University of Malaya (UM) is a top public university located in central Kuala Lumpur. The university is popular for offering top courses in study areas like Medicine, Engineering, etc. The University of Malaya has an acceptance rate of 34%. The intake for master's degree courses is in October, whereas for PhD there is a rolling admission process. For UG courses, students can apply on August 30th, 2024 for 2024/2025 entry. For PG courses the deadline for 2024/2025 entry is also on 30 August 2024.
The only exams to study in Malaysia at the University of Malaya is the ELP exam. The document requirements for UM Kuala Lumpur students are as follows:
- Higher School Certificate
- Bachelor’s Degree certificate
- ELP score certificate
- Work experience certificate
Students while seeking admission must know that there are quotas and reservations for Bumiputera policy holders. Bumiputera policyholders are the natives of Malaysia, and this policy enables them to get priority admission in comparison with international applicants. Another point to note is that the country has a sizeable Tamil population. So, as an Indian student, you won’t miss your connection with the Indian diaspora.
The average University of Malaya fees are in the range of RM 33,600 (INR 595,538.22)- RM 98,300 (INR 1,742,303.79). Students can expect to get job roles as Computer Support Specialist, Computer Systems Analysts, Academician/Researcher, etc. The average annual salary of a UM graduate is around RM 50,044 as a Professor or Lecturer.
Table of Content
University of Malaya Rankings
As a university, UM Kuala Lumpur takes great pride in it being among the first 70 universities worldwide as per QS. Tabulated are the other University of Malaya rankings from other agencies:
Ranking Agency | Rank |
---|---|
QS World University Rankings 2025 | #60 |
QS WUR Ranking By Subject | #28 |
QS Sustainability Ranking | #=132 |
QS Asian University Rankings - South-Eastern Asia | #3 |
THE World Ranking 2024 | #251–300 |
THE Impact Rankings 2024 | #63 |
THE Asia University Rankings 2024 | #65 |
University of Malaya Campus
The university campus is top-notch, and infrastructure-wise students will have nothing to complain about. One of the major reasons why international students choose the University of Malaya is because of its campus. The top reasons are:
- Infrastructure
- Culture
- Good Academics
- Location is prime
Shared below are a few pictures of the university that shed some light on the university. This might help applicants judge their decision between,
University Malaya Course List
International applicants first search for fees before applying to study in Malaysia. Universiti Malaya tuition fees might seem expensive to many Indian students. But some of the major reasons why many Indian students choose to study at the university are as follows:
- Reputation
- Diverse Programs
- Research Opportunities
- Cultural Experience
- Very humble lecturers/supervisors
- Grant or partially involved in supported projects
One important factor is that the tuition fees of University Malaya (UM) is certainly cheaper compared to that of private institutions in Malaysia. University of Malaya fees although not subsidized, yet are low, as it is a public university.
Below are the University Malaya degree courses and their respective fee range for international students.
Course | Annual Fees |
---|---|
Bachelor of Business Administration | RM 71,400 (INR 1,265,525.73) |
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering | RM 98,300 (INR 1,742,303.79) |
MBBS | RM 673,200 (INR 11,932,099.75) |
Master of Library And Information Science | RM 34,500 (INR 611,496.05 ) |
Master of Information Science | RM 32,700 (INR 579,591.91) |
Master of Data Science | RM 33,500 (INR 593,771.53) |
Master of Software Engineering (Software Technology) | RM 33,600 (INR 595,543.98) |
Master of Business Administration | RM 56,800 (INR 1,006,818.11) |
Doctor of Philosophy In Business & Accountancy Field | RM 69,000 (INR 1,223,071.30) |
Doctor of Public Health | RM 96,700 (INR 1,714,072.38) |
University Malaya Entry Requirements
Universiti Malaya requirements are similar to those of other international universities. The university accepts ELP scores, but the score range varies during the University of Malaya admisisons. Some of the selection criteria include academic performance, entrance examinations, interviews, and other relevant factors. The university has two intakes , i.e., Semester I (September intake), and Semester II (February intake).
