Malaysia University Rankings

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Getting to know the best universities in Malaysia will help you make better decisions and build a brighter future! Whether you are looking for a globally recognized degree, a dynamic learning environment or best chances of international employability, we wrote this guide for you.
Data on this page is updated several times each year and is last updated on July 2026 ✓

Malaysia University Ranking (2027)

#	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. Keeping this year-on-year comparison helps readers track progress while the upcoming 2027 table remains the primary ranking reference.

Overall, the latest Malaysia university ranking confirms the meaningful rise of private universities like UTP (Universiti Teknologi Petronas), 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 Top Universities of 2026 (THE Ranking)

	University	(THE) Ranking
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)	601-600
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+

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 Ranking, QS World University Ranking, and the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.

SJR Ranking of Malaysia Universities 2026

	University / Institution	(SJR) Global Ranking 2026
1	University of Science, Malaysia	1089
2	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia	1091
3	University of Malaya	1258
4	University Putra Malaysia	1307
5	University of Technology, Malaysia	2040
6	Universiti Teknologi MARA	2260
7	Petronas University of Technology	2961
8	Monash University Malaysia	3053
9	Taylors University	4266
10	International Islamic University Malaysia	4293
11	University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus	4480
12	Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus	4506
13	Xiamen University Malaysia	4778
14	University of Malaysia Sabah	4896
15	International Medical University	4925
16	Sunway University	5000
17	Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia	5025
18	University of Malaysia, Pahang	5073
19	University Tunku Abdul Rahman	5211
20	Multimedia University	5276

University ranking in Malaysia for 2026 and 2027 and lists of the top universities in Malaysia provide valuable information for students, parents, and everybody who is interested to Study in Malaysia.

Best Malaysia Universities 2025

Top Malaysia’s University on QS Malaysia rankings was UM (#60th) and best university of Malaysia based on THE 2025 was UTP (#201-250th) following by UM(#251-300th).

Malaysian top universities showed a great improvement on this year’s QS world ranking. QS Malaysia Ranking granted UM, Taylors University and Sunway University way better ranks, but the upward trend continued even on 2026 rankings.

THE & SJR Malaysia University Ratings 2026

The Times Higher Education (THE) provides a global perspective on academic excellence. Unlike QS ranking, 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 ranking due to its strong research network and high citation rates. On the other hand, Taylor’s University excels in QS ranking for its focus on employer engagement and innovative teaching but ranks lower in THE because of less emphasis on research.

SJR ranking, 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 ranking owing to their robust contributions to research journals and academic publications.

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

Best Public vs Best Private Universities in Malaysia

According to the 2027 QS World University Rankings, the University of Malaya (UM) continues to be the top ranking university in Malaysia, remaining Malaysia’s highest-ranked university. In the 2027 ranking, UM stands at (#56) as #1st best Public Malaysian University.

Close behind is UTP (#=261) is the highest-ranked private university in Malaysia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 while based on THE Malaysia University Ranking, Sunway University (#301-350th) is best private university in Malaysia.

Best Public Universities in Malaysia

University Malaya UM
	World Ranking : 56	Asia Ranking : 15
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. At Sep-2025, UM had more than 17,300 undergraduate students and over 17,300 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: 130	Asia Ranking: 24
The National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM) stands as the 3rd-highest-ranked university in Malaysia in the QS World University Rankings 2027. 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: =128	Asia Ranking: 34
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 while almost 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 : 138	Asia Ranking : 22
Located in Serdang, just to the south of Kuala Lumpur, University Putra Malaysia is a public research institution. QS ranks UPM #138 globally in 2027 and #22 in Asia in the 2026 Asian University Rankings. 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 : =158	Asia Ranking : 25
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 places UTM at #=158 in the world in 2027 and #25 in Asia in the 2026 Asian University Rankings, making it one of the top universities in Malaysia for students looking to pursue careers in technology and science.

Best Private Universities in Malaysia

University Technology PETRONAS UTP
	World Ranking : =261	Asia Ranking : 44
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS is announced as Malaysia’s best university for engineering and technology. It ranks #=261 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, close to Taylor’s University, another leading Malaysian private university, ranked 272nd. Based in Seri Iskandar, Perak, UTP combines industry focused teaching, impactful research, and strong PETRONAS links for outstanding student outcomes. UTP is also ranked 44th in Asia according to 2026 QS Asia University Ranking.

 

Taylor’s University  Taylor’s
	World Ranking : 272	Asia Ranking : 27
Taylor’s University is almost the best private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Most of it is located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Taylor’s University is ranked #272 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and #27 in Asia in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026. 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 : 282	Asia Ranking : 30
The Universal Commercial Services Institute (UCSI) was established in 1986 as a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The QS World University Rankings 2027 place it at #282 globally, while it is #30 in Asia in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026. 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 : =354	Asia Ranking : 55
Sunway University is a non-profit organization that values academic freedom and an awareness of pressing global issues. Sunway University is #=354 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and #55 in Asia in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026. 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 : =528	Asia Ranking : 147
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 Rankings 2027, APU ranks #=528 globally; it is #147 in Asia in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026, 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.

 

Lincoln University College, Malaysia
	World Ranking : 701–710	Asia Ranking : 196
Lincoln University College (LUC) is a private Malaysian institution known for practical, industry connected programs and a strongly international community. LUC is ranked 701–710 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026 it stands at 196th, with a regional position of 47 in Southeast Asia. LUC’s international outlook is reflected in Times Higher Education metrics, which score LUC highly for global engagement. Together, these recognitions underscore LUC’s mission to equip students with great skills and cross cultural perspectives in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

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 Ranking and Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking. 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.

Malaysia University Ranking – FAQs