The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) is the Malaysian campus of the UK's University of Nottingham, located in Semenyih, about 50 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. It is not a partner programme: graduates receive a University of Nottingham degree, and the parent university ranks 97th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. International undergraduates pay $12,740–17,640 (RM 52,000–72,000) a year plus 6% tax, with the fee fixed for the whole programme from the year of entry. Bachelor's degrees start only in September, and students with 11 years of schooling take the one-year Nottingham Foundation Programme, which starts in April and September.
| At a glance | 2026/27 intake |
|---|---|
| Type | Campus of the University of Nottingham (UK), opened in 2000 |
| Location | Semenyih, Selangor; 48-hectare campus |
| Students | Over 4,000 from 74 countries |
| Parent university ranking | QS World University Rankings 2027: 97th |
| Degree awarded by | University of Nottingham |
| Bachelor's | $12,740–17,640 (RM 52,000–72,000) a year + 6% tax |
| Foundation | $9,310 (RM 38,000) + 6% tax; April and September intakes |
| Taught master's | $13,480–18,380 (RM 55,000–75,000) per programme + 6% tax |
| English | Bachelor's: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band |
A branch campus, not a franchise
Nottingham opened its Malaysian campus in September 2000 at the invitation of Malaysia's Ministry of Education — the first overseas campus ever established by a British university. Curricula, assessment and the degree certificate follow the parent university, and teaching is in English.
For students, this brings three practical benefits:
- A UK degree at a lower price. A year of Computer Science costs $14,810 (RM 60,420) including tax.
- Moving between campuses. You can spend a semester or a year in Nottingham (UK) or Ningbo (China) while paying Malaysian fees, or transfer permanently to finish your degree there.
- Exchanges beyond Nottingham. Through Universitas 21 and UNM partners, exchanges are available in Europe, Asia and North America.
For a comparison with public and private Malaysian universities, see universities in Malaysia.
Programmes
The campus has a Faculty of Science and Engineering, a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Nottingham University Business School. Bachelor's degrees take three years; engineering (MEng) and education (BEd) take four.
Popular choices among international students:
- computer science, including AI, and software engineering;
- chemical, civil, mechanical, mechatronic and electrical engineering;
- business, finance, economics and business analytics;
- psychology and cognitive neuroscience;
- pharmacy, biomedical science, biotechnology and nutrition;
- international relations, communication studies and English.
The MPharm "2+2" combines two years of pharmacy in Malaysia with two years in the UK.
Tuition fees
UNM quotes annual fees and fixes them for the whole programme from the year you enrol. Registration, exams, laboratories, library, IT, gym, parking and the free shuttle bus are included. The 6% tax for non-citizens is added on top.
| Programme | Duration | Annual fee, 2026 entry | Including 6% tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Foundation Programme | 1 year | $9,310 (RM 38,000) | $9,870 (RM 40,280) |
| English; International Relations; Communication Studies; Education | 3–4 years | $12,740 (RM 52,000) | $13,510 (RM 55,120) |
| Economics; Applied Psychology and Management | 3 years | $13,480 (RM 55,000) | $14,290 (RM 58,300) |
| Computer Science; business and finance degrees; Biotechnology | 3 years | $13,970 (RM 57,000) | $14,810 (RM 60,420) |
| Psychology | 3 years | $14,210 (RM 58,000) | $15,060 (RM 61,480) |
| Biomedical Science; Mathematics and Data Science; Nutrition | 3 years | $14,700 (RM 60,000) | $15,580 (RM 63,600) |
| Engineering (MEng) | 4 years | $16,420 (RM 67,000) | $17,400 (RM 71,020) |
| Pharmacy (BPharm) | 4 years | $17,640 (RM 72,000) | $18,700 (RM 76,320) |
| Pharmacy MPharm "2+2" | 2 years in Malaysia + 2 in the UK | $17,640 (RM 72,000) in Malaysia; $44,380 (£33,500) in the UK | — |
Across the whole course, Computer Science comes to about $44,420 (RM 181,260) over three years including tax, and Engineering to about $69,610 (RM 284,080) over four.
Fixed-fee rules to know in advance:
- if you change programme, the fee is reset to the rate for the year you switch;
- after a deferral or study break, the rate for your year of return applies;
- moving to a new level (foundation to bachelor's, bachelor's to master's) uses that level's rate for your entry year;
- visa and other third-party charges are not fixed.
The 6% tax is calculated on the fee after any scholarship, based on the date the payment clears.
