Entry Qualifications & English Language Requirements
1.Entry for Foundation Programme
Students with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)/Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokasional (SPMV) qualification are also encouraged to apply for entry to the one-year UTAR Foundation programmes. Upon successful completion of the Foundation programmes, students are eligible to pursue Year 1 of the corresponding UTAR Honours Degree programmes.For more information on the UTAR Foundation programmes on the specific minimum entry requirements, kindly log on to the https://study.utar.edu.my/foundation.php
2. Entry for Bachelor's Honours Degree Programme
UTAR welcomes applicants with any of the following qualifications for entry to Bachelor's Honours Degree Programme:
- Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)
- Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
- A-Levels
- South Australian Matriculation (SAM)
- Canadian Pre-University (CPU)
Further details on the specific minimum entry requirements for particular programmes can be found in https://study.utar.edu.my/undergraduate.php (For Malaysian applicants ONLY).
Applicants with qualifications other than those described above, for example, a Diploma from a college/institution/polytechnic may also apply for admission to UTAR programmes. Such applications will be considered on a case-to-case basis and successful applicants may be given entry with
Credit Transfer.
All applications for credit transfer must be made together with the application for admission. Certified copies of the official transcripts, course structure, syllabi, samples of past examination papers and all other relevant information and materials related to the previous studies must be enclosed with the application. Applications submitted without the above documents will be processed for normal admission without any consideration for credit transfer.
3.English Language Requirements (Malaysian students)
You need to be proficient in the English language, which is the medium of instruction and examination at the University. Most programmes would normally require a credit relevant score in English Language in one of the following examinations:
| Recognised Tests | Foundation | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Internet-based Testing (iBT) - new TOEFL | 30 | 42 | 60 |
| SPM English Language / O-level English Language | Credit | Credit | Credit |
| MUET | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
| Cambridge English / Linguaskill | 140 | 154 | 169 |
| UEC English Language | Grade B | Grade B | Grade B |
Specific English Language score is required for admission into the following programmes:
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Accounting AND Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)*
SPM Credit / equivalent and MUET Band 2 / IELTS 4.0 / TOEFL iBT 30 / Cambridge English 140 / Linguaskill 140
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biomedical Science / Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) / Bachelor of Science (Honours) Dietetics* AND Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental, Occupational Safety and Health
MUET Band 3 / IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 46 / Cambridge English 160 / Linguaskill 160
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.)
MUET Band 4 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 60/ English 1119 - Grade A / GCE O-Level - Grade A / UEC Bahasa Inggeris - Grade A / Cambridge English 169 / Linguaskill 169
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
Credit in SPM English or MUET Band 3 / IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 80
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language AND Bachelor of Arts(Honours) English Education
Credit (3B/B+) in SPM English or MUET Band 4 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 60 / Credit 3B/B(3) at English 1119 GCE O-Level / UEC Bahasa Inggeris - Grade B3 / Cambridge English 169 / Linguaskill 169
*However, for applicants with A-Level / SAM / CPU and other qualifications conducted fully in English Language, the above English language requirements does NOT apply BUT must have a pass in English Language at SPM / equivalent.
4.English Language Requirement for Foundation / Undergraduate Programmes (International Students)
All international students are required to meet academic entry requirements as well as a standard of English Language proficiency in order to study in UTAR. International students who wish to enrol into the Foundation and Bachelor's degree programmes shall possess English Language score in of the following tests:| Recognised Tests | Foundation | Undergraduate |
|---|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Internet-based Testing (iBT) - new TOEFL | 30 | 42 |
| Cambridge English | 140 | 154 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | 36 | 47 |
| Malaysia University English Test (MUET) | Band 2 | Band 3 |
1) Business programmes - IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 46 / PTE 51 / equivalent (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 60 / PTE 59 equivalent for Finance)
8) Chinese Medicine - IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL iBT 42 / PTE 47 / equivalent
Conditional offers will be issued to students who have fulfilled the academic entry requirements but do not have or achieve one of the above English Language test scores as required. Under such condition, the students will undergo the UTAR English Enhancement Programme (EEP) and sign up for the IELTS / TOEFL / MUET test through UTAR. The students must pass the IELTS / TOEFL / MUET test with required score within 1 year, before they can commence their Bachelor's degree programme.
5.English Language Requirement for Postgraduate Programmes (International Students)
In addition to the academic requirements a candidate is also required to possess an English Language certification as stated in the table below.
| English Language Requirement | |||||
| Recognised Tests | IELTS Academic | MUET | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge English Qualification and Tests |
| Business Programmes | 6.0 | 4 | 60 -78 | 59 - 62 | 169 - 175 |
| Engineering Programmes | 5.0 | 3 | 42-45 | 47 - 50 | 154 - 159 |
| Computing Programmes | 6.0 | 4 | 60 -78 | 59 - 62 | 169 - 175 |
| Media and Communication Studies Programmes | 6.0 | 4 | 60 -78 | 59 - 62 | 169 - 175 |
| Creative Arts | 6.0 | 4 | 60 -78 | 59 - 62 | 169 - 175 |
(a) a minimum overall score of 42 - 45 in TOEFL (internet-based testing);
(b) a minimum overall band score of 5.0 in IELTS Academic /High B1 level in Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ;
(d) a minimum overall score of 47 - 50 in Pearson Test of English (PTE)
(e) a minimum overall band score of 3 in MUET;
An International applicant who does not fulfil the English Language requirement will be considered for Conditional Offers, whereby the applicant will undergo a Preparatory Course. Applicant should then register and sits for either IELTS, TOEFL or MUET and achieve the score as per programme standard/ UTAR English requirement within 12 months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
If the applicant has obtained the Bachelor's or Master's degree with English as the sole medium of instruction, please provide the letter from the institution's Registrar as supporting document.
Senate may, upon the recommendation of the Faculty, exempt a candidate from the English Language requirement if the candidate had obtained the Bachelor's or Master's degree using English as the sole medium of instruction or as one of the media of instruction.