Sunway University
Universiti Sunway
A not-for-profit private university in Sunway City where many degrees also earn a Lancaster University award.
- Tuition
- MYR 37,000
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 2004
- QS World Ranking
- #354
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About Sunway
Sunway University grew out of Sunway College, founded in 1987 by Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, founder of the Sunway Group. It was recognised as Sunway University College in 2004 and gained full university status in 2011. It is owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, which the university describes as Malaysia's largest education-focused social enterprise: operating surpluses go back into the institution or into scholarships and research.
The university is organised into three faculties (Arts and Social Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Medical and Life Sciences) and five schools, including Sunway Business School, the School of Mathematical Sciences and a School of American Education. A long partnership with Lancaster University in the UK means graduates of many programmes, such as Computer Science, receive both a Sunway and a Lancaster degree. A Doctor of Medicine programme started with the launch of the Jeffrey Cheah Medical School in 2025.
Sunway has more than 2,000 international students from over 80 countries. Most bachelor's degrees take three years (four for engineering), with intakes in January, April and September, so it suits students who want a flexible, English-taught degree in a large, walkable township on the edge of Kuala Lumpur.
Fortuna Eruditis Favet
“Fortune favours the prepared mind” — university motto
Why students choose Sunway
Graduates of many programmes, such as Computer Science, receive two degree certificates: one from Sunway University and one from Lancaster University.
Three intakes a year (January, April and September) for most undergraduate degrees give flexible start dates.
The campus is linked by covered canopy walkways to Sunway Pyramid Mall, Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Medical Centre, and served by the Sunway BRT line.
The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation reports awarding more than RM967 million in scholarships as of 2025.
Admissions
2027 intakes (January, April and September 2027; October for the Doctor of Medicine)
Selectivity
Sunway does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is based on meeting each programme's published minimum grades; the Doctor of Medicine additionally requires an interview and medical check-up.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Minimum 12 points with at least two subjects at grade D or better (A = 10, B = 8, C = 6, D = 4, E = 2) for programmes such as Computer Science and Psychology; engineering needs 12 points including Mathematics and a science. Doctor of Medicine: ABC, AAC or BBB in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Programme-specific: 25 points (Psychology), 28 points (Computer Science), 33 points with 5 in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at HL (Doctor of Medicine), excluding bonus points |
| STPM / UEC / Australian Matriculation | e.g. Computer Science: STPM average C (CGPA 2.00, 2 principals), UEC maximum 28 points from 5 subjects, ATAR 60 |
| Sunway Foundation | CGPA 2.3 for Computer Science; CGPA 3.00 with the required sciences for the Doctor of Medicine |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (e.g. MUET Band 4-5 depending on programme, SPM English B, O-Level English 1119 credit, or Sunway Intensive English Programme Level 4 at 65%). Students from countries that use English as a first language may be exempt. |
Deadlines
- January 2027 intake Non-bindingRolling admissions (no fixed deadline published)
Most three-year bachelor's degrees and engineering degrees admit in January, April and September.
- April 2027 intake Non-bindingRolling admissions (no fixed deadline published)
- September 2027 intake Non-bindingRolling admissions (no fixed deadline published)
The Doctor of Medicine has a single October intake.
Sunway's course pages list intakes but no application deadlines. International students should apply early enough to obtain a Malaysian Student Pass before the intake.
How to apply
Apply online through Sunway University's application portal (or with a downloadable form) for the programme and intake of your choice, submitting your results and proof of English. International applicants are supported by the International Office for admission and the Malaysian Student Pass. Doctor of Medicine applicants must also pass an interview and medical check-up.
What admissions looks for
- Grades at or above the programme's published minimum in your qualification (A-levels, IB, STPM, UEC, foundation or diploma).
- Required subjects, such as Mathematics and a science for engineering or Biology and Chemistry for medicine.
- English proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 or an accepted equivalent.
- For the Doctor of Medicine, a successful interview and medical check-up, and age 18 at the start of the programme.
Tips for applying to Sunway
- 1 If you do not have Additional Mathematics, check the course page: some computing degrees accept a Mathematics credit plus a science, with a Mathematics Enhancement subject in the first semester.
- 2 Look at the Sunway International Bursaries, which set country-specific grade thresholds for overseas qualifications.
