Open University Malaysia (OUM) has stayed true to its “University for All” motto since the institution was founded in August 2000. With its part-time, open and distance learning (ODL) programmes, the university has enabled more than 100,000 students to earn their diplomas, bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees.

OUM courses are conducted by lecturers through e-tutorials on a videoconferencing platform according to a flexible schedule, allowing students to study at their own convenience. At OUM, open and distance learning isn’t a solitary experience. Through the university’s interactive virtual forums, you can engage with your coursemates, tutors and lecturers for discussions. 

Other OUM e-learning technologies that enrich your study experience include myINSPIRE, the university’s online learning platform where you can access study materials and the myOUM app that delivers updated course information, announcements and schedules. 

Students who wish to utilise OUM’s on-site facilities are also welcome to carry out their studies at its Menara OUM main campus or any of the university’s 35 learning centres nationwide.

OUM rankings and achievements

OUM received a five-star rating for online learning at the QS Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2023. This globally recognised system evaluates and awards up to five stars to institutions of higher learning based on their strengths in specific categories.

Professional accreditations

OUM’s business programmes are accredited by international professional bodies such as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Awards and recognitions

The university has gained recognition for its research on utilising technology to enhance teaching methods. At the Asian Association of Open Universities Award 2023, OUM attained a gold medal in the Best Practice Award category for a research piece titled “Leveraging Generative AI to Build a Bespoke Educational Chatbot”. 

OUM also won a silver medal in the Best Paper Award category for its research on “Problematising Technological Solutionism in Open Universities: Perspectives Drawn Using the Method of Empathy-Based Stories (MEBS)”.

Academic and industry partnerships

OUM is collaborating with fellow universities around the world to foster the exchange of knowledge and technology. Its university partners include Germany’s European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin) and the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA), as well as Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH).

Besides other institutions of higher learning, the university has partnered with leading corporations such as the NCT Group of Companies, a property developer in Malaysia. By working with its academic and industry partners, OUM can utilise the knowledge gained for programme development to further enhance its students' learning experience.

Academic programmes and faculties at OUM

All OUM courses from its Faculty of Business and Management fulfil the stringent criteria set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the national accreditation body that monitors and ensures higher education programmes are on par with Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) standards.

Diploma courses

• Diploma in Accounting Online

• Diploma in Human Resources Management Online

• Diploma in Management Online

Bachelor's degrees

• Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) Online

• Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) Online

• Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Honours) Online

• Bachelor of Management (Honours) Online

• Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (Honours) Online

• Bachelor of Science in Project & Facility Management (Honours) Online

Master's degrees by coursework

• Master of Business Administration Online

• Master of Facility Management Online

• Master of Human Resource Management Online

• Master of Project Management Online

Master's degree by research

• Master of Management Online

PhDs by research

• Doctor of Business Administration Online

• Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration) Online

OUM admission requirements and process

OUM business programme admission requirements

To apply for a course, you must meet one of the following in the criteria list below:

Diploma in Accounting Online

• Pass in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or its equivalent with at least three credits, including in mathematics and a pass in English; OR 
• Pass in Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or its equivalent with a minimum of grade C (GP 2.0) in any subject and a credit in mathematics and a pass in English at SPM level (prior to taking STPM); OR
• Pass in Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) with a minimum grade of Maqbul (pass) and a credit in mathematics and a pass in English at SPM level (prior to taking STAM); OR
• Pass in Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM ) Level 3 in a related field and a pass in SPM with at least one credit in mathematics and a pass in English; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government; OR
• Students who possess an APEL. A certificate from MQA are also applicable for admission.

Diploma in Human Resources Management Online
Diploma in Management Online

• Pass in SPM with at least a credit in three subjects; OR
• Pass in SKM Level 3 in a related field; OR
• Certificate (Level 3, MQF) in the related field with at least CGPA of 2.00; OR
• Pass in Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) with at least grade C (GP 2.0) in any subject; OR
• Pass in Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) with a minimum grade of Maqbul (pass); OR
• Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government; OR
• Students who possess an APEL.A certificate from MQA are also applicable for admission.

Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) Online

• Pass in STPM or its equivalent with at least a grade C+ (GP 2.33) in two subjects and a credit in mathematics at SPM level; OR
• Pass in STAM with a minimum grade of Jayyid (good) and a credit in mathematics at SPM level; OR
• Diploma (MQF Level 4) in accounting or a related field a minimum CGPA of 2.50; OR
• Matriculation/foundation/asasi or its equivalent with a minimum of CGPA of 2.50 and a credit in mathematics at SPM level; OR
• Pass in the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) with a minimum of grade B in five subjects including mathematics; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government; OR
• Students who possess an APEL.A certificate from MQA are also applicable for admission.

