[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":654},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-en-mahsa-university-vs-city-university-malaysia":3},{"post":4,"related":620,"links":649},{"id":5,"title":6,"body":7,"date":603,"description":604,"draft":605,"extension":606,"h1":607,"image":608,"imageAlt":609,"meta":610,"navigation":611,"path":612,"seo":613,"stem":614,"tags":615,"translationKey":617,"updated":618,"__hash__":619},"blog_en\u002Fmahsa-university-vs-city-university-malaysia.md","MAHSA University vs City University Malaysia",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":576},"minimark",[10,14,19,54,58,63,66,75,79,82,89,93,223,227,230,256,260,263,271,275,282,285,299,303,306,419,422,429,432,436,439,442,446,460,463,467,470,484,488,493,507,512,526,529,533,537,540,544,547,551,554,558,561,565,568],[11,12,13],"p",{},"MAHSA University and City University Malaysia are two private universities in Greater Kuala Lumpur that families from Uzbekistan often shortlist when they look at studying in Malaysia. Both teach from a one-year Foundation up to PhD, both accept international students, and both cost less than studying in the UK or Australia. They are, however, quite different, and the choice shapes your child’s daily life as much as the degree. Below is a comparison based on facts we checked on the universities’ own websites, QS, Times Higher Education and EMGS on 1 October 2026.",[15,16,18],"h2",{"id":17},"in-short","In short",[20,21,22,30,36,42,48],"ul",{},[23,24,25,29],"li",{},[26,27,28],"strong",{},"Medicine and dentistry: MAHSA only."," City University has no MBBS or dentistry programmes. MAHSA’s MBBS is on the Malaysian Medical Council’s list of recognised qualifications.",[23,31,32,35],{},[26,33,34],{},"The rankings are close."," In the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, City University is =558 and MAHSA =577. Neither is in the QS World University Rankings 2027.",[23,37,38,41],{},[26,39,40],{},"Fees depend on the programme."," Foundation is cheaper at MAHSA; bachelor’s degrees in accounting, IT, engineering and nursing are cheaper at City University.",[23,43,44,47],{},[26,45,46],{},"Housing works differently."," MAHSA houses international students in its on-campus residence. City University’s hostels are for Malaysian students only, so international students get help finding a place nearby.",[23,49,50,53],{},[26,51,52],{},"A second UK degree."," Some MAHSA programmes also lead to a degree from the University of East London or Anglia Ruskin University.",[15,55,57],{"id":56},"the-two-universities-at-a-glance","The two universities at a glance",[59,60,62],"h3",{"id":61},"mahsa-university","MAHSA University",[11,64,65],{},"MAHSA was founded in 2004 as a health sciences academy, the Malaysian Allied Health Sciences Academy, and has grown into a university with faculties of medicine and health sciences, engineering, IT and business. Its main campus is in Bandar Saujana Putra, Selangor. Teaching buildings, student housing, a sports centre with a pool and the university clinic share one site.",[11,67,68,69,74],{},"The university lists 92 programmes and more than 20,000 alumni from 75 countries. Teaching is in English. For programmes, entry requirements and housing, see our ",[70,71,73],"a",{"href":72},"\u002Fen\u002Fmahsa-university-malaysia\u002F","MAHSA University Malaysia"," page.",[59,76,78],{"id":77},"city-university-malaysia","City University Malaysia",[11,80,81],{},"City University dates back to 1984, when it opened as Petaling Jaya Community College, and became a university in 2016. The main campus is in Petaling Jaya, a city that borders Kuala Lumpur, with further campuses in Cyberjaya and Johor Bahru and a regional centre in Kota Kinabalu.",[11,83,84,85,88],{},"City University offers more than 80 programmes in business, IT, engineering, architecture, design, hospitality, nursing and medical laboratory science. It says its students represent 60 nationalities. Our ",[70,86,78],{"href":87},"\u002Fen\u002Fcity-university-malaysia\u002F"," page has the details.",[15,90,92],{"id":91},"side-by-side-comparison","Side-by-side comparison",[94,95,96,109],"table",{},[97,98,99],"thead",{},[100,101,102,105,107],"tr",{},[103,104],"th",{},[103,106,62],{},[103,108,78],{},[110,111,112,124,135,146,157,168,179,190,201,212],"tbody",{},[100,113,114,118,121],{},[115,116,117],"td",{},"Founded",[115,119,120],{},"2004",[115,122,123],{},"1984; university