
UCSI University
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory), Malaysia
- Established
- 1986
- Students
- ~12k
- International
- 39%
At a glance
Visit official website- Top ranking
- QS World #269
- Established
- 1986
- Students
- ~12k students
- International
- 39%
- Campus city
- Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territory)
- Type
- Private
Founded as a computer-training institute in 1986; granted college status in 1990, university college status in 2003, and full university status in 2008.
About this university
About UCSI University
UCSI University is a globally ranked private university based in Cheras, in the southeast of Kuala Lumpur — a 20-acre suburban campus about 10km from the city centre, with easy access to urban amenities via public transport and university shuttles. UCSI grew from humble beginnings: it began as a computer-training institute in 1986, earned college status in 1990 and university college status in 2003, and was granted full university status in 2008. Today it's home to around 12,000 students from more than 120 countries, with additional campuses in Springhill (Port Dickson), Kuching (Sarawak) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). If you picture yourself studying somewhere international, well-connected and close to a major Asian capital, UCSI is an easy place to feel at home.
UCSI is best known for its internationally acclaimed music and performing-arts program — ranked #24 in the world for Music in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 — alongside hospitality and leisure management and a remarkable record for graduate employability. But that's only part of the story: you'll also find well-regarded programs in medicine, pharmacy, engineering, business, nursing, architecture and the creative arts, many built around deep industry partnerships. UCSI is also a recognised leader in sustainability, ranked #18 in the world for Environmental Sustainability (QS 2026) and #1 in both Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Everything is taught in English and backed by MQA accreditation and recognition from Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education, with extra professional accreditations such as the Malaysian Medical Council for Medicine and the Malaysian Nursing Board for Nursing.
For international students, the appeal is the combination: globally ranked programs (QS World #269 in 2026, and #8 in Southeast Asia), a genuinely diverse campus where roughly a third of students come from abroad, and the affordability and lifestyle of studying in Malaysia. UCSI also stands out for outcomes — it achieved a 100% graduate employability rate in the Malaysian Higher Education Ministry's 2021 survey, with 99% of graduates employed within six months, supported by internship links to 3,500+ global companies including HSBC, PETRONAS and Accenture. Fees vary by program and change each intake, so we'll always confirm the current official figure for you. Whatever you'd like to study, YS Training & Consultancy can help you choose the right UCSI program, 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
Globally ranked in QS
#269 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, ranked among the top 30 in Asia and #8 in Southeast Asia.
World-class for music and performing arts
Ranked #24 in the world for Music (Performing Arts) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 — an internationally acclaimed program.
Exceptional graduate employability
Achieved a 100% graduate employability rate in the Malaysian Higher Education Ministry's 2021 survey, with 99% of graduates employed within six months.
Deep industry partnerships
Internship and placement links with 3,500+ global companies, including HSBC, PETRONAS and Accenture.
A leader in sustainability
Ranked #18 in the world for Environmental Sustainability (QS 2026) — and #1 in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
A genuinely international campus
Roughly 30–39% of students come from 120+ countries, so you'll study alongside people from across the globe.
Rankings
World
World
World
Asia
Asia
Asia
Southeast Asia (QS World University Rankings, Asia)
Music / Performing Arts (World, by Subject)
Environmental Sustainability (World 18, Malaysia 1, SE Asia 1, Asia 7)
QS World trajectory
- 2024#300
- 2025#265
- 2026#269
Programs offered
Foundation
3 programs
Bachelor's
7 programs
Master's
4 programs
Tuition & fees
Foundation
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures.
Diploma
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures.
Bachelor's
Medicine, pharmacy and some specialised degrees are typically higher. Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures.
Postgraduate (Master's / PhD)
Varies by program and research area. Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures.
Fees are indicative figures gathered from public sources and can change each intake and by program. We confirm the exact current official fee for your chosen course before you commit — for free.
Living costs: UCSI's main campus is in Cheras, southeastern Kuala Lumpur, where living costs (accommodation, food and transport) are moderate for the Klang Valley and generally far lower than in the UK, US or Australia. Your exact budget depends on your lifestyle and housing choice — YSTC will give you a personalised monthly estimate for your shortlist.
Campus & student life
Campus setting
UCSI's main campus is a 20-acre suburban campus in Cheras, southeastern Kuala Lumpur — about 10km from the city centre, with convenient access to urban amenities via public transport and university shuttles. The university also has additional campuses in Springhill (Port Dickson), Kuching (Sarawak) and Dhaka (Bangladesh).
Accommodation
Student accommodation is available on and around the Cheras campus, with more housing options nearby in the surrounding area. YSTC will walk you through the current residence choices, room types and costs for your intake.
