Malaysia University Ranking

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Getting to know the top universities in Malaysia will help you make better decisions and build a brighter future!

Whether you are looking for a globally recognized degree or a dynamic learning environment, this guide is written for you.

Malaysia University Ranking 2026 (published in 2025)

	University	QS World Ranking (2026)	QS Asia Ranking (2025)
1	University Malaya (UM)	58	12
2	University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)	126	26
3	University Science Malaysia (USM)	134	37
4	University Putra Malaysia (UPM)	134	20
5	University Technology Malaysia (UTM)	153	28
6	University Technology PETRONAS (UTP)	251	53
7	Taylor’s University	253	36
8	UCSI University	269	45
9	Sunway University	410	74
10	University Utara Malaysia (UUM)	491	79
11	INTI International University	509	170
12	University Technology MARA – UiTM	542	101
13	University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)	551	146
14	Management and Science University	597	129
15	Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)	597	190
16	University Malaysia Pahang (UMPSA)	609	159
17	International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)	613	133
18	Lincoln University College, Malaysia	638	185
19	SEGi University	731-740	451-460
20	University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)	791-800	131
21	University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)	801-850	195
22	University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)	851-900	165
23	Multimedia University (MMU)	851-900	207
24	University of Cyberjaya	951-1000	621-640
25	University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)	1001-1200	226
26	University Malaysia Sabah (UMS)	1001-1200	243
27	Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)	1001-1200	248
28	University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)	1001-1200	341
29	University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)	1201-1400	400
30	Universiti Malaysia Kelantan	1201-1400	501-520
31	Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin	1401+	641-660

Understanding Malaysian University Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) provides a global perspective on academic excellence. Unlike QS rankings, which focus on academic and employer reputation, THE evaluates teaching, research influence, citations, and international outlook. This approach favors universities with strong research and global collaborations.

For instance, the University of Malaya (UM) performs better in THE rankings due to its strong research network and high citation rates. On the other hand, Taylor’s University excels in QS rankings for its focus on employer engagement and innovative teaching but ranks lower in THE because of less emphasis on research.

SJR rankings, on the other hand, offer insights primarily into the research performance, highlighting how prolific a university is in terms of high-quality publications. For example, universities like the University Science Malaysia (USM) and University Putra Malaysia (UPM) have better SJR rankings owing to their robust contributions to research journals and academic publications.

Understanding these ranking systems helps students and academics choose top universities in Malaysia that align with their priorities.

Malaysia University Rankings by THE

	University	(THE) Ranking
1	Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)	201–250
2	University of Malaya (UM)	251–300
3	Sunway University	401–500
4	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)	401–500
5	Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)	401–500
6	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)	401–500
7	Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)	401–500
8	Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)	601–800
9	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)	601–800
10	Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)	601–800
11	Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)	601–800
12	Management & Science University (MSU)	801–1000
13	Multimedia University (MMU)	1001–1200
14	Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)	1001–1200
15	Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)	1001–1200
16	Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)	1001–1200
17	Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)	1201–1500
18	Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)	1201–1500
19	Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)	1501+
20	Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)	1501+
21	Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP)	1501+
22	Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)	1501+
23	Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)	1501+

University ranking in Malaysia 2025 and lists of the top universities in Malaysia provide valuable information for students, parents, and politicians who are interested to Study in Malaysia.

There are several organizations that produce university Malaysia ranking, including the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, and the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.

Best Universities in Malaysia – Find the Top University to apply in Malaysia

According to the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the University of Malaya (UM) continues to be Malaysia’s top university, holding this prestigious position for six consecutive years. In the latest rankings, UM achieved an impressive leap of five places, now standing proudly at 58th place globally. This remarkable achievement highlights UM’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education and research.

Close behind is Taylor’s University, which has demonstrated extraordinary progress. Since 2019, Taylor’s University has advanced over 348 ranks in the QS World University Rankings, now securing the 253st position. This significant leap underscores Taylor’s dedication to delivering high-quality education and fostering a culture of innovation.

Top Public Universities in Malaysia

University Malaya UM
	World Ranking : 58	Asia Ranking : 12
Located in the center of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s busy capital, the University of Malaya (UM) is the country’s top university and a leader in education. Founded in 1949 after merging several schools from Singapore, UM has become known for providing high-quality education in Malaysia. Today, UM has more than 14,580 undergraduate students and over 13,700 postgraduate students studying a wide range of programs. With its diverse course offerings, the University of Malaya continues to attract many local and international students who are looking for a quality education in one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

 

University Kebangsan Malaysia UKM
	World Ranking: 126	Asia Ranking: 26
The National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM) stands proudly as the 4th best university in Malaysia. As a publicly funded research institution, UKM is recognized for its active involvement in cutting-edge research across various fields. Located in Bangi, Selangor, just south of Kuala Lumpur, UKM attracts a large and diverse student population, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university’s strategic location provides students with a vibrant academic environment while remaining close to Malaysia’s capital city.