Admission
After 11 years of school: the foundation year
UNM's published list of qualifications for direct bachelor's entry covers A-levels, IB, AP, 12-year national diplomas and foundation programmes; 11-year school certificates are not among them. Applicants from such systems therefore enter through the Nottingham Foundation Programme.
- Duration and intakes: one year (two semesters), starting in April or September.
- Entry: five credits at SPM or O-level standard or equivalent (five B grades for pharmacy pathways).
- English: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each band); IELTS 5.5 (5.0) is accepted with an additional in-sessional English module.
- Structure: four compulsory core modules plus six or seven optional modules matched to your intended degree, 150 credits in total.
- Scholarship: a 15%, 20% or 25% High Achiever's award based on school results.
- Progression: for Computer Science, an overall average of 50% and at least 50% in every mathematics module. Foundation graduates may also progress to the UK campus, subject to university conditions.
Direct entry to a bachelor's
Computer Science requirements for 2026 entry:
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-level | BBC, including B in Mathematics |
| IB | 26 points, with 5 in Mathematics HL |
| AP | 4, 4, 3, including 4 in Calculus |
| Foundation from another institution | CGPA of 3.10 out of 4 with at least B in mathematics, at the school's discretion |
English for bachelor's degrees: IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each band), PTE Academic 65 (59) or TOEFL iBT 80 for tests taken up to January 2026 and 4.5 on the new scale for tests from February 2026. UNM does not accept IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition or PTE Academic Online; results must be under two years old and taken at a test centre in your country of residence.
Age
UNM admits students aged 18 and over. Younger applicants can enrol only with written parental agreement to additional safeguards, as the university does not act as a guardian.
Applying and deadlines
Apply online and pay the $100 (RM 424 including tax) application fee. After accepting an offer, you pay a non-refundable course deposit; without it the offer is withdrawn.
| Intake | International deadline | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation, April 2026 | 27 February 2026 (passed) | 23 March to 30 April 2026 |
| Bachelor's and foundation, September 2026 | 31 July 2026 (passed) | 24 August to 9 October 2026 |
| Deferring an offer to 2027 | 30 October 2026 | — |
UNM publishes 2027 dates separately; based on the 2026 cycle, expect late February for April and late July for September. The university advises international applicants to apply early because visa processing can take up to two months.
Master's programmes
Taught master's programmes last one year full-time, cost $13,480–18,380 (RM 55,000–75,000) per programme plus tax and start in September, with some also starting in February or June.
| Programme | Programme fee, 2026/27 entry |
|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | $14,210 (RM 58,000) |
| MA Education; MA TESOL | $14,700 (RM 60,000) |
| MSc Business and International Management | $16,660 (RM 68,000) |
| MBA | $18,380 (RM 75,000) |
The MSc Computer Science requires a relevant degree at UK 2:2 standard or above plus evidence of programming experience, with IELTS 6.0 (5.5); non-UK degrees are benchmarked against the UK scale. Arts and social sciences programmes may accept a degree in another discipline if you have relevant work experience.
On-campus accommodation
| Room type | Monthly rent, 2026/27 | Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Super deluxe single, en-suite, air-conditioned | $290 (RM 1,200) | 1,181 |
| Single, en-suite, air-conditioned | $220 (RM 900) | 329 |
| Single, shared en-suite, air-conditioned | $200 (RM 800) | 320 |
| Single in a five-room flat, air-conditioned | $180 (RM 750) | 220 |
| Twin in a three-room flat, air-conditioned | $150 (RM 600) | 252 |
| Four-person room, no air-conditioning | $130 (RM 550) | 48 |
Rent includes water, electricity and Wi-Fi; air-conditioning is metered and billed quarterly. Only light cooking of halal food is allowed, in the pantry on each floor. Apply through the OLAA portal as soon as you have a student ID. A free shuttle runs to Kajang KTM and MRT stations, the TBS bus terminal and IOI City Mall. Off campus, students rent in Taman Tasik Semenyih, UniVillage and Tetris Apartments.
Scholarships
UNM scholarships reduce tuition only — by up to 25% — and include no living allowance. You can hold only one at a time, and continuation depends on academic progress. Postgraduate scholarships are published separately with their own criteria and places.