- 3 Budget in ringgit: international fees on course pages are shown in US dollars as an estimate, but you must pay the RM equivalent.
- 4 Check whether your programme is a Sunway-Lancaster dual award if a UK degree certificate matters to you.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in MYR
Sunway's scholarship portal lists academic excellence, leadership, talent-based and need-based scholarships, the Sunway International Bursaries for overseas qualifications, sibling and alumni discounts, and study loans. The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation reports more than RM967 million in scholarships awarded as of 2025. International fees are published as US dollar estimates and must be paid in the RM equivalent.
- About USD 9,100-9,900 for most bachelor's degrees (e.g. Psychology USD 9,128, Computer Science USD 9,779); Doctor of Medicine USD 23,826; payable in RM equivalent
- International students, estimated annual course fee 2026 (indicative USD)
- More than RM967 million
- Jeffrey Cheah Foundation scholarships awarded (as of 2025)
- More than 2,000 from over 80 countries
- International students
Academics
Academic calendar: Three intakes a year (January, April, September) for most programmes
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
Three-year degree with a Lancaster University dual award; RM39,800 a year for Malaysian students in 2026.
Doctor of Medicine
Five-year programme from the Jeffrey Cheah Medical School, launched in 2025, with an October intake and interview.
BSc (Hons) Actuarial Studies
Taught in the School of Mathematical Sciences; RM37,800 a year for Malaysian students in 2026.
BSc (Hons) Psychology
Three-year degree from the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, with IB entry at 25 points.
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Sunway Business School's accounting degree, three years with three intakes a year.
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons)
Four-year engineering degree requiring Mathematics and a science.
Research
- The Sunway University-Lancaster University Future Cities Research Institute is the university's flagship joint research institute.
- The Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development focus research on planetary health and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- The Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia and the Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness work on policy research.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences
- School of American Education
- School of Education
- School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Sunway Business School
Student life
Sunway's campus sits inside Sunway City, a planned township that the university describes as a '15-minute city' where amenities are reachable on foot. Covered canopy walkways link the campus to the Sunway Pyramid shopping mall, the Sunway Lagoon theme park and Sunway Medical Centre, and the Sunway BRT line connects to the wider Klang Valley. The library holds over half a million titles and is open to the public by application, and the university hosts free public lectures, exhibitions and music performances, including the Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speakers series.
- Canopy walkways connecting campus to Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Medical Centre.
- Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speakers series of public lectures.
- More than 2,000 international students from over 80 countries.
- Tun Hussein Onn Sunway Library with over half a million titles.
Housing. Student housing options and fees are listed on Sunway University's Accommodations page.
Location
Bandar Sunway is a planned township in Selangor, on the southwestern edge of Kuala Lumpur and part of Petaling Jaya. Daily life revolves around Sunway City's mall, theme park, hospital and residences, all within walking distance of campus, while central Kuala Lumpur is reachable by public transport, starting with the Sunway BRT line. International students arrive at KLIA or KLIA2.
Nearest airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), KLIA and KLIA2 terminals
Notable alumni
- N NeelofaActress, television host and entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2017; studied international trade and marketing at Sunway University College
- SS Steven Sim Chee KeongMalaysian federal minister; master's in sustainable development from the Jeffrey Sachs Center at Sunway University
- JC Jenny Choy Tsi JenDeputy Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly; business information systems graduate of Sunway University
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sunway University fees for international students?
Course pages list estimated 2026 annual fees of about USD 9,100-9,900 for most bachelor's degrees and USD 23,826 for the Doctor of Medicine, payable in the ringgit equivalent. Malaysian students pay RM37,000-40,500 for most bachelor's degrees.
When are Sunway University's intakes?
Most undergraduate degrees admit students in January, April and September; the Doctor of Medicine has one October intake.
Do Sunway graduates get a Lancaster University degree?
For many programmes, yes: Computer Science graduates, for example, receive certificates from both Sunway University and Lancaster University.
What IELTS score does Sunway University require?
IELTS 6.0 or an equivalent such as MUET Band 4 (Band 5 for some programmes), SPM English B or an O-Level English credit.
What IB score do I need for Sunway University?
It depends on the programme: for example 25 points for Psychology, 28 for Computer Science and 33 (with HL Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at 5) for the Doctor of Medicine.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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