Universiti Malaya crest

Universiti Malaya

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Founded 1905 • QS 2027 #56

Updated May 2026 · Source: um.edu.my

Overview

English Name: University of Malaya
Local Name: University of Malaya
Acronyms: UM
Founded: 1905
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #56 Times Higher Education 2026 #201-250 ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #601-700 CWTS Leiden 2025 #949 SCImago 2026 #456
Motto: Ilmu Punca Kemajuan
Colours: Red, gold and blue
Universiti Malaya campus and facilities
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Established in 1905, the Universiti Malaya (University of Malaya) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).

Officially recognized by the Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia), Universiti Malaya (UM) is a large-sized coeducational Malaysian higher education institution. Universiti Malaya (UM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 118-year-old Malaysian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Universiti Malaya's campus location, postal address, and admissions contact channels are below.

Address: Lembah Pantai
Postal Code: 50603
Other Sites: University Hospital; Medical Centre
Phone: +60 (3) 7967 7022
Fax: +60 (3) 7956 0027
Social Media:

Academic Details

The figures below cover Universiti Malaya's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing.

Academic Year: July to July
Recognition: Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi
Accrediting Agency: Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA); Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
Admission Requirements: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Malaysian Certificate of Education (MCE) or recognized equivalent; Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STP) or Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM); equivalent recognized qualification
Student Enrollment: 15,000-19,999
Academic Staff Range: 1,500-1,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) ASEAN University Network (AUN) Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW)

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi.

Islamic Studies (Academy) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • Human Resources
  • Islamic Law
  • Islamic Studies
  • Koran
  • Management
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
Malay Studies (Academy) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Malay
  • Publishing and Book Trade
Civilization Dialogue (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies
Culture (Centre) 21 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Acting
  • Aesthetics
  • Art History
  • Art Management
  • Conducting
  • Cultural Studies
  • Dance
  • Display and Stage Design
  • Educational Technology
  • Ethnology
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Musicology
  • Opera
  • Performing Arts
  • Textile Design
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
Foundation Studies in Science (Centre) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Japanese
  • Natural Sciences
  • Physics
Sports (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Sports
  • Sports Management
Arts and Social Sciences (Faculty) 14 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Chinese
  • Demography and Population
  • East Asian Studies
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Media Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Studies
  • Sociology
  • Southeast Asian Studies
Built Environment (Faculty) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Real Estate
  • Surveying and Mapping
Business and Accountancy (Faculty) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Business and Commerce
  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Islamic Studies
  • Management
  • Management Systems
  • Marketing
  • Operations Research
  • Taxation
Computer Science and Information Technology (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Library Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis
Dentistry (Faculty) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dental Technology
  • Dentistry
  • Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
  • Oral Pathology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics
Economics and Administration (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Administration
  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • Political Sciences
  • Statistics
Education (Faculty) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Curriculum
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational and Student Counselling
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • Humanities and Social Science Education
  • Literacy Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Pedagogy
Engineering (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Production Engineering
Languages and Linguistics (Faculty) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arabic
  • European Languages
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • Linguistics
  • Modern Languages
  • Native Language
  • South and Southeast Asian Languages
  • Translation and Interpretation
  • Writing
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law
Medicine (Faculty) 18 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anaesthesiology
  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Parasitology
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Paediatrics
  • Parasitology
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physiology
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Social and Preventive Medicine
  • Surgery
Science (Faculty) 19 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biotechnology
  • Botany
  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Embryology and Reproduction Biology
  • Genetics
  • Geology
  • Histology
  • Immunology
  • Marine Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Natural Sciences
  • Physics
  • Plant Pathology
Asia-Europe (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Asian Studies
  • European Studies
China Studies (Institute) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Chinese
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
Graduate Studies (Institute) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biotechnology
  • Development Studies
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Health Sciences
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Natural Resources
  • Philosophy
  • Technology
Principalship Studies (Institute) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Educational Administration
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Secondary Education
  • Teacher Training
Public Policy and Management (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Management
  • Public Administration
Research Management and Consultancy (Institute) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Management
  • Technology

Programs Offered

Every programme Universiti Malaya currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.

