University of Birmingham and Malaysia

The University of Birmingham extends a very warm welcome to students from Malaysia. There are currently a number of Malaysian students at Birmingham studying a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

We have a long history of welcoming students from Malaysia and our dedicated international recruitment officers based in Birmingham and Kuala Lumpur will support you during all stages of your enquiry and application to the University. We offer a range of ways to speak to our staff and current students to get information and advice on living and studying in Birmingham.

The following information is for guidance only and should be used together with the University's general entrance requirements and any specific degree programme requirements.

Please note: If you have taken exams which are from another country's national education system you should consult the country specific section for that country for qualification equivalence information. If you are unsure about the acceptability of your qualifications for entry to Birmingham please contact us for further details.

English Language

You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the entry requirements for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.

SPM 1119 or GCSE/IGCSE minimum grade C may be accepted for a range of programmes with a four year validity period. 

Foundation Pathways

At least Grade B6 in 5 subjects in the Malaysian Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), with at least grade B6 in Mathematics for our Engineering and Physical Sciences pathway.

1 year of study of STPM with grades of 'good' may also be considered. Also SPM with B average.

For further information see the Birmingham International Academy website.

Undergraduate

The University will consider students who have taken A Level examinations and the International Baccalaureate (IB) for entrance to undergraduate programmes.

Sigjil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysian (STPM)

STPM is considered equivalent to A-levels and is acceptable for admissions to the first year of an undergraduate programme. Grades equivalent to the A-level requirement should be achieved in three out of the five subjects studied.

Malaysian Ministry of Education Matriculation Programme

Holders of the Malaysian Ministry of Education Matriculation Certificate in Science can be considered for entry to year one of Biosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

Certificates in Accountancy

Students with Certificates in Accountancy can be considered for entry to year one of the Accountancy, Economics, and Money, Banking and Finance programmes, provided a minimum GPA of 3.5 is obtained. In addition, a candidate must reach the appropriate level of English requirement for the particular course.

Canadian Pre-University (Ontario Grade 13)

A pass in 6 OACs (minimum of three at grade B, and three at grade C) is generally acceptable for admission to the first year of an undergraduate programme, although, some programmes may require higher grades.

South Australia Matriculation Programme (SAM)

For candidates offering the South Australian Matriculation qualification, a TER of between 90 to 98 is required.

Diploma and certificate

If you have completed a 2 year certificate or diploma at a local college, you may be considered for admission to undergraduate programmes in some subjects.

If you have obtained a 3 year diploma it is sometimes possible to gain 'advance standing' to the second year of some undergraduate programmes.

Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)

Holders of the UEC may be considered for entry onto the first year of an undergraduate degree course (except Medicine & Surgery or Dentistry) on the following basis:

 

A Level Grades

UEC Grades

A*AA

A1 A1 A2 A2 A2

AAA

A2 A2 A2 A2 A2

AAB

A2 A2 A2 B3 B3

ABB

A2 A2 B3 B3 B3

BBB

B3 B3 B3 B3 B3

BBC

B3 B3 B3 B6 B6

Where a specific subject is required the following grades should be attained:  A Level grade A* -  UEC grade A1, A Level grade A - UEC grade A2, A Level grade B - UEC grade B3.  Where Maths A Level is required UEC Advanced Maths (I) or (II) should be provided at the appropriate grade.

For all courses not requiring A Level Maths UEC Maths must be studied, the grade required will vary by programme (C8 required for most programmes, some may require B6 or B3).

Direct entry to second year

Taylor's University

The University has various twinning programmes with Taylor's University which can allow Taylors students entry into year 1, year 2 or year 3 of an Undergraduate Degree course, depending on their choice of subject and GPA score. Degree courses available through twinning agreements are: Biosciences, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. 
We have a longstanding relationship with Taylor’s University (TU), and many students have joined us for a variety of Engineering and Computer Science programmes. Students from TU can enter Year 2, or Year 3 of a number of programmes. For more information please refer to the table below, or contact the TU University Placement Services office, or eps-international@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Taylor's specific requirements
Programmes successfully completed at Taylor's University University of Birmingham programmes students are eligible to apply for
Year 1 Mechanical Engineering Year 2 entry:
- BEng Mechanical Engineering (1+2)
- BEng Civil Engineering (1+2)
- MEng Mechanical Engineering (1+3)
- MEng Civil Engineering (1+3)
- MEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering (1+3)
Year 1 Electronic and Electrical Engineering Year 2 entry:
BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (1+2)
MEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering (1+3)
Year 1 Computer Science Year 2 entry:
BSc Computer Science (1+2)
MSci Computer Science (1+3)
Years 1 and 2 Chemical Engineering Year 3 entry: 
- MEng Chemical Engineering (2+2)
Years 1 and 2 Mechanical Engineering

