Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Program & Courses
How do I register for offshore & special programs? New!
Students register for the program through the website: https://admission.utm.my/apply-now/
Teaching & Learning
Where can I get the lecture schedule?
The lecture schedule for a particular semester is prepared by the coordinator of that particular program, at the beginning of the semester. Students may contact him/her directly to obtain the schedule and related information about the program.
Do the students need to go to UTM Campus?
The learning activities for the External Program are conducted at the learning canters, including the lectures and theses/project supervision. However, students can also access references such as journals and articles related to their fields through the UTM Library databases. Nevertheless, students are encouraged to visit UTM Campuses at their convenience for any particular reason (make sure you bring your student’s matriculation card for identification purposes).
Do I have to attend all the lectures?
Students must attend at least 80% of the lecture meetings. This is essential to ensure students have received adequate knowledge and exposure, before sitting for the final exam. In case of non-compliance with this attendance requirement, students will be barred from sitting in the final examination.
Financial
What is the main determinant of the External Program Fees?
The fees for the external program are based on the number of students enrolled in the particular program. Generally, the fees will be lower if the student’s number is bigger. Other factors, such as the rental cost for the infrastructure, study mode, and the number of supervisions for the project/thesis.
Are there any financial assistants for External Programs students?
UTM does not provide financial assistants for part-time students. Nevertheless, agencies such as PTPTN and State Government may provide some scholarships or financial loans for graduate students. Students will have to apply directly to these agencies
What are the payment methods?
Students can pay fees in installments by referring to the payment schedule attached to the offer letter. Students can also write a personal check or pay electronically to the UTM Bursar. The information regarding payment methods is provided along with the offer letter.
What is the consequence (s) of not paying the fee?
SPS provides students with a flexible installment schedule, which enables them to settle their fees throughout the semesters according to their financial capability. However, failure to adhere to the schedules may result in difficulty to register for courses or being barred from sitting in the examination or their results cannot be released d, and would not be able to graduate on time until the outstanding amount is settled.
Can the fees be reimbursed in case of failure in the study?
The fees already paid will not be reimbursed in case of students fail the courses/program. Students may apply to repeat the course or program re-registration (whichever is applicable) depending on provisions provided in the graduate rules and regulations. In case of program re-registration, the fees will have to be recalculated and students will have to pay again full fees based on the current rates.
The external program students are given a 2-year study package for the master’s level and a 4-year study package for the doctoral level. If the study duration exceeds the maximum duration provided for the package, students may continue (depending on the external program’s availability) but will have to pay extra for an additional semester(s) involved. Other than that, charges (per credit registered) will also apply in case of repeating the course (either in or outside the package) as regulated by the UTM Bursar.
Are the program fees the same at UTM campuses in different locations?
Tuition fees varied. Subject to location and program fee range between RM18,000-RM30,000. Except for Master of Architecture, and Master of Project Management.
Fees for classes conducted in Johor range from RM18,000-RM22,000, Kuala Lumpur range from RM25,000-RM27,000, Penang RM28,000-29,000, and Sabah & Sarawak range from RM28,000-30,000. The fee is subject to change.
Pesisir & Special Programmes
Can I withdraw from the semester for personal reasons? New!
Yes. A student is only allowed to PESIwithdraw from a semester after he has undergone at least one semester of his program of study unless it is due to medical reasons. Application to withdraw from a semester must be made to the Dean of the Faculty. A withdrawal from a semester for personal reasons is only allowed for a period of two semesters throughout the duration of his study.
How do I apply for withdrawal from the semester for medical reasons? New!
Application for withdrawal from a semester for medical reasons must be supported by a medical report issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner from the University Student Health Clinic/Government Hospital/University of Malaya Medical Centre/Teaching Hospital/Private Medical Centre or relevant documentary proof. Applications must be made to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor concerned through the Dean of the Faculty.
How do I apply for a credit Transfer? New!
Applications must be made to the Dean of the Faculty of the program by the procedure prescribed by the University. Applications received beyond the specified period will be considered in the subsequent semester.
The student is not allowed to complete his or her last semester in other IPTs by taking the advantage of Transfer of Credit. Only students with active registration status are allowed to apply for a transfer of Credit. Application for transfer of credit from other IPTs must be made within ONE (1) semester before registering for the Transfer Credit Programme.
When are the lectures being held?
The lectures for the external programs are conducted on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
How many credit hours?
