Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (UniSHAMS)

What Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (UniSHAMS) does

UniSHAMS (Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah) is a private Malaysian international Islamic university headquartered at Kuala Ketil, Kedah Darul Aman, and owned by UNISHAMS SDN. BHD. (Company No. 200301002054 / 604474-X), incorporated in 2003 and previously operating as Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN). It delivers 40+ academic programs across foundation, diploma, bachelor's, postgraduate diploma, master's, and PhD levels, spanning Islamic studies (Sharia, Usuluddin, Arabic, Tahfiz al-Quran), professional disciplines (Accounting, Business Administration, Counselling, Information Technology), Islamic Banking and Finance, and a 5-year MBBS with clinical training at government hospitals in Kedah and Perlis.

The university operates a digital infrastructure stack including a Learning Management System with tiered student portals (undergraduate, postgraduate, staff), the APPSIS postgraduate application system, SmartApp for foundation and diploma enrollment, the UniHelpdesk ticketing platform (powered by HESK), the eProcurement vendor portal, eRecruitment employment system, and a digital library suite (UniSEP, OPAC, Koha). The MBBS program is supported by 11 cadavers, two anatomy/pathology museums, three multipurpose laboratories, and two Clinical Skill Laboratories, with clinical rotations at Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Hospital Kulim, and Hospital Tuanku Fauziah under Ministry of Health oversight.

Commercially, UniSHAMS generates revenue primarily through semester-based tuition fees (RM 4,000 for foundation to RM 290,000-340,000 for MBBS) paid by individual students, supplemented by international student fees (typically 15-25% above local rates) and government scholarship/loan referral streams via Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah, MARA, PTPTN, and Yayasan Islam Negeri Kedah. Distribution is handled through direct online enrollment, walk-in applications at the UniSHAMS Assist Service Centre, and the Ujrah agent-referral program, with marketing amplified via website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp inquiries, and open-day events.

Name

Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (UniSHAMS)

Legal name

UNISHAMS SDN. BHD.

Website

https://unishams.edu.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UniSHAMS is a private Malaysian international Islamic university in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, offering 40+ programs from foundation to PhD across Islamic studies, business, IT, counselling, and medicine, serving domestic and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic Colleges & Sharia/Fiqh Institutes (EDAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Islamic higher education
• University academic programs
• Medical degree programs
• Postgraduate research programs
• Professional certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Ketil

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Foundation Programs: Semester-based tuition fees for foundation programs in Islamic Studies, Management, and Science. Fees vary by residency status.
2. Tuition Fees - Diploma Programs: Semester-based tuition for diploma programs including Islamic Studies, Banking, Accounting, Business Management, IT, Creative Multimedia, Culinary Arts, Hotel Management, Tourism, Graphic Design, and Tahfiz al-Quran.
3. Tuition Fees - Bachelor's Degree Programs: Semester-based tuition for bachelor's degrees in Sharia, Usuluddin, Arabic Language, Tahfiz al-Quran, Accounting, Business Administration, Counselling, Medicine/Surgery, IT, and Islamic Banking and Finance.
4. Tuition Fees - Postgraduate Programs: Postgraduate Diploma, Master's (research and coursework), and PhD programs across multiple disciplines.
5. Government Financial Aid Partnerships: Partnership with Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah (LZNK), MARA, PTPTN, YAYASAN ISLAM NEGERI KEDAH, and Seksyen Pembiayaan Pendidikan Negeri Kedah for student financing, generating referral/sponsorship revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UniSHAMS is an international Islamic university delivering higher education programs from Foundation through PhD levels, spanning Islamic studies (Sharia, Usuluddin, Arabic, Tahfiz al-Quran), professional disciplines (Business Administration, Accounting, IT, Counselling), and specialized fields including Medicine & Surgery (MBBS). All programs integrate Islamic values and Maqasid Shariah with contemporary academics. The institution is supported by MQA-accredited programs, SIRIM ISO 21001:2018 certification, and clinical training partnerships with government hospitals for medical education.

Product overview

UniSHAMS is an international Islamic university offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across Foundation, Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels. The university operates as a single institution with multiple digital service platforms including student portals for applications (SmartApp, APPSIS), academic management (student portals), administrative operations (eProcurement, UniHelpdesk), and student engagement (Ujrah referral program). The academic portfolio spans Islamic studies disciplines (Sharia, Usuluddin, Arabic Language, Tahfiz al-Quran), professional programs (Business Administration, Accounting, Information Technology, Counselling), and specialized fields including Medicine & Surgery (MBBS). All programs integrate Islamic values with contemporary education and maintain accreditation from Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). The university serves over 40 programs with digital systems supporting admissions, student services, and institutional operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UniHelpdesk: Student services and helpdesk system (UniSHAMS Assist - UA)
• Ujrah
• UniSHAMS Ujrah
• APPSIS
• eRecruitment
• eProcurement
• UniSHAMS eProcurement