since 2016",[100,125,126,129,132],{},[115,127,128],{},"Campus",[115,130,131],{},"Bandar Saujana Putra, Selangor",[115,133,134],{},"Petaling Jaya, plus Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu",[100,136,137,140,143],{},[115,138,139],{},"Programmes",[115,141,142],{},"92",[115,144,145],{},"80+",[100,147,148,151,154],{},[115,149,150],{},"Strongest fields",[115,152,153],{},"medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, business",[115,155,156],{},"business, IT, engineering, architecture, design, hospitality",[100,158,159,162,165],{},[115,160,161],{},"MBBS and dentistry",[115,163,164],{},"yes",[115,166,167],{},"no",[100,169,170,173,176],{},[115,171,172],{},"QS Asia 2026",[115,174,175],{},"=577",[115,177,178],{},"=558",[100,180,181,184,187],{},[115,182,183],{},"THE World University Rankings 2027",[115,185,186],{},"801–1000",[115,188,189],{},"no rank shown",[100,191,192,195,198],{},[115,193,194],{},"Housing for international students",[115,196,197],{},"on campus",[115,199,200],{},"none; help finding a place",[100,202,203,206,209],{},[115,204,205],{},"Intakes",[115,207,208],{},"several a year, depending on the programme",[115,210,211],{},"January, May, September",[100,213,214,217,220],{},[115,215,216],{},"UK degree",[115,218,219],{},"second degree from UEL or Anglia Ruskin on some programmes",[115,221,222],{},"partnership with the University of Bedfordshire; check the terms",[15,224,226],{"id":225},"mahsa-university-ranking-and-city-university-malaysia-ranking","MAHSA University ranking and City University Malaysia ranking",[11,228,229],{},"Parents often start with the ranking. The honest answer is that both are mid-level private universities, not global leaders. Here are the numbers:",[20,231,232,238,244,250],{},[23,233,234,237],{},[26,235,236],{},"QS Asia University Rankings 2026."," City University is =558, MAHSA =577. A gap of 19 places makes almost no difference when choosing between them.",[23,239,240,243],{},[26,241,242],{},"THE World University Rankings 2027."," MAHSA is in the 801–1000 band, and in the 401–500 band of THE’s 2026 Medical and Health subject ranking. City University’s profile on the THE website shows no rank.",[23,245,246,249],{},[26,247,248],{},"QS World University Rankings 2027."," 32 Malaysian universities are ranked, and neither MAHSA nor City University is among them.",[23,251,252,255],{},[26,253,254],{},"QS Stars and SETARA."," Both universities report a five-star QS Stars rating. This is a voluntary QS audit, not a ranking position. In SETARA 2022, the rating run by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education, both are rated Berdaya Saing (Competitive).",[59,257,259],{"id":258},"the-best-universities-in-malaysia-and-where-mahsa-and-city-fit","The best universities in Malaysia, and where MAHSA and City fit",[11,261,262],{},"In the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest-ranked Malaysian university is Universiti Malaya (56th), followed by USM (128th), UKM (130th), UPM (138th) and UTM (158th), all of them public. The highest-ranked private universities are Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (261st), Taylor’s University (272nd) and UCSI University (282nd).",[11,264,265,266,270],{},"For families in Uzbekistan this has one practical consequence. Rankings matter if you are counting on the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation, which funds study only at universities in the QS or THE top 300. MAHSA and City University are outside that group, so tuition fees are paid by the family or reduced by the university’s own scholarships. Other funding options are collected in our guide to ",[70,267,269],{"href":268},"\u002Fen\u002Fscholarships-to-study-abroad\u002F","scholarships to study abroad",".",[15,272,274],{"id":273},"programmes-where-they-differ","Programmes: where they differ",[11,276,277,278,270],{},"The main difference is medicine. MAHSA grew out of a health sciences academy, so it offers the MBBS (5 years), the Doctor of Dental Surgery, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy and biomedical science. City University has no MBBS or dentistry, but it does teach nursing, medical laboratory science, biomedical science and occupational safety and health. If your child wants to become a doctor or a dentist, start with our guide to ",[70,279,281],{"href":280},"\u002Fen\u002Fstudy-medicine-in-malaysia\u002F","studying medicine in Malaysia",[11,283,284],{},"In business, IT and engineering the range is similar. Both universities offer Foundation, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees in business, accounting, IT, mechanical and civil engineering, an MBA and PhDs. The differences are in the detail:",[20,286,287,290,293,296],{},[23,288,289],{},"some MAHSA bachelor’s programmes also award a degree from the University of East London or Anglia Ruskin University, with no change to the length of study;",[23,291,292],{},"City University has more creative and service subjects: architecture, design, fashion, animation, hospitality and tourism;",[23,294,295],{},"in hospitality, City University offers a route that starts in Malaysia and finishes at IMI Switzerland in Lucerne;",[23,297,298],{},"City University has a BSc in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) and master’s degrees in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.",[15,300,302],{"id":301},"tuition-fees-compared-by-programme","Tuition fees compared by programme",[11,304,305],{},"Neither university publishes a full fee list for international students: the exact amount is stated in the offer letter. The figures below are indicative annual fees for international students from the EasyUni course listings as of 1 October 2026, converted at the Bank Negara Malaysia rate of RM 4.08 to the US dollar.",[94,307,308,319],{},[97,309,310],{},[100,311,312,315,317],{},[103,313,314],{},"Programme, per year",[103,316,62],{},[103,318,78],{},[110,320,321,332,343,354,365,375,386,397,408],{},[100,322,323,326,329],{},[115,324,325],{},"Foundation (business, arts)",[115,327,328],{},"RM 17,700 (≈ $4,300)",[115,330,331],{},"RM 24,850–25,050 (≈ $6,100)",[100,333,334,337,340],{},[115,335,336],{},"Foundation in Science",[115,338,339],{},"RM 20,800 (≈ $5,100)",[115,341,342],{},"RM 24,850 (≈ $6,100)",[100,344,345,348,351],{},[115,346,347],{},"Bachelor’s, BBA",[115,349,350],{},"RM 21,400 (≈ $5,200)",[115,352,353],{},"RM 22,100 (≈ $5,400)",[100,355,356,359,362],{},[115,357,358],{},"Bachelor’s, IT",[115,360,361],{},"RM 22,000 (≈ $5,400)",[115,363,364],{},"RM 19,850 (≈ $4,900)",[100,366,367,370,372],{},[115,368,369],{},"Bachelor’s, accounting",[115,371,361],{},[115,373,374],{},"RM 17,400 (≈ $4,300)",[100,376,377,380,383],{},[115,378,379],{},"Bachelor’s, nursing",[115,381,382],{},"RM 20,100 (≈ $4,900)",[115,384,385],{},"RM 14,700 (≈ $3,600)",[100,387,388,391,394],{},[115,389,390],{},"Bachelor’s, mechanical engineering",[115,392,393],{},"RM 24,100 (≈ $5,900)",[115,395,396],{},"RM 16,700 (≈ $4,100)",[100,398,399,402,405],{},[115,400,401],{},"MBA",[115,403,404],{},"RM 34,400 (≈ $8,400)",[115,406,407],{},"RM 34,050 (≈ $8,300)",[100,409,410,413,416],{},[115,411,412],{},"MBBS",[115,414,415],{},"RM 88,300 (≈ $21,600)",[115,417,418],{},"not offered",[11,420,421],{},"In the first year you also pay compulsory EMGS charges for visa processing, medical screening, insurance and the Student Pass: about RM 2,858–3,004 (≈ $700–740). The universities charge application and registration fees on top.",[11,423,424,425,270],{},"For living costs, MAHSA estimates RM 1,200–1,800 a month excluding accommodation. A room in MAHSA Residence at the 2023 international rate costs RM 500–1,200 a month; we confirm the current rate when you apply. City University puts accommodation, food and transport at about RM 15,000 a year. For a full breakdown with a calculator, see the ",[70,426,428],{"href":427},"\u002Fen\u002Fcost-of-studying-in-malaysia\u002F","cost of studying in Malaysia",[11,430,431],{},"One rule applies to any university. City University states on its application form that fees are paid to the university and no one else. Pay the university directly, through Flywire or by bank transfer to its own account.",[15,433,435],{"id":434},"campus-housing-and-daily-life","Campus, housing and daily life",[11,437,438],{},"At MAHSA everything is in one place: a residence with security staff and CCTV, a sports centre, a clinic and cafés. In the first weeks students have an orientation week, a student buddy and a faculty mentor. Under the MAHSA Residence rules of 2023, students under 21 must live in on-campus housing, which many parents of a 17-year-old will see as a plus.",[11,440,441],{},"At City University an international