
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
- Established
- 1984
- Students
- 25k
- International
- 14%
At a glance
Visit official website- Top ranking
- QS World #491
- Established
- 1984
- Students
- 25k students
- International
- 14%
- Campus city
- Sintok, Kedah
- Type
- Public University
Established on 16 February 1984; the sixth public university founded in Malaysia, given the mandate to focus on management.
About this university
About Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Universiti Utara Malaysia is a public university in Sintok, Kedah, in northern Malaysia — and it holds a special place in the country's higher education story. Established on 16 February 1984, it was the sixth public university founded in Malaysia, and it was purpose-built with a single, clear focus: management. Its vast 1,061-hectare main campus sits in a green, self-contained setting about 48 km north of Alor Setar and just 10 km east of Changlun, near the Malaysia–Thailand border, with a secondary campus in central Kuala Lumpur. If you want a university that knows exactly what it's about, UUM is it.
That focus has earned UUM real recognition. It's ranked #491 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (up from #554 the year before) and #65 in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, and it appears in the #401–500 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. As Malaysia's self-described premier management university, it specialises in business, management, economics, education, law, government studies and information technology — and it's especially strong in accounting and finance, ranked #101–150 in the world by QS for that subject and #1 in Malaysia for citation/H-index. Its business school holds AACSB International accreditation, held continuously since 2016, and UUM is trusted by MQA to accredit its own programs, with 162 accredited programs across foundation, diploma, bachelor's, master's and PhD levels.
For international students — around 3,000–3,700 of them, roughly 11–14% of the student body, drawn from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe — UUM offers a genuinely global campus with a clear specialism and a strong emphasis on practical learning, industry partnerships and leadership development. A dedicated Career Development Centre supports students with job fairs, interview preparation and mentoring, and graduates go on to work across business, finance, management, IT, government, logistics, hospitality, communication and international relations. Whatever you'd like to study, YS Training & Consultancy can help you choose the right UUM 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
Malaysia's premier management university
Purpose-built as a management-focused university, with deep specialisation in business, management, economics, law, government studies and information technology.
AACSB International accreditation
Held continuously since 2016 — a mark of quality shared by the world's leading business schools.
Ranked among the world's universities
#491 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (up from #554 in 2025) and #65 in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026.
#1 in Malaysia for Accounting & Finance research
Ranked #101–150 in the world by QS for Accounting & Finance (2026) and #1 in Malaysia for citation/H-index.
A genuinely international campus
Around 3,000–3,700 international students from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe — roughly 11–14% of the student body.
A vast, purpose-built campus
A 1,061-hectare main campus in Sintok, Kedah, designed from the ground up as a self-contained university environment.
Self-accrediting institution
Trusted by MQA to accredit its own programs, with 162 accredited programs across all levels.
Rankings
World
World
World (band)
Asia
Asia
Asia (Top 127, 6th in Malaysia, 8th in ASEAN)
Accounting & Finance (World, #1 in Malaysia for citation/H-index)
QS World trajectory
- 2025#554
- 2026#491
Programs offered
UUM is a management-focused university, so its strengths cluster in business, accounting, finance, economics, law, government studies and information technology. Exact program availability changes by intake — YSTC will confirm what's open for your start date.
Foundation / Pre-University
2 programs
Diploma
1 program
Bachelor's
16 programs
- Business Administration (Hons)
- Accounting & Finance
- Banking & Finance
- Marketing Management
- Human Resource Management
- Logistics & Transportation
- Operations Management
- Technology Management
- Risk Management & Insurance
- Agribusiness Management
- Islamic Finance & Banking
- Economics
- Law
- Government Studies
- Applied History
- Multimedia
Master's
3 programs
Tuition & fees
Foundation / Pre-University
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures
Diploma
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures
Bachelor's
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures
Postgraduate (Master's)
Indicative only; YSTC to fill with official figures
Doctoral (PhD)
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: UUM's main campus is in Sintok, a quiet, green setting in northern Kedah near the Malaysia–Thailand border, where everyday living costs in Malaysia are generally affordable. YSTC will give you a personalised monthly estimate for your shortlist.
Campus & student life
Campus setting
A 1,061-hectare main campus in Sintok, Kubang Pasu district, Kedah — a green, self-contained setting about 48 km north of Alor Setar and 10 km east of Changlun, near the Malaysia–Thailand border. A secondary campus in central Kuala Lumpur extends UUM's presence into the capital.
