Course at a Glance
- PhDDegree level
- 3 yearsDuration
- Petaling Jaya, MalaysiaLocation
- Petaling JayaCampus
- Tuition on request — ask our teamFees
- Ask our teamScholarship
About this programme
Doctor of Philosophy in Design is a doctoral programme at City University Malaysia (Petaling Jaya). Duration: 36 months.
Read more
Intakes: Jan/Feb, May/June, Sept/Oct (2026/2027).
Is this course right for you?
Our counsellors check your profile against this programme's entry criteria and tell you where you stand — before you pay anything.
What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
Malaysia- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 4.0
- Study modefull-time
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
i) A Master’s degree in the relevant field (Level 7, MQF) or equivalent as accepted by the HEP Senate. AND ii) Pass an interview OR submission of portfolio determined by the HEP as required. Note for PhD by Research: There shall be no direct entry from Bachelor’s Degree level to PhD level. Candidates registered for Master’s Degree by research programmes with a Bachelor’s Degree level may apply to convert their candidacy to the PhD programmes subject to the following conditions: d. application for exchange is within 1 year after registering for the master’s program for full-time candidates and 2 years for part-time candidates e. having shown competency and capability in conducting research at PhD level through rigorous assessment by the HEP, and f. approval by the HEP Senate. OR HEP may enroll Bachelor’s graduates (MQF Level 6) for direct admission to MQF Level 8 Doctoral programs (by research) with the following conditions: e) Students obtain a first-class Bachelor’s qualification or equivalent; OR f) Obtain a CGPA of at least 3.67 or its equivalent from an academic or TVET program; AND g) Thorough rigorous internal assessment by the HEP; AND h) Obtained approval from the HEP senate and was accepted as a candidate for the MQF Level 8 Doctoral program. Students need to show appropriate progress during the candidature period. For International Students Minimum score of MUET Band 4 or equivalent. · English: IELTS 4.0 · English test waiver: Not stated as a waiver on the pages read. Entry is listed by qualification (SPM, STPM, STAM, UEC, Matriculation/Foundation, Diploma, DKM/DLKM/DVM), several of which require a grade in English, but whether that substitutes for a separate English test is not published. Confirm with the campus. · Backlogs accepted: Not published. · Application fee: Not published as a separate figure. The international-students page gives a combined application and EMGS student-visa processing fee of approximately RM 3,810. · Deposit: Not published on the pages read.
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- TuitionTuition on request — ask our team
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: No deadline is published. The starts published for this programme are: Jan/Feb, May/June, Sept/Oct.
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
1 / 8
Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
Every review below is a real Google review — see all of them
Frequently asked questions
What English score does it need?
IELTS 4.0 overall is the score listed for this programme.
How long is it?
3 years, as listed by the university.
What are the entry requirements?
i) A Master’s degree in the relevant field (Level 7, MQF) or equivalent as accepted by the HEP Senate. AND ii) Pass an interview OR submission of portfolio determined by the HEP as required. Note for PhD by Research: There shall be no direct entry from Bachelor’s Degree level to PhD level. Candidates registered for Master’s Degree by research programmes with a Bachelor’s Degree level may apply to convert their candidacy to the PhD programmes subject to the following conditions: d. application for exchange is within 1 year after registering for the master’s program for full-time candidates and 2 years for part-time candidates e. having shown competency and capability in conducting research at PhD level through rigorous assessment by the HEP, and f. approval by the HEP Senate. OR HEP may enroll Bachelor’s graduates (MQF Level 6) for direct admission to MQF Level 8 Doctoral programs (by research) with the following conditions: e) Students obtain a first-class Bachelor’s qualification or equivalent; OR f) Obtain a CGPA of at least 3.67 or its equivalent from an academic or TVET program; AND g) Thorough rigorous internal assessment by the HEP; AND h) Obtained approval from the HEP senate and was accepted as a candidate for the MQF Level 8 Doctoral program. Students need to show appropriate progress during the candidature period. For International Students Minimum score of MUET Band 4 or equivalent. · English: IELTS 4.0 · English test waiver: Not stated as a waiver on the pages read. Entry is listed by qualification (SPM, STPM, STAM, UEC, Matriculation/Foundation, Diploma, DKM/DLKM/DVM), several of which require a grade in English, but whether that substitutes for a separate English test is not published. Confirm with the campus. · Backlogs accepted: Not published. · Application fee: Not published as a separate figure. The international-students page gives a combined application and EMGS student-visa processing fee of approximately RM 3,810. · Deposit: Not published on the pages read.
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