Student life
A busy, diverse campus community with students from 120+ countries, plus clubs, societies and events — so you'll feel at home from day one. Ask YSTC for the latest on clubs and activities that match your interests.
Safety & support
The Cheras campus is a managed campus in a well-connected part of Kuala Lumpur, with urban amenities reachable by public transport and university shuttles. YSTC can share current student-support and safety details before you arrive.
Facilities
- Library & learning spaces
- Science, engineering & medical labs
- Music & performing-arts studios
- Pharmacy & health-sciences facilities
- Cafés & dining around the campus
Careers & outcomes
100% graduate employability rate (Malaysian Higher Education Ministry 2021 survey); 99% employed within six months
- Internship and placement partnerships with 3,500+ global companies, including HSBC, PETRONAS and Accenture
- Strong industry links across medicine, pharmacy, engineering, business and the creative arts
- Internationally acclaimed music and performing-arts program (ranked #24 in the world)
- Active careers and employability support — 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
- MQA accredited (Malaysian Qualifications Agency)
- Recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
- Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) accreditation for Medicine programs
- Malaysian Nursing Board (MNB) accreditation for Nursing programs
- Multiple professional body recognitions for specialised modules and programs
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 — confirm the exact dates for your program with YSTC
English requirement
Typically IELTS / TOEFL or an accepted equivalent, with an approved English pathway available if you don't yet meet the requirement — the exact band varies by program. YSTC will confirm what your course needs.
International students study in Malaysia on a Student Pass issued via EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services). The university's international office handles the Student Pass application after you accept your offer — YSTC will manage this 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
1 Jalan UCSI, UCSI Heights (Taman Connaught), Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur
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 UCSI University located?
UCSI University's main campus is at 1 Jalan UCSI, UCSI Heights (Taman Connaught), Cheras 56000, Kuala Lumpur — a 20-acre suburban campus in southeastern KL, about 10km from the city centre, with convenient access to urban amenities by public transport and university shuttles. UCSI also has additional campuses in Springhill (Port Dickson), Kuching (Sarawak) and Dhaka (Bangladesh).
How much does it cost to study at UCSI University?
Fees depend on your level and program, and they change each intake — Medicine, pharmacy and some specialised degrees are typically higher than other courses. We don't want to quote a figure that's out of date, so the simplest way to know the real number is a free YSTC consultation, where we confirm the exact current official fee for the courses on your shortlist before you commit.
Is a UCSI University degree recognised internationally?
Yes. UCSI is MQA accredited and recognised by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education, with additional professional accreditations such as the Malaysian Medical Council for Medicine and the Malaysian Nursing Board for Nursing. It ranks
What is UCSI University known for?
UCSI is internationally acclaimed for its music and performing-arts program — ranked
When can I start, and what are the intakes?
UCSI runs multiple intakes per year. The exact dates depend on your program, so YSTC will confirm the next available intake and the application deadlines for your chosen course.
How do I apply, and can YSTC help?
Yes — and getting started is completely free. We'll help you choose the right course, 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 UCSI University?
Scholarships and tuition awards for international students do change each intake, so amounts and availability are best checked directly. The easiest way to find what you qualify for is a free YSTC consultation — we'll check the current scholarships and help you apply at no cost.
What are the English language requirements for UCSI University?
Most programs accept IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted equivalent, with the exact band depending on your course. If you don't yet meet the requirement, an approved English pathway is typically available so you can still progress. YSTC will confirm precisely what your chosen program requires.
Are courses at UCSI University taught in English?
Yes — UCSI's programs are delivered in English, so international students can study without learning Malay first and graduate with a globally portable, English-medium qualification.
What is the campus and accommodation like at UCSI University?
The main campus in Cheras is a 20-acre suburban campus in southeastern Kuala Lumpur, with a busy, diverse community of students from 120+ countries. Student accommodation is available on and around the campus, with more housing options nearby. YSTC will walk you through the current residence choices, room types and costs for your intake.
How much does it cost to live in Kuala Lumpur as a student?
Living costs around UCSI's Cheras campus are moderate for the Klang Valley 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.
How good are graduate job prospects from UCSI University?
Very strong — UCSI achieved a 100% graduate employability rate in the Malaysian Higher Education Ministry's 2021 survey, with 99% of graduates employed within six months, backed by internship and placement links to 3,500+ global companies including HSBC, PETRONAS and Accenture. YSTC can talk you through outcomes for your specific course.
Can international students work while studying at UCSI University?
International students in Malaysia may be permitted to work part-time during semester breaks and holidays under conditions set by Immigration, usually with university approval. Because these rules can change, we'll explain the current, accurate position for your situation during your free consultation rather than rely on outdated info.
Interested in UCSI University? Talk to us free.
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