Year 3 entry: 
- MEng Mechanical Engineering (2+2)

Years 1 and 2 Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Year 3 entry: 
- MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (2+2)

UCSI

Students from UCSI are able to join Year 2 of the following Birmingham programmes:

  • BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering
  • BEng or MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

For more information please contact the UCSI Global Engagement Office, or eps-international@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

 USCI specific requirements
Study successfully completed at UCSI University of Birmingham programmes students are eligible to apply for 
Year 1 of Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering with Honours programme Year 2 entry: 
BEng Mechanical Engineering (1+2)*
MEng Mechanical Engineering (1+3)
Year 1 of Bachelors of Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Honours programme

Year 2 entry: 
BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (1+2)
MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (1+3)

INTI College and Prime College 

Students from INTI College and Prime College may be considered for direct entry to the second year of our Engineering programmes.

HELP Institute

Students from HELP Institute may be considered for direct entry to the second year of Computer Science programmes and those students completing the LSE Diploma may be admitted directly to the second year of Economics and Money, Banking and Finance programmes.

Direct entry from other colleges is unusual. If you are a student of any other college and you wish to be considered for second year entry, you must submit your full transcript and a copy of the syllabus you have followed so that we can assess your suitability.

Please note:

  • For Medicine country specific requirements, please visit our Applying to Medicine website.
  • For Dentistry, please see the general entry requirements listed on the Dental Surgery course page.

A Level Grades

UEC Grades

A*AA

A1 A1 A2 A2 A2

AAA

A2 A2 A2 A2 A2

AAB

A2 A2 A2 B3 B3

ABB

A2 A2 B3 B3 B3

BBB

B3 B3 B3 B3 B3

BBC

B3 B3 B3 B6 B6

Postgraduate Taught

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Funding

Find out more about fees and funding for undergraduate, postgraduate taught or postgraduate research courses, or click here for information on international tuition fees.

Scholarships

To reward outstanding achievement and to help ensure that fears about finance do not constrain our students, we are pleased to offer a number of prestigious international scholarships.

We are pleased to offer the following scholarship for Malaysian students:

University of Birmingham and MABECS Outstanding Achievement Award (undergraduate)
A scholarship of £2,500 against the first year tuition fees for Malaysian domiciled students applying through our local representatives MABECS for September 2023 entry.

University of Birmingham/MABECS/Casita Outstanding Achievement Scholarships
The University of Birmingham is pleased to announce the award of 2 scholarships for Malaysian students applying for entry to an postgraduate taught programme at the University starting September 2023.
These are joint awards with our local representatives MABECS in Malaysia and Casita.  See the MABECS webpage for further details.
The scholarships will be awarded to high performing students starting their University of Birmingham programme in 2023/24 academic year.

Use the links below to search our funding and scholarship databases:

Search the undergraduate funding database
Search the postgraduate funding database

There are lots of ways to find out more about Birmingham. We run regular live chats where you can ask us any questions you might have about your application or the University. Visit our Live Chats page to find out when the next events are.

Birmingham Representatives

The University of Birmingham representatives for Malaysia are Lisa Hwang and Chloe Lim based in Kuala Lumpar. You can email them with any questions you may have at southeastasia@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

The University of Birmingham's representatives in Malaysia can assist you with questions about studying in the UK and, more specifically, at the University of Birmingham. They will also be able to assist you with the application process.

