Most universities in Malaysia accept IELTS, but many also accept alternatives such as TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English · Linguaskill · ELS. Some students may also qualify for an exemption if their previous education was taught in English.
The exact requirement depends on the university, programme and study level, so a student applying for Foundation may need a different score from someone applying for Medicine, Engineering or a Master’s degree.
Quick Summary
Most international students need to prove their English ability, but IELTS is only one option.
Depending on the university, you may use an alternative English test, an English-medium qualification, a Medium of Instruction letter, or an English preparation or placement route.
EXEMPTIONS
Students Who Studied in English at School
If your previous school, Foundation, Diploma or university programme was taught in English, do not immediately book an IELTS test. First check whether your university accepts your previous education as proof of English.
Depending on the institution, this could include IGCSE / O-Level English · A-Level · IB · US High School Diploma · English-medium Foundation or Diploma · a previous English-medium Bachelor’s degree · an MOI letter.
However, an exemption is not automatic. Some universities accept English-medium education directly, while others still require an approved English test.
UNIVERSITY BY UNIVERSITY
IELTS Requirements at Malaysian Universities
Important: the score shown is a guide to the university’s published requirements. Your exact programme may require a different score.
1. Asia Pacific University (APU)
IELTS: 4.0–6.5
By level: Foundation / Diploma 4.0–4.5 · Bachelor’s 5.0–5.5 · selected Business and Finance up to 6.0 · Master’s 5.5–6.5
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT · PTE Academic 36–63 · MUET Band 3–4.5 · Cambridge English · TOEFL Essentials
Studied in English? Recognised qualifications such as IGCSE, A-Level, IB and US High School Diploma may qualify for exemption.
2. City University Malaysia
IELTS: 5.0–6.0
By level: Bachelor’s generally from 5.0 · Master’s and PhD around 5.0–6.0 depending on programme
Alternatives: MUET Band 3.5 · other programme-approved English qualifications
Studied in English? Eligible postgraduate applicants may use an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter.
3. Management & Science University (MSU)
IELTS: typically 5.0–6.0
By level: many Bachelor’s programmes around 5.0 · English-related programmes around 6.0 · other levels vary by programme
Alternatives: MUET Band 3 for many undergraduate programmes · TOEFL · other recognised equivalents
Studied in English? MSU does not publish one automatic university-wide MOI exemption, so the exact course should be confirmed with admissions.
4. HELP University
IELTS: around 5.5–6.0
By level: many Business and Management Bachelor’s programmes 5.5 · selected Finance programmes 6.0 · postgraduate requirements vary
Alternatives: recognised English qualifications depending on programme
Studied in English? HELP publishes requirements by programme, so previous English-medium education should be checked with admissions rather than assumed to give an automatic waiver.
5. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
IELTS: 5.5–6.5
By level: Foundation 5.5 · Bachelor’s generally 5.5–6.0 · advanced or direct entry up to 6.5 · postgraduate taught typically 6.5
Alternatives: TOEFL 70–90 · PTE Academic 44–58 · Cambridge English · CIEP
Without IELTS? Eligible students may use Heriot-Watt’s Pre-Sessional English Programme.
6. Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST)
IELTS: 5.0 undergraduate · 6.0 postgraduate
By level: undergraduate 5.0 · postgraduate 6.0
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 40 / 60 · PTE Academic 47 / 59 · MUET Band 3 / 4 · CEFR B1 / B2 · Cambridge English 154 / 169 · TOEFL Essentials 7.5 / 8.5
Studied in English? Applicants may submit proof that their previous education was conducted in English.
Below requirement? KLUST may use an English Placement Test and Intensive English Programme.
7. IMU University
IELTS: 5.5–6.0
By level: Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy 6.0 with no component below 5.5 · Nursing 5.5 · many other programmes 5.5
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL iBT from 46 · PTE Academic 51–63 · Cambridge English · Linguaskill · OET
Studied in English? Students whose accepted A-Level, IB, Foundation or equivalent curriculum was delivered in English may qualify for exemption.
8. INTI International University
IELTS: around 5.5–6.0
By level: Bachelor’s around 5.5 · Master’s commonly around 6.0
Alternatives: TOEFL · MUET Band 4 · programme-approved equivalents
Studied in English? Exemption rules depend on the programme and should be confirmed with INTI.