student lives like any other city resident: renting a flat or a room and commuting to class. The university helps with housing and transport if you ask at least a month before arrival, and university representatives meet new students at the airport. The Petaling Jaya campus is close to public transport, shopping centres and residential areas.",[15,443,445],{"id":444},"scholarships","Scholarships",[20,447,448,454],{},[23,449,450,453],{},[26,451,452],{},"MAHSA"," offers scholarships of up to 100% for eligible students. The main one, the Blue Ribbon Scholarship, is awarded for academic merit. Terms change from intake to intake.",[23,455,456,459],{},[26,457,458],{},"City University"," opens its Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor scholarships to international students: up to 100% of first-year bachelor’s tuition fees after the City University Foundation with a CGPA of 3.75 or higher, or after A-Levels with AAA. The Outstanding Student scholarship covers up to 80%. These terms come from the university’s 2024–2025 pages and need re-checking for 2027 intakes.",[11,461,462],{},"At both universities a scholarship is a tuition discount. It does not cover housing or food.",[15,464,466],{"id":465},"mahsa-university-reviews-and-city-university-reviews","MAHSA University reviews and City University reviews",[11,468,469],{},"We do not publish reviews that cannot be verified, and we would not rely on collections without names or dates. These are better ways to form your own view:",[20,471,472,475,478,481],{},[23,473,474],{},"recent Google Maps reviews of the specific campus, with dates and photos, rather than summaries on agency websites;",[23,476,477],{},"Reddit threads and student chats, bearing in mind that each describes one faculty in one year;",[23,479,480],{},"open days and online sessions with the admissions office, where you can ask about your programme;",[23,482,483],{},"the programme’s accreditation in the MQA register (Malaysian Qualifications Register) and, for medicine, the Malaysian Medical Council list. This matters more than any review.",[15,485,487],{"id":486},"which-to-choose-a-quick-guide-for-families","Which to choose: a quick guide for families",[11,489,490],{},[26,491,492],{},"MAHSA is a good fit if:",[20,494,495,498,501,504],{},[23,496,497],{},"your child wants medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or another health profession;",[23,499,500],{},"on-campus housing and an organised routine for a 17- or 18-year-old matter to you;",[23,502,503],{},"a second degree from a UK university is attractive;",[23,505,506],{},"you are looking for a lower-cost Foundation year.",[11,508,509],{},[26,510,511],{},"City University is a good fit if:",[20,513,514,517,520,523],{},[23,515,516],{},"your child is interested in business, IT, artificial intelligence, architecture, design or hospitality;",[23,518,519],{},"the price of a bachelor’s in accounting, IT, engineering or nursing is decisive;",[23,521,522],{},"your child is ready to live in the city and rent a room;",[23,524,525],{},"January, May or September intakes suit your plans.",[11,527,528],{},"If a high ranking matters most to you, compare both with Malaysia’s public universities as well.",[15,530,532],{"id":531},"faq","FAQ",[59,534,536],{"id":535},"which-ranks-higher-mahsa-or-city-university-malaysia","Which ranks higher, MAHSA or City University Malaysia?",[11,538,539],{},"In the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, City University is =558 and MAHSA =577. In the THE World University Rankings 2027, MAHSA is in the 801–1000 band, while City University shows no rank. Neither is in the QS World University Rankings 2027.",[59,541,543],{"id":542},"where-can-my-child-study-medicine-at-mahsa-or-city-university","Where can my child study medicine, at MAHSA or City University?",[11,545,546],{},"Only at MAHSA: City University has no MBBS or dentistry programmes. The MBBS at MAHSA takes 5 years and is recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council.",[59,548,550],{"id":549},"are-mahsa-and-city-university-degrees-recognised","Are MAHSA and City University degrees recognised?",[11,552,553],{},"Both are private universities registered in Malaysia, and their programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA); the accreditation codes are shown on each programme page. Recognition in Uzbekistan