A home to thousands of national and international students, the University of Malaya is a public research university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The campus’s state-of-the-art infrastructure attracts a large number of students, staff, and visitors. Majority of international students select this university in Malaysia due to its multicultural campus and social and cultural diversity. This can be supported with the help of the following facts:
The university is famous for its research-intensive programmes and degrees offered in various areas of study. Its library consists of over a million print sources, half a million non-book materials, over 250,000 e-books and sources, and more than 70 online databases. It also consists of 440 publications in research books, over 2,500 publications in Web of Science, etc.
Courses Offered
What courses are available to international students?
The university offered more than 300 courses to international students in various fields of study. The major areas of study are as follows:
Popular Study Areas |
|
---|---|
Islamic Studies |
Malay Studies |
Built Environment |
Languages and Linguistics |
Economics and Administration |
Pharmacy |
Engineering |
Education |
Dentistry |
Business and Accountancy |
Medicine |
Science |
Computer Science and Information Technology |
Arts and Social Sciences |
Creative Arts |
Law |
Sports and Exercise Sciences |
Advanced Studies |
Public Policy and Management |
|
These courses are taught through following faculties of the university:
International students may choose their area of specialisation through either of the aforementioned faculties.
Eligibility & Documents Required
What are the eligibility and requirements for students?
The eligibility requirements for applying to different programmes offered to international students at the University of Malaya are given below:
Undergraduate Requirements
- Students are required to have a National Higher School Certificate from a recognised institution or school with a minimum of 80% or above
- A certificate with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 is required
- Some programmes might require candidates to appear for interviews before being accepted by the respective faculties
Postgraduate Requirements
- Students are required to have a bachelor’s degree in honours or equivalent
- A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required during the bachelor’s course from a recognised institute or university
- Students with a CGPA of 3.7 can apply directly to the PhD programmes
English Language Requirements
International students coming from non-English-speaking countries, such as India, need to prove their language proficiency through either of the following standardised English exam scores:
English Tests |
Minimum Scores Required |
---|---|
TOEFL PBT |
500 or above |
TOEFL CBT |
173 or above |
TOEFL iBT |
60 or above |
5.0 – 6.5 or above |
|
CAE |
Grade C |
CPE |
Grace C |
41 or above |
|
MUET |
3 bands or above |
Note: These are generic requirements for graduates and undergraduates aspiring to study at the university. Some of the courses may have higher score requirements or different academic and language requirements. Please refer to the intended course page on the university website to check the exact limit on each course.
What are the documents needed for the university application?
The documents required for both undergraduate and graduate programmes are the same. The documents required for international students are listed below:
- Official transcripts from the university
- Official high school transcripts
- A copy of the passport
- Passport size photographs
- Proof of English proficiency
- A letter of guarantee
- Work experience, if required
Note: Document requirements may vary with different programs. To check the exact requirements, please refer to the intended course page on the university website.
Application & Tuition Fees
Is there any application fees?
The application fee for undergraduate and graduate international students is RM 300. The application fee for doctorate programmes is USD 60 or RM 250. The application fee is non-refundable. Students can deposit the application fee through FPX, credit/debit card, or Flywire, along with the online application.
What is the fee structure of the different courses available at the university?
The estimated tuition fee for different graduate and undergraduate programmes offered to international students by the University of Malaya for the academic session 2021-2022 is given below:
Source: University of Malaya
Note: Tuition fees might be different for different courses and majors. Additionally, the overall cost of the study is likely to include additional charges such as books, supplies, health insurance, student fees, living expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.
Please also note that the university reserves all rights to revise the tuition fee before a new academic session. To learn about the latest course fees, it is recommended to check the university website.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?
The university offers various scholarships to international students to help them cover tuition fees and living expenses in the country. The scholarships offered to international students are:
1. Malaysian International Scholarship: It is offered to students studying master’s and doctorate programmes at the university. Students are required to have a GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 during their bachelor's courses to get this scholarship. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is the end of July.
2. Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan: It is offered to students studying master’s and doctorate programmes at the university. Students are required to have a GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 during their bachelor's courses to get this scholarship.
Other Malaya Scholarships
Some of the other scholarships offered by the university are:
- My Brain 15 Scholarship
- Postgraduate scholarships on Public Policy
Note: Scholarship deadlines and amounts may vary with progressive years. For more details on the scholarship application process and deadlines, please visit the university’s scholarship webpage.
Admission Process
When do the admissions start?
The University of Malaya accepts international applications in two intakes:
The tentative deadlines for international students are as follows:
Programmes |
Admission Deadlines* |
---|---|
Bachelor degree programmes |
Early April |
Foundation studies programmes |
Early April |
Master degree programmes |
September intake: Mid-June February intake: Mid-November |
*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the university’s website for exact deadlines.
What are the steps to the application process?
International students can apply to any undergraduate or postgraduate programme offered by the University of Malaya through the university’s online admission portal. The step-by-step application process is as follows:
Step 1: Visit maya.um.edu.my/sitsvision/wrd/siw_ipp_lgn.login.
