The Complete Review Of Curtin University Malaysia

Curtin_Malaysia_Complete_Guide

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Curtin University Malaysia is the Malaysian campus of Curtin University, a public university based in Perth, Australia. Curtin University is the largest university in the state of Western Australia with close to 60,000 students globally. 

Under the “One Curtin” model, the Malaysia campus is operated directly under Curtin University and certifications conferred by Curtin University to Curtin Malaysia students are equivalent to Curtin proper. This also means you can transfer abroad to other Curtin campuses in Australia, Singapore, Dubai or Mauritius and receive the same curriculum and units studied.

According to the 2022 Employer Satisfaction Survey published by the Australian Government’s QILT, Curtin University received the highest overall employer satisfaction (89.7%) among all universities in Australia. 

Here’s some information about Curtin Malaysia:

Total student population2,000 students
% of international students15% from over 40 countries
Teaching faculty-to-student ratio1:13 which is a healthy ratio

1.2 Curtin University Rankings 2025

According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, Curtin University has risen consistently in ranks to secure its highest ranking of #174 globally.

Below are the fields of study offered at Curtin Malaysia that made it on the QS Subject Rankings:

QS Subject CategorySubject World Ranking
Geology#37
Engineering – Petroleum#48
Engineering – Civil and Structural#101-150
Engineering – Chemical#101-150
Psychology#151-200
Accounting and Finance#151-200
Communications and Media Studies#201-250
Business and Management Studies#201-250
Engineering – Mechanical#201-250
Engineering – Electrical and Electronics#251-300
Computer Science and Information Systems#401-450

2. Student Life Review & Living Cost

2.1 Curtin Malaysia, Miri Campus Review

Welcome message from Curtin’s very own student!

Location and Surrounding Vibe: Curtin Malaysia is Curtin’s largest campus outside of Australia with a total area of 300 acres of space comprising academic and residential blocks. It offers various fields of study in commerce, engineering, computational sciences, humanities and health sciences.

It stands among the most beautiful varsity campus in Malaysia, surrounded by lush greenery interspersed with man-made lakes and canals that attract a variety of migratory and water birds, coupled with Miri’s famed sunsets. There are also many conveniences right on the campus including food outlets, postal and banking facilities, a campus bookshop, a convenience store, health and first aid centres, an Islamic Centre, and a transport hub. 

The campus is located in the tranquil and thriving city of Miri, the second-largest city in the state of Sarawak, East Malaysia. Miri is flushed with natural wonders such as the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park and the enchanting coral reefs that attract thousands of deep-sea divers every year. It is also the birthplace of Malaysia’s petroleum industry. And that is why Curtin Malaysia also offers studies in Geology, Energy Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: The campus is just located 20 minutes drive north from the city centre of Miri and 30 minutes away from the Miri airport. There are so many recreational points of interest nearby such as the Miri Public Park, the Petroleum Museum on Canada Hill, Bintang Megamall Shopping Centre and more.

The university provides a free shuttle to the city centre of Miri on Saturdays. Other days are pick-ups from student accommodations that are further from the campus such as Curtin Water apartment.

2.2 Learning Resources

Curtin University together with the Sarawak Government which is a part owner of the Curtin Malaysia establishment has invested much capital into the learning facilities that power each faculty’s capacity to nurture students.

General Learning Facilities

The campus features a 400-seat auditorium, comfortable lecture halls, modern library facilities and has 14 computer labs for students to use, in addition to terminals that provide access to online databases. 

Engineering

Research activities are an essential component of academic excellence at Curtin Malaysia and so the campus also boasts ultra-modern science and engineering labs and equipment, including Chemical, Geotechnical and Structural Engineering labs, as well as laboratories for Electrical Power, Electronics, Communications, Embedded Systems, Networking, Renewable Energy and Geophysics. 

Communication and Media

Film and Television students, meanwhile, can count on a custom-built Film Lab and Editing Suite equipped with the latest broadcast-quality film-making equipment and software.

How Can Uni Enrol Help?

