City University Malaysia
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Established
- 1984
- Students
- 7.5k
- International
- 47%
At a glance
Visit official website- Top ranking
- QS Asian University Rankings #=558
- Established
- 1984
- Students
- 7.5k students
- International
- 47%
- Campus city
- Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Type
- Private University
Founded in April 1984 (earlier known as Petaling Jaya Community College / Unity College International); attained full university status in 2016. One of Malaysia's oldest private higher education institutions, with 35,000+ graduates to date.
About this university
About City University Malaysia
City University Malaysia is one of Malaysia's longest-established private higher education institutions, founded back in April 1984 and granted full university status in 2016. Its main campus and headquarters sit in Petaling Jaya, Selangor — right in Malaysia's Klang Valley, close to Kuala Lumpur. It's a multi-campus university: the business faculty and postgraduate studies are based in Petaling Jaya, while most undergraduate faculties are at the Cyberjaya campus. With 40+ years of industry-focused teaching and 35,000+ graduates behind it, the university has built its reputation on affordable, applied, practice-based learning.
What stands out is the combination of affordability and breadth. City University is consistently positioned as one of Malaysia's more affordable private universities, with international undergraduate tuition starting from around RM 12,000 per year for some programs. It's especially well regarded for engineering, information technology, architecture, creative industries, business, nursing and hospitality, backed by professional accreditations from bodies like the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) and ACCA. It holds a 5-Star (Excellent) QS Stars rating and maintains global partnerships including Kingston University in the UK and Jinan University in China. Teaching is in English, with some courses also offered in Malay.
For international students, the appeal is the combination of recognised, accredited qualifications, an affordable cost, a diverse and welcoming community, and the lifestyle of studying in Malaysia's Klang Valley. With foundation, diploma, bachelor's, master's and PhD programs across engineering, IT, architecture, creative industries, business, nursing and more, there's a clear pathway whatever stage you're at. Whatever you'd like to study, YS Training & Consultancy can help you choose the right City University Malaysia program and campus, confirm the current official fees, and apply with confidence — talk to us free to get started.
A note on the numbers: rankings, fees and intake dates on this page are drawn from public sources and are accurate to the best of our knowledge, but they can change. We always confirm the current official figures with the university before you apply.
Why choose this university
40+ years of industry-focused education
Founded in April 1984, City University Malaysia is one of Malaysia's oldest private higher education institutions, with 35,000+ graduates and a long track record of practice-based, employability-driven learning.
Affordable private education
Consistently positioned as one of Malaysia's more affordable private universities, with international undergraduate tuition starting from around RM 12,000/year for some programs.
Broad applied programme range
Strengths across engineering, IT, architecture, creative industries, business, nursing and hospitality — with professional accreditations from LAM, ACCA and others.
5-Star QS Stars rating
Holds a 5-Star (Excellent) QS Stars rating across areas including teaching, employability, inclusiveness and online learning.
Global partnerships
International partnerships including Kingston University (UK) and Jinan University (China), supporting globally recognised, English-medium qualifications.
Multi-campus in the Klang Valley
Main campus and HQ in Petaling Jaya near Kuala Lumpur, with a dedicated Cyberjaya campus for most undergraduate faculties.
Rankings
Asian University Rankings
National institutional rating
Overall (incl. Teaching, Employability, Inclusiveness, Online Learning; specialist criterion varies by source — Social Policy & Administration or Business & Management)
ASEAN region
Programs offered
City University is a multi-campus institution offering 60+ programmes. The Business faculty and postgraduate studies are based in Petaling Jaya (main campus/HQ), while most undergraduate faculties are at the Cyberjaya campus, with further facilities elsewhere. YSTC will confirm where your chosen program is taught.
Foundation
2 programs
Bachelor's
8 programs
Master's
8 programs
Tuition & fees
Foundation
≈ RM 10,000 – 20,000 / year (indicative)
Confirm current official fee with YSTC.
Diploma
≈ RM 12,000 – 25,000 / year (indicative)
Confirm current official fee with YSTC.
Bachelor's
≈ RM 12,000 – 35,000 / year (indicative; among Malaysia's more affordable)
International student fees and EMGS charges apply on top. Confirm current official fee with YSTC.
Postgraduate (Master's / PhD)
≈ RM 20,000 – 40,000 (indicative)
Varies by program. Confirm with YSTC.
City University is positioned as one of Malaysia's more affordable private universities. Fees are indicative figures from public sources and can change each intake. International students also pay an international student fee, EMGS Student Pass fees (≈ RM 2,800), application/completion processing fees and a small resource fee — plus the 6% service tax introduced in July 2025. We confirm the exact current official fee for your chosen course before you commit — for free.
Living costs: City University Malaysia is based in Petaling Jaya in Selangor's Klang Valley, close to Kuala Lumpur, with housing, food and transport options nearby; living costs are moderate. The university operates hostels (room/unit rents publicly cited around RM 500–2,000/month). YSTC will give you a personalised monthly estimate for your shortlist.
Campus & student life
Campus setting
A multi-campus university in Selangor's Klang Valley, with its main campus and HQ in Petaling Jaya — close to Kuala Lumpur and well connected. Most undergraduate faculties are based at the Cyberjaya campus.
Accommodation
The university operates hostels in the Klang Valley (e.g. Puchong and Kota Damansara areas), each with its own warden management and security; room/unit rents are publicly cited around RM 500–2,000/month. YSTC will walk you through the current options and realistic costs for your campus and intake.
Student life
A diverse, international campus community with a focus on applied, hands-on learning, spread across PJ and Cyberjaya. Ask YSTC for the latest on clubs, societies and student life that match your interests.
