The Complete Review Of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

On 10 June 2002, UTAR welcomed its first intake of 411 students to its former Petaling Jaya Campus. The university was established and is still under the UTAR Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation with its core vision of making higher education affordable and accessible.

Many students may compare UTAR with Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TARUMT). The main difference between these 2 institutions is that UTAR provides more extensive programmes in healthcare, science and engineering studies.

One of the significant milestones for the university was the establishment of its Faculty of Medicine and Health Science in 2009 to train and produce quality medical and healthcare practitioners.

Today, UTAR offers over 140 courses in many fields of study including business, built environment, communications, creative media, education, computing, engineering, social sciences and pure sciences across its 2 campuses in Kampar (Perak) and Sungai Long (Kuala Lumpur).

Another significant milestone was when the university embarked on setting up a hospital in Kampar offering both contemporary Western medicine and traditional and complementary medicine. It officially opened its doors on 1 August 2023 to the public.

Here’s some information about UTAR:

Total student population	20,000
Teaching faculty-to-student ratio	1:20, an acceptable ratio (est 1,000 academics)
Graduate employability	95%-97%, 9 months after graduation

1.2 UTAR Rankings 2025

UTAR is ranked within the #801-#850 band globally in 2025 according to QS World University Ranking. The university also achieved the #29 spot on the QS South East Asia University Ranking out of 148 Southeast Asia institutions ranked on the list. Thousands of other universities and colleges in Asia do not even make it on the list.

Below are the fields of study offered at UTAR that are ranked on the QS Subject Rankings:

QS Subject Category	Subject World Ranking
Engineering – Electrical and Electronic	#451-500
Economics and Econometrics	#501-550
Business and Management Studies	#601-650
Medicine	#701-850
Computer Science and Information Systems	$751-850

2. Student Life Review & Living Cost

2.1 UTAR Campuses Review

UTAR Kampar Campus

See it to believe it? Here’s a video tour of the Kampar Campus.

Location and Surrounding Vibe: UTAR’s main campus in Kampar was built on a 1300-acre piece of land donated by the Perak State Government. It is located north of the growing township of Kampar in Perak. The campus is flanked by picturesque mountains that overlook the scenic West Lake. The panoramic views and atmosphere is one of the reasons luring many students to UTAR.

UTAR’s Kampar Campus came to prominence with the expansion of the campus in mid-2012 which featured new buildings and the iconic 12,000 square metre Grand Hall Building, designed to resemble an ancient Chinese palatial structure. 

The expansion helped increase the campus’ student capacity by another 4,000 and new lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, a cafeteria, and the creation of more parking spaces were part of the construction.

• Dewan Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik (The Grand Hall)
• The bronze sculptures of Confucius and Einstein
• UTAR Bird Sanctuary on an island in the middle of the lake

This Campus features modern educational facilities and provides students with access to some of the latest learning technologies and research innovations. In addition, you can find facilities for sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and a gymnasium. The spacious campus grounds are also ideal for jogging and cycling.

The following faculties, centres and institutes are located in UTAR Kampar Campus:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS)
• Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF)
• Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT)
• Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT)
• Faculty of Science (FSc)
• Centre for Extension Education (CEE)
• Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD)
• Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)
• Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS)
• Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR)

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: Strategically located off the North-South highway, UTAR Kampar Campus is 190 km from Kuala Lumpur which is slightly over two hours away from the city by car. 

A shuttle bus service is provided at an affordable monthly or per-trip rate for travelling within and outside of campus. There is also a free e-buggy service to go around the campus. However, this is limited.

UTAR Sungai Long Campus

Quick tour around the campus!

Location and Surrounding Vibe: In 2015, UTAR relocated its Setapak (Kuala Lumpur) Campus to the newly constructed Sungai Long Campus as you see it today. Bandar Sungai Long is the main township in Kajang, Selangor. The campus is a purpose-built huge building complex surrounded by amenities and services that provide banking, housing, public transport, shopping and meals for the convenience of the students.

The UTAR Sungai Long Campus houses the Mary KUOK Pick Hoo Library and the following faculties, centres and institutes:

• Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM)
• M Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS)
• Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI)
• Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES)
• Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS)
• Centre for Extension Education (CEE)
• Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD)
• Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)
• Institute of Management and Leadership Development (IMLD)
• Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR)

Ease of Accessibility to Campus:  Bandar Sungai Long is accessible via many major expressways such as the Cheras-Kajang Expressway, Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway and Middle Ring Road 2. Various public transportation options, such as buses, MRT, and KTM, are readily available. There is a feeder bus stop outside the campus that can take you to the nearest MRT station.