One thing that has helped Malay students is the Bumiputera policy. This policy has led to increased access to education for Bumiputra students through quotas in universities and scholarships. This has contributed to a higher level of education attainment among the Bumiputera population. However international candidates might find such racial preference partial in many situations. Below is the checklist that Indian students must check before trying to get an entry at the university:
- Check the Admission Requirements
- Educational Qualifications
- Language Proficiency
- Application Process
- Visa and Immigration
- Financial Considerations
UG Course Requirements and Deadline
Universiti Malaya undergraduate courses do not require any submission of standardized test scores. Stated below are the important admission requirements:
UG Course | Entry Requirement | ELP Score Requirement | Intakes | Application Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
Faculty of Languages and Linguistics | Higher School Certificate with a grade of 80% and above | IELTS- 6.0 TOEFL- 90 PTE- 54 |
Semester 1 2024/2025- 30 August 2024 | RM 300 (INR 5,315.78) |
Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology | Higher School Certificate with a grade of 90% and above | IELTS- 6.0 TOEFL- 80 PTE- 57 |
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Faculty of Medicine | Higher School Certificate with a grade of 90% and above | IELTS- 6.0 TOEFL- 78 PTE- 57 |
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Faculty of Business and Economics | Higher School Certificate with a grade of 80% and above | IELTS- 6.0 TOEFL- 80 |
PG Course Requirements and Deadline
UM Kuala Lumpur requires international applicants to have a CGPA of 3.00 for direct admission in its master’s courses. All other requirements and deadlines are given below:
PG Course | Entry Requirement | ELP Score Requirement | Intake | Application Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
Master Program by Coursework, Research, and Mixed Mode | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the related field with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or its equivalent Has relevant work experience; Has produced publications in the relevant fields |
IELTS- 6.0 TOEFL- 80 PTE- 42 |
Semester 1 2024/2025- 30 August 2024 Semester 2 2024- 31 May 2024 |
RM 300 (INR 5,315.78) |
PhD Course Requirements and Deadline
Students can apply all year round for PhD courses while selecting their selected University Malaya degree. AAll other entry requirements are stated below:
PhD Course | Entry Requirement | ELP Score Requirement | Intake | Application Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D) | Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field, and a Master’s degree in the relevant field Evidence of adequate training, work experience, and ability to undertake research |
IELTS-6.0 TOEFL- 80 PTE- 59 |
All year round | RM 300 (INR 5,315.78) |
University of Malaya Cost of Living
Malaysia is expensive for international candidates and the Universiti Malaya tuition fees is also high in comparison with Indian universities. Given below is the cost of living in Malaysia for international students.
University of Malaya Scholarships
University of Malaya Malaysia offers several scholarships to international students. One thing to note is that the university provides one scholarship to international master's and PhD candidates. This scholarship is available to students of all backgrounds and nationalities. This scholarship award value varies, as students with good academic achievements might receive a higher grant of money as compared to others. This scholarship is available only to full-time PG students. Some of the scholarships for international students in Malaysia are as follows:
Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
---|---|---|
Education Future International Scholarship | It is open to Indian nationals only. | INR 2 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs |
Universiti Malaya Scholarship Scheme (UMSS) | Open to postgraduate students (Malaysian and non-Malaysian) who are pursuing coursework, mixed-mode or full research program in Universiti Malaya (UM) | Varies |
Women in Finance Scholarship 2024 | For women in Finance courses | Up to USD 20,000 (INR 1668897) |
Student Visa Permit Malaysia
As an aspirant who wishes to study at the University of Malaya, you’ll need to gain a student visa, also known as a student pass, before you arrive. Out of the 21,055 students enrolled for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Malaya, more than 21% are international students from more than 80 countries. So, one can guess how popular the university is, and how much you will require a visa to study in Malaysia to study at UM Kuala Lumpur.
