Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
A prestigious research-intensive university with strong international recognition. Known for quality education, innovative research, and producing graduates who excel in their fields worldwide.
- Acceptance Rate
- 27.0%
- SAT Range
- 1330–1480
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.85
- Size
- Large (21,005 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:16
- Setting
- suburban
- Graduation Rate
- 88.0%
- Retention Rate
- 87.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $8,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $8,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Life at UKM centers on the Bangi campus, a sprawling academic community where most students reside in residential colleges. The college system groups students into living-learning communities that provide housing, dining, and programming. Each college maintains distinct traditions and identities, creating sub-communities within the larger university. Students often maintain college affiliations throughout their studies and beyond. Islamic life holds significant presence on campus, reflecting Malaysia's Muslim-majority population. Mosques serve the campus community, and prayer times structure daily rhythms for many students. The Faculty of Islamic Studies offers academic programs in religious thought, while Islamic student organizations provide community for observant students. At the same time, students from Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and other backgrounds participate fully in university life. Co-curricular activities engage students in sports, cultural performances, community service, and professional development. Student organizations span academic, cultural, religious, and recreational interests. The student representative council provides governance experience and voice on university policies. The Bangi location, while convenient to Kuala Lumpur, creates a somewhat isolated campus environment. Students without vehicles depend on campus facilities and organized transportation for off-campus excursions. This isolation builds community while limiting access to metropolitan entertainment options.
Location & Surroundings
Bangi lies in Selangor state approximately 35 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital and largest city. The planned township developed alongside the university, creating a suburban environment oriented around the campus. The surrounding area has grown substantially since UKM's founding, with commercial development, residential neighborhoods, and transportation infrastructure expanding to serve the university community. Kuala Lumpur provides the metropolitan resources that Bangi lacks: shopping malls, entertainment venues, international restaurants, cultural institutions, and employment opportunities. The capital's iconic Petronas Twin Towers, once the world's tallest buildings, anchor a modern skyline that symbolizes Malaysia's development ambitions. Transportation links to Kuala Lumpur include commuter rail and highways, though traffic congestion can extend travel times unpredictably. Malaysia's tropical climate brings heat and humidity year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Monsoon seasons bring heavy rainfall, particularly from November through February on the west coast. The campus maintains green spaces despite development pressures, with tropical vegetation providing shade and beauty. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one of Southeast Asia's major hubs, lies south of Bangi, providing convenient access for international students. Domestic travel throughout Malaysia occurs easily via budget airlines, buses, and trains connecting major cities.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for Malaysian students runs remarkably low, reflecting government subsidies for public higher education. Annual fees for most undergraduate programs fall below 3,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $650 USD), with professional programs in medicine and some other fields carrying higher charges. International students pay substantially more, with fees typically ranging from 12,000 to 40,000 ringgit annually depending on program. Living costs in the Bangi area remain moderate by Malaysian standards. University residential colleges charge affordable rates for room and board. Off-campus housing in surrounding neighborhoods costs 500 to 1,500 ringgit monthly for shared accommodations. Food costs allow comfortable living on student budgets, with campus cafeterias and local hawker stalls serving meals for 5 to 15 ringgit. Financial aid for Malaysian students includes government scholarships, corporate sponsorships, and university awards. Many students receive support that covers most educational costs. International students may access scholarships through Malaysian government programs or their home country sources. Career outcomes for UKM graduates reflect the university's standing within Malaysian higher education. Graduates find employment throughout the public and private sectors, with particularly strong placement in government positions where Bahasa Malaysia proficiency carries value. Medical graduates enter the national healthcare system. Engineering and science graduates join Malaysia's growing technology and manufacturing sectors. The career services center facilitates employer recruitment while alumni networks provide connections throughout Malaysian professional life.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free