The Complete Review Of University Of Wollongong In Malaysia (UOW Malaysia)

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

UOW Malaysia (formerly known as KDU University College) is part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network and has a long history of providing quality tertiary education to Malaysia. UOW’s global network of campuses span not just Australia but also Dubai, Hong Kong and its latest addition now in Malaysia.

UOW Malaysia spans 3 campuses, 2 of which are located in Georgetown on Penang Island and Batu Kawan on the Penang mainland. Its flagship campus is located at Utropolis Glenmarie, in the state of Selangor. Students graduating from UOW Malaysia will receive certificates from both UOW Malaysia and UOW Australia giving the advantage of completing in Malaysia with global recognition.

Here’s some key information about UOW Malaysia:

Total student population6,000 across 3 campuses
% of international students15% comprising students from SEA and beyond
Teaching faculty-to-student ratio1 to 30 which is an acceptable ratio

1.2 University of Wollongong (UOW) Rankings 2025

According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, UOW has been steadily rising in its ranking and is currently ranked #167 globally, which reflects improvement in all fronts of its teaching quality, student outcomes and research impact. 

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

QS Subject CategorySubject World Ranking
Nursing#51-100
Engineering – Civil & Structural#101-150
Accounting and Finance#151-200
Engineering – Electrical & Electronics#151-200
Engineering – Mechanical#151-200
Engineering & Technology#192
Law and Legal Studies#201-250
Education and Training#201-250
Business and Management#201-250
Psychology#201-250
Computer Science & Information Systems#251-300
Arts and Humanities#280
Economics & Econometrics#301-350

2. Student Life Review & Living Cost

2.1 UOW Malaysia Campuses Review

UOW Malaysia Glenmarie Campus

Location and Surrounding Vibe: In January 2015, UOW Malaysia opened its flagship campus at Utropolis Glenmarie. The campus is certified as a GBI (Green Building Index) rated campus with 16.3% green footprint (minimum requirement is 10%).

The smoke-free campus has naturally ventilated courtyards and corridors and is fitted with an energy-efficient centralised chilled water air-conditioning system, advanced building management system with scheduling capabilities, energy-efficient light fittings, demand-controlled ventilation, and rainwater harvesting system, amongst many others.

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: Glenmarie is located near the Subang Jaya township and therefore only takes about 10-20 minutes to drive to nearby conveniences such as the Sunway Pyramid shopping centre, various F&B outlets in the ss15 Subang area, and immediate access to the NKVE Highway and Federal Highway which are 2 major highways in the Klang Valley. The university also provides a free shuttle bus service from the campus to nearby LRT / KTM stations.

Student Diversity: International students studying in UOW Malaysia come from many not just South East Asia but other countries including Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE and Vietnam.

UOW Malaysia Batu Kawan (Penang) Campus

Location and Surrounding Vibe: The Batu Kawan campus brings a full-fledged 10-acre Australian university campus experience to northern Malaysia. The campus is designed as a green campus with generous landscaping, fountains and welcoming learning and recreational spaces. The student accommodation is also conveniently connected to the campus site. 

The campus currently focuses on the areas of study of business, engineering, computing and built environment with course levels starting from foundation to postgraduate. As it is surrounded by various technology and engineering companies that have made Penang as a base of operations, the research team of UOW Malaysia is active in the R&D of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet-of-things (IoT) applications, with both industrial and home applications.

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: Any students living on Penang Island can also easily travel to the Batu Kawan campus as it is situated just off the Penang link bridge. The campus is also located next to IKEA, the Design Village shopping precinct, and adjacent to the Batu Kawan Industrial Park where various amenities, services and F&B outlets are found.

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UOW Malaysia Georgetown (Penang) Campus

Location and Surrounding Vibe: UOW Malaysia also maintains one of KDU College’s campuses in the heart of Penang Island in Georgetown. This campus still offers many courses namely Nursing for which it is well known. 

