Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Malaysia's National University, founded in 1970 to make Malay a language of science and scholarship.
- Tuition
- MYR 16,300
- From · 2024-25 schedules (latest posted by UKMShape)
- Founded
- 1970
- QS World Ranking
- #130
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
- 1,096.29 hectares (Bangi main campus)
About UKM
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the National University of Malaysia, was established on 18 May 1970 after decades of campaigning for a university that would use Malay as a language of knowledge. It opened in Kuala Lumpur with 192 undergraduates and two postgraduates in three faculties (Science, Arts and Islamic Studies), and moved to its main campus in Bangi, Selangor, in 1977, a site of 1,096 hectares.
UKM was named a Malaysian research university in 2006, gained self-accreditation in 2010 and autonomous status in 2012. Its faculties include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Engineering and Built Environment, Science and Technology, Information Science and Technology, Economics and Management, Law, Islamic Studies, Education and Social Sciences and Humanities, and its teaching hospital, the UKM Medical Centre, is in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. UKM also runs a branch campus in Lusail, Qatar.
Most undergraduate teaching is in Malay, which is central to UKM's identity. International undergraduates usually join through UKM International (UKMi), a full-time study mode run by the university's UKMShape centre, with programmes such as Business Administration, Information Technology and Biomedical Science. UKM suits students who want a large, research-active national university with a strong science and health profile and a green suburban campus close to Kuala Lumpur.
Ilmu, Mutu dan Budi
“Knowledge, Quality and Virtue” — university motto
Why students choose UKM
UKM is ranked 130th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 301-350 in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Health programmes are backed by the UKM Medical Centre teaching hospital in Cheras.
International programmes through UKMi are priced in ringgit, from about RM 60,000 in total for a six-semester business degree.
The Bangi campus has its own railway station, a network of residential colleges and the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, which has hosted international T20 matches.
Admissions
2027 intakes (March and September/October); dates shown are from the 2026/2027 session
Selectivity
UKM does not publish an acceptance rate. Malaysian students apply mainly through the national UPU system; international undergraduates apply to UKMi programmes, and some programmes close early once their intake quota is filled.
Typical entry requirements
| International applicants (UKMi) | A recognised pre-university qualification meeting the programme's requirements, certified academic documents, English proficiency evidence and the RM100 processing fee |
|---|---|
| Malaysian applicants | STPM, matriculation, foundation or diploma results through the UPU system; UKM's ASASIpintar foundation for high achievers |
Deadlines
- UKMi international undergraduate programmes (September/October 2026 intake, reference) Non-binding Passed20 July 2026
Applications opened 20 April 2026. The headline notice for international applicants gives 20 July 2026; the table beneath it lists 10 August 2026, which is the stated deadline for Malaysian applicants, so the two tables appear swapped. Programmes may close earlier when full.
These are the 2026/2027 session dates. UKM had not published 2027 intake dates on the pages checked; expect a similar window opening in April and closing in July for international applicants.
How to apply
International undergraduates apply online through the JoinUKM portal (join.ukm.my) during the intake window, uploading certified academic documents, a photo and proof of the RM100 processing fee. Successful applicants then obtain a student pass through Education Malaysia Global Services.
What admissions looks for
- Academic results that meet the entry requirements of your chosen programme.
- Evidence of English proficiency, submitted with the application.
- For some programmes, Malay proficiency: UKM lists at least one Islamic Studies degree as open only to international students fluent in Malay.
- Complete, certified documents submitted within the intake window, since late applications roll over to the next intake.
Tips for applying to UKM
- 1 Apply early in the window: UKM warns that programmes may close before the deadline once the quota is filled.
- 2 Check whether your programme is taught in Malay or English before applying.
- 3 Budget for the 6% Sales and Service Tax on international tuition fees that UKMShape announced in an August 2026 notice.
- 4 Tuition must be paid in ringgit through the Flywire gateway, and exchange shortfalls are charged to the student.
Costs & financial aid
2024-25 schedules (latest posted by UKMShape) · figures in MYR
UKM's financial aid page mainly lists sponsors for Malaysian students, including PTPTN study loans and scholarships from Yayasan Tenaga Nasional, Yayasan Sime Darby, Yayasan Gamuda, Maybank and the Tengku Abdul Rahman Scholarship. Students who excel academically and in extracurricular activities can be nominated for the Royal Education Award, Vice-Chancellor's Award, Dean's Award and Book Prize.
