University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia was formerly known as UOW Malaysia KDU University College before it was upgraded to university status in 2023. This upgrade is expected to make the campus more advanced, versatile and interconnected. As part of the UOW global network, which has campuses in Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and an upcoming campus in India, the University of Wollongong Malaysia is now considered an elite private university in the country.

Initially established as KDU College in 1983, the institution was later upgraded to KDU University College in 2010, known for providing accessible and high-quality tertiary education in Malaysia. In 2019, the University of Wollongong Australia bought a majority stake in UOW Malaysia KDU, making it a co-owner with Paramount Corporation Berhad. Currently, UOW Malaysia operates five campuses in Selangor and Penang, providing cutting-edge facilities for foundation, bachelor’s and postgraduate studies.

UOW Malaysia works in partnership with national and international communities to offer exceptional standards of education and research opportunities to foster the development of global leaders with an international perspective. The university aims to become a leading education provider worldwide, providing revolutionary student experiences in Malaysia and the surrounding region with 40 years of experience operating in Malaysia.

The University of Wollongong’s rankings and achievements

The University of Wollongong Australia’s rankings

UOW Malaysia is part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network, which has been internationally recognised for its teaching excellence and consistently placed among the world’s top-ranking institutions.

QS World University Rankings

• In the QS World University Rankings 2024, UOW Australia is ranked #162 globally and #12th in Australia
• The university also placed #62 in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024
• UOW Australia ranks at #131-140 for its Master of International Business course in the QS International Trade Rankings 2023
• In terms of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, the university ranked #151-200 in accounting and finance, #201-250 in business and management studies and #251-300 in economics and econometrics

Times Higher Education (THE)

• UOW ranked #201-250 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
• As for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject, the university ranked #176-200 in business and economics

The University of Wollongong Malaysia’s achievements

UOW Malaysia is a well-known institution that has been recognised for its research. Five teams from the university have successfully obtained funding from the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) provided by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education in 2022 for a total amount of RM470,841. The FRGS is a national grant scheme funded by the Malaysian Government, drawing tough competition from public and private universities in Malaysia annually. 

Students from UOW Malaysia have achieved great success in national business competitions. For instance, four business students secured the first runner-up position in the Accountancy Competency Challenge (ACC) held in 2020. In the Kijang Economics Competition (KEC) 2020, which is backed by Malaysia's Ministry of Education, UOW students have won several gold, silver and bronze awards. KEC focuses on testing students' knowledge of economics, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business.

Business programmes at the University of Wollongong Malaysia

At UOW Malaysia, business graduates are prepared to succeed globally. The academic experience emphasises students developing communication skills and emotional intelligence to create intuitive leaders. Business programmes are available at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Certificate programme:

• Certificate in Business Communication

Diploma programmes:

• Diploma in Business
• Diploma in Business Management (ODL)
• Diploma in Business Administration

Bachelor’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Business (Honours)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Management
• Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours)
• Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) International Business Management

Postgraduate programmes:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
• Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management

Master’s degrees:

• Master of Business Administration (ODL)
• Master of Business
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Arts (By Research)

PhD programme:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Business)

University of Wollongong Malaysia admission requirements and application process

Admission requirements

Undergraduate programmes

Certificate in Business Communication

• A minimum of one credit in SPM or O-Levels; OR
• A minimum of one credit in UEC
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A pass in English in SPM, 119 (GCE-O), O-Levels or UEC
  • International students: A Band 4.0 in IELTS, a minimum score of 30 (IBT), 397 in (PBT) in TOEFL, 140 in Cambridge English CAE and CPE, 36 in PTE Academic, a MUET Band 3 or 60 in the UOW Malaysia English Entrance Test

Diploma in Business
Diploma in Business Management (ODL)
Diploma in Business Administration

• A minimum of three credits in SPM or O-Levels; OR
• A minimum of three credits in UEC; OR
• A minimum CGPA of 2.00 in a certificate from a relevant field
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A pass in English in SPM or equivalent
  • International students: A Band 5.0 in IELTS, a minimum score of 40 (IBT), 7.5 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 154 in Cambridge English CAE and CPE or 47 in PTE Academic

Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)
Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours)
Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours)

• A minimum of two C+s or a CGPA of 2.33 in STPM; OR
• A minimum of five credits including mathematics in UEC; OR
• A minimum of two Ds in A-Levels; OR
• A minimum CGPA of 2.50 in a diploma in accounting or in a diploma from a related field; OR
• A minimum CGPA of 2.50 in foundation or matriculation
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A Band 3 in MUET
  • International students: A Band 5.5 in IELTS, a minimum score of 46 (IBT), 8 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 160 in Cambridge English CAE and CPE or 51 in PTE Academic

Bachelor of Business (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) International Business Management
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Management

• A minimum of two Cs or a CGPA of 2.00 in STPM; OR
• A minimum of five credits in UEC; OR
• A minimum of two Es in A-Levels; OR
• A minimum CGPA of 2.00 in a diploma in accounting or in a diploma from a related field; OR
• A minimum CGPA of 2.00 in foundation or matriculation
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A Band 3 in MUET
  • International students: A Band 5.5 in IELTS, a minimum score of 46 (IBT), 8 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 160 in Cambridge English CAE & CPE (from 2015; OR 51 in PTE Academic

Note: Admission requirements for dual awards may vary depending on the programme.