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: Being located in the main city of Georgetown, you can easily drive to the campus. There is a nearby multi-storey carpark provided for students and is only chargeable at RM2 per day.

2.2 Learning Resources

For a university that maintains a high rank on the QS World University Rankings, you can bet your bottom dollar that its facilities are of world-class standards. These are some of the notable learning facilities for different areas of study from the 3 campuses.

General Learning Facilities

The UOW Glenmarie and UOW Batu Kawan campuses especially have all the sleek learning facilities such as modern lecture halls, learning pods, study hubs, study corners in the library, brainstorming classrooms and multiple computer labs.

Game Development

These rooms are called Area51 Game Dev Studio and Area51 Vault for gave development and game testing. These rooms are equipped with high-spec computers.

Hospitality & Culinary

The hospitality and culinary facilities are found at the Glenmarie and Georgetown campuses. UOW Malaysia has been many years known for its hospitality and culinary courses and matches this reputation with world-class learning facilities such as the on-campus Saveur fine-dining restaurant, fully student-operated cafe, 8ighty 7even, full cooking and baking kitchen, Equitorial mock hotel suite and a culinary theatre for live demonstration and guests lecturers.

Healthcare and Sciences

UOW Malaysia is also well known for its amazing track record in the Nursing course offered at the Georgetown Campus.

Media and Creative Arts

When it comes to the creative realm of design and communication, UOW has also invested into many facilities such as the radio booth, audio control room, broadcasting green screen studio, interior design 3D studio, art gallery and Mac desktops for graphic design.

Computing and Engineering

UOW Malaysia offers Mechanical Engineering and Electronic & Electrical Engineering with fully equipped machineries and testing equipment for hands-on learning.

2.3 Recreational Facilities 

Aiming for holistic development, the campuses of Glenmarie and Batu Kawan display no shortage of facilities that will help stimulate your mind and body.

2.4 Student Activities

You can look forward to all kinds of activities that are not just limited to the clubs and societies, albeit there are many to choose from. 

There are ongoing activities organised by the university as well such as multi-cultural festivals, career talks, UOW public lectures by industry practitioners, on-campus hackathon events, contests in conjunction with special days like International Women’s Day or Friendship Day, and so much more.

Students can also opt to study 1 semester abroad at UOW Australia and experience life in the Wollongong Campus.

2.5 Student Services

There is plenty of support provided for students for all kinds of needs:

  • Youth Empowerment Plan
  • Individual & Group Counselling
  • Career & Personal Development
  • Internship & Job Placement
  • Psychoeducational Group Therapy
  • Psychological Consultation Regarding UOW Malaysia Student’s Concerns
  • Outreach (Programs)
  • First-Aid Services
  • International Student Support

2.6  UOW Malaysia Student Accommodation

UOW Malaysia Glenmarie Campus 

On-Campus: The student accommodation block right next to the campus has 7-levels, divided into male and female wings. It is able to house over 600+ students. Being close to the campus will also foster seamless interactions between local and international students.

The accommodation rooms are fully furnished and provide conveniences such as common kitchens, bathrooms, 24-hour internet access, and air-conditioning. Room rates range from RM500 to RM950 per room, per month depending on single or twin sharing arrangement.

Off-Campus: The university does not manage any other off-campus accommodation. You can talk to Uni Enrol’s counsellors for assistance.

Living Cost: General cost of living, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus typically ranges between RM1,000 and RM1,500 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Please note, that these are estimates and actual costs may vary based on individual lifestyles and choices.

UOW Malaysia Batu Kawan (Penang) Campus 

Off-Campus: The Batu Kawan Campus facilitates student accommodation at Vertu Resort Condominium. It is only a 7-minute walk to the campus. Facilities available include a shared kitchen, water filter, high-speed Wi-Fi, swimming pool, spa centre, gym, aerobics room, game room, library and 24-hour security.

Room rate range from RM600 to RM850 per room, per month depending on the types of room and size of the room. All rooms are single beds.

