannot be used for the visa until the condition is met. A provisional letter from an education fair only signals interest; you still have to apply through the portal.
Master's and doctoral study
Master's entry requires a bachelor's degree from a recognised university; qualifications graded under other systems are cross-matched before any offer. Most taught master's programmes last 1–1.5 years; the 1.5-year MBA includes an interview.
- Coursework and mixed-mode programmes: applications for March 2027 run from 7 September 2026 to 30 January 2027.
- Research master's and PhD: applications are accepted from 27 April to 22 November 2026 and require a research proposal.
- Graduating from a doctorate: UM requires proof that a journal article or book has been accepted by a recognised, indexed publisher.
The government's Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) funds master's and doctoral study at Malaysian universities, including UM; the 2026/27 round has closed. For budgeting, see the cost of studying in Malaysia.
Visa and arrival
UM students apply for the electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) through the university's visa team, which coordinates with EMGS. UM charges most nationalities a single package — $1,340 (RM 5,451) for a one-year pass or $1,510 (RM 6,151) for three years — covering EMGS charges, a year of insurance, the Student Pass, the i-Kad, the medical screening and UM's own processing fee. It is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Key points:
- nationals of countries on the EMGS list, including Russia and Kazakhstan, need a single-entry visa from the online eVISA portal after the eVAL;
- new students may arrive no earlier than two weeks before orientation week;
- do not use the airport e-gates — you need a 30-day Special Pass stamp;
- complete the medical screening within seven working days and then hand your passport to UM's visa office.
The full process is covered in our Malaysia Student Pass guide.
Accommodation
| Option | International rate, 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Residential colleges 1–12, single room | $220 (RM 900) a month or $7 (RM 30) a night |
| Residential colleges 1–12, room for two or three | $110 (RM 450) a month or $4 (RM 15) a night |
| Residential college 13, rooms for 2–6 | $110 (RM 450) a month |
| Renting near campus | $200–540 (RM 800–2,200) a month |
Rooms have a bed, desk, wardrobe and fan; bathrooms and laundry are shared. College places are limited and allocated by availability, so line up a rental option before you arrive.
UM compared with private options
| Criterion | Universiti Malaya | Taylor's University | University of Nottingham Malaysia |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS 2027 | 56 | 272 | Parent university 97 |
| Computer Science | $21,860 (RM 89,200) for 3.5 years + tax | $37,290 (RM 152,187) for 3 years incl. all charges | $44,420 (RM 181,260) for 3 years incl. tax |
| Bachelor's intakes | October, March | February, April, September | September |
| Degree awarded by | UM | Taylor's | University of Nottingham |
See our profiles of Taylor's University and the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a degree with an 11-year certificate only. Without Grade 12, A-levels, IB or a foundation, the application will not be considered.
- Sitting IELTS for UKVI or an at-home TOEFL. UM does not accept them.
- Uploading predicted grades. UM assesses final results only.
- Applying for the visa on a conditional offer. The eVAL requires a full offer letter.
- Reading the programme fee as an annual fee. $21,860 (RM 89,200) for Computer Science covers the whole degree.
FAQ
How much does Universiti Malaya cost for international students?
UM quotes whole-programme fees: Computer Science $21,860 (RM 89,200) for 3.5 years, Economics $18,890 (RM 77,100), Engineering $32,370 (RM 132,100) for four years and Medicine $164,960 (RM 673,200) for five. A 6% service tax is added.
Can I enter UM after 11 years of school?
Not directly into a bachelor's degree: UM requires Grade 12, A-levels, IB or a foundation programme. UM's own one-year foundation in Life Sciences or Social Sciences costs $8,580 (RM 35,000) and starts in September.
What English level does UM require?
For Computer Science: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 46, PTE Academic 51 or MUET 4.0; other programmes set their own levels. UM does not accept IELTS for UKVI or at-home TOEFL editions.
Is teaching at UM in English?
Yes, unless the programme states otherwise. Some Islamic studies, Malay studies and language programmes use Malay or other languages, and international students take a compulsory Basic Malay course.
Does UM have housing for international students?
Yes, 13 residential colleges: a shared room costs $110 (RM 450) a month and a single $220 (RM 900). Places are limited and allocated by availability, so many students rent nearby for $200–540 (RM 800–2,200) a month.
How does StudyU help with applying to UM?
Programme selection, checks of requirements and deadlines, document preparation, application submission and support through the visa stage are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by Universiti Malaya, and the visa approval and Student Pass are issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Sources
- Universiti Malaya: international booklet (fees, housing, additional costs)
- Universiti Malaya: application periods and fees
- Universiti Malaya: FAQ on channels, qualifications, language, English tests, documents and offer letters
- Universiti Malaya: Bachelor of Computer Science (Information Systems)
- Universiti Malaya: international student arrival guide and eVAL services, processing fees by country
- The Star: UM 56th in QS World University Rankings 2027 (18 June 2026)
- List of recognised foreign universities, Order No. 186-r (Russian NIC)
- Malaysia International Scholarship portal (MOHE)
Checked on 29 September 2026. Dollar prices follow the ECB reference rates of 29 September 2026 — EUR/USD 1.1355 and EUR/MYR 4.6340, or RM4.0810 per dollar — rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 otherwise.
All Malaysian universities we cover are listed on our Malaysia page. To find out whether UM is realistic for you and which route to start with, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Universities in Malaysia for International Students: Public, Private and Branch Campuses
- Cost of Studying in Malaysia in 2026/27: Tuition, Tax, Visa and Living Costs
- Malaysia Student Pass: eVAL, Single-Entry Visa and Arrival Steps
- Taylor's University Malaysia: Admission, Fees and Foundation Programme
- Studying in Malaysia for international applicants
- University of Nottingham Malaysia: Admission, Fees and Foundation Year
