UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

    Minimum Entry Requirements

1. Entry for Foundation Programmes

     UTAR welcomes applicants with any of the following qualifications for entry to Foundation Programmes:
    • Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
    • Ordinary-Level (O-Level) / International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) 
    • Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
    • Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government
Upon successful completion of the Foundation programmes, students are eligible to proceed to the corresponding UTAR Honours Degree programmes.

For details on the UTAR Minimum Entry Requirements for Foundation and Stream of Study Click here

To find out more on UTAR Foundation programmes, kindly log on to https://study.utar.edu.my/foundation.php

2. Entry for Undergraduate Programmes

         UTAR welcomes applicants with any of the following qualifications for entry to Bachelor' Honours Degree Programmes:
    • Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)
    • Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
    • Advanced-Level (A-Level)
    • South Australian Matriculation (SAM)
    • Canadian Pre-University (CPU)
    • Foundation / Matriculation
    • Diploma
    • Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government

For details on the UTAR Minimum Entry Requirements for Undergraduate Programmes  Click here

To find out more information on the particular programmes, kindly log on to https://study.utar.edu.my/undergraduate.php

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 academic transcripts, programme structure, course syllabus 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. Entry for Postgraduate Programmes                                                                                                          
    UTAR welcomes applicants with any of the following qualifications for entry to Postgraduate Programmes:
  • Postgraduate Diploma and Master's Degree                                                                                                                                                       
    • Bachelor's degree or other equivalent qualifications as approved by the Senate   
  • Doctoral Degree                                                                                                                                                      
    • Master's degree or other equivalent qualifications as approved by the Senate 
    • A Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours or with a minimum CGPA of 3.67 as approved by the Senate and shows evidence of related research aptitude to the satisfaction of the Senate

      For specific UTAR Postgraduate Entry Requirements Click Here 

      To find out more information on the particular Postgraduate programmes, kindly log on to https://ipsr.utar.edu.my/Programmes.php

   
English Language Requirements
The English language is the medium of instruction and examination at the University. You are required to meet the 
specific English Language Requirements in order to be eligible for admission to UTAR programmes.

1. English Language Requirements for UTAR Foundation Programmes (Malaysian and International Students)

     Most programmes would normally require a credit/relevant score in English Language in one of the following examinations:

 

UTAR 
Foundation Programmes

Recognised English Examinations and Minimum Scores*

SPM/ GCE

Ordinary Level

(O-Level) English Language

UEC 
English Language

Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)/

IELTS Online (Academic)

Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Academic/ PTE

Academic (Online)

Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests

ELS

Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP)

TOEFL

iBT

TOEFL

Essentials

(Online)

B1

Preliminary, B2 First,

C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency

Linguaskill

Online

Occupational

English Test (OET)

(Conventional/ Online)

Foundation in   Arts

and Foundation in Science

Credit/ Grade C

Grade B

Band 2

Band 4.0

30

5

36

140

100

Level 106

Foundation
in Science leading to
M.B.B.S

Grade B in English Language at SPM/O-Level / equivalent

Foundation in Arts leading  to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies

Pass in English Language at SPM/O-Level / equivalent

  
   
 * All applicants for UTAR Foundation Programmes must meet the minimum English language requirements as stated above. However, applicants with entry qualifications conducted fully in English (Except for M.B.B.S and Nursing programmes) can be exempted from the above requirements BUT must have a pass in English language at SPM/equivalent.
   
Applicants who do NOT meet the minimum English language requirements (Except for M.B.B.S and Nursing programmes) may be accepted for conditional offer. The applicants MUST take the English Enhancement Programme (EEP) and pass EEP Level 7 (Level 6 for Chinese Studies programme) within the first two trimesters of the Foundation programme.

