Top Universities in Malaysia 2024

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The number of students who wish to study abroad is increasing more and more due to desiring to study at world-class high-ranking universities. Furthermore, since international universities have more facilities and experienced professors and lecturers, are a perfect destination for elite students who desire to study abroad.

Although there are many top international universities in the world, many students with low budgets are deprived of studying and learning due to their high tuition fees and expenses. Therefore, affordable international universities are a proper choice for such students.

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. Malaysia 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 University in Malaysia

University Name	World Ranking	Asia Ranking
UM University	65	9
USM University	137	32
UPM University	158	27
UKM University	159	30
UTM University	188	39
Taylor’s University	284	49
UCSI University	300	72
UTP University	307	68
UUM University	538	108
University Technology MARA – UiTM	555	104

QS Ranking for Malaysia Universities 2024

University Name	World Ranking	Asia Ranking
UM University	65	9
USM University	137	32
UPM University	158	27
UKM University	159	30
UTM University	188	39
Taylor’s University	284	49
UCSI University	300	72
UTP University	307	68
UUM University	538	108
University Technology MARA – UiTM	555	104
INTI International University	556	301
Sunway University	586	122
Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)	621-630	179
Management and Science University	621-630	177
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)	711-720	136
University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)	761-770	198
University Malaysia Pahang	781-790	132
University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)	801-850	174
University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)	951-1000	182
University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)	1001-1200	198
University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)	1001-1200	271-280
University Malaysia Sabah (UMS)	1001-1200	251-260
University Malaysia Perlis	1001-1200	301-350
University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)	1001-1200	351-400
Multimedia University (MMU)	1001-1200	207

Public Universities

University of Malaya (UM)

UM (University Malaysia) is the highest ranking Malaysian university and a public research university based in the largest city and the federal capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. As the oldest university in Malaysia, UM was founded in 1949, by merging several colleges have existed in Singapore. It offers a large range of subjects in which more than 14,580 undergraduate students and more than 13,700 postgraduate have enrolled.

According to the latest update of QS University Rankings in 2024, University of Malaya ranked 9th in Asia and 65th in the world. It is a well-known choice among international students, mainly for postgraduate subjects. About 20 percent of students in Malaysia are from outside of the country.

University Science Malaysia (USM)

USM was founded in 1969 as the fourth university in the country and is one of Malaysia greatest universities. It was previously known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. In 1971, USM relocated from temporary quarters at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College in Bukit Gelugor to its current 416.6-hectare campus in Minden, about 9.7 kilometers from Georgetown.

USM offers courses in natural sciences, applied sciences, medical and health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, building science and technology, social sciences, humanities, and education. These are available to approximately 30,000 students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels at its 17 Academic Schools on the main campus in Penang; six Schools at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal (approximately 50km from the main campus); and 3 at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (approximately 300km from the main campus).

USM is the 32nd best university in Asia and the 137th top university in the world according to QS university ranking. Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public research university that covers a wide range of subjects. Its main campus is in Georgetown on the island of Penang, with two other campuses on the western and eastern sides of the Peninsular Malaysia mainland specializing in engineering and healthcare.

University Putra Malaysia (UPM)

In 1931, they founded University Putra Malaysia as the School of Agriculture on a 22-acre plot of land in Serdang. It offered two programs: a three-year diploma and a one-year certificate. They established UPM as a university in 1971.

University Putra Malaysia is a public research university located in Serdang, south of Kuala Lumpur. According to QS university ranking, UPM is ranked 27th in Asia and 158th worldwide. University Putra Malaysia was started as an agricultural college and continues to focus on research and teaching in the fields of agriculture and forestry, but it has grown to become a comprehensive university with courses in all academic areas. It has a substantial admission, comparable to other leading universities in Malaysia.

University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

People often refer to the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as the National University of Malaysia (NUM), and it ranks third among Malaysia’s best universities. Like many of Malaysia’s top universities, UKM operates as a publicly funded institution. It has a large undergraduate and graduate student body and offers a wide range of courses with an emphasis on research. Bangi, a tiny town in the Selangor region south of Kuala Lumpur, is home to the university’s main campus.

In the QS Asia University Rankings, University Kebangsaan Malaysia secured the 30th position. Meanwhile, the QS World University Rankings ranked it at 159th in 2024. Although founded in 1970, UKM also appears in the QS Best 50 Under 50, which ranks the top 50 global universities less than 50 years old. It performs very well in terms of attracting international faculty members, ranking 12th in Asia on this metric, two places ahead of University Malaya.

