Diploma in Design & Media
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The APU Diploma in Design & Media is designed to cover both the academic and vocational aspects of Design and Media, and to prepare students for careers in the Design and Media environment.
The programme includes common modules across the first semesters and elective routes in semester 4 to 6, with progression opportunities into APU degree programmes in relevant design and media areas.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Builds the cornerstone with design and media theories plus key technical aspects across the early semesters.
- Develops practical foundations in visual language and digital media work used across the diploma pathways.
- Prepares you for multiple creative pathway options offered within the Diploma in Design & Media.
- Focuses on elective routes that lead into degree pathway areas such as Animation & VFX, Industrial Design Tech, Digital Advertising, and Media & Communication.
- Applies design and media concepts through work that aligns with your chosen creative direction.
Career outcomes
- You graduate with vocationally focused design and media skills intended to prepare you for careers in design and media industries.
- You build practical competency across visual and digital content creation, helping you become job-ready for entry roles in creative production workflows.
- You develop academic and professional skills for designing solutions that require a holistic approach to design studies.
- You gain teamwork and communication skills through diploma learning that supports collaboration in media and creative environments.
- You keep a clear progression route into degree programmes in relevant Design and Media areas after completing the diploma.
Employability rate
Diploma in Design & Media graduates in Malaysia typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22%, reflecting demand for entry-level creative and production talent that varies by project cycles and portfolio strength.
Overall, a stable outlook is most likely for graduates who build a strong portfolio during the diploma and match their skills to current design and media roles in the market.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification (international equivalent of SPM/IGCSE/O-Levels or UEC) | International applicants: (1) SPM equivalent: 3 credits in at least 3 subjects with a minimum pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History); (2) IGCSE/O-Levels equivalent: 3 credits (Grade C and above) in at least 3 subjects; or (3) UEC equivalent: 3 credits (Grade B and above) in at least 3 subjects. APU also states that entry requirements may differ by programme based on Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) equivalency guidance. |
| Certificate programme or equivalent | International applicants may qualify via a pass in a relevant certificate programme or its equivalent. APU also requires an interview (online/virtual/conventional) OR submission of a student portfolio, to be determined by the HEP as required. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | Direct match | |
| Design & Architecture | Direct match |
Language requirements
International applicants are required to meet the English requirements shown below and, where stated, provide proof of credit in English at the relevant previous qualification level.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 54200 / total program | Total for International: RM54,200. Fees stated exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees and exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST). Fees are payable in Ringgit Malaysia (RM). |
| Application and processing fees (international students) | MYR 3400 / one time | Stage 1: RM3,400 (approx. USD 895) payable upon acceptance of offer, including visa processing fees by EMGS and APU/APIIT application and processing fees; non-refundable once offer is accepted. |
| Student pass approval processing fee (international students) | MYR 2000 / one time | Stage 2: RM2,000 (approx. USD 525) payable once your Student Pass is approved; includes post-arrival processing fee, EMGS medical check-up, and required international student items. |
| Registration and administrative fee (international students) | MYR 5000 / one time | RM5,000 payable as registration and administrative fee for International Students, payable upon Student Pass Visa Approval; includes Student ID Card fee for the duration of the course. |
Proof of financial resources
International students applying for a Malaysia student pass are expected to show that they can cover tuition and study-related costs as required by the student pass application and visa processing process.
- Any financial documentation required during the student pass process as instructed by APU International Students Application Procedures.
- Payments described by APU for international students (pre-arrival application processing and student pass processing) may be required as part of visa processing steps.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | April 27, 2026 | September 20, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | April - Summer intake | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents and confirm eligibility
Review the APU Diploma in Design & Media admission requirements for international students, including academic entry requirements and the published English test minimums. Prepare certified copies of your academic documents, and certified translations if your documents are not in English. If a portfolio or interview is required, start preparing early because the decision may be determined by the HEP.
Apply through APU’s international application process
Submit the required application materials following APU’s international students application procedures for the intake date you selected. Provide your passport details and clearly indicate the programme and intake date in your submission. Keep your IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/MUET proof ready to include where applicable.
Accept the offer and complete pre-arrival processing steps
If you meet the eligibility criteria, APU will issue a Letter of Offer. You must confirm your enrolment and complete the required pre-arrival application processing payments listed by APU to enable the university to submit your student visa application. Provide the additional items APU requests at this stage (such as passport photographs and required passport pages) as instructed in the procedures.
Proceed with student pass visa processing
Once APU receives your complete documents together with the required international student visa application fees, APU submits the application to EMGS for student pass processing. APU advises you to keep your travel and entry planning aligned with the visa processing timeline and to follow the document completeness guidance. You can track the process at EMGS once APU has submitted the application.