9. Lincoln University College
IELTS: 5.0–6.0
By level: requirements vary by programme and level
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL iBT / Essentials · PTE Academic · Cambridge English · Linguaskill · OET
Studied in English? Previous English-medium qualifications may qualify for exemption with appropriate MOI documentation.
10. MAHSA University
IELTS: typically 5.5–6.0
By level: many degree programmes 5.5 · selected programmes 6.0
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL · other approved equivalents
Studied in English? Eligible applicants whose previous degree was taught in English may request an English proficiency waiver.
11. Multimedia University (MMU)
IELTS: 4.0–6.5
By level: Foundation 4.0 · Diploma 4.5–5.0 · Bachelor’s generally 5.0–6.0 · Master’s 5.0–6.0 · PhD up to 6.5
Alternatives: TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English · Linguaskill
Studied in English? Recognised English-medium previous education may qualify for exemption. MMU also provides an English Proficiency Programme.
12. Monash University Malaysia
IELTS: 5.5–7.0
By level: Diploma of Business 5.5 · most Bachelor’s and postgraduate coursework 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill · Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill
Alternatives: TOEFL · TOEFL Essentials · PTE Academic 47–65 · Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency
Studied in English? Monash accepts several recognised English-language education pathways depending on the previous qualification and programme.
13. MDIS Malaysia International College
IELTS: from 4.0 depending on programme
By level: selected Diploma programmes from 4.0 · Bachelor’s, Foundation and postgraduate requirements vary by course
Alternatives: TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge CAE / CPE
Studied in English? MDIS does not publish one general university-wide MOI exemption, so applicants should confirm their previous English-medium qualification with admissions.
Without IELTS? Applicants may be asked to take an in-house English Placement Test unless exempted.
14. University of Nottingham Malaysia
IELTS: 6.0–7.0
By level: Foundation around 6.0 · many standard Bachelor’s, Business and Engineering programmes around 6.5 · Pharmacy MPharm around 7.0
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 79–100 · PTE Academic 55–62 · MUET · recognised Cambridge and A-Level English
Studied in English? Previous recognised English qualifications may be considered, but confirm the current requirement for the exact programme.
15. MILA University
IELTS: around 4.0–6.0 depending on programme
By level: Diploma examples 5.0 · many Bachelor’s programmes 5.0–5.5 · postgraduate programmes can range from 4.0 to 6.0 depending on field. MILA’s Bachelor of Business Management, for example, requires IELTS 5.5, while its Master of New Media and Communication Studies requires 6.0.
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL iBT · TOEFL Essentials · PTE Academic · Linguaskill · ELS CIEP · CEFR. For an IELTS 5.5-level programme, MILA lists MUET Band 4 · TOEFL iBT 46 · TOEFL Essentials 8.0 · PTE 51 · Linguaskill 160 · ELS 108.
Studied in English? Applicants whose previous academic qualification was taught in English may qualify for exemption.
Below requirement? International students who do not meet the programme’s English requirement must enrol in the MILA English Enhancement Programme.
16. SEGi University
IELTS: typically 5.0–5.5
By level: many Bachelor’s programmes fall around 5.0–5.5, depending on faculty
Alternatives: MUET Band 3–3.5 · TOEFL · programme-specific equivalents
Studied in English? Exemptions are programme-specific and should be confirmed before applying.
17. Sunway University
IELTS: programme-specific
By level: Sunway sets English requirements at individual programme level rather than using one score for the whole university
Alternatives: TOEFL · approved English qualifications · Intensive English Programme · IELTS Preparatory Course
Studied in English? Previous English qualifications may be accepted depending on the programme.
18. Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak
IELTS: 5.0–7.0
By level: Diploma from 5.0 · Foundation 5.5 · Bachelor’s typically 6.0 · many postgraduate programmes 6.5 · MA TESOL 7.0
Alternatives: TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English · recognised school English qualifications
Studied in English? Recognised previous English qualifications may satisfy the requirement depending on the applicant’s background.
19. TAR UMT
IELTS: programme-specific
By level: Foundation and Diploma students may satisfy English through recognised school-level qualifications; selected Bachelor’s programmes have additional requirements
Alternatives: Cambridge Linguaskill · MUET · recognised school English qualifications
Studied in English? Selected programmes allow exemptions based on previous English-medium education.