Accommodation
As a large public university with a purpose-built campus, UUM offers on-campus residential options alongside nearby housing. YSTC will walk you through the current residence choices, room types and costs for your intake.
Student life
With tens of thousands of students and a strong international community, UUM has an active campus life of clubs, societies and events on its expansive Sintok grounds. Ask YSTC for the latest on clubs and activities that match your interests.
Safety & support
UUM's main campus is a self-contained, purpose-built environment in a quiet part of northern Kedah. YSTC can share current student-support and safety details before you arrive.
Facilities
- Library & learning resources
- Lecture halls, seminar rooms & computing facilities
- Sports & recreation facilities
- Student lounges & study spaces
- Campus dining
Careers & outcomes
UUM emphasises practical learning, strong industry partnerships and dedicated Career Development Centre support — confirm specifics with YSTC
- Strong industry partnerships with businesses and government organisations
- A dedicated Career Development Centre offering job fairs, interview preparation and mentoring
- Emphasis on practical learning and leadership development
- Graduates work across business, finance, management, IT, government, logistics, hospitality, communication and international relations
Specific quantified graduate employment rates or rankings versus peer Malaysian universities are not available in public sources — YSTC will confirm what applies to your chosen course.
Accreditation & recognition
- Self-accredited institution recognised by MQA, with authority to accredit its own programs (162 accredited programs)
- AACSB International accreditation, held continuously since 2016 (elite business school accreditation)
- Listed as a public university under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
- Professional body recognitions for specific programs (e.g. Board of Engineers Malaysia, Nursing Board Malaysia, for designated 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
- Intake dates vary by program and level — confirm the next available intake with YSTC
English requirement
Typically IELTS or TOEFL (or an accepted equivalent), with a 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 are issued a Malaysian Student Pass via EMGS. UUM'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
06010 Sintok, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. Secondary campus (Kuala Lumpur Branch), 41-3 Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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 Universiti Utara Malaysia located?
UUM's main campus is in Sintok, Kedah, in northern Malaysia — a green, purpose-built campus about 48 km north of Alor Setar and 10 km east of Changlun, near the Malaysia–Thailand border. There is also a secondary campus in central Kuala Lumpur.
How much does it cost to study at Universiti Utara Malaysia?
Fees at UUM vary by program, level and your nationality, and we don't want to quote a figure that might be out of date. During your free consultation, YSTC will confirm the exact current official fees for the courses on your shortlist, along with a clear cost estimate.
Is a Universiti Utara Malaysia degree recognised internationally?
Yes. UUM is a public university listed under Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education and is a self-accrediting institution recognised by MQA, with 162 accredited programs. Its business school holds AACSB International accreditation (held continuously since 2016), and the university ranks among the world's universities in QS and THE. YSTC will confirm recognition for your specific country and goals.
What is Universiti Utara Malaysia known for?
UUM describes itself as Malaysia's premier management university and was purpose-built with that focus. It specialises in business, management, economics, education, law, government studies and information technology, and is especially strong in accounting and finance — ranked
When can I start, and what are the intakes?
Intake dates at UUM vary by program and level. The best move is a free YSTC consultation, where we'll 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 Universiti Utara Malaysia?
Scholarship availability and amounts change each intake and by program, so we don't want to promise something that may have moved on. In a free YSTC consultation, we'll check what you might qualify for and help you apply at no cost.
What are the English language requirements for Universiti Utara 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, a pathway may be available so you can still progress. YSTC will confirm exactly what your chosen course needs.
Are courses at Universiti Utara Malaysia taught in English?
Many of UUM's programs, particularly at postgraduate level and across its international-facing courses, are taught in English. The exact language of instruction depends on the specific program, so YSTC will confirm this for the course you're interested in before you apply.
What accommodation options are there at Universiti Utara Malaysia?
As a large public university with a purpose-built campus, UUM offers on-campus residential options alongside nearby housing. Costs depend on the room type and how you like to live — YSTC will walk you through the current options and a realistic monthly budget for your intake.
How much does it cost to live in Sintok as a student?
Sintok is a quiet, green part of northern Kedah where everyday living costs in Malaysia are generally affordable — 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 Universiti Utara 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 support is there for graduate careers at Universiti Utara Malaysia?
UUM emphasises practical learning and strong partnerships with businesses and government organisations, and runs a dedicated Career Development Centre offering job fairs, interview preparation and mentoring. Graduates work across business, finance, management, IT, government, logistics, hospitality, communication and international relations. YSTC can share what's most relevant to your chosen course.
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