IIUM is a leading Malaysian public university combining global education with strong Islamic values.
We are always happy to provide assistance to all students in choosing the right specialization for them and providing free consultation from specialists
Apply with usIf you are looking for a university that combines academic modernity with British education standards while maintaining Islamic values and ethical principles in both education and student activities, IIUM University Malaysia is worth discovering.
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) was founded under the motto "Garden of Knowledge and Virtue." It is the only public university in Malaysia that uses English 100% in administration and teaching, while offering relatively affordable tuition fees compared with the quality of British-style education it provides.
This comprehensive guide to studying at IIUM University Malaysia covers the key information international students need, including programs, tuition fees, admission requirements, scholarships, and university life.
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) was officially established on May 23, 1983. It is a unique university that combines national education standards with an international infrastructure.
The university was established through an international diplomatic treaty under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, giving it broad international recognition, particularly in the Arab member states of the organization.
What makes IIUM distinctive is its philosophy of integrating knowledge. Rather than separating modern fields such as medicine and engineering from Islamic law, the university brings them together to produce well-rounded professionals.
IIUM's vision focuses on restoring the role of the Muslim Ummah in education. To achieve this vision, the university is committed to several core missions:
The university aims to prepare graduates with strong professional competence as well as leadership and ethical skills, enabling them to become agents of change in their communities while promoting intercultural dialogue and global peace.
The main campus of IIUM University Malaysia is located in Gombak, Selangor, approximately 15–20 km from the center of Kuala Lumpur.
The university is close to the famous tourist landmark Batu Caves, and the surrounding area features green limestone hills, creating a calm study environment combined with opportunities for recreational activities and outdoor experiences.
Students can reach the campus through Gombak LRT Station, which connects them to central Kuala Lumpur within a few minutes.
IIUM offers a range of features that make it a preferred Malaysian university for thousands of international students, including:
Unlike many other public universities, English is the official language of teaching and communication at IIUM. This helps students strengthen their English proficiency and prepares them to work for international companies after graduation.
IIUM University Malaysia is part of the Commonwealth and follows British educational standards. The university is committed to appointing professors from British, American, or Australian universities to review final examination papers and ensure that they meet international standards.
The university also awards bachelor's degrees with honors, following a distinctly British academic system that reflects the depth of the specialization.
In addition, the university offers a joint law program based on the system taught at universities in Britain.
The Faculty of Engineering at IIUM is recognized under the Washington Accord. This means that IIUM engineering graduates can work as accredited engineers in the United States, Britain, Australia, and Canada without complicated procedures.
The university provides a conservative and secure ethical environment and brings together students from 100 countries, giving students access to a broad international network that can benefit them in their future careers.
IIUM is known for having one of the strongest debating teams in the Muslim world. Its educational system emphasizes presentations and discussion, helping students develop confidence and leadership skills.
The campus operates like a self-contained city, with a sports complex featuring Olympic-sized swimming pools, a large library, a health center, banks, and restaurants, reducing the need for students to frequently leave campus.
Since its establishment, IIUM has maintained strong local and international rankings. The official rankings for 2026 include the following:
IIUM University Malaysia ranked 613th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The university ranked 133rd in Asia in the QS Asia ranking.
IIUM achieved Tier 5 (Excellent) in the SETARA rating, a classification recognized by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and awarded only to top universities in the country.
The university is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the world for Usul al-Din and Islamic Studies.
Degrees from IIUM University Malaysia are considered internationally strong. As mentioned above, the university is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which gives it recognition across member states of the organization, including Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.
As a member of the Commonwealth that follows British education standards, the process of having an IIUM degree evaluated in Britain is considered relatively straightforward for students who wish to continue their studies or work there.
IIUM engineering degrees benefit from broader international recognition because the Faculty of Engineering is recognized under the Washington Accord, providing recognition in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia.
IIUM University Malaysia is also a member of the American business education association AACSB, confirming its commitment to international standards in business education.
The IIUM Faculty of Architecture has received accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), meaning that the qualification is equivalent to an architecture degree awarded by universities such as Cambridge or Oxford in Britain.
All programs at the International Islamic University Malaysia are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Before enrolling at any university, always check the regulations and approved university lists in your home country for overseas study, as these requirements can be updated annually. This helps ensure that your degree will be accepted and can be easily evaluated when you return home or move to another country.
For students interested in engineering or law in Malaysia, IIUM offers a combination of British education standards, local values, and broad international recognition, opening access to both Western and Muslim-majority job markets.
The International Islamic University Malaysia has 14 faculties distributed across the main campus in Gombak and four other campuses, covering the following academic fields:
IIUM provides research-based and mixed-mode programs combining coursework and research in specialized fields such as:
The university offers diploma programs divided into specialized postgraduate diplomas and academic diplomas through its IIC college. Popular options include:
IIUM stands out among Malaysian universities by offering British-style education at Malaysian university fee levels. As a result, its tuition fees are considered highly affordable for international students seeking a British-style education.
