City University

About City University

City University, formally City University Malaysia and previously known as City University College of Science and Technology (CUCST), is a private Malaysian university headquartered in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The institution was founded in April 1984 as Petaling Jaya Community College (PJCC) under the Education Act 1961 by a group of scholars with academic experience at local and international universities. The college was a pioneer American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP) provider in Malaysia and transferred more than 20 batches of students to over 100 universities and colleges across the United States, including Ivy League destinations. Selia Group acquired PJCC in 1998 and rebranded the institution as Unity College International, which is the origin of the operating company name U.C.I Education Sdn. Bhd. The institution was upgraded to university college status in 2002 by the Ministry of Higher Education and renamed City University College of Science and Technology, and was granted full university status in 2016 as City University Malaysia.

The university is registered with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency under institution code 195 and holds the SETARA 2022 ‘Competitive’ (Berdaya Saing) rating from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. The Petaling Jaya main campus is the parent registered teaching location and operates the full programme catalogue across 8 faculties spanning Allied Health Sciences, Business and Management, Architecture and Built Environment, Information Technology, Education and Liberal Studies, Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism, and Creative Industries. The university operates as a four-campus network, with regional campuses in Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu delivering subsets of the parent catalogue scaled to local demand. Datin Rohaidah Shaari is on record as Founder and Managing Director of City University Malaysia. City University Press is a sibling subsidiary of U.C.I Education Sdn. Bhd. and handles institutional publishing.

City University’s positioning within the Malaysian private higher education map is on the mid-fee, broad-portfolio diploma and degree tier. The institution does not compete on the international branch campus segment occupied by Monash University Malaysia, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, or Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, nor on the high-end private research university tier occupied by Sunway University, Taylor’s University, or UCSI University. Instead, City University targets the Malaysian-degree segment for students who want a centrally-located Petaling Jaya campus, MQA-accredited diploma and degree programmes, professional registration eligibility in regulated fields such as nursing and architecture, and a published fee envelope materially below the metropolitan tier-one tier.

City University Location and Petaling Jaya Campus

The City University Petaling Jaya main campus address is Menara City U, No. 8, Jalan 51A/223, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Jalan 51A/223 sits within the Petaling Jaya commercial corridor on the eastern flank of central PJ, along the Jalan Templer arterial, with road links to the Federal Highway, the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), and the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP). The Asia Jaya LRT Station on the Kelana Jaya Line is within walking distance of the campus and provides direct rail connectivity to Kuala Lumpur Sentral, KLCC, and the Bangsar South commercial district.

The Menara City U building is the institutional flagship and houses the bulk of the academic faculties, the central library, the administrative offices, the Vice-Chancellor’s office, and the central admissions team. Specialised facilities for the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (including nursing simulation wards and skills laboratories) and the Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment (including architecture studios, model workshops, and CAD computing labs) are located within the main building and a small number of supporting facilities. The general line for the Petaling Jaya campus is +603 7949 1600 and +603 7949 1624.

The Petaling Jaya location places City University within the densest higher education catchment in the Klang Valley, alongside HELP University in Damansara Heights, Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya, Sunway University in Bandar Sunway, and SEGi University in Kota Damansara. The Asia Jaya LRT corridor places the campus within 25 minutes of KL Sentral by rail and within 15 minutes of the Bangsar South commercial district by road. For students relocating from outside the Klang Valley, accommodation options include rental units in Section 51A and Section 17 within walking distance of the campus, and serviced apartment options along the Jalan Templer corridor and the Bangsar South extension.

The main campus catchment for City University Petaling Jaya extends across the wider Klang Valley, drawing students from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, and the southern fringe of Perak. The four-campus network distributes geographic load: students from southern Peninsular Malaysia route to the Johor Bahru campus, students from Sabah route to the Kota Kinabalu campus, and students from the Cyberjaya tech corridor and northern Selangor frequently use the Cyberjaya campus.