 

University Science Malaysia USM
	World Ranking: 134	Asia Ranking: 37
Established in 1969, University Science Malaysia (USM) is widely regarded as one of Malaysia’s top educational institutions. USM offers a wide variety of programs in the natural and applied sciences, medicine and health, pharmacology, construction technology, social sciences, humanities, and education. About 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students take use of these at the university’s 17 Academic Schools on the Penang main campus. They include 6 Schools at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal (about 50 km from the main campus), and 3 Schools at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (approximately 300km from the main campus).

 

University Putra Malaysia UPM
	World Ranking : 134	Asia Ranking : 20
Located in Serdang, just to the south of Kuala Lumpur, University Putra Malaysia is a public research institution. QS has UPM rated as the 20th best institution in Asia and the 134th beside USM as another top university in the world. University Putra Malaysia began as an agricultural college and maintains a strong emphasis on agricultural and forestry research and education.

 

University Technology Malaysia UTM
	World Ranking : 153	Asia Ranking : 28
University Technology Malaysia (UTM) is a well-known public university with campuses in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. UTM specializes in engineering and technology and offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university’s primary focus is on engineering and technology, but it also excels in fields like science, biosciences, and medical engineering. As a testament to its excellence, QS University Rankings places UTM at #153 in the world and #28 in Asia, making it one of the top universities in Malaysia for students looking to pursue careers in technology and science.

Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Taylor’s University  Taylor’s
	World Ranking : 253	Asia Ranking : 36
Taylor’s University is the best private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Most of it is located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Taylor’s university was ranked #253 in the world and #36 in Asia by QS in 2025. This Asian college received five stars for online education. Taylor’s University has kept the top global rank for the past five years due to its expertise in hotel and leisure management.

 

UCSI University  UCSI
	World Ranking : 269	Asia Ranking : 45
The Universal Commercial Services Institute (UCSI) was established in 1986 as a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 2025 QS ranking of universities places it at #269 globally and #45 in Asia. This university is well-known as first private school in Malaysia by the prestigious Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). More than 12,000 students from 110 countries are enrolled in its 131 courses.

 

Sunway University Sun-U
	World Ranking : 410	Asia Ranking : 74
Sunway University is a non-profit organization that values academic freedom and an awareness of pressing global issues. Sunway University is in the top 10% of all Asian universities in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025. There are over 8,000 students enrolled in the university’s 67 programs, with about 1,000 coming from outside of Malaysia.

 

APU University APU
	World Ranking : 597	Asia Ranking : 190
APU is a leading private university in Malaysia, combining technology, creativity, and innovation to prepare students for global business and societal roles.  APU earned the prestigious “Five Stars Plus” QS rating on November 1, 2021, becoming the first Malaysian university to receive this distinction and placing it in the top 20 universities worldwide. In the QS World University Ranking 2026,APU ranks 597 globally and 190th in Asia, making it Malaysia’s top choice for international students. APU is 16th worldwide for its international student body and among the top 200 for international faculty.

QS University Ranking vs THE University Ranking

THE University Ranking and QS University Ranking are two major global assessments of higher education institutions. QS emphasizes academic and employer reputation, faculty ratios, and international diversity, while THE considers teaching, research, citations, and industry collaboration.

Both rankings offer insights, but differences in methodology can lead to varied outcomes for universities. Many institutions consider both rankings for a comprehensive view of their global standing.

How Malaysia’s Universities Rank on the World Stage

Malaysian universities consistently secure top positions in global rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings. These accolades highlight the exceptional quality, innovative research, and robust student support systems offered by leading institutions like Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The impressive standings of these universities are due to several factors, including faculty expertise, research impact, and graduate employability. These elements provide international students with a reliable guide to the academic excellence and global competitiveness of Malaysian universities.

Additionally, Malaysia’s diverse climate, strategic location in Asia, and the availability of English-taught programs further enhance its appeal as a premier study destination. Students who choose to study at Malaysia’s top-ranked universities benefit from a world-class education and the experience of living in a vibrant, cosmopolitan society that prepares them for international careers.

Malaysia university ranking and university ranking in Malaysia are key factors for students choosing where to study in this diverse and vibrant country. Malaysia’s top-ranked universities offer world-class education, whether you prefer a public or private institution. These rankings serve as a reliable guide to finding the best university in Malaysia for your academic and career goals. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards a bright academic future in Malaysia!

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