The following table shows the average annual tuition fees at IIUM in 2026:
IIUM supports high-achieving students through scholarships that may provide tuition fee discounts or financial assistance. However, these scholarships are highly competitive. Some of the main options include:
This scholarship covers full tuition fees and may sometimes include a monthly stipend. It is intended for academically outstanding students from developing countries.
This program provides financial assistance to students who face financial difficulties during their studies.
The Gombak campus is the university's main campus. It is known for its Andalusian Islamic architecture, rivers running through the campus, and surrounding limestone hills. It is also one of the largest university campuses, giving students spacious and specialized areas for practical training and experimentation.
All faculties are connected by covered walkways to protect students from the weather. The faculties include tiered lecture halls that can accommodate hundreds of students and are equipped with advanced audiovisual systems.
The university has strong research infrastructure supporting the practical side of education, including:
The IIUM library, known as Dar al-Hikmah, is regarded as an important academic resource center. It is a large five-story building providing:
The university has 5 campuses, each dedicated to specific academic areas, giving students broader opportunities for practical learning and specialization:
Studying at IIUM goes beyond academic achievement. The university experience includes a wide range of opportunities that support students' personal, social, and professional development.
The university's Global Mobility Program gives students opportunities to spend a semester at partner universities in Turkey, Europe, and Asia, with academic credits counted toward their studies. This provides international experience and strengthens their academic profile.
The Career Services Center provides comprehensive support through annual career fairs, CV-writing workshops, interview training, and direct connections with major companies to help students secure internships and employment after graduation.
Students are required to participate in extracurricular activities as part of their graduation requirements. The university offers more than 60 clubs and societies, including:
The university has a large sports complex featuring an Olympic football field and running track, Olympic-sized swimming pools separated for male and female students, and indoor basketball and badminton courts.
Student accommodation at IIUM is known as Mahallah. It is more than a place to sleep; it functions as an integrated residential community organized around fellowship and student interaction. Its location within the campus also saves students the inconvenience of external transportation.
Student accommodation is distributed across 17 residential complexes, fully separated between male and female students. Available room types include:
Each residential unit includes:
Accommodation fees at IIUM are considered highly affordable compared with other universities:
IIUM follows clear and selective admission standards. However, applicants are not required to take complicated entrance exams. Admission mainly depends on previous academic performance and language proficiency.
Students must complete secondary school with at least a Very Good grade or 80% for highly competitive programs such as health sciences and law.
For medical and engineering programs, applicants are required to achieve high A or B+ grades in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, or their equivalent, with scores of 90% or higher.
For admission to a Master's Degree, applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00, or 2.50 with at least 5 years of documented work experience in the field.
For a Ph.D., applicants must hold a Master's Degree from a recognized university and submit a research proposal for research-based programs.
Since the programs are taught in English, students must meet one of the following language requirements. Those who do not have the required scores may take the university's English Placement Test (EPT):
Note: Shariah, Law, and Arabic Literature programs also require proof of Arabic proficiency or completion of the university's Arabic Proficiency Test (APT).
IIUM has moved its admission process fully online to make the application easier for international students without requiring them to travel initially. Students can apply and begin the admission process by following these steps:
Enter the university's admission portal, create an account, complete the personal and academic information, and upload the required documents in PDF format. Students may also use an educational consultant to complete this step accurately and free of charge.
Pay the application file-opening fee of approximately $30–$50 USD, using a bank card through the university's online payment system.
The university reviews applications within 2–4 weeks. Once accepted, the offer letter is sent by email.
After accepting the offer, the university begins the process of obtaining the Visa Approval Letter (VAL) through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). This process also takes approximately 4–6 weeks.
After the VAL is issued, the student visits the Malaysian embassy in their home country to obtain the entry visa, then books a flight and coordinates their arrival with the educational consultant.
After arriving in Malaysia, the student must complete a compulsory medical examination at an approved clinic. They then finalize registration at the faculty by submitting the original documents along with their translations and certifications, and receive their university ID card and accommodation key.
IIUM University Malaysia is an attractive option for students seeking academic excellence, an ethical educational environment, internationally recognized qualifications, and affordable tuition fees.
Students who need additional guidance with the application process or are unsure which major suits them can contact us for a free educational consultation to help them choose the right academic path.
After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students
The International Islamic University Malaysia offers a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, law, economics, humanities, information technology and Sharia sciences, all taught entirely in English to ensure graduates are ready for the international job market.
Admission to the Bachelor’s program at the International Islamic University requires the student to have a cumulative grade point average of no less than 80% in the high school diploma or the equivalent of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the points system, while competition is higher in medical and engineering specialties, requiring grades exceeding 90% to guarantee a study seat.
Annual tuition fees for international students at the International Islamic University range from US$3,500 to US$6,000 for most humanities and engineering majors, while fees for medical majors reach approximately US$25,000 per year, making it a low-cost option compared to the quality of education provided.
The university’s main and most famous campus is located in the Gombak district of Selangor state, an area only about 15 kilometers from the heart of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and is characterized by its picturesque nature and unique architectural design that combines modernity and Islamic heritage.
The International Islamic University Malaysia is classified as a unique international government university, having been established under a diplomatic treaty and joint funding between the Malaysian government and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which gives its degrees the force of common law and broad international recognition.
