Diploma in International Studies
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
This APU Diploma in International Studies is designed to provide the academic and vocational aspects of international studies, and to prepare students for careers in the international studies environment. The programme also aims to develop critical, independent and cooperative learning skills for responding to change in the international arena.
Across six semesters, students study modules including Academic Research Skills and Digital Thinking and Innovation, Professional Communications and International Relations, and further modules covering global business trends, strategic and ethical perspectives, and the legal and environmental issues related to global affairs. The programme also supports progression into related APU degree programmes through credit transfer.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Academic Research Skills to build research habits and academic thinking.
- Digital Thinking and Innovation to develop digital problem-solving approaches.
- Managing Business to introduce core business concepts and workplace readiness.
- Practical IT Skills to strengthen IT competencies for study and professional tasks.
- Professional Communications to strengthen writing, presentation, and workplace communication.
- International Relations to introduce global political dynamics and key actors.
- Global Business Trends to build understanding of cross-border economic developments.
- Quantitative Methods to develop data interpretation skills for international topics.
- Statistical Methods to deepen quantitative and analytical reasoning.
- Marketing to develop global strategic thinking relevant to international contexts.
- Business Economics to connect economic analysis with international decision-making.
- Integrity and anti-corruption to support ethical governance and accountability.
- International Business to expand understanding of global business practices.
- Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship to encourage innovation and enterprise thinking.
- Modern Political Ideas to cover political ideologies and governance systems.
- Introduction to Accounting to build financial literacy for international contexts.
- Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to explore national diplomacy and foreign policy.
- International Organisations to examine structures of global governance.
- People Power and Revolutions in World Politics to apply political frameworks to contemporary cases.
- Applied and regional learning to strengthen practical understanding of governance and change.
- Globalisation and International Studies to consolidate analytical skills for international topics.
- Introduction to Comparative Politics to strengthen understanding of comparative governance approaches.
- Legal Framework of Business to build awareness of regulatory environments.
- Environmental Issues and Case Studies to support sustainability-focused decision-making.
Curriculum
Credit hours table not found on the official APU programme page or linked materials accessible during this research run. The programme outline lists modules by semester, but the official credit hours/semester totals are not published in a retrievable credit table.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 4 modules | Academic Research Skills | ||
| Digital Thinking and Innovation | ||||
| Managing Business | ||||
| Practical IT Skills | ||||
| Semester 2 | 4 modules | Professional Communications | ||
| International Relations | ||||
| Global Business Trends | ||||
| Quantitative Meth | ||||
| Semester 3 | 3 modules | Statistical Methods | ||
| Marketing | ||||
| Business Economics | ||||
| Semester 4 | 4 modules | International Business | ||
| Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | ||||
| Modern Political Ideas | ||||
| Introduction to Accounting | ||||
| Semester 5 | 3 modules | Foreign Affairs of Malaysia | ||
| International Organisations | ||||
| People Power and Revolutions in World Politics | ||||
| Semester 6 | 4 modules | Globalisation and International Studies | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||||
| Legal Framework of Business | ||||
| Environmental Issues and Case Studies | ||||
| Total | Programme core modules listed by semester in the APU programme outline. | |||
Career outcomes
- You gain job-ready academic and professional skills for roles connected to international studies, communication, and research-informed workplace decision-making.
- You build practical capabilities through modules such as Academic Research Skills, Professional Communications, and Digital Thinking and Innovation, helping you contribute effectively in international organisations and NGO environments.
- You develop analytical strengths with Quantitative Methods and Statistical Methods, supporting careers where data-informed understanding of global issues is important.
- You learn to connect business and governance through modules like Managing Business, Business Economics, and Legal Framework of Business, which helps you stand out for international business support and policy-related assistant roles.
- You strengthen awareness of diplomacy, international organisations, and political mobilisation via Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, International Organisations, and People Power and Revolutions in World Politics.
- You develop sustainability and global systems thinking using Environmental Issues and Case Studies, supporting career pathways into roles that require an international lens on environmental topics.
- You position yourself for continued study: the programme is designed to progress into degree programmes at APU through credit transfer and programme progression requirements.
Employability rate
Employability and unemployment figures for this specific Diploma in International Studies programme are not published as a single official Malaysia-wide graduate outcome, so a precise percentage cannot be confirmed from official sources.
For planning purposes, international-studies graduates typically have a steadier outlook for entry-level roles linked to communication, research support, and international organisations when they also build strong English and practical project experience.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification (international equivalents) | International applicants can apply with a school-leaving qualification equivalent to SPM/IGCSE/O-Level/UEC as listed by APU, including English at the relevant level and minimum credit/grade requirements. APU states entry requirements for SPM, IGCSE/O-Levels, UEC, and relevant certificates/programmes it accepts as equivalent, and notes that programme entry requirements may differ based on the latest MQA programme standards. |
Language requirements
For this Diploma, APU lists the following English requirements for international students.
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 | Official total for international students shown on the programme page; fees stated here do not include deposits and other miscellaneous fees and exclude 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants should prepare to show they can cover the programme cost and living expenses during study in Malaysia. Follow the document guidance from APU during your student pass visa processing and planning.
- Show proof of funds to cover tuition and living expenses for study in Malaysia, as requested during student pass visa processing.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | September - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | June 30, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | September 24, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | September - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | September - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Request an offer letter (Stage 1)
Submit your application for the Diploma using the options described by APU (including via their application channels). If offered, complete the Stage-1 payment of the Pre-Arrival Application Processing Fee and prepare the documents listed for starting visa processing. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 24 months from the intake date and that your academic documents are certified copies as required.
Provide complete documents for student visa processing (Stage 2)
After APU receives your complete documents together with the International Student Visa and application fees, they submit your application to EMGS for processing. APU advises that the visa application period can take about 2 to 3 weeks when documents are complete. APU also advises that application forms should arrive at least eight weeks before the intake dates to help ensure early approval.
Prepare your arrival and medical screening (Stages 4–5)
Before travelling, review your letter of offer and the arrival guideline for immigration clearance requirements. After arrival, follow APU’s instructions for medical screening at EMGS-appointed clinics within the stated timeframe. Complete the steps for medical results and student pass endorsement with the International Office support.