Sunway University

About Sunway University

Sunway University was founded in 1987 by Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO as Sunway College. The institution gained university college status in 2004 and received full university recognition in 2011. It operates under the Sunway Education Group, part of the larger Sunway Group conglomerate that also develops and manages the Sunway City township where the university is located.

The university is ranked #410 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #301-350 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Sunway holds a 5-Star Excellent SETARA rating from the Malaysian government. Between 2022 and 2025, it ranked as Malaysia’s #1 university for graduate employability according to Talentbank’s annual assessment.

Sunway University enrols over 10,000 students, with approximately 6,000 undergraduates and 1,000 postgraduates. International students make up about 15% of the student body, drawn from 56 countries. The university also operates Sunway College as a separate institution for pre-university and diploma programs, creating a direct pathway for students progressing to degree studies.

Programs at Sunway University

Sunway University offers 55 undergraduate and 36 postgraduate programs. The academic range covers business and management, computing and IT, engineering, actuarial science, biological sciences, nursing, psychology, communication, hospitality, culinary arts, music, and creative arts and design.

The actuarial science program is one of Sunway’s most recognized offerings. The university has produced multiple students who passed all actuarial examination papers on their first attempt, a statistic the institution highlights in recruitment. Business programs cover accounting, finance, marketing, and management, while the computing faculty offers degrees in information systems, information technology, and software engineering.

Science programs include biomedical sciences, biological sciences with psychology, and nursing. The hospitality and culinary arts programs benefit from the university’s location within Sunway City, which includes hotels and F&B operations that serve as placement sites. Creative arts programs span digital film production, design communication, and contemporary music.

Postgraduate offerings include MBA, research master’s degrees, and doctoral programs across most faculties. The university has partnerships with Lancaster University (UK) for dual-award programs in select disciplines.

Fees at Sunway University

Sunway University positions itself in the mid-to-upper range of the Malaysian private university market. Annual tuition for undergraduate programs falls between approximately RM 30,000 and RM 50,000.

Enrolment fees are RM 700, with a refundable deposit of RM 700 to RM 1,000 depending on the program. All fees are subject to annual revision.

Sunway offers the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Scholarships for high-achieving students, covering up to 100% of tuition. Academic merit scholarships, sports scholarships, and need-based financial aid are also available. The university runs a dedicated scholarship portal where applicants can check eligibility across all available awards.

Facilities at Sunway University

The 22-acre campus in Bandar Sunway is connected to the wider Sunway City township through covered elevated walkways. These tree-top level connections link the university directly to Sunway Pyramid Mall, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Sunway Medical Centre, and Sunway Hotel. Students can move between campus and these facilities without stepping outdoors.

Sports facilities include a FIFA-certified synthetic turf football field, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis and badminton courts, and a fitness centre. Academic facilities cover lecture theatres, learning commons spaces, computer labs, science laboratories, and a campus library.

The university shares its general location with Sunway College and several other Sunway Education Group institutions, creating a self-contained education precinct within the broader Sunway City development.

Admissions at Sunway University

Sunway University offers monthly intakes from January through December, though the main entry points are January, March, and August. Not all programs are available at every intake.

Undergraduate entry requires STPM, A-Level, foundation, or diploma qualifications. SPM holders can enter through Sunway College’s foundation programs before progressing to degree studies. Specific grade requirements vary by program, with science and actuarial programs requiring strong mathematics results.

English proficiency is assessed through IELTS (minimum 5.5-6.0 depending on program), TOEFL, or the Sunway English Placement Test. The university runs its own English proficiency program for students who do not meet the minimum requirement on entry.

Sunway University in Selangor

Sunway University is located in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, within Selangor’s western corridor. The campus is approximately 20 minutes from central Kuala Lumpur and shares its township with Monash University Malaysia and Taylor’s University, forming one of Malaysia’s most concentrated private education clusters.

Public transport access includes the BRT Sunway line with a dedicated stop at Sunway University, connecting to the Kelana Jaya LRT line. Major highways including the New Pantai Expressway and Federal Highway provide road access. The Sunway City township includes residential options, making it possible for students to live, study, and access daily amenities within a single planned development.

Students from private schools in Selangor and international schools in Selangor form a significant portion of Sunway’s domestic intake, often entering through Sunway College foundation programs.