Visa and arrival
You can apply for the electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) through the UNM Visa Office, which the university recommends, or directly with EMGS. The eVAL is valid for six months. Nationals who need a single-entry visa — including Russian and Kazakh citizens — obtain it online through the eVISA portal from outside Malaysia; it is valid for three months of travel. According to the UNM Visa Office, the Student Pass can be issued for the full course if your passport is valid long enough; a yearly pass must be renewed each year. After arrival you complete a medical screening, and the Visa Office arranges the Student Pass. See our Malaysia Student Pass guide.
Degree recognition for applicants from Russia
The University of Nottingham is on Russia's government list of foreign universities (Order No. 186-r, as amended on 19 February 2026) for master's degrees, PhDs and bachelor's degrees with first- or second-class honours. The order does not mention the Malaysian campus, so Russian applicants should ask the national recognition centre about a degree completed in Malaysia before enrolling.
UNM compared with other Malaysian options
| Criterion | Nottingham Malaysia | Universiti Malaya | Taylor's University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree awarded by | University of Nottingham | UM | Taylor's |
| Computer Science, whole course | three-year total with tax: $44,420 (RM 181,260) | $21,860 (RM 89,200) for 3.5 years + tax | three-year total with all charges: $37,290 (RM 152,187) |
| Fee policy | Fixed from entry | Whole-programme price | Reviewed annually |
| Bachelor's intake | September | October, March | February, April, September |
| Transfer to the UK | Yes, within the university | No | Via partner universities |
See our profiles of Universiti Malaya and Taylor's University.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a spring bachelor's intake. Degrees start only in September; April is for the foundation year.
- Taking an online or overseas English test. UNM rejects home editions and expects a result from your country of residence.
- Forgetting the 6% tax. It is added to tuition and most fees.
- Switching programmes without knowing the fee rules. A change resets your fee to the current year's rate.
- Confusing campus rules with the UK campus. Entry requirements, fees and deadlines in Malaysia are set separately.
FAQ
How much does the University of Nottingham Malaysia cost?
International undergraduates pay $12,740–17,640 (RM 52,000–72,000) a year depending on the programme, plus 6% tax. Computer Science costs $14,810 (RM 60,420) a year including tax, and the fee stays the same until graduation.
Will I receive a UK degree?
Yes. The University of Nottingham awards the degree, and curricula and assessment follow the parent university. You can spend a semester or a year at the UK campus or transfer there permanently.
Can I enter UNM after 11 years of school?
Through the one-year Nottingham Foundation Programme, which costs $9,310 (RM 38,000) plus tax and starts in April or September. To progress, you need the marks required by your chosen degree.
What IELTS score does UNM require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band for bachelor's degrees and the foundation. The foundation also accepts 5.5 (5.0) with an additional English module. Online versions of IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are not accepted.
When should I apply?
For September 2026, international applicants had until 31 July, and for the April 2026 foundation until 27 February. UNM publishes 2027 dates separately; apply early, because visa processing can take up to two months.
How does StudyU help with applying to UNM?
Programme and route selection, checks of English and foundation requirements, document preparation, application submission and support through the visa stage are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and the visa approval and Student Pass are issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Sources
- UNM: about the campus, Malaysia campus history
- UNM: undergraduate courses with fees and intakes, Computer Science BSc, Pharmacy MPharm 2+2
- UNM: Nottingham Foundation Programme, progression rules
- UNM: postgraduate courses, MSc Computer Science, MBA
- UNM: fixed tuition fees, 6% SST for non-Malaysians
- UNM: how to apply, age policy and fees, 2026 deadlines
- UNM: on-campus accommodation, accommodation overview, scholarships
- UNM: exchange and inter-campus transfer, visas and immigration
- EduAdvisor: University of Nottingham 97th in QS 2027
- Russian recognition centre: Order No. 186-r list
Checked on 29 September 2026. Dollar conversions use the ECB rates of 29 September 2026: EUR/USD 1.1355, EUR/MYR 4.6340 and EUR/GBP 0.85718, so $1 = RM4.0810; we round to the dollar below $100 and to $10 above.
Other Malaysian universities are collected on our Malaysia page. Choosing the route into Nottingham Malaysia and planning for the next intake are provided under an agreement with StudyU; the university makes the admission decision. To start, 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
- Malaysia Student Pass: eVAL, Single-Entry Visa and Arrival Steps
- Universiti Malaya (UM): Admission, Fees and Entry Requirements
- Taylor's University Malaysia: Admission, Fees and Foundation Programme
- Studying in Malaysia for international applicants
- Applying to Malaysian Universities: Entry Routes, Requirements and Deadlines