City University Programmes and 8 Faculties

City University organises its academic offerings across 8 faculties spanning the health sciences, business, built environment, technology, education, engineering, hospitality, and creative industries. The programme catalogue runs to more than 60 programmes at pre-university, diploma, bachelor, master, and PhD levels.

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences is one of the institution’s strongest pillars. Programmes include the Diploma in Nursing (recognised by the Malaysian Nursing Board / Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia), Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, Bachelor of Occupational Safety and Health (Hons), Bachelor of Environmental Health (Hons), and related programmes in health management. The Diploma in Nursing combines classroom teaching with simulation ward and skills laboratory training, followed by supervised clinical placements in public and private hospitals and community health clinics within the Klang Valley health network. Graduates are eligible to register as Registered Nurses upon completion. The occupational safety programmes carry separate professional recognition from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan / JKKP).

The Faculty of Business and Management runs the highest-volume programmes by enrolment across the institution. Programmes include the Diploma and Bachelor (Hons) in Accounting, Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), Bachelor (Hons) Banking and Finance, Bachelor (Hons) Marketing, Bachelor (Hons) Human Resource Management, and the postgraduate MBA. Selected accounting programmes carry ACCA accreditation pathway recognition.

The Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment delivers the Diploma in Architecture, Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture, Diploma in Interior Design, Bachelor of Interior Design, and programmes in quantity surveying, property management, and construction management. Architecture programmes carry recognition pathways towards the Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia / LAM) Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications where the programme accreditation maps. The architecture studios and model workshops at the Petaling Jaya main campus are the primary studio facility for the institution.

The Faculty of Information Technology offers the Diploma in Information Technology, Bachelor (Hons) in Computer Science, Bachelor (Hons) in Software Engineering, and Bachelor (Hons) in Information Technology with specialisations in cybersecurity, data science, and software development. The faculty caters to the Klang Valley technology workforce and the cross-border tech labour market into Singapore.

The Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies runs programmes in early childhood education, communication and media studies, English language teaching, and Mass Communication. Master and PhD pathways in education are delivered from the Petaling Jaya main campus.

The Faculty of Engineering delivers diploma and degree-level engineering programmes including the Bachelor (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Bachelor (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. Selected engineering programmes have recognition pathways with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) where the programme accreditation maps.

The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism runs the Diploma in Hospitality Management, Diploma in Culinary Arts, Bachelor (Hons) in Hospitality Management, and Bachelor (Hons) in Tourism Management. The faculty includes practical training kitchens and front-of-house simulation facilities at the Petaling Jaya main campus.

The Faculty of Creative Industries covers graphic design, multimedia, performing arts, and creative communication programmes including the Bachelor (Hons) in Graphic Design, Bachelor (Hons) in Multimedia, Master of Creative Industries and Communication, and Doctor of Philosophy in Design and Performing Arts. The faculty operates dedicated design studios and computer labs for digital media production.

At postgraduate level, City University runs Master and PhD programmes across business, education, design and performing arts, and selected technology disciplines. Postgraduate research is concentrated at the Petaling Jaya main campus, with selected coursework Master programmes delivered at the regional campuses.

City University Fees and Tuition

City University Malaysia publishes programme-level fees that vary by faculty, qualification level, and resource intensity. The following ranges reflect the institution’s published fee bands as of the most recent intakes; programme-specific fees should be confirmed with the admissions office at city.edu.my.

Programme Level	Annual Fee Range (RM)	Total Programme Range (RM)
Foundation (1 year)	~15,000	~15,000
Diploma (typical 2.5 years)	20,000 – 25,000	50,000 – 62,500
Bachelor Degree (3 to 4 years)	25,000 – 35,000	75,000 – 140,000
Bachelor of Architecture (5 years incl. Part 2 pathway)	~30,000 – 35,000	~150,000 – 175,000
Master (1 to 2 years)	20,000 – 40,000	20,000 – 40,000 (total)
PhD (3 years minimum)	~15,000 – 25,000	~45,000 – 75,000

Diploma in Nursing, Diploma in Medical Lab Technology, and Diploma in Architecture programmes typically sit at the higher end of the diploma range due to clinical or studio resource requirements. The Bachelor of Architecture pathway runs over five years (with the qualifying Part 2 architectural pathway recognised by the Board of Architects Malaysia where accredited) and has a correspondingly higher total programme cost.

