SharifStudy Best way to Study in Malaysia
The best universities in Malaysia are led by Universiti Malaya (UM) at #56 globally, with USM, UKM, UPM, and UTM completing the top 5 public institutions. Among private universities, UTP, Taylor’s, and UCSI rank highest in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
❯❯ Check for Malaysia University Rankings updated on August 2026!
Knowing the best universities in Malaysia helps you make informed decisions about your education. Whether you are looking for a globally recognized degree, a dynamic learning environment, or the best chances of international employability, this guide covers the top institutions in the country.
Malaysia is a perfect choice for international students since it is one of the developing regional and international centers, and has become a motivating goal of attracting 250,000 international students by 2025.
Malaysian Universities have a powerful presence in both regional and world rankings, and indigenous institutions in the country are also linked by growing options in international branch campuses, many are based on the new EduCity development. The most popular Universities in Malaysia are listed in the table below.
Top 10 Universities in Malaysia
| # | University | World Ranking | Asia Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Malaya (UM) | 56 | 15 |
| 2 | University Science Malaysia (USM) | =128 | 34 |
| 3 | University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 130 | 24 |
| 4 | University Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 138 | 22 |
| 5 | University Technology Malaysia (UTM) | =158 | 25 |
| 6 | University Technology PETRONAS (UTP) | =261 | 44 |
| 7 | Taylor’s University | 272 | 27 |
| 8 | UCSI University | 282 | 30 |
| 9 | Sunway University | =354 | 55 |
| 10 | INTI International University | =406 | 122 |
Best Public Universities in Malaysia
Malaysia’s public universities dominate the top of the national rankings. These five institutions are the highest-ranked public universities in the country, offering world-class education and research opportunities.
University of Malaya (UM)
UM (University Malaysia) is the highest ranking Malaysian university and a public research university based in Kuala Lumpur. As the oldest university in Malaysia, UM was founded in 1949. It offers a large range of subjects with more than 17,300 undergraduate and 17,300 postgraduate students.
According to QS University Rankings 2027, University of Malaya ranked 15th in Asia and 56th in the world. UM also ranked 3rd in Southeast Asia.
UM is a well-known choice among international students, mainly for postgraduate subjects. About 20 percent of students are from outside the country.
University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
People often refer to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as the National University of Malaysia. UKM operates as a publicly funded institution with a large student body and a wide range of courses emphasizing research. Bangi, in the Selangor region south of Kuala Lumpur, is home to the main campus.
In the QS Asia University Rankings, UKM secured the 24th position. The QS World University Rankings 2027 ranked it at 130th globally.
University Science Malaysia (USM)
USM, established in 1969 as Universiti Pulau Pinang, is one of Malaysia’s top universities. In 1971, it relocated to its current campus in Minden, about 10 kilometers from Georgetown.
USM offers programs in natural sciences, applied sciences, medical sciences, technology, social sciences, humanities, and education to 30,000 students across 17 Academic Schools on its Penang campus, plus Engineering and Health campuses.
Ranked 34th in Asia and =128th in the world by QS University Ranking 2027, USM is a leading public research university.
University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Founded in 1931 as the School of Agriculture, UPM was established as a university in 1971. Located in Serdang, south of Kuala Lumpur, UPM is ranked 22nd in Asia and 138th worldwide in the QS 2027 edition.
University Technology Malaysia (UTM)
University Technology Malaysia is a public engineering and technology institution with campuses in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on engineering and technology, with additional faculties for science, biosciences, and management.
In the QS University Rankings 2027, UTM stands at 25th in Asia and =158th globally.
Best Private Universities in Malaysia
Malaysia’s private universities have shown remarkable improvement in global rankings. These five institutions lead the private sector in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
University Technology Petronas
University Technology Petronas ranked 44th in Asia and =261st in the world, founded in 1997. Petronas, the national oil and gas business of Malaysia, owns the institution, which offers industry-focused engineering and technology programs. It holds five QS Stars for teaching, facilities, employability, and internationalization.
Taylor’s University
Taylor’s university ranked as the top private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It is located in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
According to QS ranking 2027, Taylor’s ranked 27th in Asia and 272nd in the world. It holds a 5-Star rating for Online Learning.
UCSI University
UCSI is a private university in Kuala Lumpur founded in 1986. According to QS ranking 2027, it ranked 30th in Asia and 282nd in the world. It is famous as the first private institution in Malaysia recognized by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), with 131 courses and over 12,000 students from 110 countries.
Sunway University
As one of the leading private universities in Malaysia, Sunway is a not-for-profit institution focused on quality education and global issues. According to QS world ranking 2027, Sunway ranked 55th in Asia and =354th in the world, with over 8,000 students in 67 programs.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
APU is a private university in Malaysia formed in 1993. According to QS world ranking 2027, APU ranks 147th in Asia and =528th in the world. APU earned the prestigious “Five Stars Plus” QS rating, becoming the first Malaysian university to receive this distinction.
Other Top Malaysia Universities
- University Technology MARA (UiTM)
- International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- Multimedia University (MMU)
- Management and Science University
- Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
- University Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
- University Tenaga National (UNITEN)
- and Universitiy Malaysia Sarawak (UMS)
In summary, the best public and private universities in Malaysia are led by UM at #56 globally and UTP at =261 as the top private institution. For the complete ranking of all 29 Malaysian universities, visit our Malaysia university ranking page.
Furthermore, in terms of presence, the University of Malaya, established in 1949, is the oldest university in Malaysia, and USM and UPM are in second and third positions, respectively.
Some of the top local universities include University Malaya, University Teknologi Malaysia, University of Science Malaysia, University Putra Malaysia, International Islamic University of Malaysia, University of Petronas, University of Tenaga, University of Multimedia, Sunway University, and National University of Malaysia.
As a Malaysian, there is no question that state universities like the University of Malaya are the least expensive in the country.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Southern University College, and New Era University College are a few examples of reasonably priced private universities you can choose if you are unable to get accepted into public universities.
Of course, there are better private university such as Sunway University, although we restricted the disucssion on this, as issue itself focus on cheaper universities.
What are English requirements to study in Malaysia?
Dear Isabella
It depends on the program you plan to study in Malaysia. However, it is band 5.0-6.0 for IELTS and 450 to 580 for TOEFL PBT. for more information, please visit the following link.
https://sharifstudy.com/en/english-requirements-malaysia