Living Cost: General cost of living, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus typically ranges between RM800 and RM1,200 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Subject to individual lifestyle.

UOW Malaysia Georgetown (Penang) Campus

Off-Campus: There are several off-campus apartments located around the vicinity of the college which the student services department helps new students to facilitate in securing. All rooms are fully furnished and within walking distance. Key features of the accommodations include internet access, a laundry room, a study room, a TV lounge, a common area and a shared kitchen. 

Room rate range from RM500 to RM750 per room, per month depending on the type of room i.e. single, twin-sharing, triple-sharing or quadruple-sharing.

Living Cost: General cost of living, excluding accommodation, for students studying on-campus typically ranges between RM800 and RM1,200 per month. This would cover expenses like food, transportation, books, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Subject to individual lifestyle.

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3. Courses, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At UOW Malaysia

Courses At Glenmaries Campus

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


Foundation
Foundation in Arts & Technology, Foundation in Engineering

Business
Business, Business Admin, Finance, Marketing, Logistics & Supply Chain

Accounting and Finance
Accountancy, ACCA

Communication and Media Studies
Mass Comm, PR, Media Production, Creative Industry Management

Computing and IT
Game Development, Computer Science, Info Systems, Software Eng 

Creative Arts and Design
Entertainment Arts

Education
Early Childhood Education

Law
Bachelor of Law LLB

Engineering
Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical & Electronics

Hospitality and Services
Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Hospitality Management

Medicine and Allied Health Sciences
Nursing, Medical Assistant, Healthcare Service, Physiotherapy

Courses At Batu Kawan (Penang) Campus

These are well known areas of study offered by UOW Batu Kawan Campus. Click the respective areas of study below to see all courses offered:


Foundation
Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science

Business
International Business, Digital Marketing, Big Data, Finance, Investments etc

Architecture and Built Environment
Interior Design, Interior Architecture

Computing and IT
Software Engineering, Information Technology 

Engineering
Mechatronics

Courses At Georgetown (Penang) Campus

These are well known areas of study offered by UOW Georgetown Campus. Click the respective areas of study below to see all courses offered:


Foundation
Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science

Business
Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Management,

Accounting and Finance
Accounting

Communication and Media Studies
Mass Comm, Production Media

Computing and IT
Information Systems, Information Technology

Hospitality and Services
Culinary Arts, Hotel Management, 


Engineering
Mechatronics, Electrical & Electronics


Medicine and Allied Health Sciences
Nursing

3.2 Course Fees At UOW Malaysia

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

3.3 UOW Malaysia Scholarships

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

ScholarshipsDetails
UOW Malaysia High Achiever ScholarshipAward up to RM8,000 in tuition fee waiver based on academic results.
UOW Malaysia Excellence Award ScholarshipUp to 100% in tuition fee waiver for students with leadership and top academic achievements.
UOW Malaysia Future Game Changer ScholarshipACCA focused scholarship up to 100% of tuition fee waiver.
UOW Malaysia Driving Dreams ScholarshipAwarding up to 50% in tuition fee waiver for students with outstanding sports achievements at the state or national level.
UOW Malaysia HOPE BursaryUp to 100% in tuition fee waiver for deserving students who require financial aid.
Sunway Medical Nursing ScholarshipUp to RM100,000 worth in scholarship for students pursuing a nursing diploma or degree.

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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Business Studies

Under UOW Malaysia’s business faculty, you can choose to major in areas of management, international business, marketing, marketing, logistics and finance. 

The university has a purpose-built Entrepreneurialism Centre for students to hold discussions on business ventures or conduct mentorship sessions with mentors from the faculty team or industry experts.

45% of the faculty is made up of educators with industry experience to ensure its curriculum and lessons conveyed are aligned with industry standards.

