One of the most diverse Asian countries, Malaysia has seen an increase in the number of international students over the years. Citizens of various countries flock to study in Malaysia, enrolling themselves into public or private universities.

One of the most attractive features of the country is the fact that it hosts a number of foreign universities’ branch campuses. This article will provide application details with regard to deadlines for Malaysian universities.

Application Process in Malaysian Universities

When applying to Malaysian universities, there are two possible paths you can take. You can either apply directly to the university or you can apply through the common portal Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU).

The first thing to do in either case is to decide which university and program to take. Then you may figure out which process is preferred by that particular university. The application closing date for UPU is 31 March or 7 April, depending on which category you fall under.

Application Deadlines to Study in Malaysia: Top Universities

In general, Malaysian universities have two intakes a year - September and February - in the autumn and spring semesters. Some universities also have a third intake in April, which is the summer semester. The application deadlines to some of the most reputed universities in Malaysia can be found below:

University Study Level Intake Application Deadline Application Fee
Universiti Malaya UG Semester 1 17 June RM 300
Semester 2 17 November
PG Semester 1 January - June N/A
Semester 2 July - November
Universiti Putra Malaysia UG, PG September 20 May 60 USD
February 20 October
Universiti Sains Malaysia UG Semester 1 30 June RM 100
Semester 2 30 December
PG Varies with course
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UG Semester 1 9 October N/A
Semester 2 N/A
PG Semester 1 7 October 2021
Semester 2 24 March 2022
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia UG Semester 1 June N/A
Semester 2 November
PG Semester 1 June
Semester 2 November
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS UG January 2021 30 September 2020 RM 1000-1600
May 2021 28 February 2021
September 2021 31 May 2021
PG January 2021 31 October 2020
30 November 2020
6 January 2021
May 2021 28 February 2021
31 March 2021
6 May 2021
July 2021 30 April 2021
31 May 2021
8 July 2021
September 2021 30 June 2021
31 July 2021
9 September 2021
Taylor’s University UG, PG Varies with program RM 2,500
Universiti Utara Malaysia UG Semester 1 30 May N/A
Semester 2 30 October
PG Semester 1 30 May RM 125
Semester 2 31 October
Semester 3 28 February
Universiti Teknologi MARA PG September 30 May RM 150
March 30 November
Universiti Malaysia Pahang UG N/A 30 March 2021 RM 121
PG September, February Varies with program
International Islamic University Malaysia UG, PG Semester 1 31 July RM 100
Semester 2 31 December
Multimedia University UG July 5 May RM 520
November 22 September
PG N/A 16 April
Management and Science University UG, PG Varies with program RM 2,158
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman UG, PG January 15 September RM 60
May 15 February
October 1 July
Sunway University UG February N/A RM 700
August
PG January
August
Universiti Tenaga Nasional UG, PG March Varies with program RM 3,150
May
October
Universiti Malaysia Perlis UG January 9 October 2020 RM 2500
October 18 June 2021
Universiti Malaysia Sabah UG, PG Semester 1 2 April RM 127
Semester 2 December
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak UG, PG September 1 April N/A
February 15 September
SEGi University UG January 30 October RM 2,700
June 30 March
September 30 June
PG January 15 October
May 15 February
September 15 June
Universiti Kuala Lumpur UG January Ongoing RM 1,100
PG January, April, July, October Any time

Application Deadlines to Study in Malaysia: International Campuses

There are 11 foriegn universities who have branch campuses in Malaysia. Many students prefer to study at these universities because they will receive the degree from the university in Australia, UK, etc. without having to spend the high tuition fees and living expenses in those countries.

University Country of Origin Intake Application Deadline Application Fee
Monash University Malaysia Australia Semester 1 12 March 2021 RM 100
Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia Australia January 2021 20 November 2020 N/A
February 2021 15 January 2021
The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus UK N/A 31 July RM 200
19 July
Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus Australia N/A 1 March RM 100
30 August
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia UK 2021/22 30 June 2021 N/A
University of Southampton, Malaysia Campus UK April 26 February 2021 N/A
July 14 May 2021
September 9 July 2021
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia UK January 31 December 2020 RM 1000
April 31 March 2021
University of Reading Malaysia UK September 8 July 2021 RM 300
Xiamen University Malaysia Campus China Varies with program RM 100
Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland And University College Dublin Malaysia Campus Ireland Varies with program N/A

Application Deadlines to Study in Malaysia: MBA

The top course for international students is MBA in Malaysia. There are a number of universities and business schools that offer this course, and the deadlines of the top schools are given below.

Business School Intake Application Deadline
University of Malaya Graduate School of Business (UMGSB) September N/A
February
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) International Business School September June
Putra Business School (PBS) January 9 November 2020
May 1 February 2021
September 15 July 2021
UCSI University Malaysia Term 1 31 January
Term 2 30 June
Term 3 30 November
Asia School of Business Round 2 26 January 2021
Round 3 1 April 2021

In case of other courses, most students go for Masters in Malaysia because there is a good chance of employability after completing the study.

Before you start the application process to Malaysia, you must first ensure that you have all the documents in order. You may also need the test scores of certain exams to study in Malaysia. Once you apply to a university and confirm your admission there, you can start with the visa application process to Malaysia, for which the university will assist you in most cases.