Universiti Malaya
Rankings, whole-course fees, HSC entry rules, deadlines, scholarships and Kuala Lumpur living costs, checked against UM’s own pages.
Check my chances at UMLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
Universiti Malaya: highlights
Universiti Malaya (UM) is Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranked university. It reached 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, its best position so far, at a small part of the cost of a similarly ranked university in the UK or Australia.
- After HSC: UM accepts the HSC as a Grade 12 qualification for direct entry to a bachelor’s degree.
- For a master’s: a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 3.00 or equivalent.
- Tuition: RM 77,100 to RM 132,100 for a whole bachelor’s degree, and RM 41,700 to RM 79,100 for a whole master’s.
- English: IELTS 5.0 for most bachelor’s programmes and IELTS 6.0 for most postgraduate programmes.
- Living costs: about RM 1,500 to 2,600 a month in Kuala Lumpur.
- Watch out: Malaysia does not allow term-time work, and its post-study Graduate Pass does not currently list Bangladesh.
Key facts
UM began in 1905 as the King Edward VII College of Medicine and became Universiti Malaya in 1949. The campus is in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has the largest Bangladeshi student community of any destination on this site.
Universiti Malaya rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 56 in the world, 1st in Malaysia |
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 60 in the world |
UM has climbed steadily in the QS ranking and is the only Malaysian university in the world’s top 60.
Popular courses and international fees
UM publishes the tuition for the whole course, not per year. These are the international fees from the 2025/2026 fee structure, which applies to later intakes unless UM updates it.
| Course | Whole-course tuition |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering or Artificial Intelligence) | RM 89,200 |
| Bachelor of Mechanical, Electrical or Civil Engineering | RM 132,100 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | RM 77,100 |
| Bachelor of Economics | RM 77,100 |
| Bachelor of Accounting | RM 99,100 |
| Master of Data Science | RM 41,700 |
| Master of Computer Science | RM 43,200 |
| Master of Artificial Intelligence | RM 48,100 |
| Master of Mechanical Engineering | RM 55,100 |
| MBA | RM 79,100 |
Fees are based on the minimum or usual length of study and do not include accommodation. A PhD costs RM 58,200 to RM 102,600 depending on the faculty.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Level | What UM asks for |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | STPM, A level, IB, or a high school Grade 12 qualification such as the HSC. A recognised diploma with CGPA 3.00 or above is also accepted |
| Bachelor’s English | IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 60, PTE Academic 41, MUET Band 3 or Cambridge Grade C. Some programmes ask for more |
| Master’s | A bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of at least 3.00 or equivalent, plus any programme requirements |
| Postgraduate English | IELTS 6.0 for most programmes |
| Certified documents | Certified by a school principal, government officer, commissioner of oaths or embassy |
Universiti Malaya: yearly intakes
Universiti Malaya has two intakes a year for international students. The main one begins the academic session in September or October.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| September intake | September or October | 17 June | All bachelor’s programmes. The Bachelor of Computer Science lists an October start |
| February intake | February | 11 November | Programmes that offer a second intake |
Faculty decisions take 4 to 8 weeks and the EMGS visa approval comes after that, so apply well before the deadline.
How to apply and key dates
- Apply online to UM
The bachelor’s application costs RM 300 and lets you list up to 3 programme choices.
- Meet the intake deadline
17 June for the September intake and 11 November for the February intake.
- Wait for the faculty decision
Decisions take 4 to 8 weeks.
- Accept the offer
UM then applies to EMGS for your visa approval letter on your behalf.
- Complete the Student Pass process
EMGS charges about RM 2,700 to 3,250, plus a refundable RM 1,500 personal bond for most countries.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
- Covers
- Tuition
- Allowance
- RM 1,500 a month
- Level
- Master’s and PhD
- Bangladesh
- Eligible (Commonwealth)
UM is one of the 24 institutions in the scheme. Bangladesh qualifies through the Commonwealth list.
View on official site ↗UM’s own postgraduate awards change by faculty and year, so ask the faculty when you apply.
Living costs in Kuala Lumpur
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| All monthly expenses, single student | RM 1,500 to 2,600 |
| 10th Residential College | RM 15 a day |
| 11th Residential College | RM 23 a day |
| UM International House | RM 450 a month, utilities extra |
| Off-campus private room | RM 800 to 2,000 a month |
Because term-time work is not allowed, budget as if you will have no job income in Malaysia.
What the whole degree costs
A Bachelor of Computer Science takes 3.5 years. Tuition of RM 89,200 plus 42 months of living costs comes to roughly RM 152,000 to 198,000 for the whole degree. That is less than one year at most UK or Australian universities on this site.
Work and careers after UM
Reputation
- Top 60 in the world in the QS 2027 ranking and first in Malaysia.
- The lowest whole-degree cost of any top-100 university on this site.
Work while you study
- Term-time work is not allowed on a Student Pass.
- Part-time work is limited to holiday periods and needs approval.
Stay after graduating
- Malaysia’s 12-month Graduate Pass does not currently list Bangladesh as eligible.
- Plan your next step, such as a master’s abroad or a job at home, before you graduate.
Universiti Malaya: FAQs
Can I get into Universiti Malaya with HSC?
Yes. UM accepts a high school Grade 12 qualification, which includes the HSC, for direct entry to bachelor’s programmes. You also need IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent English result, and each programme has its own subject requirements.
How much does a degree at UM cost?
International tuition for the whole course is RM 77,100 for Business Administration or Economics, RM 89,200 for Computer Science and RM 132,100 for Engineering. A master’s costs RM 41,700 to RM 79,100.
What IELTS score does UM need?
IELTS 5.0 for most bachelor’s programmes and 6.0 for most postgraduate programmes. UM also accepts TOEFL iBT 60, PTE Academic 41 and MUET Band 3 at bachelor’s level.
When are the application deadlines?
17 June for the September intake and 11 November for the February intake. Faculty decisions take 4 to 8 weeks, and the EMGS visa process comes after that.
Can I work part time while studying at UM?
Not during term. Malaysia allows limited work only in holiday periods, with approval. Plan your budget without job income.
Can I stay and work in Malaysia after graduating?
Not easily. Malaysia’s Graduate Pass does not list Bangladesh as an eligible nationality at the moment, so staying on needs an employer-sponsored work pass.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- UM: international admission FAQ ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- UM: undergraduate international fee structure ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UM: postgraduate international fee structure ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UM: QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UM: international students ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UM: our history ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UM: residential colleges ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- MoHE: MIS 2026 guidelines ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- EMGS: schedule of fees ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.