Malaysian British Educational Cooperation Services (MABECS)

B-3A-5 Block B West, PJ8
No. 23, Jalan Barat, Seksyen 8
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 603-79567655/439
Fax: 603-79550876
E-mail: partners@mabecs.com
www.mabecs.com

IDP Malaysia

6th Floor, (West Block), Wisma Golden Eagle Realty
142-C, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-27879786
Email:  info.kualalumpur@idp.com
Website:  www.idp.com/malaysia
Various locations, please find your nearest office.

University Placement Services, Taylor’s College

Taylor's Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Block E, East Wing, Taylor's Lakeside Campus, No 1, Jalan Taylor's, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Email:  placement@taylors.edu.my

Intake Education Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu)

Unit No. S-1-24, First Floor, City Mall, Lorong City Mall
Jalan Lintas, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel: + 6014 552 2727
Email: kota.kinabalu@intake.education

Intake Education (Kuching)
Unit No. S-1-24, First Floor, City Mall, Lorong City Mall
Jalan Lintas, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel: + 6014 552 2727
Email: kota.kinabalu@intake.education

SI-UK
Unit 43-G, Block D, Zenith Corporate Park, Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor 47301, Malaysia
Tel: +603 78 861 936
Email: malaysia@studyin-uk.com
Website:  www.studyin-uk.my

Birmingham Visits

Our beautiful campus is open to the public throughout the year, so if you are in the UK and would like to visit, you can book onto a campus tour. We run regular live chats as an opportunity to talk to our staff. Please visit our Live Chats page to find out when we will be available for online events, which include live chat and videos.

Student Experience

The University of Birmingham is a fantastic choice for your academic study. Our thriving campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of exciting activities to get involved in outside of your studies, too.


Beautiful surroundings and fantastic facilities

When you step onto campus, you are immersed in our historic red-brick buildings and glorious green spaces. You'll find our Edgbaston campus both a peaceful and vibrant place to spend your time, whether it's studying on one of the lawns, or enjoying a hot drink in one our many cafes.

When you are on campus, you are in the heart of University life - it's the perfect place to meet friends, whether it's to have a bite to eat, discuss your seminar notes or meet up before heading off to a sports club or society.

You can also take advantage of our fantastic facilities on campus. Study in our state-of-the-art academic library with its stunning views over campus, or wind down after lectures at our £55 million Sport and Fitness Club. Our student sports club memberships are affordable, and with numerous classes, a swimming pool, 55 student sports teams and ‘try a sport’ courses, there really is something for everyone.  

Many nationality groups form student societies during their time at the University of Birmingham, which is an excellent way to keep in contact with home and also provide an opportunity to highlight your culture and customs in the UK. Societies are also a useful point of contact for prospective students to Birmingham who may want to contact current students for information. 

If you are a part of the Facebook online community, be sure to join Malaysian Society (MASOC). They hold regular events for the community of students from Malaysia throughout the year. Feel free to join their Facebook group to get in touch with current students and see what exciting events are happening on and off campus.

Careers

We offer dedicated support for international students, including an international careers consultant and a team of international student ambassadors. We will support you in developing the skills you will need to fully prepare for the working world or further academic study, whether this is in your home country or elsewhere.

Our Careers Network researches jobs all over the world. We host fairs, workshops and presentations, which are attended by many large, global companies that offer opportunities worldwide. We also offer a huge database of information on employers, vacancies and industry trends in a range of countries.

Alumni

The University of Birmingham has many strong alumni groups all over the world. Alumni groups are an excellent way of keeping in contact with the University and with other graduates from Birmingham who live in your country. Some alumni groups meet on a regular basis for social and professional events.

If you would like to meet up with University staff when they are in your country or you would be willing to help promote the university at education exhibitions, we would also like to hear from you. You can find out if there is an alumni group in your country or join our alumni mailing list on the Alumni website.

Contact Details

For all general queries about becoming an international student at Birmingham, please complete and submit our enquiry form.

Address
Lisa Hwang
International Recruitment
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
B15 2TT
Email
southeastasia@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Address
Chloe Lim
International Recruitment
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
B15 2TT
Email
southeastasia@contacts.bham.ac.uk

The British Council has offices in many countries throughout the world which are able to provide you with advice about studying in the UK. Most offices also have an education library and Internet facilities where you can consult university material. The British Council can also provide advice about funding opportunities.