What do you look for in a university? An education that will equip you for the real world, of course. Proximity to the city centre for downtime is welcomed as well, right? A pretty campus is a great plus point too, as is a vibrant campus culture.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is all of those and more.
Their main campus is nestled by the PLUS Highway in the charming town of Bangi, a short 20 minutes drive from the KL city centre and and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Given their lush greenery and quaint architecture, the sprawling 2,700 acres campus is a sight for sore eyes.
That said, UKM is more than mere aesthetics, in the same way that they transcend classroom education. When you join UKM, you are also participating in a fun and diverse campus culture. You benefit from globalised knowledge in the local context. Above all, you embark on an adventure of lifelong learning.
If that does not already sound appealing to you, here are 5 reasons why you should drop everything and apply to UKM now.
1. A diverse range of programmes
Since their establishment in 1970, they have grown from 3 faculties to the present 13 faculties and 12 research institutes.
From undergraduate to postgraduate studies, they provide a large range of courses. Medicine, economics, engineering, education, humanities, and many more — you name it, they have it. Taught by experienced lecturers, their programmes will equip you to perform at the pinnacle of your industry of choice.
Check out their available courses HERE.
2. They’re a public university with an international touch
As a public university, they represent Malaysian culture, but with an international touch. By participating in their Mobility Programmes, you stand a chance to spend a semester with any of their partner universities from across the world.
They have partners in Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Australia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to experience different cultures and forge ties with the locals.
3. Impressive rankings on QS University Rankings
As of 2021, UKM is ranked 35th on the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings. They have been slowly climbing the ranks through over time, striding four places within a year to reach the current ranking.
Similarly, they rank among the top 1% on the QS World University Rankings at 141, having improved by 19 places from last year’s 160. They continue to improve by leaps and bounds each year, and are deserving of their world-class status.
4. Competitive fees
UKM believes that learning should be affordable, so they offer high-quality education for a competitive fee.
Not only is their tuition reasonably priced, they also assist students in applying for financial aid if required.
5. It’s so easy to apply
There have been some misconceptions about application to UKM.
Misconception 1: Only students fresh out of STPM can apply.
Truth: Anybody of any age is welcome to apply as long as they have qualifications from an institution approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Furthermore, UKM has programmes for working adults to encourage lifelong learning.
Misconception 2: You can only apply to UKM through UPU, the government portal.
Truth: You can apply directly to UKM through their website. Here’s a secret: the requirements might be lower too.
Misconception 3: Students who are accepted to UKM via other channels do not follow the same academic syllabus as the UPU applicants.
Truth: Regardless of how the student’s application is made, all UKM students are expected to follow the same curriculum and meet the same standards.
In conclusion, UKM will provide you with
- A quality education.
- In a diverse environment.
- A short distance from the nation’s city centre.
- At an economical rate.
On top of that, the application process can be easily done online. Find out more about them here.