Products and services

• Foundation Programs (Islamic Studies, Management, Science) One-year foundation programs in Islamic Studies, Management, and Science providing preparatory education for students progressing to undergraduate studies. Approximate fees: RM 4,000 (local) / RM 4,800 (international) for Foundation in Islamic Studies.
• Diploma Programs Diploma-level programs in Islamic Studies, Tahfiz al-Quran and Qiraat Studies, Islamic Banking, Culinary Arts, Accounting, Business Management, Graphic Design, Creative Multimedia, Hotel Management, Tourism Management, and Information Technology. Most diploma programs range from RM 30,000-35,000 for local students; international fees approximately RM 35,885-47,590.
• Bachelor's Degree Programs Bachelor's degree programs including Sharia, Usuluddin, Arabic Language, Tahfiz al-Quran and Qiraat, Accounting, Business Administration, Counselling, Medicine & Surgery (MBBS), IT (Multimedia and Networking), Islamic Banking and Finance, and Islamic Financial Planning. Fees range from RM 30,000 to RM 290,000 (local) depending on program. MBBS includes 2 years pre-clinical and 3 years clinical training at government hospitals.
• Postgraduate Programs (PG Diploma, Master's, PhD) Postgraduate programs including Postgraduate Diploma in Education (DPLI at RM 9,000 local), Master in Business Administration (RM 16,380 local), Master in Islamic Banking and Finance (RM 11,460 local), Master in Usuluddin, Doctor of Philosophy in Education (RM 12,600 local, full-time 3-8 years), Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Banking and Finance, and Doctor of Philosophy in Management (RM 19,850 local).
• UniHelpdesk Student Support Service Student help desk portal powered by HESK software for submitting support tickets, viewing existing tickets, and accessing knowledgebase articles. Operating hours Sunday-Wednesday 8am-5pm, Thursday 8am-3:30pm.
• UniSHAMS eProcurement Platform Digital procurement platform for suppliers, contractors, and vendors to register, submit quotations, and participate in tender processes with the university.
• APPSIS - Postgraduate Application System Online application system for postgraduate study programs including Postgraduate Diploma, Master's, and PhD programs at UniSHAMS.
• SmartApp - Foundation & Diploma Application System Online admission system for Foundation and Diploma programs at UniSHAMS, allowing prospective students to submit applications and check status.
• UniSHAMS Ujrah Referral Program Agent referral program allowing individuals and companies to earn cash rewards by referring prospective students to apply for UniSHAMS programs. Agents register via ujrah.unishams.edu.my with SOP compliance required.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim (Sg Petani)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical training partner for Year 3-5 MBBS students. Students undergo bedside teaching, ward rounds, clinic rounds, seminars, and case presentations at this government hospital.
• Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (Alor Setar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital providing clinical training for MBBS medical students in their clinical years of training.
• Hospital KulimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital providing clinical training site for medical students during their clinical phase of education.
• Hospital Tuanku Fauziah (Kangar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital in Perlis providing clinical training opportunities for UniSHAMS MBBS students.
• Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversees clinical training at government hospitals and health clinics across Kedah and Perlis for medical education program.
• Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)coreOthersOfficial recognition body for MBBS medical degree program, ensuring graduates are eligible for housemanship and medical practice in Malaysia.
• Malaysian Board of Counsellors (Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia)coreOthersProfessional body for counselling program accreditation. Graduates must register with this board to serve as registered counselors in Malaysia.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII): Indonesian private Islamic university offering integrated programs across Islamic studies, business, law, and engineering. Comparable to UniSHAMS as a Southeast Asian private Islamic higher education provider with international student recruitment from Muslim-majority markets. Functions as a cross-border regional peer for Southeast Asian Islamic student flows.
• Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP): Public Malaysian university in northern Malaysia (Perlis/Kedah region) with engineering and business programs. Geographic peer to UniSHAMS within the northern Malaysian corridor, competing for similar local student pools and government scholarship funding.
• Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA): Malaysian public university based in Terengganu with Islamic studies, medicine, and applied science programs. Comparable to UniSHAMS as a smaller Malaysian state-region university competing for similar domestic student pools, particularly for Islamic studies and medical programs. Functions as a regional peer within the Malaysian higher education system.

Direct peers

• Management and Science University (MSU): Private Malaysian university offering foundation, diploma, bachelor's, and postgraduate programs with strong industry partnerships and international recruitment. Comparable to UniSHAMS on private-sector positioning, fee structure, and reliance on international student pipelines. Differentiator: MSU is broader/less Islamic-specialized.
• Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (KUIM): Malaysian private Islamic higher education institution offering foundation, diploma, and degree programs with Islamic integration. Most directly comparable peer to UniSHAMS in scale, niche (Islamic higher education), and private-sector structure. Direct competitor for Kedah and northern Malaysian Islamic students.
• Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM): Malaysian public Islamic university offering integrated Islamic and contemporary programs from foundation to PhD. Directly comparable to UniSHAMS in mission (Islamic higher education), program breadth (Sharia, Islamic banking, medicine), and target student segments. USIM is a public institution, providing a structural contrast to UniSHAMS's private status.
• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM): Malaysia's flagship international Islamic university with programs spanning Sharia, Islamic finance, medicine, engineering, and humanities. Most directly comparable peer in terms of 'international Islamic university' positioning, APEL-style pathways, and global recruitment. IIUM is significantly larger and better ranked, serving as a ceiling benchmark for UniSHAMS.

Broad incumbents

• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM): Largest public university in Malaysia with extensive program portfolio across business, IT, accountancy, and applied sciences. Comparable to UniSHAMS on breadth and Malaysian student base, but broader (non-Islamic) focus and public-sector scale make it a broad incumbent rather than a direct competitor for Islamic-integrated programs.
• Al-Azhar University: Egypt's premier Islamic university and one of the most prestigious Islamic higher education institutions globally. Comparable to UniSHAMS in Islamic-integrated curriculum and appeal to international Muslim students, but operates at vastly larger scale and historical brand depth. Serves as a global aspirational reference point.
• Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL): Malaysia's leading private technical university with strong vocational and applied programs. Comparable to UniSHAMS as a private Malaysian higher education provider targeting industry-ready graduates. Larger and more established, serving as a broader incumbent in the same student recruitment market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/UniSHAMSOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/unishams.official
• Instagraminstagram.com/unishams.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unishams

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (UniSHAMS)