Co-curriculum activities were introduced in Universiti Utara Malaysia since its establishment in 1984, and have been a part of compulsory courses (as other core academic courses). The mission to produce competent graduates and build their soft skills.

Each activity is given credit (4 credit hours equivalent to 4 semesters, except for Palapes, Suksis and Kor Sispa) and is taken into account in gradings (i.e. CGPA) for the award of a Bachelor degree.