Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• What is the background of XMUM?
Upon the invitation of the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, Xiamen University (XMU) accepted the offer and thus, XMUM was established. We began in earnest to build our first offshore campus in Malaysia and became the pioneer university from China to establish a branch campus in Malaysia.
• What is the main focus of XMUM?
Xiamen University Malaysia aspires to become a university with a distinct global outlook, featuring first-class teaching and research, and embracing cultural diversity. It is committed to nurturing young talents with dignity and wisdom, helping them become responsible, steadfast members of society who will be able to contribute to the people, as well as to the social progress of Malaysia, China and Southeast Asia.
• What is the motto of XMUM?
The motto of XMUM is "Pursuing Excellence, Striving for Perfection".
• How is XMUM’s parent university –XMU ranked globally?
XMU, founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, was the first Chinese higher educational institution established by an overseas Chinese. According to the “2025–2026 Best Global Universities Rankings,” XMU is ranked 189th globally.
• Where is XMUM located?
XMUM is located at Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, Sepang, only a 5-minute drive from ERL Salak Tinggi, a 10-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and a 15-minute drive from the Government Administrative Center - Putrajaya.
• How is the campus of XMUM?
XMUM has a purpose-built campus occupying an area of 150 acres with an estimated total investment of RM 1.3 billion. The maximum capacity of the campus is 10,000 students.
• What are the facilities available to students?
XMUM is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, such as multimedia lecture halls, seminar rooms, tutorial rooms, multi-purpose student activity center with Olympic-sized swimming pool, gym, library, and labs.
• What are the programmes offered? What are the most popular programmes of XMUM?
Each programme is endowed with its own merits and students have the liberty to choose the programmes that piques their interests.
• How many semesters are there in each academic year?
There are three semesters per academic year for all programmes. As for the academic calendar, please refer here.
• What is the medium of instruction?
Except for some Chinese Studies and Traditional Chinese Medicine courses conducted in Chinese, all the other programmes will be delivered in English.
• Where are the teaching faculty from?
About 30% of our teaching faculty are from Xiamen University in China, while the rest are recruited from around the globe. In addition, 80% of our academic staff hold doctoral degrees.
• Are the programmes at XMUM recognised internationally?
Yes, all the programmes offered are internationally recognised, with dual approval from both the Malaysian and Chinese governments.
• Are the foundation programmes of other institutions recognised by XMUM?
Yes, we recognise foundation programmes from other institutions that are accredited by MOHE Malaysia. Admission, however, is subject to a stringent internal evaluation process.
• What do students need to do if they want to transfer credits of their previous studies?
Students need to complete the External Credit Transfer Application Form, provide transcripts and detailed syllabi of their previous studies for us to make assessment. Only when the similarity of the two courses reaches 80% can credit transfer be considered. In such cases, students may be exempted from qualified courses and receive the corresponding fee waiver. The application for credit transfer will only be processed after the students have been admitted to XMUM.
• How long does it take to complete a degree?
The duration for bachelor degree programmes of arts, management and economics is three years while it takes four years to complete the engineering and science degree progammes. The traditional Chinese medicine programme is 5-year in length.
• What is the average class size?
About 20 - 40 students per class.
• How many credit hours do I need to complete for graduation?
The minimum credits for graduation vary for different programmes. Only when a student fulfils the minimum credits required and attains at least a CGPA of 2.0 (for foundation and undergraduate programmes), can he or she be conferred a degree.
• Do students have opportunities to study abroad?
Yes. XMUM collaborates with more than 40 partner universities, providing students with opportunities to study abroad or join exchange programmes for one semester or an academic year. Students may also undertake internships or pursue postgraduate studies either in Malaysia or overseas. The international recognition of XMUM’s qualifications further supports graduates in building strong and successful careers.
• How to apply to study at XMUM?
To study here, the applicant can submit an online application, an email application or a paper application.
*For more details, click here.
• What is the entry requirement for each programme?
To be eligible for XMUM’s foundation programmes, the applicant needs to possess either of the following qualifications - SPM, O-level, etc.