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences programmes (nursing, medical lab technology, occupational safety) carry resource-intensive clinical and laboratory components that drive the higher end of the fee schedule. The Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment programmes carry studio resource costs (model materials, plotter and printing access, software licensing) that push the studio-based diploma and degree programmes towards the higher end of their fee bands.

International student fees are quoted on separate schedules and run higher than domestic rates, typically by 30 to 50 per cent depending on programme. The Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) student visa pass is administered separately and adds a fixed cost line item to the total intake budget for international applicants.

City University Malaysia operates a published scholarship slate including the High Achiever Scholarship (covering up to a 100 per cent tuition fee waiver for top-tier intake performers based on examination results or forecasts), the Pro-Chancellor Scholarship, and the Vice-Chancellor Scholarship. PTPTN federal student loans are accepted for eligible accredited programmes, and JPA scholarship pathways apply where the student qualifies independently. Sibling discounts and early-bird intake discounts are commonly applied at the central admissions level.

Hostel and accommodation costs are not bundled into tuition and run separately. In Petaling Jaya, off-campus rental in Section 51A, Section 17, and the Jalan Templer corridor typically costs RM 600 to RM 1,200 per month for a shared unit, with utilities, food, and transport adding a further RM 800 to RM 1,500 per month for an average student living budget. The Klang Valley accommodation cost runs higher than the equivalent budget at the regional campuses in Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu.

City University Accreditation and MQA Recognition

City University Malaysia is recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and listed in the Malaysian Qualifications Register under institution code 195 (parent institution). The MQA register entry lists the institution under both its current name and its previous name, City University College of Science and Technology (CUCST), reflecting the 2016 transition to full university status. The Petaling Jaya main campus operates the parent institution code, while the Johor Bahru campus operates as a separate registered teaching location under MQA institution code 1057. Programmes delivered at all four campuses carry the same MQA programme accreditation.

The institutional SETARA 2022 rating, conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, places City University at the ‘Competitive’ (Berdaya Saing) tier. SETARA evaluates institutions across teaching and learning (weighted at 40 per cent), research (15 per cent), services (10 per cent), governance (10 per cent), resources (5 per cent), and other quality indicators. The ‘Competitive’ rating positions the institution in the second tier of the framework, indicating solid performance across the assessed dimensions but below the ‘Outstanding’ top tier occupied by older established private universities and select public institutions.

Programme-level professional accreditation extends beyond MQA where the regulated profession requires it. The Diploma in Nursing is recognised by the Malaysian Nursing Board (Lembaga Jururawat Malaysia / LJM), the regulatory body for nursing practice in Malaysia. Graduates are eligible to register as Registered Nurses upon completion of the diploma and the prerequisite clinical hours. Architecture programmes carry recognition pathways towards Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia / LAM) Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications where the programme accreditation maps. Occupational Safety and Health programmes carry separate professional recognition from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan / JKKP). Selected accounting programmes carry ACCA accreditation pathway recognition.

For prospective students, the practical implication of the MQA and professional accreditation profile is that City University qualifications are recognised for federal employment, public sector hiring, professional registration in regulated fields (nursing, architecture, occupational safety), and onward postgraduate study at recognised Malaysian and international institutions.

City University Admissions

Admission to City University Malaysia runs through the central admissions process at city.edu.my, with intake processing handled at the Petaling Jaya main campus admissions team. Applications can be initiated online through the central portal or in person at Menara City U.