The number of lecture hours for a 3-credit course is 42 hours, while for the 4-credit course the lecture hours are 56.9
How long will it take to consider my application?
To ensure that applicants are fairly and thoroughly considered, there are several stages all applications must pass through before an offer can be made. As your application proceeds through the various stages, and once a final decision is done, the status will be updated at smart.UTM.my
Where will I graduate?
The convocation ceremony will be held at UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Attendance is optional, the distance learning students are welcome to visit the university, meet fellow graduates and celebrate their success
VISA For International Students
What is a visa approval letter -VAL?
Visa Approval Letter or VAL is an official signed and stamped document issued by the Department of Immigration Malaysia confirming that the named person has been approved to enter Malaysia for study.
Students from countries that require a visa and also have a Malaysian Embassy must obtain a visa before they enter Malaysia. Students must also produce the ‘Visa Approval Letter’ (VAL) upon entry before entering Malaysia.
Students from countries that require a visa but do not have a Malaysian Embassy are permitted to enter without a visa. Students must produce the ‘Visa Approval Letter’ (VAL) upon entry.
Students from countries that do not require a visa to enter Malaysia may proceed to enter by producing the ‘Visa Approval Letter’ (VAL) upon arrival.
Please ensure that you check with the Malaysian Embassy in your country before finalizing your travel plans. UTM advises you must ensure you have sufficient time to process the Student Pass and recommends you apply for a visa before leaving your home country, for a minimum of 30 days to ensure you have as much time as possible to process your Student Pass and complete your medical check-up on arrival. Check the Department of Immigration for the latest visa requirements: http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/
Expiry of VAL and Student Pass
The Visa Approval Letter is only valid for 6 months. Students should come in and register at the university during this time. Failing to do so, a new application has to be made.
Can Students Study on Social Visit / Tourist Visa?
No, this is not permitted. You cannot come to Malaysia on a tourist visa and later transfer it to a student visa.
How long will it take me to get a visa approval letter (VAL)?
It should take 6 weeks- 10 weeks days upon receipt of a complete application and payment. Students have to apply for Visa themselves at https://educationmalaysia.gov.my
”Dependent
Yes. However, the student is advised to enter Malaysia as a single traveler and complete the registration and Student Pass before bringing their family. You are allowed to bring your dependents only if you are studying full-time in Malaysia on a course/program that is more than twelve (12) months, at the discretion of the Immigration Department of Malaysia. For more details on dependent passes, please visit UTM International Student Center at http://isc.utm.my/faq/
Change of Course or Institution (Variation Applications)
If you change your mind about the course, you are, you will be allowed to do it through a variation application.
Students can apply for a Variation when they wish to change to another course or another institution and it is not a progression or further study –i.e., it only applies if the student has not completed the first course.
Please note that you cannot apply to change course unless you have received a confirmed offer of study at UTM. Your original University “must cancel the current Pass” before you can apply. You are only allowed to change course or institution twice.
The student is studying master’s and wants to continue his studies on a Ph.D., does the student need to apply for a new application?
Yes, the student needs to apply for a new student pass because it is considered a new course.
How many times a student can change institutions or courses?
A student is allowed to change university or course twice – on the 3rd application student will be rejected.
What is the procedure if a student with an approved visa approval letter (VAL) wants to change universities?
The student needs a release letter from the previous institution as well as an offer letter from the new institution.
Can I convert my social pass to a student pass?
Malaysia Immigration Department NOT ALLOWED the conversion from social pass to student pass for new applications anymore.
How does one get an entry visa into Malaysia?
To obtain an entry visa, you are required to visit the nearest Malaysian Embassy/Mission/ Malaysia Representative Office in your home country along with your offer letter from UTM, the Visa Approval Letter issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, your Passport, and all other relevant documents and/forms duly completed and payment as required by the Malaysian Embassy/Mission for the application of an entry visa.
Entry Requirement
Postgraduate Study (Malaysian & International)
Doctor of Philosophy
• A Master’s Degree from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia or any other Institution of higher learning recognized by the Senate; or
• Other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree and experience in the relevant field recognized by the Senate; or
• Candidates who a currently registered in a Master’s Degree program at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee of the respective faculty and the Senate.
Master’s Degree
• A Bachelor’s Degree with good honors from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia or any other institution of higher learning recognized by the Senate; or
• A qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree and experience in the relevant field recognized by the Senate.
Language Requirement (International)
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic). See more details about English Language Requirements
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