SharifStudy Best way to Study in Malaysia
The latest Malaysia university ranking by QS places Universiti Malaya (UM) at #56 globally, leading 29 Malaysian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027. USM, UKM, UPM, and UTM complete the top five, while UTP, Taylor’s, and UCSI lead the private sector.
Data on this page is updated several times each year and is last updated on August 2026 ✓
Malaysia University Ranking 2027 (QS)
The QS World University Rankings 2027 provide the most widely referenced assessment of Malaysian universities. The table below lists every Malaysian institution ranked by QS, showing both world and Asia positions. For detailed profiles of the best universities in Malaysia, visit our dedicated guide.
| # | University | World Ranking | Asia Ranking (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 11 | University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) | =518 | 136 |
| 12 | Asia Pacific University (APU) | =528 | 147 |
| 13 | University Utara Malaysia (UUM) | =540 | 65 |
| 14 | University Technology MARA – UiTM | =549 | 116 |
| 15 | University Malaysia Pahang (UMPSA) | =588 | 153 |
| 16 | Management and Science University | =608 | 125 |
| 17 | International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | =691 | 142 |
| 18 | SEGi University | 701–710 | 350 |
| 19 | Lincoln University College | 701–710 | 196 |
| 20 | University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) | 701–710 | 160 |
| 21 | Multimedia University (MMU) | 771–780 | 148 |
| 22 | University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | 801–850 | 109 |
| 23 | University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) | 851–900 | 156 |
| 24 | University of Cyberjaya | 951–1000 | 434 |
| 25 | University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) | 1001–1200 | 197 |
| 26 | University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) | 1001–1200 | 214 |
| 27 | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) | 1001–1200 | 243 |
| 28 | University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) | 1001–1200 | 268 |
| 29 | University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) | 1401+ | 396 |
2026 comparison: The previous QS edition placed UM at =58, UKM at =126, USM and UPM at =134, and UTM at =153. The 2027 results show UM improving to #56 and USM rising to =128, while UKM moved to #130, UPM to #138, and UTM to =158. Among private universities, Sunway improved notably from #410 to =354, while Taylor’s shifted from #253 to #272. Keeping this year-on-year comparison helps readers track progress while the 2027 table remains the primary ranking reference.
Overall, the latest Malaysia university ranking confirms the meaningful rise of private universities like UTP, Taylor’s and UCSI, showing how competitive Malaysia’s private sector has become. For many students, the key takeaway is that you now have several world-class options across Malaysia public universities and private universities, depending on your budget and study field. To explore more about Malaysia’s leading institutions, including the largest university in Malaysia, visit our detailed guide.
Malaysia Government University Ranking
Malaysia’s public (government) universities consistently lead the national ranking. The five highest-ranked government universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 are:
1. University of Malaya (UM) — World #56, Asia #15
2. University Science Malaysia (USM) — World =128, Asia #34
3. University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) — World #130, Asia #24
4. University Putra Malaysia (UPM) — World #138, Asia #22
5. University Technology Malaysia (UTM) — World =158, Asia #25
These five research universities form the core of Malaysia’s public higher education system and consistently outperform private institutions in global rankings. For a full list of government-funded institutions, visit our Malaysia government universities guide.
Malaysia Top Universities of 2026 (THE Ranking)
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings offer an alternative perspective on Malaysian university performance. Unlike QS, which emphasizes academic and employer reputation, THE evaluates teaching quality, research influence, citations, and international outlook. This methodology favors universities with strong research output and global collaborations.
| # | University | THE Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) | 201–250 |
| 2 | University of Malaya (UM) | 251–300 |
| 3 | Sunway University | 301–350 |
| 4 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 301–350 |
| 5 | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | 401–500 |
| 6 | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | 401–500 |
| 7 | Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | 401–500 |
| 8 | Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 501–600 |
| 9 | Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) | 601–800 |
| 10 | Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) | 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) | 1001–1200 |
| 18 | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) | 1501+ |
| 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+ |
In the THE ranking, UTP leads Malaysian universities at 201–250, followed by UM at 251–300. Sunway University and UKM share the 301–350 band. The THE ranking often produces different results from QS because it weights research impact and citations more heavily, benefiting institutions with strong publication records. For instance, Sunway University ranks in the THE 301–350 band despite placing =354 in QS, showing how its research output boosts its THE standing. Similarly, UTP leads the THE ranking at 201–250, while in QS it places =261, demonstrating how its strong research collaboration with industry gives it an edge in THE’s methodology.
QS World University Ranking Methodology
QS evaluates universities across six metrics: academic reputation (30%), employer reputation (15%), faculty-student ratio (10%), citations per faculty (20%), international faculty ratio (5%), and international student ratio (5%). This methodology rewards institutions with strong academic standing, graduate employability, and global diversity.
