Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) aspires to be a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact. In an effort to realize this vision, UTAR strives to attain the following goals among the many it sets forth: 

  • Conduct major research programmes, which broaden the horizons of knowledge and seek answers to problems of importance; 
  • Maintain strong postgraduate programmes, which encourage intellectual, research and personal development of postgraduate studies; 
  • Expand the expertise, services and resources offered by UTAR through the development of cooperative educational programmes with other institutions and professions and other local, state, federal and international agencies; 
  • Inculcate among the faculty and the academic community a culture of commitment to effective dissemination of knowledge and vigorous scholastic research activities with publication of high international standards.
To achieve the above goals, it became imperative for UTAR to offer relevant postgraduate programmes to attract talents who aspire to seek a career in research or academia. Hence, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) in UTAR was established and commenced operations in September 2004 with the following principal areas of responsibilities:

  • Serves as a central body for coordinating all postgraduate programmes offered by the Faculties in order to facilitate the administration of the programmes which includes admission, student & academic records, examination and postgraduate activities; 
  • Facilitates research services, managing of research projects, planning and monitoring of research budget, assisting in sourcing of research funding, facilitating consultancy services, establishing academic and industry links and facilitating the establishment of Centres of Excellence in strategic research areas.
UTAR began its postgraduate programme in January 2006 by taking in 43 students into 5 Master’s programmes. By the end of 2006, 12 Master’s and 2 PhD programmes were offered with total enrolment of 102 students consisting of 30 Master’s by Research, 29 Master’s by Mixed Mode and 43 Master’s by Coursework. The number of postgraduate programmes offered increased progressively as 10 faculties were involved. Figure 3-1 below provides pictorial illustration of these increases.

Figure 3-1 – No. of Postgraduate Programmes Offered in 2006 – 2021

By end of 2021, a total of 31 Master’s and 12 PhD programmes were offered. Tables 3-1 and 3-2 below illustrate the number of Master’s and PhD programmes offered by UTAR as of 31 December 2021, ranging from Chinese studies, communication, business and finance, management, social science, information and communication technology, mathematics, medical science, science and engineering with total of 1,045 active students, consisting of 658 Master’s and 387 PhD students.

Programmes    StructureFaculty   
Master of Business Administration
(R2/345/7/0729)07/27(A6338)
By CourseworkFAM
Master of Business Administration (Building Management)
(R2/345/7/0113)10/26(MQA/FA0899)

By CourseworkFAM
Master of Business Administration (Corporate Governance
(R2/345/7/0728)07/27(A6339)
By CourseworkFAM
Master of Real Estate Development
(N/345/7/1108)11/26(MQA/PSA13063)
By CourseworkFAM
Master of Strategic Communication
(N/321/7/0236)11/26(MQA/SWA13064)
By CourseworkFAS
Master of Business Administration (Corporate Management)
(R/345/7/1067)12/22(MQA/FA2308)
By CourseworkFBF
Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems)
(R2/523/7/0083)06/27(MQA/FA1536)
By CourseworkFEGT 
Master of Environmental Technology (R/545/7/0077)07/26(MQA/SWA8007)By CourseworkFEGT
Master of Sustainable Construction Management
(N/526/7/0138)08/25(MQA/SWA11375)
By CourseworkFEGT
Master of Architecture
(R/581/7/0069)09/25(MQA/FA4684)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Engineering (Electrical) 
(R/522/7/0061)09/22(MQA/FA1989)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Engineering (Civil)
(N/526/7/0148)06/26(MQA/PSA14800)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Engineering (Mechanical)
(R/521/7/0041)09/22(MQA/FA1990)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Information Systems
(R2/481/7/0662)10/25(MQA/FA0185)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Mathematics
(R2/461/7/0004)04/23(A8216)   
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Project Management
(R2/340/7/0449)01/27(A10780)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Master of Psychology (lndustrial & Organisational Psychology) (R/311/7/0033)08/23(MQA/FA3161)By Mixed Mode
FAS
Master of Communication
(R3/321/7/0001)05/26(A7014)
By Mixed ModeFCI
Master of Chinese Studies
(R2/224/7/0001)03/26(MQA/FA0124)
By Mixed ModeICS
Master of Philosophy
(R2/340/7/0800)05/26(A10031)
By Research FAM
Master of Philosophy (Social Science)
(R2/310/7/0022)07/24(A9923)
By ResearchFAS
Master of Philosophy
(R2/340/7/0395)05/26(A10012)
By Research FBF
Master of Arts (Communication)
(R2/321/7/0002)03/26(MQA/FA0473)
By Research FCI
Master of Engineering Science
(R2/520/7/0062)07/27(A11098)
By Research FEGT
Master of Science (Computer Science)
(R2/481/7/0539)01/27(A11054)
By Research FICT
Master of Medical Science
(R2/720/7/0015)11/26(MQA/FA1390)
By Research FMHS
Master of Medical Science (Chinese Medicine)
(N/721/7/0250)03/22(MQA/PA5352)
By Research FMHS
Master of Science
(R2/440/7/0021)03/27(A11039)
By Research FSc
Master of Arts (Chinese Studies)
(R2/312/7/0008)09/25(A11666)
By Research ICS
Master of Science
(R3/440/7/0004)03/26(A6918)
By Research LKCFES 
Master of Engineering Science
(R3/520/7/0005)03/26(A6919)
By ResearchLKCFES
Table 3-1 – 35 Master’s programmes offered in UTAR as of 31 December 2021
Programmes    StructureFaculty  
Doctor of Philosophy
(R2/340/8/0736)05/26(A10032)
By CourseworkFAM
Doctor of Philosophy (Social Science)
(R2/310/8/0042)06/26(A10033)

