If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to your UK education, you have come to the right page. In recent years, UK universities have established their state-of-the-art campuses in Malaysia, allowing local students to pursue a world-class education at local price. Among these universities are Heriot-Watt University Malaysia in Putrajaya; Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMED) in Iskandar Puteri, Johor; and University of Southampton Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Here’s a quick summary of these three universities and all you need to know about them!


1. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Location: No. 1, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Malaysia’s first green campus
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s purpose-built campus opened to students in Putrajaya in September 2014 and the formal launch took place on 12 February 2015. The £35m campus sits on 4.8 acres in a stunning lakeside location providing exceptional educational facilities in an excellent environment, close to the Putrajaya marina and its modern leisure and sports facilities. This is a fantastic green area, part of Putrajaya Lake’s ‘green continuum’, and the building design is a conscious reference.
A green roof to match
The ‘green campus’ is remarkable for having the first living grass roof of its kind in Malaysia. At 300 metres long and 30 metres wide, it is the most recognisably sustainable feature of the campus. The roof shades the naturally ventilated spaces below, reduces thermal transmittance, and acts as an observation deck, accessible by glass lift. Other environmentally friendly, passive design features include campus lighting ‘powered’ by the maximum use of natural daylight, a rainwater harvesting system and optimised air-conditioning and thermal control systems.
A state-of-the-art learning environment
The campus is a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment, reflecting Heriot-Watt’s status as a leading provider of high-quality, professionally-oriented education, knowledge transfer and research. Architect-designed in conjunction with educational design specialists, the campus has been developed with the current generation of students in mind, to create a dynamic, exciting place, which maximises the potential of its setting for study and student life. Heriot-Watt’s roots are in Scotland, its ambition and reach are truly international. Together with its alumni, civic community and industry partners, Heriot-Watt transforms people, society and the world we live in.
For more information about Heriot-Watt University, its history and specialisation, visit our specially-curated profile of Heriot-Watt University here.


2. Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed)
Location: No. 1, Jalan Sarjana 1, Kota Ilmu, Educity@Iskandar, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.
NUMed’s purpose-built campus and world-class staff and students are the heart of the Newcastle community in Malaysia, where it delivers high-quality medical and biomedical education.
NUMed offers two undergraduate programme; Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and BSc (Hons.) Biomedical Sciences and a pre-university programme, Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
The programmes are offered by Newcastle University. They have been approved by the Malaysian Qualifications agency, and NUMed Malaysia is registered as a Private Institute of Higher Learning (DULN005(J)) by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. NUMed’s programme is the only medical programme in Malaysia accredited by both Malaysian Medical Council and General Medical Council, UK, all these at a local price.
Additionally, a range of postgraduate programmes are offered from Newcastle University, UK via e-learning with some optional face-to-face teaching in Malaysia.
For more information about Newcastle University, its history and specialisation, visit our specially-curated profile of Newcastle University here.


3. University of Southampton Malaysia
Location: No. 3, Persiaran Canselor 1, Kota Ilmu Educity, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.
Study for a top Engineering degree in Malaysia and the UK for 60% of the cost
Southampton’s undergraduate degree courses in Engineering allow you to study for two years at our safe and modern campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, and two years in Southampton, UK, for 60% of the cost of studying in the UK alone*.
Southampton offers generous scholarships, including a 100% first-year fees discount for top-achieving applicants.
A world-class reputation
Southampton is:
- A founding member of the Russel Group
- A top 20 UK university (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)
- A top 100 global university (QS World University Rankings 2019)
- 2nd in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Guardian University Guide, 2019)
- 4th in the UK for Aeronautics and Astronautics (Complete University Guide, 2019)
- 6th in the UK for Mechanical Engineering (The Guardian University Guide, 2019)
- Targeted by top employers
*This figure is based on international tuition fees, includes the 20% Transition Bursary and uses the exchange rate £1 = MYR 5.28 as of August 2018. The cost of studying the same degree in the UK (4 years in the UK) is £20,970 per annum.
For more information about University of Southampton, its history and specialisation, visit our specially-curated profile of University of Southampton here.


4. University of Reading, Malaysia
Location: Persiaran Graduan Kota Ilmu, Educity, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.
The University of Reading is one of the world’s leading universities, respected for its academic excellence, impactful research, industry engagement and commitment to an all-round education.
The university originated as an extension college of the University of Oxford before establishing its independence in 1926. True to its pioneering spirit, the University appointed England’s first female professor and is world-leading for research in important areas like financial markets, building construction, psychology and others.
The University offers a wide range of programmes at the foundation and undergraduate level, namely:
- Foundation in Business
- BA Management and Business
- BSc Accounting and Finance
- BSc Finance and Business Management
- BSc Real Estate
- BSc Quantity Surveying
- BSc Psychology
The University is also home to the internationally renowned, triple-accredited Henley Business School, the only triple-accredited business school in Malaysia. Students will be taught by international academic staff – the best in their field – and have the same high-quality learning experience as in the UK. UoRM offers an up-to-date and innovative approach to teaching, designed to ensure that students are well prepared to excel in their chosen careers.
Uniquely, its students are given the opportunity to choose to study part of their course in the UK, which means that getting a world-class degree with UK study experience is more flexible, accessible and affordable than ever before.
For more information about the University of Reading Malaysia, please visit the University’s website here.
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