- RM 2,520 (non-refundable)
- Registration fee, first semester (UKMi international)
- RM 76,120 in total
- Bachelor of Information Technology (UKMi, 7 semesters)
- RM 97,520 in total
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science (UKMi, 8 semesters)
- RM 552,520 in total
- Doctor of Medicine (UKMi, 10 semesters)
- RM 100 (international)
- Application processing fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (September/October and March intakes)
Doctor of Medicine
Taught with the UKM Medical Centre, the university's teaching hospital in Cheras.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (Nuclear Science)
One of the less common science degrees in UKM's Faculty of Science and Technology.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (Actuarial Science)
Offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology alongside Mathematics and Statistics degrees.
Bachelor of Biomedical Science (UKMi)
An eight-semester Faculty of Health Sciences programme open to international students.
Bachelor of Information Technology (UKMi)
Offered to international students by the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, RM 76,120 in total.
Research
- Selected as one of Malaysia's research universities in 2006, organised around seven research thrust areas.
- The Fuel Cell Institute works on low-carbon and hydrogen technology and runs a master's in the field.
- The Langkawi Research Centre and the UKM Medical Centre extend research beyond the Bangi campus.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology
- Faculty of Economics and Management
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Islamic Studies
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Student life
Student life at Bangi centres on residential colleges named after Malaysian figures, such as Kolej Dato' Onn, Kolej Aminuddin Baki, Kolej Pendeta Za'ba, Kolej Ibu Zain and Kolej Tun Dr Ismail, plus premium residences. The campus is large and green, with a railway station, campus bus routes, a mosque and the Tun Seri Lanang Library. Sport has a high profile: the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval has hosted men's and women's international T20 matches.
- Eleven residential colleges on the Bangi campus, plus premium student residences.
- UKM railway station on campus for trips into Kuala Lumpur.
- YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, an international T20 venue.
- Tun Seri Lanang Library, the main university library.
Housing. Students live in residential colleges on the Bangi campus or at UKM Kuala Lumpur, with premium residences also available.
Location
The main campus is in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, a university town south of Kuala Lumpur, with the medical campus at Cheras in the city. Bangi is quieter and cheaper than central Kuala Lumpur, and the campus railway station connects to the capital. The climate is hot and humid all year.
Nearest airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Notable alumni
- AI Anwar Ibrahim10th Prime Minister of Malaysia; MA in literature from UKM
- SM Sheikh Muszaphar ShukorMalaysia's first astronaut; doctor
- NH Noor Hisham AbdullahFormer Director-General of Health of Malaysia; MD (1988) and Master in Surgery (1994) from UKM
- JM Jemilah MahmoodPhysician and humanitarian who founded a medical relief charity in 1999; MD from UKM
- AL Anthony LokeMalaysia's Minister of Transport; BSc (2000)
- MZ Mohd Zuki Ali15th Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia; Bachelor of Economics
- AN Adibah NoorSinger and actress
Frequently asked questions
How much does UKM cost for international undergraduates?
On UKMShape's 2024/2025 UKMi fee schedules, first-year tuition runs from about RM 16,300 to RM 24,200 for most programmes, RM 36,700 for Pharmacy and RM 118,000 for Medicine, plus a RM 2,520 registration fee. UKMShape announced in August 2026 that 6% SST applies to international students' tuition.
Is UKM taught in English or Malay?
UKM was the first Malaysian university to use Malay as its main medium of instruction, and many programmes are taught in Malay. International students typically enter English-taught programmes through UKMi, while at least one Islamic Studies degree requires fluency in Malay.
When is the UKM application deadline for international students?
For the September/October 2026 intake, UKMi undergraduate applications opened on 20 April 2026 and the notice for international applicants gave a 20 July 2026 deadline (a table on the same page shows 10 August). Programmes can close early once full, so apply well before July.
What is UKM's QS ranking?
UKM is 130th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, after reaching 126th in QS 2026, its best result since it first took part in 2005.
What is UKM's acceptance rate?
UKM does not publish one. Places depend on meeting programme requirements and on intake quotas, which can fill before the deadline.
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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