UCSI University

About UCSI University

UCSI University was established in 1986 as the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) Malaysia. The institution went through several name changes before receiving full university status in 2008. The name UCSI itself was adopted from the original abbreviation of University College Sedaya International, reflecting the institution’s earlier identity.

The university is ranked #269 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing it within the top 1% of universities worldwide. UCSI holds a SETARA Tier 5 Excellent rating, the highest tier in Malaysia’s quality assessment system for higher education institutions.

UCSI enrols over 12,000 students from 120 countries across its four campuses. The main campus in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, is the largest and houses most of the university’s faculties. Additional campuses operate in Springhill (Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan), Terengganu, and Kuching (Sarawak), making UCSI one of the few private universities with a genuine multi-campus presence across both Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Programs at UCSI University

UCSI University offers over 150 programs at diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels across 9 faculties.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences runs the MBBS program, nursing, and optometry degrees. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers pharmacy and pharmaceutical chemistry programs. Both faculties use the university’s on-campus teaching hospital and clinical simulation facilities for practical training.

Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment covers civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering alongside architecture and quantity surveying. Faculty of Information and Communication Technology offers programs in computer science, software engineering, and data analytics.

Faculty of Business and Management provides degrees in accounting, finance, logistics, marketing, and business administration. Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts covers psychology, mass communication, English, and international relations.

UCSI is particularly known for its Institute of Music, one of the few dedicated music faculties at a Malaysian university, offering classical, contemporary, and music technology programs. Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management and Faculty of Applied Sciences round out the academic offering with programs in hotel management, food science, biotechnology, and actuarial science.

The multi-campus structure means some programs are only available at specific locations. The Springhill campus focuses on hospitality and tourism programs, while the Sarawak and Terengganu campuses offer a selection of business, engineering, and applied science programs.

Fees at UCSI University

UCSI University sits in the mid-range of the Malaysian private university market. Annual tuition for most undergraduate programs falls between RM 20,000 and RM 50,000. Medicine and pharmacy programs are priced higher due to clinical training costs.

UCSI offers merit-based scholarships, the UCSI Trust Fund for financial assistance, and specific awards for high-achieving SPM, STPM, and A-Level students. The university also runs a work-study program allowing students to offset living costs through campus employment.

Facilities at UCSI University

The main Cheras campus spans 19 acres in the southern part of Kuala Lumpur, approximately 10 kilometres from the city centre. The campus includes an on-site teaching hospital, which supports clinical training for medical, nursing, and pharmacy students.

Academic facilities include engineering workshops, IT labs, science laboratories, music practice rooms and a recording studio (for the Institute of Music), culinary training kitchens, and architecture studios. The campus library provides both physical collections and access to international academic databases.

Student facilities include a sports complex, student lounges, food courts, and on-campus accommodation. The Cheras location provides easy access to public transport via the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line, with the Taman Connaught station within reach of the campus.

The Springhill campus in Port Dickson offers a resort-style setting for hospitality students, with training facilities that include working hotel and F&B operations.

Admissions at UCSI University

UCSI University runs three main intakes per year: January, May, and September. Some programs offer additional mid-year entry points.

Undergraduate applicants need STPM, A-Level, foundation, or diploma qualifications. SPM holders can enter through UCSI’s own foundation programs or diploma pathways. Medicine applicants require top academic results and must pass the university’s entrance interview and assessment. Engineering and science programs require passes in mathematics and relevant science subjects.

English proficiency requirements are IELTS 5.0-6.0 or equivalent, depending on the program. UCSI runs an intensive English program for students who need additional language preparation before starting their degree.

International applicants from 120 countries attend UCSI, and the admissions office provides visa processing support for overseas students.

UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur

The main UCSI campus is located in Cheras, a mature residential and commercial district in southern Kuala Lumpur. The area is well connected to the rest of the Klang Valley through the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line and the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Cheras is one of KL’s more affordable areas for student accommodation, with rental options ranging from budget rooms to mid-range apartments within walking distance of the campus. The surrounding neighbourhood includes shopping malls (Cheras Leisure Mall, EkoCheras), wet markets, and hawker centres.

Students at UCSI who completed their secondary education at international schools or private secondary schools in the Klang Valley can commute to the Cheras campus from most parts of KL and Selangor.