2. English Language Requirements for UTAR Undergraduate Programmes (Malaysian Students)

     Most programmes would normally require a credit/relevant score in English Language in one of the following examinations:

UTAR

Undergraduate

Programmes

Recognised English Examinations and Minimum Scores *

SPM/ GCE Ordinary Level

(O-Level) English Language

UEC English Language

Malaysian University English Test (MUET)**

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)/ IELTS Online (Academic)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic/ PTE Academic (Online)

Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests

ELS

Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP)

TOEFL

iBT

TOEFL Essentials (Online)

B1 Preliminary, B2 First,

C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency

Linguaskill Online

Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional/Online)

Programmes without specific English requirements from MOHE/MQA/

Professional Bodies ***

Credit/ Grade C

Grade B

Band 3

Band 5.0

40

7.5

47

154

100

Level 107

Biomedical Science, Dietetics and Physiotherapy 

-

-

Band 3

Band 5.5

46

8

51

160

200

Level 108

M.B.B.S

Grade A in O-Level or 1119 English

Grade A

Band 4

Band 6.0

60

8.5

59

169

250

Level 109

Nursing

Credit/ Grade C

-

Band 3

Band 5.5

80 or 215(CBT)

-

-

-

-

-

Accounting

1) Credit/Grade C in English Language at SPM/O-Level / equivalent AND

2) MUET Band 2 / IELTS 4.0 / TOEFL 30(iBT)/5(Essentials) / PTE 36 / Cambridge English 140/100(OET) / ELS 106

English Language

1) Credit/Grade C in English Language at SPM/O-Level / equivalent AND

2) MUET Band 4 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 60(iBT)/ 8.5(Essentials) / PTE 59 / Cambridge English 169/250(OET) / ELS 109 / equivalent

  
   
 Not applicable to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies programme and does not apply to Malaysian students (exclude students who apply for 
    M.B.B.S and Nursing programmes) with entry qualifications conducted fully in English language BUT must have a pass in English language at 
    SPM/equivalent.
** Based on MUET grading system as per MQA Programme Standards.
***
Applicants who do NOT meet the English language requirements but have a pass in English language at SPM level/equivalent may be accepted for               admission to the undergraduate programmes that do not require a specific English language test score. The applicants will be required to take the 
      English Enhancement Programme (EEP) and pass at EEP Levels 7 & 8 before joining the programme.

3. English Language Requirements for UTAR 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 at UTAR. International students who wish to enrol on the Foundation and Bachelor's degree programmes shall possess an English
    Language score in one of the following examination:
 
     

UTAR

Undergraduate

Programmes

Recognised English Examinations and Minimum Scores *

Malaysian University English Test (MUET) **

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)/ IELTS Online (Academic)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic/ PTE Academic (Online)

Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests

ELS

Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP) ***

Learn more

TOEFL

iBT

TOEFL Essentials (Online)

B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency

Linguaskill Online

Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional/Online)

Programmes without specific English requirements from MOHE/MQA/Professional Bodies

Band 3

Band 5.0

40

7.5

47

154

100

Level 107

Digital Animation, Graphic Design and Multimedia, Game Design, Game Development, Business, Accounting, Biomedical Science, Dietetics, Physiotherapy and  Occupational Safety & Health

Band 3

Band 5.5

46

8

51

160

200

Level 108

Finance and

English Language

Band 4

Band 6.0

60

8.5

59

169

250

Level 109

M.B.B.S

Band 4

Band 6.5

79

9.5

63

176

300

Level 109

Nursing

^

Band 5.5

80 or 215 (CBT)

^

^

^

^

^

  ^ English scores not specified by Malaysian Nursing Board.
  * NOT applicable to international students (exclude students who apply for M.B.B.S and Nursing programmes) with entry qualifications 
     conducted fully in English language or from countries with English as official language BUT must have a pass in English language at SPM / 
     equivalent.
** Based on MUET grading system as per MQA Programme Standards.
*** UTAR is partnering with ELS Language Centres to offer the CIEP Online to international students in their home countries. The ELS CIEP is
       recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) as a benchmark for English language proficiency for international students. 
       International students who successfully complete and pass the CIEP will be accepted by UTAR as having fulfilled the university’s English 
       language requirements for admission.          
4. English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Programmes 
 In addition to the academic requirements a candidate is also required to possess an English Language certification as stated in the table below.

