University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM)

About University of Nottingham Malaysia

University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) opened in 2000 as the world’s first British overseas university campus. It was established under an agreement between the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England, and the Malaysian government, which sought to attract internationally ranked institutions as part of its effort to develop Malaysia into a regional higher education hub. UNM holds the distinction of being the first campus of its kind to be built from the ground up by a British university outside the United Kingdom.

The parent institution, the University of Nottingham, ranks #97 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and holds the 17th position among UK universities. The same degree awarded in Nottingham, England is awarded to students graduating from the Malaysia campus. This means a graduate from UNM receives a University of Nottingham UK degree, recognised by the same professional bodies, alumni networks, and employers as the UK version.

The campus in Semenyih spans 125 acres and was intentionally designed to mirror the parkland character of the Nottingham UK grounds. The Malaysian campus sits approximately one hour south of central Kuala Lumpur, accessed via the Kajang-Seremban Highway. UNM serves a student body drawn from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and other countries in the region, with Malaysian students forming the largest national group.

Programs at University of Nottingham Malaysia

UNM organises its academic offering across three faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering, and Science.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences covers programs in communications and media, education, English language and literature, psychology, and management. These programs follow the same curriculum and reading materials as the equivalent courses at the Nottingham UK campus. The faculty accepts students via foundation or A-Level qualifications.

Faculty of Engineering offers programs in civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, and mechanical engineering. The engineering degrees are accredited by the relevant professional bodies including the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and corresponding UK bodies such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This dual accreditation allows graduates to pursue professional registration in both countries.

Faculty of Science is the broadest of the three faculties. Programs include biosciences, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, food science, geography, mathematics, pharmacy, and medicine (MBBS). The MBBS program runs for five years and accepts students directly from pre-university qualifications. It is one of the more selective medical programs in the Malaysian private university sector, given the ranking of the Nottingham UK School of Medicine.

Foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programs are available. All programs are taught entirely in English, which aligns with the UK parent institution’s language of instruction.

Fees at University of Nottingham Malaysia

UNM sits in the upper-mid range of the Malaysian private university fee market. Annual tuition for most undergraduate programs falls between RM 35,000 and RM 65,000. Science and engineering programs generally cost more than arts and social sciences programs. The MBBS medicine program is the most expensive offering, with annual fees of approximately RM 100,000 or above.

Program Category	Approximate Annual Fee (RM)
Foundation programs	25,000 - 35,000
Arts and Social Sciences (UG)	35,000 - 45,000
Engineering (UG)	45,000 - 60,000
Science and Pharmacy (UG)	40,000 - 65,000
MBBS Medicine	~100,000+
Postgraduate taught programs	30,000 - 60,000

Fees are set in Malaysian Ringgit for Malaysian students and may differ for international students. From 1 July 2025, a 6% service tax applies to tuition and related fees for international students at private universities in Malaysia. Scholarships available at UNM include the University of Nottingham Malaysia Merit Award and faculty-specific awards, typically based on pre-university academic results.

Facilities at University of Nottingham Malaysia

The 125-acre Semenyih campus is purpose-built and includes a full range of academic and residential facilities. Academic spaces include faculty-specific laboratories (engineering workshops, pharmacy labs, science research labs), a main library with access to the Nottingham global library system, computer labs, and seminar rooms.

The campus operates its own on-campus residences, which is a practical advantage given Semenyih’s distance from urban centres. Students who do not have their own transport or who prefer a residential experience make up a substantial portion of the student body living on campus. Sports facilities include fields, courts, and an indoor sports hall. A student services centre manages admissions, finance, and welfare support.

The campus also includes a mosque for Friday prayers and daily use, multiple food outlets, and a health clinic. Given its parkland setting, UNM has walking paths, green lawns, and a lake area, features that reflect the original design intent of mirroring Nottingham UK’s pastoral campus character.

Admissions at University of Nottingham Malaysia

UNM accepts students for two main intake periods per year: February (smaller intake) and September (main intake). The medicine program has specific intake scheduling separate from the general undergraduate calendar.

Undergraduate entry follows the University of Nottingham UK entry standards, adapted for Malaysian and regional pre-university qualifications. A-Level applicants typically need grades ranging from AAB to ABB depending on the program, with higher requirements for engineering, science, and medicine. STPM, UEC, IB Diploma, and other recognised qualifications are also accepted. Foundation students completing UNM’s own Foundation in Arts or Foundation in Science programs can progress to the relevant degree if they meet the grade conditions.

English language requirements for non-native speakers are set at IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 depending on the program. Medicine requires the higher band. Students who completed secondary school at international schools in Selangor offering Cambridge A-Levels or IB Diploma can apply directly to degree programs without a foundation year if they meet the grade requirements.

Postgraduate applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Research degree applicants need to identify a supervisor and submit a research proposal before the application is formally processed.

University of Nottingham Malaysia in Selangor

University of Nottingham Malaysia is located in Semenyih, a town in the Hulu Langat district of Selangor, roughly 45 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur city centre. The surrounding area is semi-rural, with the campus forming the main institution in the immediate vicinity. The closest urban centre is Kajang, approximately 20 minutes away, which provides access to the Kajang MRT station on the Putrajaya Line.

Selangor is home to a large number of private secondary schools and international schools in Selangor, many of whose graduates feed into UNM via foundation or direct degree entry. The state accounts for a large share of Malaysia’s private higher education activity, and UNM’s position as a UK-degree-granting institution makes it a distinct option within that market.

Contact UNM at enquiries@nottingham.edu.my or through the main switchboard at 03-8924 8000. The official admissions portal is at nottingham.edu.my.