*For further details regarding entry requirement for foundation programmes, please click here.
To be eligible for XMUM’s undergraduate programmes, the applicant needs to possess either of the following qualifications - STPM, UEC, matriculation, foundation, A-level, diploma, etc.
*For further details regarding entry requirement for undergraduate programmes, please click here.
• How many intakes are there in one year?
For undergraduate programmes, the intakes are in February, April and September. For foundation programmes, the intakes are in April, August, and December. For postgraduate programmes, please click here.
• After gaining a letter of acceptance, what should an applicant do next?
The applicant needs to sign the Student Acceptance Slip and email the scanned copy to the Admissions Office (admissions@xmu.edu.my).
• How much does a degree cost?
For tuition fees, please click here.
• Does XMUM provide any scholarships? What are the minimum requirements for receiving the scholarships?
Merit-based scholarships are available based on the academic achievements of students. Study grants are provided to students with siblings studying at XMUM or students whose parents are teachers. Please refer here for more information.
• Is on-campus accommodation provided?
XMUM provides on-campus accommodation to all registered students. Students are encouraged to live in campus residences, as living on campus fosters a spirit of cooperation and camaraderie that develops into lifelong friendships, and facilitates participation in extra-curricular activities through various cultural, recreational and social programmes. For more information, please click here.
• How much is the rental?
The rental ranges from RM 340 to RM 460 per month. Each of the registered student who lives in the campus residences is required to pay a deposit of RM500 (refundable) together with one-semester rental upon check-in.
• What security precautions does the University take on campus?
The hostel is guarded by security guards and is under 24 hour CCTV surveillance every day. We have also installed access controller for main entrances of each hostel block and students need to get through by their Student ID card. Unauthorized guests are barred from entering or staying in the compound of student hostels including rooms and communal areas.
• Do students need to observe any curfew regulation?
The curfew set for the residences is 12:00 am. Residents who wish to leave or return to the campus ground after 12:00 am must report at the guardhouse with their student IDs.
• Are there any laundry facilities available?
Yes, there is a laundry room on the ground floor of each block, providing high-efficiency and fully automatic washing machines and dryers.
• Are students allowed to stay in the hostel during semester breaks?
Yes, students can stay on campus during semester breaks.
• Do students need to bring their own cleaning supplies to clean their rooms?
Yes, students need to bring cleaning supplies, as they are responsible for the tidiness and cleanliness of their own bedrooms.
• Is mattress provided in the room?
Yes, we provide quality mattress. However, students need to bring their own pillows and other necessary bedding items.
• Is electric fan allowed to be used in the hostel room?
There is an air-conditioner in each room. If it is necessary, students may bring their own electric fan.
• Is there a variety of food offered at XMUM canteen?
Yes, there are different vendors selling different types of food, catering to the different needs of students.
• What kind of sports facilities does XMUM provide?
We have indoor and outdoor basketball courts, an Olympic-sized football field, a track, a gymnasium, a table tennis room, a badminton court, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gymnastic room, a martial arts room, a yoga room, etc.
Currently, all of the facilities above are free and accessible to all the staff and students.
• Are there any student insurance plans available?
XMUM purchases student personal accident insurance plan to provide adequate coverage for all the registered students. The personal accident insurance covers the cost of hospitalization. However, students need to pay the difference if the medical charges exceed the maximum coverage amount.
• Where can students get medical assistance?
We have a clinic on campus, which operates 24 hours a day.
• In an event of an emergency, who should be contacted?
In an event of an emergency, students should call the 24-hour XMUM Emergency Helpline - 0193489999. They could also contact the police stations in Sepang, Dengkil and Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, by calling the numbers 03-31421222, 03-87686222 and 03-87774484 respectively.
• Are there counselling services available to students?
Yes, we have a Counselling Center which provides a range of free and strictly confidential services to promote the intellectual, emotional, social growth and development of XMUM students. The range of services include Individual counselling, group counselling, psychological testing, etc. For more information, please refer here.