depends on the programme and the procedure, so it is worth going through this with a consultant before you apply.",[59,555,557],{"id":556},"can-students-from-uzbekistan-apply-straight-after-school","Can students from Uzbekistan apply straight after school?",[11,559,560],{},"Yes, through Foundation, a preparatory year that leads into the first year of a bachelor’s degree. It is needed because diplomas and degrees in Malaysia require 12 years of schooling, while school in Uzbekistan lasts 11 years.",[59,562,564],{"id":563},"do-i-need-ielts-to-apply","Do I need IELTS to apply?",[11,566,567],{},"For a bachelor’s at City University you need MUET Band 3, CEFR Low B2 or an equivalent such as an IELTS or TOEFL result. At MAHSA, students without the required score can take a free English diagnostic test and join the Intensive English Programme. City University also has its own language centre with intensive courses of three months per level.",[11,569,570,571,575],{},"If you are not yet sure which university suits your child, ",[70,572,574],{"href":573},"\u002Fen\u002Fcontact-us\u002F","book a consultation",". We will look at grades, English level, the family budget and the next intakes, and suggest one or two programmes with a cost estimate.",{"title":577,"searchDepth":578,"depth":578,"links":579},"",2,[580,581,586,587,590,591,592,593,594,595,596],{"id":17,"depth":578,"text":18},{"id":56,"depth":578,"text":57,"children":582},[583,585],{"id":61,"depth":584,"text":62},3,{"id":77,"depth":584,"text":78},{"id":91,"depth":578,"text":92},{"id":225,"depth":578,"text":226,"children":588},[589],{"id":258,"depth":584,"text":259},{"id":273,"depth":578,"text":274},{"id":301,"depth":578,"text":302},{"id":434,"depth":578,"text":435},{"id":444,"depth":578,"text":445},{"id":465,"depth":578,"text":466},{"id":486,"depth":578,"text":487},{"id":531,"depth":578,"text":532,"children":597},[598,599,600,601,602],{"id":535,"depth":584,"text":536},{"id":542,"depth":584,"text":543},{"id":549,"depth":584,"text":550},{"id":556,"depth":584,"text":557},{"id":563,"depth":584,"text":564},"2026-10-01","MAHSA University vs City University Malaysia compared: QS and THE rankings, programmes, tuition fees, housing and scholarships for students from Uzbekistan.",false,"md","MAHSA University vs City University Malaysia: which to choose","\u002Fimages\u002Fmahsa-university-campus.jpg","Aerial view of the MAHSA University main building in Malaysia",{},true,"\u002Fmahsa-university-vs-city-university-malaysia",{"title":6,"description":604},"mahsa-university-vs-city-university-malaysia",[616,62,78],"Universities in Malaysia","mahsa-vs-city",null,"mePU_hTHdXlReXqDqqmZnNbNswf75VRfekBP5BqtMHo",[621,632,642],{"path":622,"title":623,"description":624,"date":603,"image":625,"imageAlt":626,"tags":627},"\u002Fdocuments-to-study-in-malaysia","Documents to Study in Malaysia: A Checklist","Documents required to study in Malaysia from Uzbekistan: passport, school certificate, translations, English test and EMGS student visa. Checklist and fees.","\u002Fimages\u002Fmalaysia-campus-aerial.jpg","Aerial view of a university campus in Malaysia",[628,629,630,631],"Malaysia","Admissions","Student visa","Documents",{"path":633,"title":634,"description":635,"date":603,"image":636,"imageAlt":637,"tags":638},"\u002Fwhat-is-a-foundation-year","What Is a Foundation Year? Foundation in Malaysia","A Foundation year is a one-year university programme before a bachelor's degree. What you study, what a Foundation course in Malaysia costs and who needs one.","\u002Fimages\u002Fstudent-study-abroad.webp","School leaver with textbooks and a phone getting ready to apply to a university abroad",[639,640,641],"Foundation","Study in Malaysia","After school",{"path":643,"title":644,"description":645,"date":603,"image":646,"imageAlt":647,"tags":648},"\u002Fmalaysia-university-intakes","Malaysia University Intakes: When Classes Start","When does university start in Malaysia? Intakes at MAHSA and City University Malaysia, application windows, EMGS visa timing and a month-by-month plan.","\u002Fimages\u002Fmahsa-university-preview-day.jpg","Applicants and their parents in the MAHSA University hall on a preview day",[628,629,205],["Reactive",650],{"found":611,"slugs":651},{"ru":652,"uz":653,"en":614},"mahsa-university-ili-city-university-malaysia","mahsa-university-yoki-city-university-malaysia",1791411105715]