To make the learning experience even more immersive, UOW Malaysia developed an Enterprise Centre in partnership with the Malaysia Practice Enterprise Centre (MyPEC) for its business simulator programme. Under the Entrepreneurship module, students work in teams to solve business challenges in a virtual environment

The simulated setup allows students to solve different scenarios that occur in real-world business environment using various web-based applications including the SKOLA trading platform, human resources, administration and marketing platforms.

All graduates will receive dual awards from UOW Malaysia and UOW Australia.

Accounting Studies

You can also explore Accounting studies at both the Glenmarie and Penang campus. In typical fashion for any reputable accounting course, you will gain exam exemptions from professional accounting qualifications.

For example:

  • ACCA – Exempted from all 9 ACCA Fundamental papers
  • CPA Australia – Exempted from 6 Foundation level papers
  • CIMA – Exempted from 8 CIMA papers

All graduates will receive dual awards from UOW Malaysia and UOW Australia.

UOW Malaysia also offers ACCA studies starting from its own Foundation in Accountacy (ACCA-FIA) and going on to ACCA. This will take a total of 3.5 years, compared to a degree route which will normally take 4 years.

The university is a Platinum seal ACCA Approved Learning Partners (ALP), the highest and most prestigious level of approval for universities and colleges globally.

Game Development

A popular course that UOW Malaysia has been offering for many years is Game Development. Most universities are only offering game design, whereas UOW Malaysia offers extensive learning above game creation from the technical development aspect to the creative element which you can choose from.

Going through UOW Malaysia’s Bachelor of Game Development (Honours), allows you to learn all key components of game ideation, creation to production. These include Game Art, Game Design and Game Technology.

  • Game Art – visual components of games. 2D, 3D etc
  • Game Design – gameplay, mechanics, level and world design as well as storytelling/narrative
  • Game Tech – technical aspects of Games such as physics engines, graphics engine, artificial intelligence and networking

The course collaborates with industry partners such as CodeMasters and UnReal Academic Partner. 

With multiple skills learnt under this degree, more job opportunities will open up for you in the game industry. The video gaming industry is estimated to be worth US$178.73 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$268 Billion by 2025.

Hospitality & Culinary Arts

UOW Malaysia is regularly shortlisted as the top choice for hospitality and culinary studies since the inception of its first programme in 1991.

Your degrees in hospitality are created based on the best curriculum due to UOW Malaysia’s partnership with IMI International Management Institute Switzerland which is ranked 15th in the QS World University Ranking for Hospitality.

Another highlight that will open your eyes is its partnership with HOSCO, an international hospitality placement platform which will allow students to gain on-the-job experience of up to 12 months in countries like the United States through the J1 Exchange Visitor Visa Program.

For its culinary courses, you will be exposed to Asian, French and Italian cuisines as well as baking and pastry techniques. You can opt to spend a semester abroad too at ALMA La Scuola Internazionale, Italy.

There are actual restaurants on campus where you will learn to cook, serve and manage fine dining establishments. You will be preparing meals in 5-star industry-grade kitchens.

Graduating students, particularly from the Bachelor in International Culinary Arts will receive a certification from WORLDCHEF i.e. World Association of Chefs Societies.

The university works with award winning chefs to conduct lectures and workshops with students and this is truly reflected in the many competitions that UOW Malaysia alumni have won including winning 3 silver and 3 bronze medals at the 2021 FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition in 2021.

Nursing

UOW Malaysia is one of the early institutions with a strong track record in Nursing studies at its Penang campus.

You will go through the first year absorbing the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology and nutrition in Nursing. 

Soon after you will quickly be posted to hospitals and continuously trained on-campus in various nursing skills and introduced to all types of patient conditions related to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, haematology, gynaecological, musculoskeletal and more.

Upon graduation and at least 3 years of experience, you can then choose a specialisation by taking up Post-Basic Courses.

UOW Malaysia offers several popular specialisations such as:

  • Post Basic in Critical Care
  • Post Basic in Oncology
  • Post Basic in Perioperative
  • Post Basic in Renal

Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career path that is always in demand and can bring you to other places around the world due to the global shortage of nurses.

