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University of Nottingham Malaysia
University of Nottingham Malaysia
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Course overview

The Nottingham's Foundation Programme is your first step towards an exciting academic journey at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. This flexible, pre-university programme offers tailored pathways and flexible modules to ensure a smooth transition into your chosen undergraduate degree. Open to both Malaysian and international students, the programme not only builds a strong academic foundation but also equips you with critical thinking, academic literacy, and communication skills.

Why choose this course?

  • Fast-Track Your Success: Complete your pre-university programme in just one year.
  • Guaranteed Pathways: Progress seamlessly to top-ranked undergraduate programmes across science, engineering, business, arts, and social sciences.
  • Scholarships Available: Receive up to 25% off your tuition fees.
  • Personalised Learning: Benefit from core and optional modules designed for your future degree.
  • Extra Academic Support: Strengthen your English and Mathematics skills for a strong academic foundation.

Modules

Core modules

  • English 1 (Writing for Academic Purposes)   
  • Critical Thinking and Study Skills

Mathematics modules

  • Mathematics (For Science and Engineering undergraduate pathway)
  • Fundamental Mathematics* (For Social Sciences undergraduate pathway)  

*Required for students who do not meet the SPM Mathematics requirement: Grade B for Business School and Grade A- for the School of Economics. Optional for all other students.

Optional modules

  • Biology 1 
  • Chemistry 1 
  • Physics 1  
  • Information Technology  
  • Psychology  
  • Fundamentals of Business  
  • Humanities 1  
  • Social Science 1 

Core modules

  • English 2 (Oral Communication for Academic Purposes)     
  • Sustainability: Global and Local Perspectives

Optional modules

  • Advanced Mathematics  
  • Biology 2  
  • Chemistry 2
  • Chemistry 3
  • Physics 2  
  • Programming  
  • Fundamentals of Economics  
  • Principles of Accounting  
  • Social Science 2  
  • Humanities 2  

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

SPM/GCSE/IGCSE A minimum of 5 Cs is required, excluding Moral Studies and Religious Studies. Relevant subjects will be considered.  
Specific Requirements for Progression to Certain UG Programmes
Master of Pharmacy (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)  5 Bs in relevant subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and either Mathematics or Additional Mathematics. 
Engineering Programmes  Must include Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, and Physics.
Mathematical Sciences and Computer Sciences Programmes Must include Mathematics and Additional Mathematics. 
Science Programmes  Must include Mathematics and two science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics). 
Nottingham University Business School Programmes  Must include Mathematics. Those with a Grade B or above may be exempted from Fundamental Mathematics, while those with a Grade C are required to take and pass Fundamental Mathematics to progress.
Economics Programmes  A grade A- in Mathematics is required. Those with a grade B or C must achieve at least 45% in Fundamental Mathematics in the Nottingham Foundation Programme.

In addition to these, applicants must meet MQA prerequisites at SPM, GCSE, IGCSE, High School Diploma, or equivalent levels. 

    Required to pass the In-sessional English module
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each element)  5.5 (with no less than 5.0 in each element)
TOEFL (iBT) 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking) 72 (minimum 16 in Writing, 15 in Listening, 14 in Reading and 19 in Speaking)
PTE (Academic) 65 (with no less than 59 in each element)  59 (with no less than 53 in each element)
SPM CEFR level B2 CEFR Level B1 and SPM English Grade B
GCSE O-Level grade C / 4 Not applicable
IGCSE (first language) grade C / 4 Not applicable
IGCSE (second language) grade B / 6 grade B / 5
IB MYP 4 Not applicable
MUET Band 4 Not applicable
UEC grade B3 Not applicable
  • IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE (Academic) results must be less than two years old.
  • MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.
  • Other acceptable English language qualifications may be considered if they meet both the University of Nottingham (UoN) and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) requirements.
  • Applicants with IELTS 5.5 (with no less than 5.0 in each element) or equivalent qualifications may be accepted but are required to complete an In-Sessional English module in addition to English 1 and English 2.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Seminars

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Group coursework
  • Examinations
  • Presentation
  • Poster presentation
  • Essay
  • Reflective review

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM35,000
International studentsRM38,000

Your Global Education Starts Here

Why Join the University of Nottingham Malaysia?

  • Study at Malaysia’s No. 1 UK university*, the first and largest UK institution in the country
  • A founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, we offer a world-class UK education with strong global recognition, impactful research, and academic excellence
  • Our graduates are consistently sought after by the top 100 global brands and earn up to 2x more** than the average graduate salary in Malaysia

*Based on student enrolment data from the Profile Book IPTS (MOHE) 2023.
**Based on the UNM Graduate Destination Survey (June 2023), with a national average salary of RM2,700.

Frequently asked questions

The Nottingham's Foundation Programme will take 1 year (2 semesters) to complete with intakes in April and September each year.   

You will require a minimum of 5 Credits in SPM, O-Level or equivalent (however entry into our Pharmacy programmes requires 5Bs). The minimum English requirement is IELTS 5.5 with no band below 5.0 or equivalent. 

Malaysian students will pay RM35,000 and international students will pay RM38,000. 

The Nottingham's Foundation Programme offers students a range of modules with differing ratios of coursework-to-exam from 40% coursework-based to 100% coursework-based. Please refer to the individual modules for more information. 

Yes, students may be eligible for the High Achiever's Scholarship which offers tuition fee reductions based on your SPM, O-Level or equivalent results. Eligible students can receive a 25%, 20%, or 15% reduction on the total tuition fees. 

No, the Nottingham Foundation Programme is only offered on a full-time basis. 

Yes, you can transfer to another university if your application is accepted by the university you’re applying to. Please check with the university in advance before applying for the Nottingham's Foundation Programme. 

Yes, international students are welcome to apply. You can reach out to our counsellors here for more information.  

This content was last updated on 28 May 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.