Scholvia Partners with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Scholvia is proud to announce our partnership with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) — a Malaysian public university with a genuine specialism that few institutions in the region can match.
About UMT
UMT began in 1979 as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia's Centre for Fisheries and Marine Science in Mengabang Telipot, Terengganu. The centre was designed so that students and lecturers in fisheries and marine science could put theory into practice on the coast.
The institution became a branch campus in 1996, was renamed Kolej Universiti Terengganu in 1999, became Malaysia's fourteenth public higher education institution as KUSTEM in 2001, and was renamed Universiti Malaysia Terengganu in 2007.
That lineage matters. UMT did not add marine science to an existing general university — it grew outward from marine science as its founding discipline.
Rankings and recognition:
- QS World University Rankings 2026: #801–850
- Public university under Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education
- Approximately 12,500 students
The campus is located in Kuala Nerus District, Terengganu, on Malaysia's east coast — close to both the city centre and the sea.
Faculties
UMT operates five faculties:
- Faculty of Maritime Studies
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment
- Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics
- Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development
Programmes Available
Programmes span foundation, diploma, bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels:
- Marine Biology and Marine Science
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Oceanography
- Maritime Studies and Maritime Informatics
- Ocean Engineering Technology
- Food Science, Food Technology, and Nutrition
- Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Protection
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Crop Sciences and Agrotechnology
- Computational and Financial Mathematics
- Software Engineering
- Accounting, Economics, and Marketing
- Tourism Management
Entry Requirements
- Undergraduate: IELTS minimum 5.5, or TOEFL 550 paper-based / 80 internet-based
- Master's: IELTS minimum 6.0
- PhD: IELTS minimum 6.5
As a public university, UMT operates a selective admission policy based on academic records. Popular programmes in marine biology and environmental science are more competitive.
Why UMT for Indonesian Students?
The case for UMT is specific rather than general.
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic nation. Its fisheries, aquaculture, maritime logistics, and coastal management sectors employ millions. Yet Indonesian students interested in these fields often study them as sub-specialisms within broader agriculture or biology programmes.
UMT offers them as core disciplines with dedicated faculties, coastal research facilities, and a campus positioned directly on the sea.
Additional considerations:
- Public university fees, substantially lower than private alternatives
- Lower cost of living in Terengganu than Kuala Lumpur or Selangor
- Research strength in oceanography and marine resource management
- Direct relevance to Indonesian maritime and fisheries sectors
An Honest Note
Kuala Nerus is on Malaysia's east coast, considerably further from Kuala Lumpur than most of our partner campuses. Travel to and from Indonesia takes longer and typically requires a connection. The campus environment is also quieter than urban universities. For students who want that, it is an advantage. For students who want a city, it is not. We will be direct about whether this fits your preferences during consultation.
How Scholvia Can Help
As an official recruitment partner for UMT, Scholvia assists Indonesian students with:
- Eligibility assessment against UMT's academic entry requirements
- Programme selection across UMT's five faculties
- Application preparation and document verification
- Student Pass (visa) guidance including SEV requirements
- Pre-departure orientation
Interested in Studying at UMT?
Speak with a Scholvia advisor to assess your eligibility and find the right programme.
Book a Free Consultation