By CourseworkFAS
Doctor of Philosophy
(R2/340/8/0443)05/26(A10011)
By CourseworkFBF
Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Arts) (N/210/8/0038)02/26(MQA/PSA11800) By CourseworkFCI
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)
(R2/520/8/0078)07/27(A11099)
By CourseworkFEGT
Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science) (R2/481/8/0557)03/27(A11097)
By CourseworkFICT
Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) (R2/720/8/0016)02/29(MQA/FA1389) By CourseworkFMHS 
Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Medicine) (N/721/8/0054)08/22(MQA/SWA5697) By CourseworkFMHS
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
(R2/440/8/0020)03/27(A11018)
By CourseworkFSc
Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Studies)
(R2/224/8/0034)11/23(A9050)
By CourseworkICS
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
(R3/440/8/0001)03/28(A6916)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)
(R3/520/8/0021)03/28(A6917)
By CourseworkLKCFES
Table 3-2 – 12 PhD programmes offered in UTAR as of 31 December 2021

With an established reputation of offering quality yet affordable postgraduate programmes, UTAR experienced steady enrolment of students into various postgraduate programmes since the initial enrolment of 102 students in January 2006 intake into 5 Master’s programmes. As of 31 December 2021, UTAR recorded a total cumulative enrolment of 3492 postgraduate students. Figures 3-2 and 3-3 provide comparative analysis on the enrolments from 2006 – 2021.

Figure 3-2 – Analysis of Enrolment of Postgraduate Students in 2006 – 2021

Figure 3-3 – Analysis of Enrolment According to Master by Coursework, Master by Mixed Mode, Master by Research and PhD by Research in 2006 – 2021


As of 31 December 2021, 1,598 postgraduate students had graduated from various Master’s and PhD programmes. Table 3-3 and Figure 3-4 provide the numbers and the cumulative number of postgraduate students graduated from postgraduate programmes, Master by Coursework, Master by Mixed Mode, Master by Research and PhD by Research as of 31 December 2021.

Faculty
Programme
Structure
No. of Students Graduated in 2021  
Cumulative No. of Students Graduated (as of 31.12.2021)
FAM
Master of Business Administration
By Coursework
7
201
Master of Business Administration (Building Management)
By Coursework
4
11
Master of Business Administration (Corporate Governance)   
By Coursework
12
64
Master of Commerce (Applied Accounting) *
By Coursework
0
7
Master of Philosophy   
By Research
0
7
Doctor of Philosophy   
By Research
3
10
FAS
Master of Strategic Communication 
By Coursework
2
2
Master of Psychology (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)   
By Mixed Mode
7
16
Master of Philosophy (Social Science)   
By Research
6
21
Doctor of Philosophy (Social Science)
By Research
3
8
FBF
Master of Business Administration (Corporate Management)   
By Coursework
24
120
Master of Philosophy   
By Research
5
19
Doctor of Philosophy   
By Research
6
23
FCI
Master of Communication   
By Mixed Mode
2
31
Master of Arts (Communication) Formarly known as Master of Communication    
By Research
1
   7
FEGT
Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems)   
By Coursework
10
59
Master of Environmental Techonology   
By Coursework
1
4
Master of Sustainable Construction Management    
By Coursework
1
1
Master of Engineering Science    
By Research
8
66
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering Science)   
By Research
6
17
FICT
Master of Science (Computer Science) Formarly known as Master of Computer Science   
By Research
4
25
Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science)    
By Research
2
4
FMHS
Master of Medical Science
(Formarly known as Master of Medical Sciences) 
By Research
1
21
Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) Formarly known as Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences)    
By Research
1
10
FSc
Master of Science   
By Research
12
100
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
By Research
1
7
ICS
Master of Chinese Studies
Formarly known as Master of Arts (Chinese Studies)
By Mixed Mode
5
82
Master of Arts (Chinese Studies)
By Research
2
37
Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Studies)
By Research
5
23
LKCFES
Master of Architecture 
By Coursework
10
31
Master of Computer Science *
By Coursework 
0
16
Master of Engineering (Electrical)
By Coursework 
4
23
Master of Engineering (Electrical) Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems) *
By Coursework
0
14
Master of Engineering (Mechanical)   
By Coursework
4
19
Master of Information Systems
By Coursework
0
33
Master of Mathematics
Formerly known as Master of Mathematical Sciences
By Coursework    
5
34
Master of Project Management
Formerly known as Master of Science (Project Management)
By Coursework    
13
70
Master of Computer Science *
By Research    
0
14
Master of Engineering Science
By Research    
23
172
Master of Information Systems *
By Research    
0
3
Master of Mathematical Sciences *
By Research    
0
8
Master of Science
By Research    
6
103
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
Formerly known as Doctor of Philosophy in Science
By Research    
3
11
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering Science) 
Formerly known as Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
By Research    
8
44
Total Graduated
217
1598

* phased-out programmes              

Table 3-3 – No. of postgraduate students graduated from various postgraduate programmes as of 31 December 2021

Figure 3-4 – Cumulative Number of Postgraduate Students Graduated from Master by Coursework, Master by Mixed Mode, Master by Research and PhD by Research as of 31 December 2021

To ensure quality of graduates from UTAR postgraduate programmes, as well as to benchmark the research work of its postgraduate students against international standards, UTAR has made it a policy that the external examiners for the examination of thesis and dissertation of candidates in postgraduate programmes by research and by mixed mode must be appointed from among distinguished academics or researchers from overseas with recent 5-year publications in international refereed journals.