Safety & support
Located in established areas of the Klang Valley, the campuses are well connected and accessible, and hostels have their own security/warden management. YSTC can share current student-support and safety details before you arrive.
Facilities
- Engineering, IT and computing labs
- Architecture and design studios
- Health sciences and nursing facilities
- Library & learning spaces
- Student lounges & study areas
Careers & outcomes
City University reports strong graduate employability and an industry-aligned curriculum; confirm the latest exact figure with YSTC.
- Industry-aligned curriculum built on 40+ years of practice-based education
- Professional accreditations (LAM, ACCA, Nursing Board) that support career entry
- Emphasis on industry-relevant, practical skills development
- Degrees recognised for employment and postgraduate advancement — ask YSTC for the latest on services and graduate destinations
Specific employer partners, internship details and graduate-destination figures vary by program — YSTC will confirm what applies to your chosen course.
Accreditation & recognition
- Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) accredited; programmes on the Malaysian Qualifications Register
- Recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
- Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) — architecture programs
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) — accounting & finance
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP) and Nursing Board Malaysia — health programmes
- International partnerships incl. Kingston University (UK) and Jinan University (China)
- English-medium instruction (some courses also in Malay)
Admissions
Entry requirements
- Recognised pre-university qualification (e.g. STPM, A-Levels, foundation, diploma, or equivalent) — requirements vary by program
- Meet the minimum subject grades for your chosen course
- Meet the English language requirement (see below)
Intakes
- Multiple intakes per year (commonly January, May and September) — confirm exact dates per program with YSTC
English requirement
Typically IELTS / TOEFL or an accepted equivalent, with an English pathway available if you don't yet meet the requirement — exact band varies by program. YSTC will confirm what your course needs.
International students are issued a Malaysian Student Pass via EMGS. The university's International Office handles the Student Pass application after you accept your offer; YSTC manages the process with you from start to finish.
How YSTC helps you apply
From shortlisting to your offer letter and student visa, we guide you through every step — and getting started is completely free.
Location
Address
Menara City U, No. 8, Jalan 51A/223, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia (note: some sources list a Mutiara Damansara address — confirm current HQ with YSTC)
What's nearby
Ask us about accommodation, transport links and student life around the campus — we'll give you the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
Where is City University Malaysia located?
City University Malaysia's main campus and headquarters is in Petaling Jaya, Selangor — in Malaysia's Klang Valley, close to Kuala Lumpur. It's a multi-campus university, with most undergraduate faculties based at the Cyberjaya campus.
How much does it cost to study at City University Malaysia?
It's one of Malaysia's more affordable private universities — international undergraduate fees commonly fall around RM 12,000–35,000 per year depending on the program, plus international student and EMGS fees and the 6% service tax. These are indicative figures that change each intake, so your free YSTC consultation confirms the exact current official fee for your shortlist.
Is a City University Malaysia degree recognised internationally?
Yes. City University Malaysia is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), with programs on the Malaysian Qualifications Register and professional accreditations from bodies like LAM (architecture) and ACCA (accounting). It also partners with Kingston University (UK) and Jinan University (China). YSTC will confirm recognition for your specific country and goals.
What is City University Malaysia known for?
It's known for affordable, industry-aligned, practice-based education built over 40+ years, with strengths in engineering, IT, architecture, creative industries, business, nursing and hospitality. It holds a 5-Star QS Stars rating and has a diverse international student community.
When can I start, and what are the intakes?
City University Malaysia typically has multiple intakes a year (commonly January, May and September). Exact dates depend on your program and campus — YSTC will confirm the next available intake and the application deadlines for you.
How do I apply, and can YSTC help?
Yes — and getting started is completely free. We'll help you choose the right course and campus, prepare and submit your application and documents, confirm the current fees, and manage your Malaysian Student Pass (visa) via EMGS from start to finish.
Are there scholarships for international students at City University Malaysia?
City University offers merit-based and program-specific scholarships, and availability and amounts change each intake. The best move is a free YSTC consultation, where we'll check which awards you might qualify for and help you apply at no cost.
What are the English language requirements for City University Malaysia?
Most programs ask for IELTS, TOEFL, or an accepted equivalent, though the exact band varies by course. If you don't yet meet the requirement, an English pathway may be available so you can still progress. YSTC will confirm exactly what your chosen course needs.
Are courses at City University Malaysia taught in English?
Yes — City University Malaysia offers English-medium instruction, with some courses also available in Malay. For international students this means you can study without learning Malay first, and your qualification stays globally portable. YSTC will confirm the language of instruction for your specific course.
What accommodation options are there at City University Malaysia?
The university operates hostels in the Klang Valley, each with its own security and warden management, with room/unit rents publicly cited around RM 500–2,000/month, plus private options nearby. Costs depend on the room type — YSTC will walk you through the current options and a realistic monthly budget for your campus and intake.
How much does it cost to live in Petaling Jaya as a student?
Living costs in the Klang Valley are moderate and generally far lower than in the UK, US or Australia — covering accommodation, food and transport. Your exact budget depends on your lifestyle and housing choice, so YSTC will give you a personalised monthly estimate alongside your tuition figures, free of charge.
Can international students work while studying at City University Malaysia?
International students in Malaysia may be allowed to work part-time during semester breaks and holidays under specific conditions set by Immigration, usually with university approval. The rules can change, so we'll explain the current, accurate position for your situation during your free consultation rather than rely on outdated info.
What are graduate outcomes like at City University Malaysia?
City University reports strong graduate employability, supported by an industry-aligned curriculum built over 40+ years, professional accreditations and placement networks. Its degrees are recognised for employment and postgraduate advancement. YSTC can share what applies to your chosen course during your free consultation.
Interested in City University Malaysia? Talk to us free.
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