Here are more insights into what Nursing studies entail and the opportunities abound.

Law

Did you know UOW Malaysia also provides a Law degree qualification?

You can complete your law studies in Malaysia under the Bachelor of Laws with recognition from the University of London.

Classes are intentionally small to provide better learning experience and guidance. There is a dedicated Law Society Centre on-campus that functions as an interaction centre for both students and faculty members.

You get exposure through the rigorous use of Moot Courts to debate hypothetical cases. You also go on field trips to Sungai Buloh Prison, Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, and KL Regional Centre for Arbitration, just to name a few. Attend legal talks by practising lawyers.

The degree is recognised by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) which qualifies you to sit for the CLP exams.

One very notable achievement by its alumni – Kenneth Chung, Andreanna Ten and New Su Ann, co-authored and published a guide book for aspiring lawyers called ‘The Hotshot Series: The Legal Line while they were stil pursuing their law studies at UOW Malaysia.

It is a framework for aspiring lawyers to understand what is required of them to reach their fullest potential and give them a realistic view of what a career in the legal profession is all about.

It was published by LexisNexis, and launched in 2016 by Yang Berhormat Puan Hajah Nancy binti Shukri, then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

3.5 Industry Partners

UOW Malaysia’s aim is to link students with industry partners, and for industry to access an undiscovered pipeline of talent entering the workforce. These are companies that work with the university on various levels including structuring course projects, public lectures, internships, syllabus review and so on.

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1 UOW 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 – 2E
  • SACE/WACE – ATAR 65
  • 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 Health Sciences and Engineering.

4.2 UOW Malaysia Intake Periods For 2025

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

  • Foundation – Feb, Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct
  • Diploma – Feb, Apr, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
  • Degree – Jun, Sep
  • Postgraduate – Feb Jun, Sep

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:

Check Eligibility With Uni Enrol

Talk to our experienced counsellors who will instantly let you know the requirements for your preferred courses!

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

Hear it straight from UOW students why they chose UOW Malaysia!

Bella from Indonesia, Postgraduate studies

Also Bella! from Malaysia, Culinary Arts

Alex hailing from China

Chu Lian, a native Sabahan, Communication studies

Interested in ACCA? Hear from Qamie!

How about some words too from Dr. Ike, Head of School

6. Summary Review

TLDR? Just read our key review takeaways:

Background, Status and Ranking: UOW Malaysia, formerly known as KDU University College, became part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network in 2019. The institution has a longstanding history of providing quality tertiary education in Malaysia. As of 2025, the University of Wollongong is ranked #167 globally in the QS World University Rankings, reflecting its commitment to teaching quality, student outcomes, and research impact.

Student Life: UOW Malaysia operates 3 campuses: the flagship Utropolis Glenmarie campus in Selangor, and two campuses in Penang – Georgetown and Batu Kawan. The Glenmarie campus is a Green Building Index (GBI) certified campus with a 16.3% green footprint, featuring energy-efficient systems and sustainable design elements. Located near Subang Jaya, it offers easy access to amenities like shopping centres and eateries, with a free shuttle service to nearby LRT/KTM stations. The Batu Kawan campus provides a full-fledged Australian university experience in northern Malaysia, designed as a green campus with generous landscaping and connected student accommodations.

Courses Offered: UOW Malaysia offers a myriad of fields of study including Business, Communication, Creative Arts, Computing, Game Development, Engineering, Hospitality, Tourism, Culinary Arts, and Nursing. Notable disciplines at UOW Malaysia that have achieved commendable positions in the QS Subject Rankings include Nursing (#51–100), Engineering – Civil & Structural (#101–150), Accounting and Finance (#151–200), Engineering – Electrical & Electronics (#151–200), Engineering – Mechanical (#151–200), and Business and Management (#201–250). These rankings reflect the university’s academic strength in these areas.

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