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2.3 Recreational Facilities & Student Activities

Students also enjoy access to recreational facilities such as the multipurpose hall, recreation and event centre which houses an indoor basketball court, badminton courts and gym. 

The extensive grounds are also home to football fields, a rugby pitch, an outdoor basketball court, tennis courts and an indoor volleyball and futsal court.

2.4 Student Activities

Sports and physical activities take centre stage but there are also over 30 clubs available to join ranging from the Curtin Football Club, the Curtin Environmental Engineering Club and even a Drone Racing Club!

In addition, you have the opportunity to go on a semester to a year-long exchange programme with one of Curtin’s 120 varsity partners. It’s a great way to experience new cultures and friends. You will remain enrolled at Curtin for the duration of your exchange studies and you will also be enrolled in the host university overseas. 

2.5 Student Services

Being far from home, it’s easy to get homesick. And being a developing individual, the university also recognises that you need to be supported holistically. That is why various services are available at your disposal for your personal growth. 

  • Counselling
  • Disability services
  • On-campus health centre and clinic
  • Pear-to-peer student study support
  • Career guidance and services
  • International students support

2.6  Curtin University Malaysia Student Accommodation

On-Campus: There are several blocks of student accommodation named Kingfisher 1-9 and Curtin Water 2. You get all the expected services such as internet access, fully furnished kitchen, coin-operated launderette, 24-hour security, parking bays and more.

The room rates range from RM360 to RM950 per room, per month. Many variations can be chosen from single studio living to twin sharing. Some of the blocks are fully air-conditioned while some are optional. Rates will also differ based on room size and type. 

All accommodations are within walking distance except for Curtin Water 2 which is a 10 minutes drive from the campus. Free shuttle is provided.

Living Cost: General cost of living, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus typically ranges between RM700 and RM1,000 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Subject to individual lifestyle.

Comfort At its Best

Uni Enrol helps sort out your accommodation arrangements as well, should you need one. We work with partners to assist students to find one in their budget.

3. Courses Review, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At Curtin University Malaysia

These are well known areas of studies offered by Curtin Miri Campus. Click the respective area of study below to see all courses offered:


Foundation
Foundation in Arts & Commerce, Foundation in Engineering & Science

Business
Business Admin, HR, Management, Marketing

Accounting and Finance
Accounting, Finance, Finance and Marketing, etc

Architecture and Built Environment
Construction Management

Communication and Media Studies
Mass Comm, PR, Corporate Screen Production, Journalism, Web Media, Marketing, Media Studies

Computing and IT 
Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Systems and Networking etc

Engineering
Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics, Civil, Energy, Environmental, Mechatronic

Hospitality and Services
Tourism & Hospitality

Language and Social Studies
Psychological Science

Medicine and Allied Health Sciences
Occupational Health, Safety & Environment

Science and Mathematics
Aquaculture, Applied Geology

3.2 Course Fees At Curtin University Malaysia

We have also saved you the hassle and compiled the full list of Curtin University Malaysia’s detailed course fees into one article below. Check it out and share it!

3.3 Curtin University Malaysia Scholarships

These are some of the popular scholarships offered by Curtin University. Click here to see the full list of scholarships:

ScholarshipsDetails
Curtin Malaysia Merit ScholarshipUp to RM10,000 in tuition fee waiver based on results.
Curtin Yayasan Sarawak BP40 Bursary SchemeUp to RM15,000 (Foundation), RM28,000 (Diploma) and 70% (Degree) in tuition fee waiver for Sarawakian Bumiputeras in B40/M40 category.
Sarawak Energy ScholarshipUp to 100% for students who excel in academic, leadership or extracurricular activities.
Curtin University Pro Vice-Chancellor International ScholarshipUp to 50% for high performing international students.

PTPTN Financial Aid

Malaysian students can apply for the National Higher Education Fund or PTPTN which is responsible for giving loans to students pursuing tertiary education. PTPTN falls under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education.

You can borrow from RM3,400 to a maximum of RM50,000 per annum depending on the level and type of course you are taking. PTPTN only charges an annual interest rate of about 1%.

