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University of Malaya

Kuala Lumpur, 🇲🇾 Malaysia Public
#1 National #58 QS World #251 THE #601 ARWU
University of Malaya campus
36,444 students 18% international Urban $4k - $10k/yr

About University of Malaya

The University of Malaya (UM) is Malaysia's oldest and most prestigious higher education institution, established in 1905 as the King Edward VII College of Medicine and later becoming a university in 1949. Located in Kuala Lumpur, UM is a comprehensive research-focused university with a diverse student body from over 80 countries. It consistently ranks among the top universities in Asia and globally, recognized for its academic excellence and research impact.

Academics


UM offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across 13 faculties, two academies, three centers, and two institutes, covering arts, sciences, engineering, and medicine. The university is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, contributing significantly to national development in various fields. UM consistently ranks highly in subject areas such as Social Sciences & Management, Engineering & Technology, Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Natural Sciences, with Dentistry and Marketing making recent debuts in the top 100 globally. The teaching approach fosters critical thinking and problem-solving, with a focus on interdisciplinary research to address real-world issues.

International Students


The International Student Centre (ISC) provides comprehensive support services for international students, including 24-hour assistance upon arrival, help with visa-related queries, and information kits. UM has a diverse student community from over 80 countries, enriching the campus with multicultural and multinational perspectives. The university organizes programs like homestay experiences and cultural exchange clubs to facilitate cultural integration. International students can also join organizations such as the Universiti Malaya International Student Association (UMISA) and UM Global Buddies, which connect international students with local peers for various activities.

Campus & Location


Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, UM's 812-acre campus offers a vibrant city life experience alongside its academic environment. The campus features modern infrastructure, including well-stocked libraries, advanced research laboratories, comfortable student hostels, and extensive sports facilities. A fully integrated public transportation network, including campus buses and connections to RapidKL buses and LRT/MRT stations, ensures easy access within and outside the campus. Nearby attractions and the dynamic urban setting provide ample opportunities for exploration and entertainment.

Career Outcomes


UM's Graduate Employability and Career Centre (GECC) provides extensive career development services, including career planning, resume polishing, and connecting students with potential employers. The university fosters strong industry connections through its Industry Liaison Office (UM ILO) and Centre of Industry Relations (UMCIR), facilitating knowledge transfer and technology commercialization. UM also promotes an entrepreneurial spirit and innovation through programs like the UM Deep Tech (UMDT) Accelerator, which supports deep tech startups from research to market-ready phases. These initiatives equip graduates with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive global economy.

Highlights

  • Malaysia's oldest and most prestigious university
  • Consistently ranked top in Asia
  • Comprehensive research-focused institution
  • Diverse international student community
  • Strong academic and research impact
  • Located in Kuala Lumpur

Subject Areas

EngineeringArts and HumanitiesSocial SciencesScience

Student Life & Support

Visa Support Campus Housing Sports Facilities Disability Support Scholarships Available

Photos

University of Malaya photo 1University of Malaya photo 2University of Malaya photo 3University of Malaya photo 4University of Malaya photo 5University of Malaya photo 6University of Malaya photo 7University of Malaya photo 8University of Malaya photo 9

Offers programs in:

Arts & Design Business & Management Computer Science Education Engineering Humanities Law Medicine & Health Natural Sciences Physics & Chemistry Social Sciences

Bachelor Programs (7)

Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering)

STEM

Computer Science

General Computer Science
48 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

STEM

Dentistry

Dentistry
60 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)

STEM

Engineering

General Engineering
48 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science

STEM

Environmental Science

Environmental Science
48 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Language and Linguistics

Humanities

General Humanities
48 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Actuarial Science

STEM

Mathematics

48 months English Full-time

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

STEM

Medicine

Medicine
60 months English Full-time

Master Programs (7)

Master of Architecture (MArch)

STEM

Architecture

Architecture
24 months English Full-time

Master of Arts (MA) in Southeast Asian Studies

Area Studies

Area Studies
24 months English Full-time

Master of Science (MSc) in Biotechnology

STEM

Biotechnology

Biology
24 months English Full-time

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Business Administration

Business Administration
24 months English Full-time

Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science

STEM

Data Science

Data Science & AI
24 months English Full-time

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Management

Education

General Education
24 months English Full-time

Master of Public Health (MPH)

STEM

Public Health

Public Health
24 months English Full-time

PhD Programs (6)

PhD in Biomedical Engineering

STEM

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering
36 months English Full-time

PhD in Chemistry

STEM

Chemistry

Chemistry
36 months English Full-time

PhD in Civil Engineering

STEM

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering
36 months English Full-time

PhD in Electrical Engineering

STEM

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering
36 months English Full-time

PhD in Law

Law

General Law
36 months English Full-time

PhD in Physics

STEM

Physics

Physics
36 months English Full-time
6.5+ IELTS
60+ TOEFL
3+ GPA
Acceptance Rate Selective (20-40%)
Intakes Fall, Spring
Application Deadline August 30, 2025 (October Intake)
Tuition (per year) $4k - $10k/yr
Housing (monthly) ~$450
Application Fee $300
Teaching Language English, Malay, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Tamil, Vietnamese, Filipino, Iban, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Persian, Thai, Sign Language
Accreditation
Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (Ministry of Higher Education)

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