2.2 Learning Resources

General Learning Facilities

The combined campuses feature over 3,000 computers, 120+ types of software to use, 2 libraries, bookstores, and many spaces for students to rest, discuss, and study.

Medicine, Allied Health and Sciences

UTAR offers MBBS, Chinese Medicine, Nursing, and Physiotherapy. As a student, you will be using most of the facilities below for practice and familiarisation with real world tools and medicine used for treatment.

Communication, Media, Design, ECE, Psychology Facilities

UTAR provides a variety of studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and backs it up with facilities to help in your learning.

Architecture, Engineering, Computing, Science Facilities

UTAR collaborates with corporates to build computing labs such as the GDEX Technovate Lab, Huawei Networking Lab, CISCO Networking Lab, Intel AI Lab and its IoT and Big Data Lab, all with their respective software use. There are also many engineering labs and workshops spread over the 2 campuses such as the Daikin Renewable Energy & Efficiency Lab.

2.3 Recreational Facilities

There’s lots of sports facilities on both campuses to cater to your interests:

2.4 Student Activities

Each campus has about 60-70 clubs & societies to satisfy your interests and curiosity from academic-themed groups to special interest groups, creative performance groups, sports & martial arts groups and community initiative groups.

You can also explore various study abroad trips or short-term programmes such as 

• Summer programme at Hungkuang University, Taiwan
• Asian Youth Leaders Elite Programme in Dubai
• Scientific & Technology Summer Camp with Beijing University

UTAR’s Committee for Community Outreach is a one-stop centre to coordinate all community projects and to conduct research on the effectiveness of those community projects. You can take part in any of these community projects that are organised by clubs/societies, faculties, or university administration.

2.5 Student Services

There are various support services such as 

• 50-minute appointment for personal counselling
• Peer support programme
• Self-help tips for life adjustment, stress management, etc
• Study mobility and placements
• International student support

2.6  UTAR Student Accommodation

UTAR Kampar Campus

Check out this comprehensive ”Where To Stay?” guide from Lawrence Tan. Thanks Lawrence!

UTAR Kampar does not have an on-campus student accommodation. However, there are many high-rise apartments and landed houses that offer rentals to students.

The university recommends 2 properties, the Danish House (Westlake Homes) and Westlake Villas Condominium, both of which can reach the campus via the shuttle bus service provided by UTAR. Nevertheless, there are many other options that Student Affairs can help you connect to the hostel management companies.

Room rates range from RM250 to RM500 per room, per month depending on configurations such as twin sharing or single occupancy and the sizes of the rooms.

Living Costs: General cost of living around Kampar, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus, typically ranges between RM800 and RM1,000 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. However, this is subject to individual lifestyle.

UTAR Sungai Long Campus

As UTAR Sungai Long is a standalone building, it does not have any on-campus student accommodation. 

The university recommends 2 properties, Viva Cheras and Pangsapuri Azalea. Both are services by UTAR’s shuttle bus service. Nevertheless, there are many other options that Student Affairs can help you connect to the hostel management companies.

Room rates range from RM400 to RM800 per room, per month depending on configurations such as twin sharing or single occupancy and the sizes of the rooms.

Living Costs: General cost of living around Sg Long, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus, typically ranges between RM1,000 and RM1,200 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. However, this is subject to individual lifestyle.

3. Courses Review, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At UTAR

UTAR Kampar Campus

These are well known areas of study offered at UTAR Kampar Campus. Click the respective area of study below to see all courses offered:

Foundation Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science	Business Business Admin, Entrepreneurship, Financial Economics, Marketing, Logistics & Shipping, Supply Chain etc
Accounting and Finance Accounting, Finance, Banking	Architecture and Built Environment Construction Management
Communication and Media Studies Advertising, Journalism, PR	Computing and IT Computer Science, Information Systems, Comm & Networking, Computer Engineering
Education English Education	Engineering Environmental Eng, Industrial Eng, Petrochemical, Electronic Systems, Electronic Engineering
Language and Social Studies Chinese Studies, English Studies, Counselling, Psychology	Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Dietetics, Biomedical Science, Safety & Health
Science and Mathematics Agricultural Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, Statistical Computing