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Engineering

Curtin is famous for its engineering studies (ranked on QS World University Rankings) allowing students to graduate with a MEng qualification which enables recognition by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), and Engineers Australia (EA)

Curitn’s Chemical Engineering is recognised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE, UK)

All engineering degrees will be accompanied by 2 research projects in the final year where you will need to apply your accumulated knowledge to thematic topics surrounding real-world engineering problems. Not forgetting, you will also be placed at various companies for industrial training for up to 6 months.

You have a choice to study 7 disciplines namely Mechanical, Mechatronic, Civil & Construction, Chemical, Electrical & Electronic, Energy and finally Environmental Engineering. 

Due to the depth of Curtin’s curriculum, certain disciplines allow you to further specialise in certain fields from Year 3 onwards:

  • Civil Engineering – construction engineering, infrastructure, structural engineering, sustainable environment, simulation and data management, process engineering.
  • Energy Engineering – energy conversion technologies, low carbon transition, subsurface energy engineering, power systems engineering.
  • Environmental Engineering – sustainable environment, simulation and data management, engineering design for manufacturing, process engineering
  • Mechatronic Engineering – engineering design for manufacturing, mechanical systems, mechanical dynamics and vibration

Business Studies

Curtin’s business courses provide you the choice to dive into business administration, management, finance, human resources and the business of tourism & hospitality.

Class Brainstorm

One notable degree combination that you can consider includes Marketing as an additional major as Curtin recognizes the importance of marketing in any products or services.

Example:

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Tourism and Hospitality)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Marketing)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Management and Marketing)

The university ensures that its Marketing curriculum is highly relevant to today’s digital and internationalised world which covers digital marketing, e-commerce, social media, retailing, marketing strategy, services marketing, consumer behaviour, and international marketing. 

Accounting and Finance Studies

Completing your accounting degrees at Curtin will grant you exam exemptions from professional bodies like ACCA, CPA, MICPA, ICAEW and CIMA.

As a Curtin finance graduate, you may seek membership in professional bodies such as the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, the Economic Society of Australia and the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

Finance Trading Room Using Live Financial Systems

There is also flexibility in your industry exposure. Final year students can choose between 3 programmes:

  • Business Internship
  • Interactive Study Tour; or 
  • Enhancing Your Business Mind

And if you think Curtin’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) are sole focused on accounting and finance, you’ll be happy to know that you can also choose specialisation electives in Year 2 and Year 3 in areas of Marketing, Public Relations, Tourism & Hospitality, Event Management, Small Business Startup, Social & Ethics Leadership and Workforce Management.

Computing & IT Studies

Curtin is among the few institutions in Sarawak that is offering computing specialisations in Cyber Security, Software Engineering and Computer Systems and Networking.

These courses provide the best career opportunities due to the increasing importance of software development for many use cases, connectivity of systems and networks such as cloud computing and security integrity for data protection and fraud protection.

What are the highlights you can expect from these courses?

Cyber Security

  • Learn cryptography theory, data access policy development, security programme management, computer forensics, network intrusion detection and incident handling.
  • Each year you can choose special electives such as mobile app development, object-oriented software engineering, design and analysis algorithms, human-computer interface etc.
  • Recognition by Australian Computer Society.
  • 2 capstone projects in Year 3.

Software Engineering

  • Apply IEEE/ACM/ACS standards in the process of software requirements, design and development.
  • Each year can choose special electives such as computer systems, cyber security concepts, cryptography concepts, machine learning, network systems design, and Unix systems programming.
  • Recognition by Australian Computer Society.
  • 2 capstone projects in Year 3.

Computer Systems and Networking

  • Gain additional Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications upon completion of the course.
  • Each year you can choose special electives such as cryptography, data security, design and analysis of algorithms, cybercrime and security programming, mobile app development, and object-oriented software engineering.
  • Professional recognition by Engineers Australia (EA) and qualification to obtain a CISCO certification through several external exams sponsored by CISCO.
  • 2 capstone projects in Year 3.