Other business bachelor’s degrees

• Pass in STPM with at least a grade C (GP 2.0) in any two subjects; OR
• Pass in STAM with a minimum grade of Jayyid (good); OR
• Matriculation/foundation with at least a CGPA of 2.00; OR
• Diploma (MQF Level 4) with at least a CGPA of 2.00; OR
• Advanced diploma (MQF Level 5) with at least a CGPA of 2.00; OR
• Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia (DKM)/Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) (subject to the HEP Senate/academic board’s approval); OR
• Diploma Lanjutan Kemahiran Malaysia (DLKM) (subject to the HEP Senate/academic board’s approval); OR
• Other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government

Business master’s degrees by coursework/research

To apply for one of these OUM courses, you must meet one of the following in the criteria list below:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 that is accepted by the HEP Senate; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a CGPA between 2.00 and 2.49 can be accepted (subject to a rigorous internal assessment); OR
• Relevant work experience along with a bachelor’s degree in a non-related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 that is accepted by the HEP Senate (subject to a rigorous internal assessment); OR
• Without relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a non-related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 that is accepted by the HEP Senate (subject to passing pre-requisite courses); OR
• Other equivalent qualifications to a bachelor’s degree that is recognised by the Malaysian Government; OR
• Students who possess an APEL.A certificate from MQA are also applicable for admission.

To be eligible for these master’s degrees, international students are required to possess a sufficient level of English language proficiency by obtaining at least a MUET band score of 4.0, CEFR (mid B2) or its equivalent.

Business PhDs by research

• A master's degree in a business-related field that is accepted by the HEP Senate; OR
• Other qualifications equivalent to a Master's degree as accepted by the HEP Senate. 

To be eligible for PhDs, international students are required to possess a sufficient level of English language proficiency by obtaining at least an IELTS score of 6.0 or its equivalent.

Please note that these general admission requirements apply to most courses offered at the university. For more admission requirement details regarding a specific business programme, explore the range of courses above.
 

2024 OUM intake dates

OUM enrolment process

Open University Malaysia offers two enrolment options for courses: online and in-person.

In-person enrolment

If you plan to enrol for your chosen course in person, please visit the Menara OUM main campus at:

Block C, Kompleks Kelana Centre Point,
Jalan SS7/19, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Malaysia.

Applicants living outside of Petaling Jaya can also enrol at OUM learning centres around the country. Remember to bring along these documents:

• Your identity card (MyKad).
• A photocopy of your academic certificate, along with the original. 
• A photocopy of your job confirmation letter from your current employer, along with the original.* 
• Two passport-size photos of yourself.

* Please abide by this request if it is stated in your programme’s admission requirements.

Online enrolment

If you would like to enrol online, visit the Admission section on the OUM website.

1. Click on the “Fill in the online application form now” button.
2. Select your nationality and enter your identity card or passport number.
3. Enter your personal details and select your course.
4. You will be requested to submit your personal documents for assessment at the nearest OUM learning centre.

OUM registration fees

Students need to make a one-off payment for registration in their first semester. Your fee is determined by the type of course you have chosen.

Local

• Diploma registration fee: RM230
• Bachelor's degree registration fee: RM230
• Master's degree registration fee: RM550
• PhD registration fee: RM550

International

• Diploma registration fee: RM2,700
• Bachelor's degree registration fee: RM3,200
• Master's degree registration fee: RM3,700
• PhD registration fee: RM4,200

OUM scholarships and financial aid

f you require financial assistance, OUM offers scholarships to students in need and those who excel academically. National loan initiatives like the Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) can also help finance your studies. Besides that, you might want to consider an Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 2 withdrawal or a bank loan.

University scholarships

OUM Scholarships for the Deserving

OUM’s scholarship committee chooses eligible recipients and disburses the scholarships every semester (January, May and September). There are two types of OUM scholarships available to students:

• OUM’s Academic Excellence Scholarship provides students who excel in their university courses with a tuition fee waiver for the following semester. To be awarded this scholarship, you will have to fulfil one of the following criteria:
  • Diploma and bachelor’s degree students: A minimum GPA of 3.75 
  • Master’s degree students: A GPA of 3.85 and above
  • Students do not have to apply for this scholarship. The university’s scholarship committee will select the eligible candidates and award the scholarship accordingly.
• OUM’s second type of scholarship is offered to diploma and bachelor’s degree students who are in need of financial assistance. Students who seek financial aid can submit an application form to the OUM scholarship committee. Successful scholarship applicants will receive a tuition fee waiver for three consecutive semesters. 

National education loan initiatives

PTPTN education loan scheme (for local students)

The Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), also known as the National Higher Education Fund Corporation, is a Malaysian Government institution that provides study loans for Malaysian students to pursue their university and college education. 

This scheme has helped millions of borrowers complete their tertiary studies without putting strain on their finances. It offers low interest rates and students who achieve top honours in their studies can have their loans converted into scholarships.

Other financing options

Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 2 withdrawal

To finance your studies, you can choose to withdraw your EPF Account 2 savings. Once your application is approved, your funds will be used to pay your course fees. 

Education loans from banks

Consider the banks’ terms and interest rates carefully and pick a loan that suits your needs and financial capacity.