Postgraduate programmes

Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Business Administration (ODL)

• Completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 or its equivalent qualifications; OR
• Candidates without a minimum CGPA of 2.50 can be accepted with a minimum of five years of relevant working experience, subject to the approval of the university
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A Band 5 in MUET
  • International students: A Band 6.0 in IELTS, a minimum score of 60 (IBT), 8.5 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 169 in Cambridge English or 59 in PTE Academic

Master of Arts (By Research)
Master of Business

• Completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 2.75 or  equivalent; OR
• Completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 to 2.74 or equivalent, subject to the approval of the university; OR
• Completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 to 2.49 or equivalent with a minimum of five years of relevant working experience, subject to the approval of the university
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A Band 5 in MUET
  • International students: A Band 6.0 in IELTS, a minimum score of 60 (IBT), 8.5 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 169 in Cambridge English or 59 in PTE Academic

Doctor of Philosophy (Business)

• Completed a master’s degree or equivalent in a related field
• English language requirement:
  • Local students: A Band 5 in MUET
  • International students: A Band 6.0 in IELTS, a minimum score of 60 (IBT), 8.5 in (Essentials-Online) in TOEFL, 169 in Cambridge English or 59 in PTE Academic

Note: If the English language requirements are not met, additional English modules may be taken at UOW Malaysia.

The application process for local students

Step 1: Choose your course

• You can choose your preferred course from the list of UOW Malaysia programmes.

Step 2: Application details

• You will need to prepare the following documents:
  • One copy of all of your relevant academic or examination results, including high school results, college transcripts and any other applicable records
  • One copy of your identity card – both front and back on one page
  • Two passport-sized photographs
• Next, visit the university website to download and fill out the application form with all your required details. 

Step 3: Submit application

• Send your completed application form along with the payment for the application and registration fees to the address provided on the university site based on your chosen campus.
• You will receive notification of your application status from the university’s programme counsellors.
• You will also be sent a letter of acceptance and payment receipt.

The application process for international students

Step 1: Choose your course

• You can choose your preferred course from the list of UOW Malaysia programmes

Step 2: Application details

• You will need to prepare the following documents:
  • A health declaration form signed by you
  • A high-resolution, colour scan copy of your passport, including all pages
    • Two pages of your passport have to be copied on a single A4 paper and page numbers must be visible
    • Your passport must be valid for at least two years (or three years for Indonesian citizens)
    • If you have already entered Malaysia at the time of application, you will need to provide a copy of your passport page with the Malaysian Immigration Exit stamp.
  • A certified copy of your academic and school leaving certificates
  • A passport-sized photograph with a white background (3.5cm x 5.0cm)
  • Other documents, if necessary
    • A research proposal and curriculum vitae or resume if you are a postgraduate applicant
    • A release letter, results and attendance report if you are a transfer student within an institution in Malaysia
    • A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Sudanese citizens or a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) for Iranian citizens
    • A copy of a yellow fever vaccination card is required if you are from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or have stayed in transit within these countries for more than 12 hours.
• For document submission, you will need to scan and email the required documents to the international marketing department of the university
• You are required to pay the registration and EMGS fees

Step 3: Letter of acceptance

• An acceptance letter will be issued within one to two days after UOW Malaysia reviews your application and payment.

Application fees

Local students need to pay the registration fees for their application.

International students need to pay the registration fees and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) fees for application.

Intake dates

Scholarships and financial aid

UOW Malaysia offers a vast range of scholarships:

• Driving Dreams Sports Scholarship
• High Achiever Scholarship
• UOW Malaysia Excellence Award Scholarship
• UOW Malaysia Graduate Research Scholarship
• Vice-Chancellor Merit Award
• Vice-Chancellor Scholarship
• Future Game Changer Scholarships

The university also offers discounts and a bursary including:

• HOPE Bursary
• Alumni discount
• Family discount

Aside from that, there are numerous exclusive external sponsorships affiliated with the university:

• The Dato' CQ Teo Scholarship
• BDO Chartered Accountant Scholarship
• Canon Seeding Fund Financial Aid
• IMI Switzerland Exclusive Scholarship
• Tony Ng Study Loan/Bonded Scholarship
• 88 Captains Scholarship
• Yayasan Peneraju Bumiputra
• PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP)
• Nursing and Allied Health Sponsorship

Other forms of external loans and financing schemes include:

• MARA Loan
• Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional Malaysia (PTPTN)
• Employee Provident Fund Withdrawal Scheme for Education
• Khazanah Watan Scholarship Program
• OCBC Bank Scholarship
• AFFIN Education Financing-i
• MIED Loan
• CIMB ASEAN Scholarship
• Genting Malaysia Scholarship (GENM Scholarship)
• OKU External Financial Aid
• Penang Future Foundation
• Penang State Government Loan
• Yayasan KLK Scholarships