It has grown from three faculties to thirteen faculties, thirteen research institutes of excellence, and two commercial organizations, UKM Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and UKM Technology Sdn. Bhd., since its inception. It has thus risen not only in size but also in prominence, becoming a research institute with different research centers.

 

University Technology Malaysia (UTM)

University Technology Malaysia is a public engineering and technology institution with two main campuses: one in the federal capital Kuala Lumpur and the other in Johor Bahru, a city on the Malaysian mainland southern tip. “Universiti Teknologi Malaysia offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various subjects. While most of these programs focus on engineering and technology, it also has faculties for science, biosciences and medical engineering, management, and human resources. In the latest QS University Rankings, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia stands at 39th in Asia and 188th globally.

University Utara Malaysia (UUM)

University Utara Malaysia, which is mostly based in Sintok, Kedah, but also has a non-residential campus in Kuala Lumpur, is ranked 108 in Asia and 538 in the world. It was founded in 1984 as the first and only institution dedicated completely to management education. Its main campus is a massive 1,061-hectare estate surrounded by stunning landscape, with 107 acres of forest open to the public and amenities including a golf course, go-kart track, and equestrian center.

Private Universities

Taylor’s University

Taylor’s university ranked as the top private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, placing it among the world best universities. It is mainly located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. According to the QS ranking in 2024, Taylor’s university ranked 59 in Asia and 284 in the world. This university also holds a 5-Star rating for Online Learning, making it one of the few in Asia. Taylor’s University stands out for its Hospitality and Leisure Management, claiming the 16th spot worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. It has defended its title as the top-ranked Malaysian university in this category for the fifth consecutive year.

Sunway University

As one of the leading private universities in Malaysia, Sunway university is a not-for-profit institution that supports enterprise, focuses on the quality of education, and considers key global problems. According to the QS world ranking in 2024, Taylor’s university ranked 122 in Asia and 586 in the world. In the 2024 edition, Sunway University performed among the top 18% in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024. It ranked 31 among Malaysian universities. This university has 67 courses and consists of around eight thousand students which approximately one thousand are from out of Malaysia.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)

APU (The Asia Pacific University of Technology) is a private university in Malaysia that formed in 1993 as the Asia Pacific university college of technology and innovation after that university college status in Asia Pacific improved. According to QS world ranking in 2024, APU ranks 179 in Asia and 621-630 in the world.

UCSI university

UCSI (Universal Commercial Services, Inc) is a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia founded in 1986. According to QS university ranking in 2024, it ranked 72 in Asia and 300 in the world. This university is famous as the first private institution in Malaysia recognized by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), UKd. It offers 131 courses and more than 12000 students from 110 different countries.

University Technology Petronas

University Technology Petronas ranked 68 in Asia and 307 in the world, is one of the newest universities in Malaysia, founded only 25 years ago in 1997. Petronas, the national oil and gas business of Malaysia, owns the institution, which offers a wide range of industry-focused engineering, scientific, and technology programs at all levels of study. In the QS Stars grading system, it receives five stars overall, with five stars for teaching, facilities, employability, and internationalization.

Other Top Malaysia Universities

In summary, well ranked public and private universities in Malaysia based on QS university rankings. Among public universities, UM achieved the top rank in 2024 which is #65 in the world. Also, Taylor’s and UCSI universities ranked #284 which are best private universities in 2024. 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.

FAQs

What is the number 1 university in Malaysia?

University of Malaya (UM), a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur,  is the highest-ranking institution in the country (# 65 based on QS world ranking 2024).

What is the number 1 Private university in Malaysia?

According to QS world ranking 2024, Taylor’s University and UCSI university both ranked #284 are top private universities in Malaysia.

Are Malaysian universities well-know in the world?

For good reasons, educational credentials earned in Malaysia, from kindergarten through university, are famous globally.

Which university has the biggest campus in Malaysia?

The largest and most prestigious institution in Malaysia is University Putra Malaysia which is a multidisciplinary university.

How many university students are there in Malaysia?

1,325,699 students enrolled in tertiary education in Malaysia as of September 30, 2019. There are 666,617 PHEIs and 574,202 (49.7%) of them are public universities.