University of Nottingham Malaysia & Heriot-Watt Malaysia Admission Guide

Two UK degrees, studied in Malaysia

The University of Nottingham Malaysia (in Semenyih, Selangor) and Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (in Putrajaya) are branch campuses of UK universities. In both cases you study in Malaysia but earn a degree awarded by the UK parent university.

This route offers a UK qualification at Malaysian fees and living costs, without applying through UCAS. The guide covers each campus's focus and the shared steps — but all fees, entry scores, intakes and English requirements must be confirmed on each campus's official site.

University of Nottingham Malaysia

Nottingham Malaysia offers programmes across engineering, science, business and economics, pharmacy, education, computer science, and arts and social sciences, mirroring subject strengths of the UK university. It runs foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Entry requirements and available courses are set by the campus and reviewed each intake. Check the exact qualification, grades and fees for your programme on nottingham.edu.my.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Heriot-Watt Malaysia, on a purpose-built campus in Putrajaya, is known for engineering, the built environment (such as architecture and construction), business, and actuarial science and mathematics. It also runs foundation and postgraduate programmes.

As with any branch campus, the course list and entry rules are specific to the Malaysia campus. Verify programme requirements, intakes and fees on hw.ac.uk/malaysia.

Foundation pathways and entry qualifications

Both campuses accept recognised pre-university qualifications, with subject prerequisites that vary by course. Students finishing Class 12 often use a foundation year to meet degree entry.

Because minimum grades and accepted qualifications differ by programme and change over time, confirm what your specific course needs on the relevant campus's official pages.

• A recognised foundation year
• GCE A-Levels
• STPM
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• A relevant diploma (for advanced standing, where accepted)

English-language requirements

Teaching is in English, so applicants whose first language is not English usually provide IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic scores. Levels can be higher for certain programmes.

There is no single score across all courses — check the exact requirement for your programme on each campus's website before booking a test.

How a branch-campus application differs from the UK

You apply directly to the Malaysia campus's admissions team, not through UCAS, and you receive an offer from that campus. Timelines, intakes and required documents follow the Malaysia campus's process.

The degree is still awarded by the UK university, but fees, scholarships and student-support arrangements are those of the Malaysia campus. Compare the campus's published details rather than assuming they match the UK home campus.

The student pass, accreditation and scams

International students need a Student Pass, arranged through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) after you accept an offer. This is general information, not immigration advice — follow each campus's guidance and verify the current process on educationmalaysia.gov.my.

Programmes are recognised in Malaysia through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and carry UK accreditation from the parent university. You can apply yourself; no agent can guarantee a place, scholarship or visa, so treat any guarantee as a red flag and use only official campus channels.