Other major ranking systems include the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking, which emphasizes teaching quality, research influence, and citations, and the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), which measures research output and journal quality. QS remains the most widely referenced ranking system for Malaysian universities and is the primary ranking used on this page. In the SJR 2026 ranking, USM and UKM lead Malaysian institutions at global positions 1089 and 1091 respectively, reflecting their robust contributions to academic journals and research publications.
For students choosing a university, it is worth consulting multiple ranking systems. A university that ranks highly in QS may rank differently in THE or SJR due to their distinct methodologies. For example, research-focused institutions like USM and UPM tend to perform better in SJR, while universities with strong employer connections like Taylor’s excel in QS.
Understanding these ranking systems helps students and academics choose top universities Malaysia that align with their priorities.
Malaysia’s Highest-Ranked Universities at a Glance
The following summaries highlight the ranking positions and key facts about Malaysia’s top-ranked institutions. For full university profiles, visit our best universities in Malaysia guide.
University of Malaya (UM) — Malaysia’s highest-ranked university at #56 globally and #15 in Asia (QS 2027). Founded in 1949, UM is the oldest university in Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur with over 17,300 undergraduate and 17,300 postgraduate students.
University Science Malaysia (USM) — Ranked =128 globally and #34 in Asia (QS 2027). Established in 1969 in Penang, USM serves 30,000 students across 17 Academic Schools with specialized campuses for engineering and health sciences.
University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) — Ranked #130 globally and #24 in Asia (QS 2027). Also known as the National University of Malaysia, UKM is a publicly funded research institution in Bangi, Selangor.
University Putra Malaysia (UPM) — Ranked #138 globally and #22 in Asia (QS 2027). Located in Serdang, UPM began as an agricultural college in 1931 and maintains strong research programs in agriculture and forestry.
University Technology Malaysia (UTM) — Ranked =158 globally and #25 in Asia (QS 2027). A public engineering and technology institution with campuses in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, UTM specializes in engineering, science, and biosciences.
University Technology PETRONAS (UTP) — The highest-ranked private university at =261 globally and #44 in Asia (QS 2027). Founded in 1997 and owned by Petronas, UTP offers industry-focused engineering and technology programs with a five-star QS rating.
Taylor’s University — Ranked #272 globally and #27 in Asia (QS 2027). Located in Subang Jaya, Taylor’s is recognized as the top private university in Southeast Asia, with a 5-Star rating for online learning and expertise in hospitality management.
UCSI University — Ranked #282 globally and #30 in Asia (QS 2027). Founded in 1986 in Kuala Lumpur, UCSI hosts over 12,000 students from 110 countries and was the first private Malaysian institution recognized by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Sunway University — Ranked =354 globally and #55 in Asia (QS 2027). A not-for-profit institution with over 8,000 students across 67 programs, Sunway has shown notable improvement from #410 in the previous QS edition.
INTI International University — Ranked =406 globally and #122 in Asia (QS 2027). INTI is part of the INTI Education Group and offers a range of programs with strong international partnerships.
How Malaysia’s Universities Rank on the World Stage
Malaysian universities consistently secure strong positions in global rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Universiti Malaya (UM) leads at #56 globally, followed by USM at =128, UKM at #130, UPM at #138, and UTM at =158. These positions reflect the quality of education, research output, and international diversity at Malaysia’s leading institutions.
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.
Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, English-taught programs, and affordable tuition 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.
For students interested in exploring the best universities in Malaysia or the best private universities in Malaysia, our dedicated guides provide detailed information about each institution.
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 right university for your academic and career goals.
I’m interested in knowing which Malaysian universities are ranked highest in the 2024 rankings, specifically in the fields of engineering and technology. How do these institutions compare in terms of academic reputation, research opportunities, and international student support?
We are glad to hear about your interest in studying in Malaysia! Our website lists the top-ranked universities for 2024, especially in engineering and technology. Please reach out to our agents for detailed information on academic quality, research chances, and support for international students.
How does this ranking determine whether universities are good for jobs?
Our ranking looks at if graduates get jobs and how closely universities work with businesses. This helps show which universities are best at getting students ready for work. contact our agent for more information (+60147148070).
Are all this ranking data updated and reliable?
I mean the asian rankings for private universities.
Hi, The data provided is directly extracted from trustable sources and it is updated many times during each year, So, yes, All this ranking data is updated and 100% reliable.
what is ranking of ABU in malyasia univeristy list
Hey Mahnood!
If by ABU, you are mentioning APU (Asia Pacific University of Malaysia),
It is ranked 597th on world university ranking.
Hi, what is actually more important ? QS or THE is important for university quality? Tell me please to study better choice.
Hi Salim,
For students, QS is usually more helpful because it focuses more on reputation among employers, international students, and teaching quality. while “THE” is more based on academic-research and PHD applicants might find it more helpful.