The Best Universities in Malaysia according to QS World University Rankings 2025. Malaysia is now a must-have destination for you to consider. The main factor that makes Malaysia an ideal place to study is its rapidly improving quality of education. This is evident from the ranking of the best universities in Malaysia which has consistently increased in the QS World University Rankings in recent years.
In addition, tuition fees in Malaysia are quite affordable. When compared to the cost of studying in Europe or the US, the cost in this neighboring country can be as little as a third. In addition, Malaysia also provides various scholarships and work/internship opportunities for international students.
Top Universities in Malaysia According to QS World
1. Universiti Malaya (UM)
Ranked 60th in QS World University Rankings 2025
UM is ranked 54th in QS World University Rankings 2021 for Engineering and Technology.
UM Business School has 2 international accreditations from Eduniversal, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Another Article : Top 10 Universities in China 2025 According to QS Rankings
2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Ranked 138th in QS World University Rankings 2025
UKM is ranked 13th in QS Top 50 Under 50 2020 (a list of the world’s top 50 universities established in the last 5 decades)
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Malaysia’s first astronaut, is a UKM alumnus.
3. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Ranked 146th in QS World University Rankings 2025
USM was awarded the Most Entrepreneurial University of The Year award by the Ministry of Education Malaysia in 2018.
The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia granted USM the ‘APEX University’ status. This means the government provides extra funding to help USM elevate its status to a world-class institution.
USM rose to 2nd place for Malaysia in QSWUR 2024 (previously 4th)
4. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Ranked 148th in QS World University Rankings 2025
UPM is one of the leading research universities in Malaysia.
UPM is ranked 80th in QS World University Rankings 2021 for Agriculture and Forestry.
5. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Ranked 181st in QS World University Rankings 2025
UTM is known as the oldest engineering and technology university in Malaysia. Most of the engineering graduates in Malaysia are UTM alumni.
UTM focuses on postgraduate education. Therefore, around 56% of students at UTM are postgraduate students.
6. Taylor’s University
Ranked 251st in QS World University Rankings 2025
This university is ranked 17th in QS World University Rankings 2021 for Hospitality & Leisure Management.
Taylor’s University is the only university in Malaysia to receive TedQual certification from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
7. UCSI University
Ranked 265th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
UCSI Institute of Music is ranked 45th in the QS World University Rankings 2021 for Performing Arts
UCSI is the first private university in Malaysia to be recognised as a Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) by the United Nations University.
8. INTI International University & Colleges
Ranked 516th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
9. Sunway University
Ranked 539th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
10. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Ranked 554th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
