Xiamen University Malaysia

About Xiamen University Malaysia

Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) opened in 2016 in Sepang, Selangor, making it the first overseas campus established by a Chinese university and the first time a Chinese public institution had opened a degree-awarding campus in another country. Xiamen University, the parent institution in Fujian Province, China, was founded in 1921 and has developed into one of China’s leading research universities, particularly in the sciences, economics, and Chinese studies.

The parent Xiamen University holds the #341 position in the QS World University Rankings 2026. In terms of research quality as measured by the Nature Index, XMUM placed #1 among all Malaysian universities in the 2024-25 rankings. The Nature Index tracks high-quality research publications in the natural sciences across institutions worldwide, and XMUM’s lead position in Malaysia is a measurable indicator of research activity at the campus level, not just the parent institution.

XMUM is located on a 150-acre campus in Sepang, approximately 20 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The campus was purpose-built for the university and follows the architectural style of the main Xiamen campus, incorporating traditional Chinese design elements across its academic and residential buildings. The full campus development was planned in stages, with later phases expanding facilities as enrolment grew.

The university’s founding added a genuinely different institutional character to Malaysian higher education. While several UK, Australian, and US-affiliated branch campuses operate in Malaysia, XMUM brought a Chinese academic tradition, Chinese-language programs, and ties to China’s academic research networks into the Malaysian system.

Programs at Xiamen University Malaysia

XMUM offers a range of programs across the sciences, humanities, and professional disciplines. The full degree list covers areas where Xiamen University has particular depth at the parent level.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of XMUM’s most distinctive programs in the Malaysian context. The program covers diagnosis, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and clinical practice. TCM graduates can pursue registration with Malaysian regulatory bodies and work in clinical or research settings. Few other universities in Malaysia offer TCM at this level with the institutional depth that a Chinese university background provides.

Marine Biotechnology addresses the science of marine organisms and their applications in pharmaceuticals, food technology, and environmental management. The program reflects Xiamen University’s coastal location in China and its longstanding research connection to ocean sciences.

Chinese Studies and Journalism and Communication are among the programs covering the humanities and social sciences. Physics sits at the science end of the spectrum, drawing on Xiamen University’s strong science faculty in China. English Language provides another humanities option for students whose interest lies in linguistics and applied language studies.

In business and technology, XMUM offers programs in Accounting, Finance, and Software Engineering. These programs follow standard professional curricula adapted to Malaysian regulatory requirements, with degrees bearing the Xiamen University Malaysia credential.

The Foundation program gives students with Malaysian school-leaving qualifications a structured pathway into degree study, covering core sciences and humanities subjects before entry to specific degree programs.

Fees at Xiamen University Malaysia

XMUM’s fees are positioned below the premium international branch campus bracket, making it one of the more accessible foreign-university options in Malaysia.

These figures represent approximate annual tuition. Total program costs vary depending on the degree length (three or four years) and the specific program. Traditional Chinese Medicine programs may run longer than standard three-year degrees due to clinical training requirements.

XMUM offers merit-based scholarships of up to 50% of tuition fees. Eligibility criteria are tied to pre-university academic results and may vary by program. Students with strong SPM, UEC, A-Level, or equivalent results should inquire about scholarship applications at the point of admission. The university also participates in some government scholarship schemes available to Malaysian students pursuing degrees at private institutions.

Facilities at Xiamen University Malaysia

The Sepang campus covers 150 acres and was designed as a self-contained university town. Academic buildings include faculty-specific laboratories, lecture theatres, and tutorial rooms spread across the campus. TCM students use dedicated clinical training facilities. Marine Biotechnology students have access to laboratory spaces equipped for biological and chemical analysis. Engineering and computing programs are served by specialist labs aligned with their curriculum requirements.

The campus includes on-campus residential accommodation, which is a practical necessity given Sepang’s distance from major urban centres. XMUM operates student halls with varying room types, dining facilities, and communal spaces. Sports facilities, a library with both physical and digital collections, and student welfare services are all located on the campus.

The Chinese architectural influence visible in the campus buildings gives XMUM a distinct physical identity compared with other Malaysian university campuses. This design intentionality extends to the planning of social spaces and landscaping, creating an environment that reflects the university’s institutional character.

Admissions at Xiamen University Malaysia

XMUM accepts applications from students with SPM, STPM, UEC, A-Level, IB Diploma, Chinese Gaokao, and equivalent pre-university qualifications. The university is particularly accessible to UEC holders (graduates of Chinese independent secondary schools in Malaysia), as the curriculum alignment with Chinese academic traditions makes UEC results a directly applicable qualification.

Foundation program applicants need to meet minimum grade thresholds in relevant subjects at SPM or equivalent level. Undergraduate applicants must demonstrate passes in subjects relevant to their chosen degree program. Science programs require mathematics and sciences; business programs require mathematics; humanities programs are more flexible.

English proficiency requirements apply for programs taught in English, with IELTS or TOEFL the standard test. Programs taught in Chinese or Mandarin operate through separate language proficiency requirements. The medium of instruction varies by program, so prospective students should confirm which language their chosen degree uses before applying.

Students who attended international schools in Selangor with Cambridge or IB qualifications can apply directly to undergraduate programs. Multiple intakes are available during the year, though specific dates should be confirmed with the admissions office.

Xiamen University Malaysia in Selangor

Xiamen University Malaysia is in Sepang, the southernmost district of Selangor, positioned close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Sepang location is approximately 50 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur city centre and is connected to the city via the KLIA Ekspres rail line (to KL Sentral) and the Maju Expressway and ELITE highway by road.

Sepang is less urbanized than the Klang Valley core, which means the XMUM campus occupies a larger area than would be feasible closer to the city. The airport proximity is a practical convenience for international students arriving from China and other countries, as KLIA serves direct flights to Xiamen and other major Chinese cities.

The surrounding area includes the Sepang International Circuit, agricultural land, and newer residential and commercial developments associated with the airport growth corridor. Students on campus have daily needs met by university facilities, with KL accessible by train or road for larger shopping trips or city excursions.