How intakes work in Malaysia
An "intake" is a start date for new students. Unlike many countries with a single academic year, Malaysia's private universities run several intakes a year. Public universities tend to have fewer. UM, for example, has a main undergraduate intake in October and a second in March. Every intake has its own application deadline, and many universities publish a separate deadline for international applicants that leaves time for the visa. Treat the dates below as examples published by each university. They change every year, so always confirm on the official admissions page.
Private universities
| University | Published intakes |
|---|---|
| Taylor's University | Most degrees: February, April, September. Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy and Mechatronics: April and September only. American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP): February, June, September. |
| Sunway University | 2027 calendar: classes for diplomas, degrees and taught master's begin 22 February, 10 May and 27 September 2027 |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | Its intake calendar lists several start dates per level. The next ones listed are Foundation on 19 November 2026, Degree Level 1 on 24 November 2026 and full-time master's on 30 November 2026 |
Private universities often accept students into a foundation programme or an American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP) first. These usually have their own start dates. Check that the foundation's end date lines up with a degree intake.
International branch campuses
- University of Nottingham Malaysia: all undergraduate degrees start in September. The 2026 international deadline was 31 July. The Foundation programme starts in April (2026 deadline 27 February) and September. Taught master's programmes start in September.
- Curtin University Malaysia: degrees and postgraduate programmes start in February and July. For 2027, the international deadlines are 21 December 2026 for the 15 February start and 24 May 2027 for 19 July. Foundation and diploma programmes start in March, July and October.
Both campuses publish separate international deadlines. Aim to apply well before them, not in the final week.
Public universities
- Universiti Malaya (UM): The main undergraduate intake is Semester I in October. Applications for 2026/27 ran from 9 February to 30 August 2026. A second intake (Semester II, March) takes applications from 7 September 2026 to 30 January 2027. The MBBS medicine programme has only the October intake, and its deadline is earlier (9 June 2026). For international postgraduates, coursework master's programmes listed a March intake. Research master's and PhD applications were open from 27 April to 22 November 2026.
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM): advertised a September 2026 intake for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with applications in phases.
- UKM, USM and UPM publish their own windows on their admissions portals each year. Check those portals directly rather than relying on past dates.
Medicine and other professional degrees
Medicine, pharmacy and some health programmes usually have fewer intakes and earlier deadlines, and may involve interviews. Taylor's runs its MBBS in April and September only. UM's MBBS takes one October intake, with a June deadline. If you want medicine, start planning at least a year ahead.
How early should you apply?
Work backwards from your start date. Add up:
- The offer letter. Timing varies by university and by how complete your application is.
- EMGS processing. The client charter is 14 working days for a complete application, and missing documents add delays.
- The Single Entry Visa or e-Visa (needed by Pakistani students). EMGS says the e-Visa takes about 48 hours.
- Flights and accommodation. Book early, as both get busier around intake dates.
- An arrival buffer. The medical screening must happen within 7 days of landing, so arrive a few days before orientation.
A comfortable rule: submit your EMGS application about three months before classes start, so apply to universities earlier still.
Month-by-month: targeting a September intake
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September–October (a year ahead) | Shortlist universities and programmes. Check entry requirements and scholarship deadlines. |
| November–December | Book and sit IELTS/PTE. Check that your passport will have 18+ months' validity. Gather SSC/O-level documents. |
| January–March | Apply with HSSC Part-I, predicted A-level grades or results already in hand. Public-university windows open (UM opened 9 February 2026). |
| April–May | Compare offers, accept one and pay the deposit. Apply for scholarships. |
| June | Prepare EMGS documents (passport copies, photo, health declaration, English result). Medicine applicants: watch early deadlines. |
| July | Submit the EMGS application as soon as your institution allows. Book accommodation. Note that some branch-campus deadlines fall on 31 July. |
| August | A-level results arrive (Cambridge releases June-series results in August). Send final results. Get your eVAL, then your e-Visa. Book flights. |
| September | Submit the MDAC within 3 days of travel. Fly, do the medical within 7 days, and attend orientation. |
Short version: targeting a January/February intake
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| June–July | Shortlist and sit your English test |
| August–September | Results arrive. Apply right away. |
| October | Accept an offer and pay the deposit |
| November | Submit the EMGS application. Curtin's international deadline for February 2027 is 21 December 2026. |
| December–January | eVAL, e-Visa, flights, accommodation |
| January/February | Arrive a few days before orientation |
The Pakistani results calendar
HSSC (FSc, ICS, I.Com) results come out late in the summer. In 2026, FBISE scheduled the announcement of its HSSC first annual results for 9 September. Provincial boards such as BISE Lahore set their own dates, so check your board's website. That leaves almost no time to get a visa for a September start. This is why many Pakistani students either:
- apply early with HSSC Part-I marks and receive a conditional offer, or
- aim for a January/February intake (or a March intake at public universities), which leaves comfortable time after results.
A-level students get Cambridge results in August. That timing suits February intakes well, and can work for a late-September intake if your offer and visa paperwork are already moving.
FAQ
Can I apply before my HSSC or A-level results are out? Usually, yes. Many universities issue conditional offers based on Part-I marks or predicted grades. You confirm your place once final results arrive. Ask whether your EMGS application can start on a conditional offer or needs the final one.
Which intake is best for a Pakistani student? For FSc students, February is often the least stressful, because results, offer, visa and travel then fit in without a rush. September suits students whose results are already in hand, such as A-level students or gap-year applicants.
What happens if my visa isn't ready by the start date? Talk to your university immediately. Nottingham Malaysia, for example, states that joining an intake depends on visa approval, and it has a published deferral process. Ask whether you can move to the next intake rather than arrive late.
Do public universities have a January intake? At UM, the main undergraduate intake is in October and the second is in March, so there is no January start. Other public universities set their own calendars, so check each one. If you need a January or February start, private universities and branch campuses offer more choice.