UTAR Sungai Long Campus

These are well known areas of study offered at UTAR Sg Long Campus. Click the respective area of study below to see all courses offered:

Foundation Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science	Business Property Management, Global Economics, International Business, Actuarial Science
Accounting and Finance Accounting	Architecture and Built Environment Architecture, Quantity Survey
Communication and Media Studies Digital Animation, Game Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia, Journalism, Media Studies, Broadcasting etc	Computing and IT Software Engineering
Education Early Childhood Education	Engineering Chemical, Civil, Electrical & Electronic, Communications, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Biomedical
Medicine and Allied Health Sciences MBBS, Chinese Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy	Science and Mathematics Financial Mathematics, Physics, Mathematics with Computing

3.2 Course Fees AT UTAR

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

UTAR Fees & Courses In 2025

3.3 UTAR Scholarships

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

Scholarships	Details
UTAR Top Achievers 100% Scholarship	15%-100% in tuition fee waiver awarded to students based on academic performance. This is for Foundation and Degree except for Health Sciences and MBBS courses
UTAR Top Achievers Scholarship – MBBS Programme	15% in tuition fee waiver for MBBS courses based on academic results
UTAR Top Achievers Scholarship – Health Sciences	25% or 50% in tuition fee waiver for MBBS courses based on academic results
Sunway Medical Nursing Scholarship	RM100,000 in sponsorship award for studies in Diploma in Nursing and Degree in Nursing.

PTPTN Financial Aids

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 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%

3.4 Popular Courses Review At UTAR

Engineering Studies

UTAR has many options for Engineering studies in Malaysia namely engineering fields in biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, electronics, industrial, materials, mechanical, mechatronics and telecommunications.

All the courses are recognised by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and students are required to complete industrial placement of up to 6 months.

Notable courses from this list that are not common but growing in interest:

• Civil Engineering (Environmental) – Energy efficient buildings and infrastructure designs are becoming popular owing to higher consciousness towards the environment. Examples are ‘’green’’ buildings, building of wastewater treatment plants, and the use of eco-friendly building materials.

Brunsfield set up an endowment of RM1.25 million to facilitate research and teaching activities in construction in the department. In addition, research activities in developing green technology is enhanced through collaborations with Ken Holdings.

• Telecommunications Engineering – The course incorporates artificial intelligence and communications modules taught by Huawei Certified Academy Instructors (HCAI). Acquiring industry-relevant technical knowledge will prepare students to take Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) certificates.

• Industrial Engineering – Not commonly offered by many universities. This field focuses on optimising systems and processes to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. It is an industry agnostic skill and is applied to industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and transportation.

Healthcare Studies

UTAR offers a very affordable MBBS course recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

On the flip side, UTAR also offers learnings in eastern treatment through its Bachelor of Chinese Medicine. The curriculum balances 60% on Chinese Medicine and 30% on Western Medicine.

You can choose your clinical training at local hospitals or partner hospitals in China or both. You will also undergo attachments at the Traditional Chinese Medicine wing of the UTAR’s Hospital at Perak, Kampar. The course is taught in English and Mandarin.

The university also offers Bachelor of Nursing in which students can apply for a full scholarship from Sunway Medical Centre.

Physiotherapy studies here is recognised by the Malaysian Allied Health Profession Council and students enjoy the fully equipped physiotherapy rooms to simulate patient recovery treatments.

UTAR’s Dietetics course requires 4-years as it goes deeper than Nutrition studies. The programme incorporates a wide scope of knowledge required in the practice of Dietetics including biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, human nutrition, fundamentals of food preparation, the role of nutrition in disease prevention and treatment, and medical nutrition therapy for individuals with diseases.

Sciences Studies

UTAR is an institution that hopes to encourage more student to enter the field of science by offering many niche disciplines such as Chemistry, Microbiology, Agricultural Science, Food Science and more.

The campus is complete with advanced facilities and equipment for you to conduct all kinds of experiments and tests.

Chemistry is at the core of many commercial and industrial inventions. The Bachelor in Chemistry is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry United Kingdom and Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) where students can apply to join as a member of IKM after graduating.

