Quality UK education at an affordable price
LOOKING for a UK degree from a well-ranked university? Planning to study locally or in the UK?
The University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) is here to offer students the best of both worlds, where students can complete their studies at EduCity in Johor or opt to study in the United Kingdom for part of their course.
With the triple accredited Henley Business School, which is part of the university, UoRM offers a UK quality education for students at foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level in a range of subjects including business, accounting, finance, property, quantity surveying, psychology and pharmacy.
All courses can be completed in EduCity with an option to go to the UK except for its four-year pharmacy degree where students have to study in the UK for two years.
The university currently offers undergraduate programmes such as the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Finance and Business Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Management and Business, BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Real Estate, BSc Quantity Surveying, BSc Psychology and a 2+2 Master of Pharmacy (a four-year undergraduate pharmacy degree).
UoRM Provost Prof Tony Downes said students who opt to complete their studies locally would receive the same quality education like in the UK.
Nearly 90% of the undergraduate programme teaching staff have PhDs, which is an incredibly high percentage in Malaysia, according to UoRM Provost Prof Tony Downes.
“It's the same quality education and the outcome for the students is just the same.
“Some of our teaching staff here come from the university in the UK and frankly, some of our facilities here are even better than the ones in the UK because this is a very new campus and we're very lucky to have a purpose built campus,” he said.
“We recognise that students are coming because they want the UK education and because we're here in Malaysia, we can provide that education at a lower cost.
“One of the things we made possible is for students to spend one of their three years studying in the UK and that way, they get a UK experience.
“They do some growing up because they got to learn how to exist in a different culture and they will no doubt, get their English to perfection if it isn't there already,” Downes said, adding that students will also meet young people from the UK and other parts of the world and this is part of a rich educational experience.
The annual fees for an undergraduate programme in UoRM ranges between RM36,000 and RM38,000 per annum while in the UK where Malaysian students have to pay international student fees, it is £16,070 (around RM88,000) per annum.
Fees for the pharmacy programme in UoRM is RM46,250 per annum while the equivalent course at the University of Reading in the UK would be £19,330 (around RM106,000) a year.
There are currently around 550 students in UoRM and Downes said the university is expecting a significant increase in student population of more than 50% next year.
A majority of them are Malaysians, with other students hailing from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. There are also students from Zimbabwe.
UoRM's first batch of students, who have since graduated last month, saw around 15% of them graduating with first class honours, a similar percentage to that of University of Reading in the UK.
University of Reading is also renowned for its Law programme and Prof Downes is confident that it will be offered in the near future after some enquiry and consultation.
For postgraduate programmes, UoRM offers the Henley MBA and Master of Science (MSc) in Investment Banking and Islamic Finance.
For doctoral programmes, among courses offered are Built Environment, Pharmacy, Psychology and Business & Management.
Scholarships are also in store for students who excel academically. The most prestigious Provost Award offers high achieving students the equivalent of a 100% discount on fees.
There are also a range of scholarships for alumni or high achievers that range from 10% to 30%.
Recipients of the Provost Award or the High Achiever's Scholarship must maintain grade A or a 70% average to continue receiving the scholarships in their second and third year.
UoRM is the first overseas campus of the University of Reading in the UK. The campus opened its doors in September 2015 and was officially inaugurated in February last year.
Ranked in the top 200 of universities worldwide, University of Reading has a long-established international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research.
For more information on UoRM, its courses and intakes, visit www. reading.edu.my.
There is also an open day over the weekend on Aug 26 and 27 at UoRM in EduCity. Register your visit at www.reading.edu.my/ open-day.