Entry to diploma programmes requires SPM with the relevant subject passes for the chosen programme. Diploma in Nursing applicants need SPM passes including Mathematics, English, and at least one science subject (typically Biology), in line with the Malaysian Nursing Board’s minimum entry standard. Diploma in Architecture and Diploma in Interior Design applicants need SPM with mathematics and arts-related subjects. Diploma in Medical Lab Technology applicants need SPM passes in science subjects.

Entry to bachelor degree programmes requires STPM, A-Level, the City University Foundation programme at the required CGPA, a recognised matriculation pass, or an accredited diploma in the relevant field for direct entry into Year 2 of the degree where the credit transfer maps. Bachelor of Architecture applicants typically enter through STPM with strong mathematics and physics passes, A-Level equivalents, or the City University Foundation in Architecture and Built Environment. Bachelor of Engineering applicants need STPM or A-Level with strong mathematics and physics grades.

Postgraduate Master and PhD programmes require a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree at the required CGPA and, where applicable, a research proposal, supervisor identification, and a personal statement. Postgraduate intakes run on a rolling year-round calendar with cohort-specific commencement dates set by faculty.

Required documentation typically includes certified copies of academic transcripts, the SPM/STPM/A-Level certificate, identity card or passport, recent passport-size photographs, and the application form with the registration fee. International applicants also need to lodge the EMGS visa application through the institutional admissions office and budget for the additional EMGS processing window.

Intakes at City University Malaysia typically run on a rolling calendar with primary January, May, and September entry windows for diploma and degree programmes. The Diploma in Nursing intake follows a more constrained calendar driven by the clinical placement scheduling at partner hospitals.

The City University Network: PJ Main, Cyberjaya, JB, KK Campuses

City University Malaysia operates a four-campus network designed to distribute geographic load across the Malaysian student catchment.

The Petaling Jaya main campus at Menara City U on Jalan 51A/223 is the parent institution location, registered under MQA institution code 195. The PJ campus delivers the full programme catalogue including all postgraduate research, the architecture studios, the nursing simulation wards, the design and performing arts studios, and the central administration. Students enrolled at the PJ campus benefit from the densest Klang Valley higher education catchment, the Asia Jaya LRT connectivity, and the proximity to Kuala Lumpur clinical placement hospitals for the nursing programme.

The Cyberjaya campus is in the Cyberjaya tech corridor in Sepang, Selangor, and delivers programmes in business, IT, and selected health and engineering disciplines aligned to the Cyberjaya digital economy catchment. The campus is part of the wider Cyberjaya higher education cluster alongside Multimedia University Cyberjaya, University of Cyberjaya, and the Cybernetics International College of Technology.

The Johor Bahru campus at PTD 233403, Jalan Bakar Batu near Kota Southkey is registered under MQA institution code 1057 and serves the southern Peninsular Malaysia catchment. The JB campus delivers a strong Allied Health Sciences offering (notably the Nursing Board-recognised Diploma in Nursing), Business and Management, Architecture, and IT programmes. The administrative office at Menara Selia, Persiaran Southkey 1, reflects the Selia Group corporate connection. See the City University Johor Bahru Campus page for detailed programme and campus information.

The Kota Kinabalu campus in Sabah serves the East Malaysia catchment and delivers diploma and selected bachelor programmes scaled to local demand, with postgraduate research routed to the Petaling Jaya main campus.

All four campuses operate under the same MQA recognition, the same SETARA 2022 ‘Competitive’ rating, and the same degree-awarding authority. Students enrolled at the regional campuses can transfer to the Petaling Jaya main campus for selected senior-year specialisations or postgraduate progression where the programme structure permits.

How City University Compares to Other Selangor Universities

City University sits within one of the densest private university catchments in Malaysia. The Klang Valley hosts more than 30 private universities, university colleges, and branch campuses, and the Selangor segment alone includes HELP University in Damansara Heights, UCSI University in Cheras, Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya, Sunway University in Bandar Sunway, SEGi University in Kota Damansara, INTI International University in Nilai (Negeri Sembilan border), and the international branch campuses Monash University Malaysia in Bandar Sunway and Heriot-Watt University Malaysia in Putrajaya.

