Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Sabah's premier public university for marine science, agriculture, and sustainable development.
About
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was founded in 1994 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It is the state's leading public university with distinctive strengths in marine science, agriculture, biotechnology, and tropical ecology.
UMS operates multiple campuses including a main campus at Sepanggar Bay with coastal research facilities, and an agricultural park campus at Sandakan for applied sciences and forestry studies.
International students are drawn to UMS for niche programs in aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and sustainable resource management in one of Southeast Asia's most biodiverse regions.
Academics
Study levels
Faculties & schools
Popular programs
| Program | Level |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (Marine Science) | Bachelor's |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) | Bachelor's |
| Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition | Bachelor's |
| Bachelor of International Tropical Forestry | Bachelor's |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | Bachelor's |
Research centres
Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI)
Marine biodiversity, aquaculture, and coastal ecosystem research.
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation
Tropical ecology, conservation, and biodiversity studies.
Biotechnology Research Institute
Biotechnology applications in agriculture, health, and industry.
Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning
Language education and cross-cultural communication research.
Campuses
Main Campus (Sepanggar Bay)
88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Sandakan Campus
Sandakan, Sabah
Admissions
Intakes
General requirements
- Recognized pre-university qualification with minimum CGPA requirements
- Science prerequisites for marine science, medicine, and engineering programs
- Interview for medicine and selected health sciences programs
English requirements
- IELTS: 5.0–5.5 overall
- TOEFL iBT: 46–55
- MUET: Band 3 minimum
Requirements vary by program — confirm with ARNE counselors.
Required documents
- Online application and academic transcripts
- Passport copy
- English language test results
- Medical check-up report (health programs)
Tuition fees (estimate)
Estimated international tuition: RM 14,000–28,000/year for most undergraduate programs. Marine science and medicine programs may be higher — verify with UMS.
International students
UMS provides international students with a distinctive East Malaysian study experience, supported by dedicated international affairs services in Kota Kinabalu.
Support services
- Centre for International Affairs and Relations (CIAR)
- On-campus student residential colleges
- Marine and agricultural research field facilities
- Student clubs and cultural activities
- Career development and industry placement
Visa & EMGS
UMS coordinates EMGS student pass applications for admitted international students. Visa approval must be obtained before travel to Malaysia.
Apply with ARNE
Ready to apply to Universiti Malaysia Sabah? Our counselors will guide you through program selection, document preparation, and your EMGS student pass application.