Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation

About Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)

Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation traces its roots to 1993, when it was established as the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT). The institution grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s as Malaysia’s technology sector expanded alongside the Multimedia Super Corridor, and it received full university status in 2012, adopting the APU name. Today the university operates from the Technology Park Malaysia campus in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, sharing a site with tech companies and research agencies in what was planned as one of Malaysia’s flagship knowledge corridors.

APU’s position in global rankings reflects its specialisation in technology and applied sciences. The university holds the #597 spot in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and ranks #147 in the QS Asia University Rankings. Within Malaysia, it carries a SETARA 5-Star institutional rating, the highest tier available under the national university assessment framework administered by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. These rankings are particularly relevant in computing and engineering-adjacent fields, where APU competes for placement alongside larger public universities.

The student body exceeds 12,000, drawn from more than 130 countries. This international mix is one of APU’s defining characteristics, placing it among the Malaysian private universities with the highest proportion of foreign students relative to domestic enrollment. The campus operates in English, and the international composition of classrooms is frequently cited as part of the learning environment by the university itself.

APU is wholly owned by the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation Sdn Bhd. It does not belong to a larger education group network, which means its academic and financial decisions are made internally rather than through a parent corporation operating multiple institutions.

Programs at Asia Pacific University (APU)

APU organises its programs across several schools, with computing and technology degrees at the centre of its academic identity. The School of Technology is the largest, offering degrees in software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, and internet of things. These programs attract students from across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa, partly because APU has articulation agreements with universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada that allow for credit transfer or dual-award arrangements.

The School of Engineering covers electrical, electronic, and mechatronics engineering, alongside telecommunications engineering. Programs are accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC), which is a requirement for graduates who intend to work as professional engineers in Malaysia.

The School of Business and Management offers degrees in accounting, finance, international business, marketing, and management. These sit alongside actuarial science programs, which are relatively rare in Malaysian private universities. Actuarial programs at APU are structured to prepare students for the professional exams administered by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) in the United Kingdom and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) in North America.

The School of Media, Arts and Design covers graphic design, creative multimedia, game art, and user experience design. APU also offers psychology degrees through its School of Social Sciences, spanning clinical, counselling, and industrial-organisational psychology pathways.

Foundation programs serve as the main entry pathway for SPM leavers who do not hold pre-university qualifications. APU runs foundation programs in technology and science, business, and natural science.

Fees at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Undergraduate tuition at APU ranges from RM 40,000 to RM 65,000 per year, depending on the program. Technology and engineering programs sit toward the upper end of that range, while business and humanities programs tend to fall lower. Foundation programs cost between RM 19,000 and RM 32,000 for the full program duration, which is typically one year.

Program Level	Annual Fee (RM)
Foundation programs	19,000 - 32,000 (full program)
Computing and technology (UG)	48,000 - 65,000
Engineering (UG)	50,000 - 65,000
Business and actuarial science (UG)	40,000 - 55,000
Design and psychology (UG)	40,000 - 52,000
Postgraduate (first year)	25,000 - 50,000

APU offers merit scholarships and bursaries for both domestic and international students. High-achieving students with strong SPM, A-Level, or foundation results can apply for partial scholarships that reduce annual tuition. Some programs also have industry-sponsored awards tied to employer recruitment pathways, particularly in computing and cybersecurity.

Fees are charged per semester, and the quoted annual figures assume a standard credit load. Students who take additional elective modules or who require academic support services may face additional charges.

Facilities at APU

The APU campus in Bukit Jalil is a purpose-built facility constructed to support technology-intensive teaching. The main building, known as the APU Tower, houses lecture halls, seminar rooms, and faculty offices across multiple floors. Adjacent blocks contain specialist labs for each school.

Computing labs across the campus are equipped with high-specification workstations running current industry software, including development environments, data analytics platforms, and cybersecurity testing tools. The engineering block contains electronics and mechatronics labs with prototyping equipment and testing rigs. The design school operates dedicated studios with creative hardware and media production facilities.

The APU Technology Centre is the university’s applied research facility, focusing on areas including artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Industry collaboration programs connect students with technology companies based in the Technology Park Malaysia precinct, which includes firms in software development, telecommunications, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Student welfare facilities on campus include a food court, prayer rooms, a gymnasium, and counselling services. On-campus student housing is available within the Technology Park Malaysia precinct, with additional private accommodation options in the surrounding Bukit Jalil residential area. The Bukit Jalil LRT station is a short walk from the campus entrance.

Admissions at APU

APU accepts applications throughout the year, with major intakes in January, March, May, July, and October. The rolling intake structure means students from international systems with varying academic calendars can begin studies without waiting for a single annual intake.

Foundation applicants need a minimum of five credits in SPM or equivalent O-Level qualifications, including passes in English and mathematics. Direct entry to undergraduate programs requires STPM, A-Level, UEC, foundation, or diploma qualifications. Engineering and computing programs typically require credits in additional science and mathematics subjects at SPM level.

English proficiency requirements for international students include IELTS 5.0 or above for most undergraduate programs, with higher thresholds for some professional tracks. Students from countries where English is not a primary language of instruction may be required to complete an in-house English placement test before starting their main program.

APU has transfer agreements with partner universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Europe, which allow students to complete part of their degree at APU and transfer credits to a partner institution. The university also facilitates dual-award programs that result in qualifications from both APU and a partner university upon completion.

APU in Kuala Lumpur

APU is situated in the Bukit Jalil district of southern Kuala Lumpur, an area that has grown considerably since the 1990s as the Technology Park Malaysia development attracted businesses and institutions away from the congested city centre. The campus is approximately 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur City Centre and sits adjacent to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Transport connections are practical for students commuting from across the city. The Bukit Jalil LRT station on the Kelana Jaya Line serves the area, with onward connections to central Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and Subang Jaya. The Sri Petaling LRT station is also within reach by a short bus ride. By car, the campus is accessible from the Besraya Highway, the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway, and the KESAS Highway.

The Technology Park Malaysia precinct gives APU students proximity to operating tech companies, which creates internship and part-time work opportunities in software development, IT support, and engineering roles. The Bukit Jalil area itself has grown into a self-contained township with retail malls, hospitals, and a substantial residential population, reducing the need for students to travel far for everyday needs.

Students from international schools in Kuala Lumpur often apply to APU for its computing and design programs after completing A-Level or pre-university programs.