Within this competitive map, City University’s positioning is distinctive on three dimensions. First, fee envelope: diploma fees from RM 20,000 per year and bachelor degrees from RM 25,000 per year sit materially below the metropolitan tier-one cluster (Sunway, Taylor’s, UCSI, Monash) and below the mid-tier metropolitan cluster (HELP, SEGi, INTI). Second, programme depth: the 8-faculty structure with strong Allied Health Sciences and Architecture pillars provides a broader Malaysian-degree portfolio than fee-comparable competitors. Third, network reach: the four-campus structure (PJ, Cyberjaya, JB, KK) provides geographic distribution that fee-comparable single-campus competitors do not match.

Compared to HELP University, City University is materially lower on fees but lower on SETARA tier and brand visibility. HELP runs a stronger psychology and law portfolio with an established Klang Valley brand, while City University runs a stronger Allied Health Sciences and Architecture portfolio at lower fees. Compared to UCSI University, City University is on a smaller scale and lower SETARA tier, but operates a more accessible fee envelope. UCSI is a ‘SETARA Outstanding’ university with global QS rankings recognition and a substantially larger faculty and student footprint. Compared to INTI International University, City University shares an American Degree Transfer Programme heritage origin (PJCC was a pioneer ADTP provider in 1984), but INTI’s contemporary positioning is on a different segment with the ELS Educational Services corporate parent and a stronger ADTP and global pathway portfolio.

For prospective students, the calculation typically comes down to three variables: total programme cost (where City University is meaningfully cheaper than the metropolitan tier-one and mid-tier clusters), programme fit (where the Allied Health Sciences nursing pathway and the Architecture and Built Environment pathway are strong pulls), and campus geography (where the four-campus network provides options outside the Klang Valley that single-campus competitors do not offer). Within the Selangor private universities map, City University Petaling Jaya is on the mid-fee, four-campus, broad-portfolio tier.

City University Contact and Practical Information

The Petaling Jaya main campus operates Monday to Friday during standard academic hours, with weekend access typically restricted to scheduled events and selected Saturday classes. Visitors are advised to schedule appointments via the central admissions team in advance.

Address: City University Malaysia, Menara City U, No. 8, Jalan 51A/223, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

General line: +603 7949 1600 / +603 7949 1624

Website: city.edu.my (parent institution central portal)

MQA institution code: 195 (parent institution, Petaling Jaya main campus)

Operating company: U.C.I Education Sdn. Bhd. under the Selia Group

Other campuses: Cyberjaya (Selangor), Johor Bahru (Johor, MQA code 1057), Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)

SETARA 2022 rating: Competitive (Berdaya Saing)

For application enquiries, prospective students should contact the central admissions team via the city.edu.my apply-now portal or visit Menara City U at Jalan 51A/223. Programme-specific fee schedules, intake calendars, and scholarship eligibility are confirmed during the admissions interview. The Asia Jaya LRT Station on the Kelana Jaya Line is within walking distance of the campus and is the recommended public transport route for prospective student visits.

Within the Selangor private universities map, City University Petaling Jaya is the four-campus network anchor, complementing the Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu regional campuses with the parent programme catalogue and postgraduate research depth. For the broader private universities sector, City University’s positioning is on the mid-fee, broad-portfolio diploma and degree tier with particular strength in Allied Health Sciences (notably the Nursing Board-recognised Diploma in Nursing) and Architecture and Built Environment programmes. The institution traces its origin to April 1984 as Petaling Jaya Community College, was acquired by the Selia Group in 1998 and rebranded as Unity College International, was upgraded to university college status in 2002 as City University College of Science and Technology, and was granted full university status in 2016 as City University Malaysia, with continuous MQA recognition under institution code 195 across the institutional transitions.