Step 2: Create an account if you are a new user.
Step 3: Select your programme, term, and faculty.
Step 4: Once you select your programme, fill in your personal details, qualification details, citizenship details, contact information, and other required information. Upload the supporting documents required for your respective programme.
Step 5: After filling in all the information, review and submit the application.
Next, wait for the results.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
Once the university receives the application, an email is automatically sent to the students, communicating the status of their applications. In case of missing documents, information, or mistakes, a follow-up email is sent to the students.
Students might hear from the university in a couple of weeks. There is no fixed decision date given by the university. Students will receive a decision as soon as their applications are reviewed and processed. Applicants may check their application status on the admission portal.
Please note that decisions are announced online and all the student-specific communication from the university is done via email. Hence, students must register with an active email address to keep a track on all university notifications, especially in their spam folder. Aspirants may also check their application status on the official admission portal.
It is also recommended to stay updated with any announcements related to modifications or requirements in the admission process by remaining active on the university website.
Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
What are the chances of getting into this university?
Admissions at the University of Malaya are not very tough. All applications are thoroughly reviewed by the university’s faculty and admission team before making the final decision. It takes a few weeks to assess the applications fairly and transparently.
Students are required to meet the eligibility criteria and the English language requirements to get into this university. If students meet all the criteria and score requirements, they will be offered admission to the university.
How many Indian/international students study at the university?
The university is home to approximately 28,573 students, including various international students from around the world. It further has more than 1,700 academic staff members teaching across 17 faculties and research centres.
Malaya Student Headcount
The statistics of national and international students at Malaya can be referred to as follows:
Student Type |
Headcount |
---|---|
Total students |
28,573 |
Local undergraduates |
18,112 |
Local postgraduates |
6,633 |
International undergraduates |
1,052 |
International graduates |
2,776 |
Total international students |
3,828 |
Source: University of Malaya
Malaya Student Body
The percentage of international students against domestic students is as follows:
Source: University of Malaya
As the chart shows, this share of 13.4% international students represents over 80 countries, including India.
Part Time Work While Studying
Can I work while studying here?
All international students are allowed to work part-time on and off-campus at the university. Students are not allowed to work full-time. They can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester breaks and holidays of more than seven days. Students can work at restaurants, petrol kiosks, hotels, and mini markets. They must have a valid work permit to work in the country.
Certain restrictions are imposed regarding the type of work students are allowed to undertake. International students are not allowed to work as cashiers, singers, musicians, and masseurs. Students are not allowed to engage in any immoral activity. Also, they are not permitted to start independent businesses as entrepreneurs.
Students can make a part-time work application through the university. Students are required to submit all the documents to the university to obtain a valid work permit to work in the country.
Note: International students are advised to check the conditions of working in a foreign country on their study visa. They are also advised to confirm any specific instructions on the same from their respective departments and faculties. Under no circumstances should they be found compromising with the law and order of the country.
Students must also get familiar with the rules and regulations of working in a foreign country and learn about the minimum wages they are entitled to. For more details, students can check the on and off-campus opportunities on the university website.
Campuses & Accommodation
How many campuses does the university have?
The university has 2 campuses, one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the other in Singapore.
The university campus has 512 blocks covering 890 acres of land, excluding the Medical Centre. The huge campus includes sports centres, research centres, libraries, dining rooms, residence halls, etc.
Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?
Yes, the University of Malaya offers various housing accommodation options to international students.
Residential Colleges
The university has 12 residential colleges for students. All undergraduates are automatically eligible to avail accommodation in Residential Colleges.
Accommodation Facilities
The facilities at these residential colleges include furniture, beds, study table, desk, wardrobes, food courts, 24/7 support service, etc.
Accommodation Rates
The university has specified monthly housing rates for all student residing on-campus as follows:
Residence/Housing |
Monthly Rates (in RM) |
---|---|
Zone A |
Flat – 800-1,000 Apartment – 1,500-2,000 Condominium – 2,500-3,000 |
Zone B |
Apartment – 1,500-2,000 Terrace House – 1,500-2,000 |
Zone C |
Condominium – 1,600-2,000 Terrace House – 1,400-1,800 |
Source: University of Malaya
Dining Options
The university also offers food and dining facilities to its students. There are various food courts, canteens, and fine dining places on-campus and nearby. Students can choose meal plans as per their requirements and taste.
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living of international students in Malaysia is RM 1,500 per month or RM 18,000 per year. For more details, students can refer to the university’s official website.
Please note that the living costs vary depending on students’ lifestyle choices. Additionally, housing and dining rates are subject to change with progressive years. To know the exact costs of on or off-campus accommodation, please check the university’s accommodations webpage.
University Contact Information
Whom should I contact in case of doubts?
Students can contact the university in case of doubts at the following address:
Website: www.um.edu.my
Address: University of Malaya, Jln Professor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 3 7967 3502
University City | Kuala Lumpur, Other - Malaysia, Malaysia |
Contact Details
Address
Jalan Universiti, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur ( Other - Malaysia)
isc@um.edu.my