Top 10 Best Universities in Malaysia for International Students 2026

Top 10 Universities in Malaysia 2025-26

Check below the list of best universities in Malaysia as per the QS and THE World University Rankings 2026 and 2025 respectively. 

Universiti Malaya

The university was set up in 1905 in Singapore as the King Edward VII College of Medicine and became the University of Malaya in 1949. At present, the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is the Chancellor of UM. The University of Malaya is recognised as one of the top universities in the world. It offers one of the best MBAs in Malaysia.

Year of establishment: October 8, 1949

Highlights:

• The oldest and one of the leading universities in Malaysia.
• Boasts more than 2,000 staff members, 16,734 undergraduate & 8,629 postgraduate local students and 962 Undergraduate & 4,243 Postgraduate international students.
• Ranked =58th in QS World University Rankings 2026.

Universiti Putra Malaysia

It is a multi-disciplinary university and one of Malaysiaʼs largest and premier institutions. A total of 25,500 students, both Malaysians and foreigners from over 80 nations, are studying here. Universiti Putra Malaysia offers 8 diploma programs, 80 bachelor's programs, and 66 master's programs, all of which are taught by expert faculty. 

Year of establishment: 1931

Highlights:

• A research-intensive public university formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia or Agricultural University of Malaysia and located in central Peninsular Malaysia, close to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
• Recognised by the independent government assessments as one of Malaysia's leading research Universities.
• Ranked the joint =134 in QS World University 2026 and 25th best Asian university in QS Asia University Ranking 2024. 11 of its subjects were recognised among the top 200 in the world.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is recognised among the world's top 200 universities.

Year of establishment: May 18, 1970

Highlights:

• Obtained =126 rank in QS World University Rankings 2026 and 28th in QS Asia University Rankings 2024.
• The university is also known as the National University of Malaysia
• Based on a foundation of 30 years of research, UKM was awarded the status of a Malaysian Research University in October 2006 by the Ministry of Higher Education, a move designed to propel the four public universities into leading research universities in line with the Higher Education Strategic Plan 2007-2020.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (University of Science Malaysia, USM)

Before its establishment as the second university in the country, USM was known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. Students can pursue various courses such as Social Sciences, Humanities, Applied Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Education. 5,000 students of over 70 nationalities are registered as USM students. Various important facilities such as medical centres, post offices, libraries, pharmacies, post office, banks, sports centres, etc, are available for the convenience of the students.

Year of establishment: 1969

Highlights:

• A public university, USM is one of the biggest universities in terms of enrollment in Malaysia.
• Offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to more than 30,000 students. Boasts 26 academic schools and 3 campuses.
• Has 17 research centres for a wide range of specialisations in medicine and dentistry, science and technology, archaeology, molecular medicine, Islamic development, etc.
• USM is one of six universities in Malaysia that have been identified as research-intensive universities, with the other being the University of Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (University of Technology Malaysia, UTM)

Year of establishment: 1904

The University of Technology Malaysia has been ranked =153 in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026 and 37th in Asia by QS World University Rankings: Asia 2024.

Highlights:

• Oldest public engineering and technological university in Malaysia. It is also the country's major source of graduate engineers and similar professionals.
• Specialises in technical studies, with separate faculties for the engineering divisions like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. It also has faculties for Education, Pure Sciences, Management, and Human Resources Development.
• Provides on-campus housing for over 12,000 students in its 10 residential colleges.

Taylor's University

Year of establishment: 1986

Ranked among the best private universities in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Taylor's University is among the top-flight universities globally. It is recognised as one of the few Asian universities which have a 5-star rating for online learning.

Highlights:

• It has been the number one private university in Southeast Asia for 3-consecutive years.
• The university's academic provision is divided into four faculties.

UCSI University

Year of establishment: 1986

A leading higher-learning institute, UCSI University has campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Springhill (Port Dickson) and Kuching, Malaysia. Currently, over 12,000 students are studying various courses at the university. 

Highlights:

Universiti Utara Malaysia (Northern University of Malaysia - UUM)

Year of establishment: 16 February 1984

Highlights:

• First university in the country to be fully wired using fibre-optic cables.
• Has 29 computer laboratories in academic and administrative buildings on the campus, providing students with access points for e-services
• Boasts 3 Graduate Schools, including Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (UUM COB), Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government (UUM GSGSG), and Awang Had Salleh Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (UUM CAS), Universiti Utara Malaysia.
• Academic schools include: Accountancy, Business Management, Computing, Economics, Finance & Banking, Education & Modern Languages, Government, International Studies, Islamic Business, Law, Multimedia Technology & Communication, Quantitative Sciences, Social Development, Technology Management & Logistics, Tourism, Hospitality & Environmental Management

Also Read: Cost of Living for International Students in Malaysia

Management and Science University

Year of establishment: 2001

Highlights:

Read more about studying in Malaysia:

• How to get Malaysia Student Visa in 5 easy steps
• Eligibility conditions for studying at Malaysia
• Top courses in Malaysia

This was all about the top universities in Malaysia for international students. Get Shiksha's Counselling Services for free if you wish to study abroad.