There are multidisciplinary courses that are complementary and vast in their own right such as degrees in Biotechnology, Biomedicine Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Food Science that push the boundaries of genomics, healthcare, consumables and overall society. 

UTAR’s Bachelor of Agricultural Science which is typically not found in many private universities. Agriculture is one of Malaysia’s key sectors. The Kampar Campus provides facilities and land dedicated to this programme known as UTAR Agriculture Park to support students’ learning in terms of field work and hands-on experiments. 

Students also gain industry exposure through field visits to oil palm plantations, fruits and vegetable farms, fish or prawn hatchery centre, and goat and poultry farms. 

If you are a student in this course, you will also gain international exposure opportunity from student exchange programmes or internships in renowned agriculture related universities such as National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Taiwan. 

Accounting, Finance, Business Studies

UTAR conducts a 4-year Bachelor of Accounting course that allows students to gain instant acceptance into the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and can qualify as a Chartered Accountant after at least 3 years of working experience.

There are only a handful of other universities that offer this arrangement namely INTI University and Multimedia University (MMU).

Accounting is not your thing? No worries, there are many business courses with a plethora of specialisations offered at UTAR.

If you are keen on understanding how industries work on a global scale, these courses should be considered:

• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Technology
• International Business
• Global Economics
• Logistics & Shipping
• Logistics & Supply Chain

3.6 Industry & University Partners

300+ Industry Partners

UTAR has established formal collaborations with over 300 industry partners for various objectives such as curriculum development and enhancements, research and commercialisation, professional development and more.

These partners comprise of for-profit local and overseas companies as well as non-profit professional bodies, associations and public sector agencies.

300+ Global University Partners

Students who intend to articulate from UTAR to other countries include popular destinations such as 

The university has also signed MOUs with over 300 global tertiary institutions for student articulations – which means these universities will recognise a student who intends to transfer mid-way from a UTAR programme to the university’s equivalent programme with minimal retaking of subjects/modules. 

However, this will depend on the area of study, specific programme and target university in mind as you may need to take a few more extra subjects to be able to fulfil the curriculum requirements of the target overseas university.

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1 UTAR 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 – 2E
• SACE/WACE – ATAR 70
• CPU – 70%
• 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 Medicine or Engineering.

4.2 UTAR Intake Periods For 2025

The intake periods for UTAR in 2025 are as follows:

• Foundation – Jan, Jun, Oct
• Degree – Jan, Jun, Oct
• Postgraduate – Jan-Dec (rolling months)

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

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:

• 7 Vital Questions To Ask Before Choosing Your Educational Consultant
• Top 10 Benefits Of Engaging A Higher Education Consultant

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

A special message for future students by UTAR students and academics

Even International students have something to share!

Mr. Gong, Xu Jun, China, Construction Management

Ms. Septriyan Orpina, Indonesia, Master of Psychology

Ms. Irene Scarlet, Indonesia, Civil Engineering (Environmental)

6. Summary Review

Is our review too comprehensive? Read the takeaways below!

Background, Status and Ranking: Established in 2002 as a not-for-profit institution under the UTAR Education Foundation, UTAR has grown into a reputable university offering over 140 programs across various fields. Notably, it achieved the #29 spot in the QS Southeast Asia University Rankings 2025 out of 148 institutions, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.

Student Life: UTAR’s Kampar campus offers a serene environment with picturesque views of mountains and West Lake, providing a conducive atmosphere for study. The campus features modern facilities, including the iconic Grand Hall Building, lecture theatres, and cafeterias, enhancing the overall student experience.

Courses Offered: UTAR provides a diverse range of courses in fields such as business, engineering, medicine, computing, and social sciences. The university’s commitment to comprehensive education is evident in its extensive course offerings across its Kampar and Sungai Long campuses.

Popular Courses: UTAR’s courses in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Economics and Econometrics, Business and Management Studies, Medicine, and Computer Science and Information Systems have gained recognition, with QS rankings ranging from #451 to #850 globally in their respective fields.

SEE OTHER UNI GUIDES

We took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!

And if you’re still not sure what to study, we have many Course Guide articles that will shed more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!

Complete Guide To Private Universities In Malaysia

Fees & Courses Of Private Universities In Malaysia

Popular Courses To Study In Malaysia | Apply With Uni Enrol