Your student pass is only valid for one year and must be renewed at least one and a half months before its stated expiry date. Annual student visa fees are around RM 60 (INR 1,063.38). The visa fee is quite affordable if compared with countries like UK, USA, etc. The documents required for the student visa are as follows:
- Formal admissions letter from your university
- Completed and signed student visa application form
- Copy of your passport with an expiry date over 12 months away
- Two passport-style photographs
- Academic qualification records
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- A medical certificate that proves you’re in good health
- A personal bond document (a letter signed by your university to guarantee you’ll comply with immigration laws)
- English language proficiency test certificates
University of Malaya Job Outcomes
Post completion of courses at University Malaya, graduates can expect to find suitable jobs in Malaysia. However because of Bumiputra reservations, Malay students will get first preference in jobs.Top recruiters in Malaysia include names like:
- Maybank
- PChem
- Tenaga Nasional Berhad
- CIMB Group
- IHH Healthcare
- PetGas
- Hong Leong Bank
- MISC Berhad
- Nestle Malaysia
- PBBank
In order to work in Malaysia one requires an Employment Pass and then the employee must meet the following requirements:
- Educational qualifications (diploma, degree, or equivalent)
- Suitable work experience
- A salary of no less than RM 3,000 (INR 53,186.66) per month
Some of the career opportunities or job roles students of the University of Malaya are offered are as follows:
- Computer Support Specialist
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Academician/Researcher
- Computer Specialists
- Web Content Developer
University of Malaya Notable Alumni
UM Kuala Lumpur has a vibrant list of alumni. The current Prime Minister of Malaysia is also an alumnus of the university. So when you are thinking to apply to study in Malaysia, do keep the university at the top of your list. Shared are some of the most famous alumni of University of Malaya:
Alumni | Profession |
---|---|
Mahathir Mohamad | Malaysian politician, author, and physician |
Anwar Ibrahim | Prime Minister of Malaysia |
Sellapan Ramanathan | Singaporean Politician and Civil Servant |
Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid | Economist and Lecturer |
Saldi Isra | Indonesian Jurist and Law Professor |
V. Sivakumar | Malaysian Politician |
Muhammad Irfan | Malaysian Discus Thrower |
The University of Malaya offers several courses ranging from languages and literature to attaining any preferred Doctoral thesis. Despite the higher tuition fee range and cost of lying, several Indian applicants apply to the university for quality education. The university even has a high QS rank in 2025.
FAQs
Ques: What is the rank of the University of Malaya?
Ans: As a university, UM Kuala Lumpur takes great pride in being among the first 70 universities worldwide as per QS. The QS rank is #60 in 2025.
Ques: Is the University of Malaya hard to get in?
Ans: To answer this question, anyone would say that it is not hard to get accepted into UM but if you're applying for their top courses medicine, engineering, etc then it's very hard if you're non bumiputera due to the quota system.
Ques: Is the University of Malaya private or government?
Ans: The University of Malaya which is abbreviated as UM or informally the Malayan University is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ques: Is Malaysia costly for Indian students?
Ans: If a student requires a brief idea then the average cost of living in Malaysia for an Indian student needs INR 39,308 (2,256.9RM) per month on average.
Ques: Is it worth studying at the University of Malaya?
Ans: UM is one of the top 70 universities worldwide according to the QS World University Rankings. As a student at UM, you will learn a lot about your curriculum and the world.
University of Malaya Program Fees & Deadlines
Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score |
---|---|---|---|
Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 13,064 /Yr MYR 56,800 /Yr |
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Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 16,951 /Yr MYR 73,700 /Yr |
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B.A/B.S Medicine and Surgery 5 years | Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 14,375 /Yr MYR 62,500 /Yr |
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B.B.A Business Administration 42 months | Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 16,422 /Yr MYR 71,400 /Yr |
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B.S Biotechnology 4 years | Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 12,167 /Yr MYR 52,900 /Yr |
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M.A Management 3 years | Application Deadline For Semester 1 (30th Aug 2024) | USD 10,764 /Yr MYR 46,800 /Yr |
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University of Malaya comparison
University Name | University of Malaya | National University of Singapore |
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Collegedunia Score | 5.2 Out of 10 | 8 Out of 10 |
Overall Ranking |
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Subject Strength |
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Programs |
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Acceptance Rate | 70.0 % | 25.0 % |
Cost to Study |
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Placement | The program and average salary as follows: Bachelor of science: $47,000 Bachelor of Arts: $36,000 Master in Science: $34,000 Executive MBA: $122,000 | Graduate Employability Rankings (QS): #24 |
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Overall 251 out of 1600 in Global Ranking
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University of Malaya Reviews
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Overview
UM was recommended to me by a senior colleague who has worked for decades in South East Asia. Additionally, UM is a publicly funded research university and is ranked within the top 60 globally with very high research output.
Fees
5,00,000 INR approximately is the program fee.
University of Malaya Scholarships
Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bhajan Lal Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarships | Scholarship per student$4,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
UKM Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
Malaysian Government Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
University of Malaya Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Bus Station
- Hospital
- Airport
- Restaurant
- Book Store
- Super Market
- Shopping Mall
Bus Station
Airport
Book Store
Shopping Mall
Hospital
Restaurant
Super Market
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
Comments
28 Comments
International applicants require submission of their prior academic transcripts, and their ELP scores for most courses to be eligible for admission. You need to apply for admission through its online application portal. PG courses the application deadline is on 30th August 2024, for 2024/2025 admissions. For more information, you can check UM Admissions.