20. Taylor’s University
IELTS: typically around 6.0
By level: many Bachelor’s programmes around 6.0 · Master’s around 6.0, although exact requirements vary
Alternatives: TOEFL · MUET · Taylor’s Intensive English pathway
Studied in English? Applicants whose previous Pre-University or Diploma programme was taught in English may qualify for an MOI-based exemption.
21. UCSI University
IELTS: around 5.0 for many undergraduate programmes
By level: undergraduate commonly 5.0 · postgraduate requirements vary by programme
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 42 · PTE Academic 47 · Cambridge English 154 · MUET Band 3
Studied in English? Exemptions may apply with SPM English B+, UEC English A2+ or O-Level / IGCSE English C+. Students below the requirement may take an English Placement Test.
22. Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)
IELTS: 5.0–6.0
By level: Foundation 5.0 · Diploma 5.0 · Engineering and IT Bachelor’s 5.0 · Business and Management 5.5 · Medicine and Allied Health 6.0
Alternatives: PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English
Studied in English? Exemption depends on the individual programme and admission route.
23. UNITAR International University
IELTS: programme-specific
By level: UNITAR does not publish one single IELTS score for all programmes
Alternatives: TOEFL · UNITAR English Placement Test
Without IELTS? Applicants without IELTS or TOEFL may be required to take UNITAR’s own English Placement Test.
24. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
IELTS: programme-specific
By level: requirements differ by faculty and programme. Some Foundation routes do not state an additional English-test requirement.
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL · Linguaskill · ELS
Below requirement? Students may be placed into UNITEN‘s Intensive English Programme (IEP).
25. University of Cyberjaya
IELTS: typically 5.5–6.0
By level: Physiotherapy 5.5 · TESL 6.0 · other programmes vary
Alternatives: TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge CAE / CPE
Studied in English? Exemption depends on the programme and university assessment.
26. UOW Malaysia
IELTS: around 5.0 for many Bachelor’s programmes
By level: exact scores vary by programme
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 46 · TOEFL Essentials 8 · PTE Academic 51 · Cambridge English 160 · MUET Band 3.5 · recognised school English qualifications
Studied in English? Previous recognised English qualifications may satisfy the requirement depending on the programme.
27. University of Reading Malaysia
IELTS: 5.5–6.5
By level: Foundation 5.5 · some progression routes 6.5 · Bachelor’s and postgraduate requirements vary
Alternatives: SPM English · IGCSE English · Pre-Sessional and In-Sessional English
Studied in English? Recognised school-level English qualifications may be accepted on selected routes.
28. University of Southampton Malaysia
IELTS: around 6.5
By level: Foundation, Bachelor’s and postgraduate commonly around 6.5 with minimum component requirements
Alternatives: SPM · GCSE / IGCSE · UEC · other approved qualifications
Studied in English? Eligible postgraduate applicants whose previous degree was fully taught and assessed in English may qualify for exemption.
29. Universiti Malaya (UM)
IELTS: around 5.5–7.0 depending on programme
By level: requirements are programme-specific. Some programmes use around 5.5–6.0, while English-focused programmes may require higher scores.
Alternatives: MUET · TOEFL iBT · TOEFL Essentials · PTE Academic · Cambridge English
Studied in English? Exemptions and alternatives vary by programme, so check the exact UM course.
30. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
IELTS: programme-specific; commonly around 5.5–6.0
By level: requirements are determined by faculty or programme, with postgraduate courses sometimes requiring higher scores
Alternatives: TOEFL · MUET · PTE Academic · Cambridge English · CEPT · CIEP · other approved CEFR-aligned tests
Studied in English? Applicants from institutions where English was the medium of instruction may qualify for exemption.
Below requirement? UKM may provide a conditional offer with an English Preparatory Course.
31. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
IELTS: 5.5–6.0
By level: undergraduate 5.5 for many programmes · TESL and English 6.0 · postgraduate full admission generally 6.0
Alternatives: TOEFL · ELS Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP)
Studied in English? Exemptions apply to specified qualifications and applicant backgrounds rather than one universal MOI rule.
Below requirement? Eligible students may use an approved ELS / CIEP route.
32. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
IELTS: from 5.0
By level: USM‘s general international undergraduate requirement starts at 5.0, but individual programmes can require more
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 40 · TOEFL Essentials 7.5 · PTE Academic 47 · Cambridge English 154 · MUET Band 3.5 · ELS CIEP 107
Studied in English? Previous education where English was the medium of instruction may be accepted under USM’s published international admission routes.
33. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
IELTS: 5.5 minimum listed · TESL 6.5
By level: UTM lists 5.5 for programmes other than TESL and 6.5 for TESL. IELTS 6.0 may allow direct faculty enrolment, while lower scores may require additional English preparation.
Alternatives: MUET Band 4 · TOEFL iBT 46 · PTE Academic 51 · Cambridge / Linguaskill 160
Below requirement? UTM offers an Intensive English Programme or ELS CIEP.
34. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
IELTS: 4.0–6.5
By level: Foundation around 4.0 · most Bachelor’s 5.0 · Nursing and selected programmes 5.5 · Finance and English-related around 6.0 · MBBS 6.5 · postgraduate generally 5.0–6.0
Alternatives: TOEFL · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English · ELS CIEP · OET
Studied in English? Applicants whose previous qualification was conducted fully in English may qualify for exemption subject to UTAR‘s conditions.
35. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)
IELTS: 5.0–6.0
By level: Engineering, Technology and Computer Science Bachelor’s 5.0 · Business Management 5.5 · postgraduate Engineering 5.0 · Science, Management, Social Science and IT postgraduate 6.0
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT around 40–46 · TOEFL Essentials
Studied in English? UTP may accept an official Medium of Instruction letter for eligible applicants.
36. UNIRAZAK
IELTS: around 5.0
By level: IELTS 5.0 is published for selected Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 40 · TOEFL Essentials 7.5 · PTE Academic 47 · MUET Band 3.5 · Cambridge English 154
Studied in English? Applicants whose previous qualification came from an English-medium institution may qualify for exemption.
Below requirement? Conditional admission may be available.
37. Xiamen University Malaysia
IELTS: programme-specific; postgraduate examples 6.0–6.5
By level: published postgraduate examples include 6.0 for Computer Science & Technology and 6.5 for Economics in Finance
Alternatives: TOEFL iBT 79 · TOEFL Essentials 9.5 · PTE Academic 63 · Cambridge English 176 · MUET Band 4.5 · ELS 109
Studied in English? Applicants whose full-time undergraduate degree was taught in English may qualify for exemption.
Below requirement? English Placement Test and Intensive English Programme routes may be available.
ALTERNATIVES
Which English Test Can You Take Instead of IELTS?
IELTS is not the only option. Across the universities reviewed, the most common alternatives are:
TOEFL iBT · PTE Academic · MUET · Cambridge English · Linguaskill · ELS CIEP
Selected healthcare programmes may also accept OET.
There is no universal conversion table for all universities. At some institutions an IELTS 5.0-level requirement may correspond approximately to TOEFL iBT 40–42 · PTE Academic 47 · MUET Band 3–3.5, but another university can use different thresholds.
Always follow the score published for your specific university and programme.
LOW SCORE
What Happens If Your English Score Is Too Low?
A lower score does not always mean you cannot study in Malaysia.
Depending on the university, students may be offered an English Placement Test · Intensive English Programme · Pre-Sessional English · ELS CIEP · English Preparatory Course · conditional admission.
Universities offering some form of English preparation or placement route include Taylor’s, Sunway, UCSI, Heriot-Watt, MMU, UNITEN, UKM, UTM, Xiamen and others.
The university may assess your English first and tell you whether you can begin your academic programme immediately or need additional English preparation.
DOCUMENTS
English-Medium Students: What Documents Should You Prepare?
If your previous education was taught in English, prepare evidence before applying. This may include your school certificate · IGCSE / O-Level English result · A-Level or IB documents · Diploma transcript · Bachelor’s transcript · Medium of Instruction letter.
An MOI letter should normally come from your previous institution and clearly confirm that the programme was taught in English. The university will decide whether that document is enough for admission.
For international students, also ask what English evidence will be used for the EMGS Student Pass application, because EMGS has its own approved English-test documentation requirements.
Cannot find the English requirement for your programme, or unsure whether your qualification earns a waiver? contact TJS StudySteps and we will confirm it with admissions for you.
