International Students

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Notes: For more details, please visit Center for International Affairs website. http://www.ums.edu.my/pppg

  1. Application Form clickpink
  2. Fees Information - (will update soon)
  3. Health Examination Report - clickpink

Students are required to apply the Visa with Reference (VWR) two weeks before arrival at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. This application must be attached together with these following documents:-

  1. Offered Letter
  2. Copy of Passport
  3. Passport Photo (2 pcs) and
  4. Stamp Duty RM10

Overseas students coming to Universiti Malaysia Sabah have found the university to be a congenial place to study.  Friendships are easily built.   The university has a comprehensive range of support services for international students.  University staff members are accustomed to working with students of various ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.  This makes adjustment to living and studying in the university community easy.

Support services provided for international students include assistance with initial university applications, assistance in student visa applications, administrative advice, and orientation programmes to enable new students to become familiar with the campus and its facilities, as well as to meet other students.

Living in Malaysia

Malaysia is a modern, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural country with a population of 29 million. The Malaysian population is very diverse and consists of over one hundred ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and many indigenous peoples such as the Orang Asli of the peninsula, the Kadazandusun and other indigenous groups of Sabah, and the Iban and other native peoples of Sarawak.  Malaysia’s cultural diversity can also be found at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Climate

Malaysia enjoys an equatorial climate, which is generally warm and humid for most of the year.  Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season alternates with some dry inter-monsoon periods.  Average temperatures range between 22°C and 32°C.

Language

Bahasa Malaysia (standard Malay) is the official national language, while English is spoken as the international language of Malaysia.  Other languages such as Mandarin, Tamil, and indigenous Austronesian languages such as Kadazandusun and Iban and others are also used widely.  Most people, however, are fluent in English as well as the national language and their own languages, so international students who speak English will have no problem in communicating.

Religion

Because of its multi-ethnic composition, different religions are practiced in Malaysia.  The official religion is Islam, but there are many Christians of both Protestant and Roman Catholic denominations, as well as Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and members of traditional religions.  Freedom of religion is a constitutional right in Malaysia.  International students are free to choose their places of worship.

Food

Food is plentiful and cheap in Malaysia.  Common Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak, roti canai, chicken rice and char kuey teow are readily available in most places, along with Western, Japanese, Korean and other Malay, Chinese and Indian foods, as well as delicious local native dishes.  The visitor to Malaysia will have no problem in finding food to suit his or her personal taste.

Living Expenses

The average cost of living for a student staying on campus is RM3,500.00 per year, and this amount includes the cost of food, accommodation and personal expenditure.  For off-campus students, the cost of living ranges between RM6,000.00 to RM7,000.00 per year.  The higher costs of accommodation and transportation constitute a substantial portion of off-campus expenses.

Miscellaneous Information

Time:Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Currency:The Ringgit Malaysia (RM) is the official currency. The exchange rate is approximately RM3.80 to US$1.00.
Electricity supply:All electrical items operate on a 240 volt - 50 cycle power supply.

English Language Requirement

All non-native speakers of English are required to provide evidence of their proficiency level in English prior to their admission to the University.