Notable Course – Geology (#39 on QS Ranking)

A noteworthy course offered by Curtin at its Miri Campus is Geology, owing to the fact that Sarawak is a state teaming with oil & gas exploration.

Students taking this course will be required to complete a Geoscience project in the final year which entails experimental/theoretical/field-based studies, data collection and analysis, critical scientific analysis and reporting. 

This course is recognised by The Australian Institute of Geoscientists, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Geological Society of Australia and International Association of Hydrogeologists

3.5 Industry Partners

Curtin Malaysia works with several industry partners, particularly in the business and engineering sectors.

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1 Curtin Malaysia Entry Requirements 2025

Minimum entry requirements for Foundation:

  • SPM – 5 credits
  • IGCSE – 5 credits

(Including credit for Maths and English)

Minimum entry requirements for Diploma:

  • SPM – 3 credits
  • IGCSE – 3 credits

(Including pass for Maths and English)

Minimum entry requirements for Degree:

  • UEC – 5B
  • STPM – CGPA of 2.00
  • A-Level – 2D1E
  • SACE/WACE – ATAR 70
  • CPU – 60%
  • IB Diploma – 24
  • Foundation – CGPA 2.00
  • Diploma – CGPA 2.00

Please note that the entry requirements may vary depending on the chosen field of study as certain courses may have higher or specific qualifying conditions, especially for courses in Engineering.

Check Eligibility With Uni Enrol

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4.2 Curtin Malaysia Intake Periods For 2025

The intake periods for Curtin Malaysia in 2025 are as follows:

  • Foundation – Mar, Jul
  • Diploma – Feb, Jul
  • Degree – Feb, Jul

Please note that the intake periods may vary depending on the courses. For specific intake periods and dates, consult Uni Enrol’s counsellors or check out intake dates listing here.

4.3 Learn How To Choose The Right University

When you need life-changing advice, we often consult professionals such as teachers, lawyers, and bankers. However, many students are not aware that education consultants like Uni Enrol can help you choose the right education path to secure your future prospects.

Check out some articles on what education consultants do and the benefits:

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

Hear from the Humans of Curtin Malaysia!

Jason Tsen from Sabah, Masters in International Business

Abdul Majid from Nigeria, PhD in Marine GeoScience

Tan Boh Ming from Kota Kinabalu, Bachelor in Computer Systems & Networking

Why I Chose Curtin Malaysia?

6. Summary Review

No time to read the full review? Here’s our key takeaways!

Background, Status and Ranking: Curtin University Malaysia, established in 1999, is the largest international campus of Curtin University, Australia. Operating under the “One Curtin” model, it offers identical curricula and degrees as its Australian counterpart, facilitating seamless transfers between campuses in Australia, Singapore, Dubai, and Mauritius. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, Curtin achieved a global rank of #174, with several subjects like Geology (#37) and Petroleum Engineering (#48) receiving high rankings.

Student Life: Located in Miri, Sarawak, the 300-acre campus is renowned for its scenic beauty, featuring lush greenery, man-made lakes, and diverse wildlife. The campus offers a range of amenities, including food outlets, banking facilities, a bookshop, convenience store, health centres, and an Islamic Centre. With a student population of around 2,000, including 15% international students from over 40 countries, and a favourable faculty-to-student ratio of 1:13, the university provides a supportive and diverse learning environment.

Courses Offered: Curtin Malaysia offers a comprehensive range of courses across faculties such as Business, Engineering and Science, Humanities and Health Sciences, Pre-University and continuing post-graduate education. Students can pursue foundation, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses, all aligned with the Australian curriculum, ensuring global recognition and quality.

Popular Courses: Strong courses include Engineering disciplines (Petroleum, Civil and Structural, Chemical), Geology, Psychology, Accounting and Finance, Communications and Media Studies, Business and Management Studies, and Computer Science. These courses have achieved commendable positions in the QS Subject Rankings, reflecting the university’s academic strength in these areas.

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