439 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Malaysia

Bachelor's Degree 199 programmes

Bachelor of Al-Quran and Al-Hadith Previously known as : Bachelor of Usuluddin (Al-Quran and Al-Hadith)  
Islamic & Quranic Studies · On-campus
Bachelor of Arabic Language and Linguistics  
Linguistics & Language Studies · On-campus

Showing 10 of 199.

Master's Degree 195 programmes

Master's Degree in International Masters in Information Management  
Library Science · On-campus
Master's Degree in International Masters in Small and Medium Enterprises  
Economics · On-campus
M.A.(Malaysian History)
History · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

M.A.(Southeast Asian History)
History · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master in Environmental Management Technology Previously known as : Master of Science (Environmental Management Technology)  
Environmental Sciences · On-campus
Master in European Studies Previously known as : International Masters in European Regional Integration  
Politics & International Relations · On-campus
Master in Pharmaceutical Legislation and Regulatory Control  
Pharmacy · On-campus
Master of Accounting (Reporting and Management Accountability)  
Accounting · On-campus
Master of Anaesthesiology  
Medicine · On-campus
Master of Applied Statistics  
Applied Mathematics & Statistics · On-campus · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 195.

Doctorate 11 programmes

Doctor in Oral Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Medicine  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor in Orthodontics  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor in Paediatric Dentistry  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor in Periodontology  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor in Prosthodontics  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor in Special Care Dentistry  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor of Business Administration Previously known as : Doctor of Management  
Management & Leadership · On-campus
Doctor of Dental Public Health  
Dentistry · On-campus
Doctor of Medicine  
Medicine · On-campus
Doctor of Philosophy  
Architecture · On-campus · English

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 11.

Diploma 17 programmes

Diploma in Accounting  
Accounting · On-campus
Diploma in Business Management  
Management & Leadership · On-campus
Diploma in Human Resource Management  
Management & Leadership · On-campus
Diploma in Management  
Management & Leadership · On-campus
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology  
Health Sciences · On-campus
Diploma in Nursing  
Nursing · On-campus
Diploma in Radiography  
Health Sciences · On-campus
Executive Diploma in Accounting Administration  
Accounting · On-campus
Executive Diploma in Counselling  
Social Work · On-campus
Executive Diploma in Early Childhood Education  
Early Childhood Education · On-campus

Showing 10 of 17.

Foundation 7 programmes

Higher Diploma 8 programmes

Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Emergency Nursing  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Midwifery  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Critical Care)  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Emergency Care)  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Perioperative Nursing)  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Perioperative Nursing  
Nursing · On-campus
Advanced Diploma in Teaching Methodology  
Education & Teaching · On-campus

Postgraduate Diploma 2 programmes

Postgraduate Diploma in Education  
Education & Teaching · On-campus
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration  
Management & Leadership · On-campus

How to apply to Universiti Malaya

A five-step path through the application process at Universiti Malaya.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Universiti Malaya's catalogue includes 439 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Universiti Malaya's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Submit your completed application through Universiti Malaya's official website at www.um.edu.my. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +60 (3) 7967 7022. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universiti Malaya

Common questions about Universiti Malaya, answered from data on record.

In what year was Universiti Malaya established?

Universiti Malaya was founded in 1905 (approximately 121 years ago).

What city is Universiti Malaya in?

Universiti Malaya operates from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Is Universiti Malaya public or private?

Universiti Malaya operates as a public institution.

How big is Universiti Malaya's student body?

Universiti Malaya serves approximately 15,000-19,999 students.

Where does Universiti Malaya stand in university rankings?

Universiti Malaya holds rank QS 2027 #56.

What qualification levels does Universiti Malaya offer?

Programmes at Universiti Malaya cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Is Universiti Malaya accredited?

Universiti Malaya is accredited by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA); Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

What is Universiti Malaya's official website?

The institution's website is www.um.edu.my.

Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Below: other Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) member institutions, alongside Universiti Malaya.

Faculties at nearby universities

Below are universities in the same area as Universiti Malaya.

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Other institutions in Malaysia teaching Education & Teaching are listed below for comparison with Universiti Malaya.

Universities Compared with Universiti Malaya

Universities of a similar scale and standing to Universiti Malaya are listed below.

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