Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Ranking, international fees, entry rules for Bangladeshi qualifications, intakes, scholarships and living costs, checked against UKM’s own pages.
Check my chances at UKMLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM): highlights
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the National University of Malaysia, is in Bangi, south of Kuala Lumpur, and ranks 130th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It names the Higher Secondary Certificate among the school certificates it accepts.
- After HSC: UKM asks international candidates for 12 years of primary and high school education and a high school certificate, and it lists the Higher Secondary Certificate as an example.
- For a master’s An appropriate bachelor’s degree, with requirements set by each programme and faculty.:
- Tuition: Set by programme; for example RM 24,000 for some master’s degrees and RM 58,710 for a PhD
- Scholarship: Malaysia International Scholarship for master’s and PhD.
- Intakes: Main intake in October; second semester around March.
Key facts
Students who do not meet the English requirement may be allowed to take UKM’s internal English preparatory course, for up to two years.
UKM rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 130 in the world |
Courses and international fees
UKM’s fees are set by programme. These are examples from its own pages.
| Programme | Fee |
|---|---|
| Some master’s programmes | RM 24,000 for the whole course |
| International PhD | RM 58,710 for the minimum 6 semesters |
Ask the faculty for the fee schedule for your exact programme before you accept an offer.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What UKM asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC | UKM asks international candidates for 12 years of primary and high school education and a high school certificate, and it lists the Higher Secondary Certificate as an example. |
| English, bachelor’s | IELTS of at least 6.0 |
| English, postgraduate | IELTS 5.5 or 6.0, depending on the programme |
| English exemption | Faculties may exempt students whose earlier degree was taught in English |
| Master’s An appropriate bachelor’s degree, with requirements set by each programme and faculty. |
English language scores
UKM accepts IELTS, TOEFL, MUET or another test aligned to the CEFR, at the score set by the programme.
UKM: yearly intakes
UKM’s academic year starts in October, with a second semester in the first half of the year.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | October | Set by programme; apply several months before | Bachelor’s and postgraduate programmes |
| Semester 2 | March | Set by programme | Mainly postgraduate programmes |
The Student Pass process through EMGS starts after you accept the offer.
How to apply
- Check the programme’s requirements
English scores and fees differ by faculty.
- Apply online to UKM
Submit certificates, transcripts and your English result.
- Accept the offer
UKM then applies to EMGS for your visa approval letter.
- Complete the Student Pass process
The university applies to EMGS for your visa approval letter. 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)
UKM is one of the institutions in the scheme.
View on official site ↗The Malaysia International Scholarship pays tuition and RM 1,500 a month for master’s and PhD students from Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh, at participating universities.
Living costs in Bangi
Bangi is a university town outside Kuala Lumpur, with lower rents than the capital.
Plan for the year’s tuition plus living costs. Because term-time work is not allowed, budget as if you will have no job income in Malaysia.
What one year costs in total
Add your programme’s fee to living costs of roughly RM 1,500 to 2,500 a month, the range for the Kuala Lumpur area.
Work and careers after UKM
Reputation
- 130 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Names the HSC among its accepted school certificates.
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 before you graduate.
UKM: FAQs
Can I get into UKM with HSC?
UKM asks international candidates for 12 years of primary and high school education and a high school certificate, and it lists the Higher Secondary Certificate as an example.
How much does UKM cost for international students?
Fees are set by programme. UKM’s own examples include master’s programmes at RM 24,000 for the whole course and an international PhD at RM 58,710.
What do I need for a master’s at UKM?
An appropriate bachelor’s degree, with requirements set by each programme and faculty.
When are the intakes at UKM?
The academic year starts in October, with a second semester around March.
Are there scholarships for Bangladeshi students at UKM?
The Malaysia International Scholarship covers tuition and RM 1,500 a month for master’s and PhD students from Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh.
What IELTS score does UKM need?
At least 6.0 for bachelor’s programmes, and 5.5 or 6.0 for postgraduate programmes depending on the field.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- UKM: postgraduate programmes ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- UKM: admission requirements for international candidates ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
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.