UTAR Postgradaute

Programmes

 

Recognised English Examinations and Minimum Scores

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic/ IELTS Academic Online

Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Academic/ PTE Academic (Online)

Cambridge English Qualification and Tests

ELS

Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP)*

Learn more about the CIEP Pathway into UTAR

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL Essential

(Online)

B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency

Linguaskill Online

Business

 Band 6.0

Band 4

60

8.5

59

169

Level 109

Engineering,

Engineering Technology

Band 5.0

Band 3.5

40

7.5

47

154

Level 107

Computing

Band 6.0

Band 4

60

8.5

59

169

Level 109

Media and Communication Studies

Band 6.0

Band 4

60

8.5

59

169

Level 109

Creative Arts

Band 6.0

Band 4

60

8.5

59

169

Level 109

Language

Band 5.0

Band 3.5

40

7.5

47

154

Level 107

Programmes without specific English requirements from MOHE/MQA/Professional Bodies

Band 5.0

Band 3.5

40

7.5

47

154

Level 107


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 one of the recognised examinations and achieve the score as per programme standard/ UTAR English requirement within 2 years 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, a letter from the institution's Registrar as supporting document is required. 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 mediums of instruction.

The English Language requirements for each postgraduate programme can be found at https://ipsr.utar.edu.my/Programmes.php

*UTAR is partnering with ELS Language Centres to offer the CIEP Online to international students in their home countries. The ELS CIEP is recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) as a benchmark for English language proficiency for international students. International students who successfully complete and pass the CIEP will be accepted by UTAR as having fulfilled the university’s English language requirements for admission.
          
   
Chinese Language Requirements
In addition to the academic requirements and English Language requirements, students who wish to enrol on the following programmes are required to have obtained a Chinese Language grade/level in one of the Academic Qualifications/Chinese Proficiency Tests recognised by UTAR.

(a) Chinese Studies programmes (Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate)                                      
Recognised Tests
  Foundation
   Undergraduate
   Postgraduate
China's New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (New HSK)/New Chinese Proficiency Test
Level 5
(180-300 marks)
Level 5 
(195-300 marks)

Level 5 *
(210-300 marks)
from 2010 onwards
Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL)
    Level 3
    Level 4
   Level 5  *
from 2013 onwards
STPM Chinese Language
    Pass
    Pass
 Pass
SPM/ O-Level/ UEC Chinese Language
    Credit
    Credit
  Credit

      Note: 1) The Chinese Language requirement for foundation and undergraduate programmes can be waived should the entry qualification 
   contain a Chinese Language subject with an equivalent or higher achievement.
                 2) Applicants for postgraduate programmes who have obtained a Bachelor's or Master's degree with Chinese as the sole medium of 
  instruction will be required to provide a letter from the Institution's Registrar as a supporting document. The Senate may, upon the  
  recommendation of the Faculty, exempt a candidate from the Chinese Language requirement if the candidate had obtained the 
  Bachelor's or Master's degree using Chinese as the sole medium of instruction or as one of the mediums of instruction.
                             

(b) Journalism in Chinese Media programme (Foundation and Undergraduate)                                     
Recognised Tests
   Foundation
   Undergraduate
SPM/ O-Level/ STPM/ UEC Chinese Language
    Pass
    Pass
China’s New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (New HSK) / New Chinese Proficiency Test (since 2010)
    Level 4
    Level 4
Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) (since 2013)
    Level 4
   Level 4

      Note: 1) The pass requirement of Chinese Language at SPM Level can be waived should the entry qualification contain a Chinese Language  
                      subject with an equivalent or higher achievement.

                 2) Applicants who do not obtain the above Chinese Language grade/level may apply for the Journalism in Chinese Media programme but 
                     will be required to undergo a language proficiency interview and a written test.
                     
All information is correct at the time of upload and UTAR reserves the right to make amendments without prior notice.