ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

the logo

Best universities in Malaysia 2025

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ class="css-hvx90">

Explore the best universities in Malaysia, based on data collected byÌýTimes Higher Education

  • Best universities in
  • Rankings
  • Rankings for Students
  • Study abroad
October 22 2024
Best universities in Malaysia

Share

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>Top 7 universities in Malaysia 2025

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Malaysia

Malaysia Rank 2025World University Rank 2025ÌýWorld University Rank 2024ÌýUniversityCity/area
1201–250Ìý301–350ÌýUniversiti Teknologi PetronasSeri Iskandar
2251–300Ìý251–300ÌýUniversity of MalayaKuala Lumpur
=3401–500Ìý601–800ÌýSunway UniversitySelangor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaSelangor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPulau Pinang
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Teknologi MalaysiaJohor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Utara MalaysiaKedah Darul Aman

Ìý

Free graduate employability course
Develop the skills top employers want while you study and get a digital certificate to boost your CV!

Malaysia is a country in South-east Asia known for its natural beauty and diverse population.

Made up of two main land masses, the Malaysian Peninsula and Malaysian Borneo, the country is known equally for its cosmopolitan capital and its wildlife-rich rainforests.

By contrast, Kuala Lumpur – the nation’s capital – is a bustling metropolis, often used as a stepping stone to many other major South Asian destinations. Featuring the iconic Petronas Towers, the city’s impressive skyline is just one of KL’s many attractions. ​

Street food is incredibly popular, and you can expect a varied cuisine with Indian, Chinese and Malay influences.

Among all of this are some outstanding universities, which we have listed below, based on data collected for the THE World University Rankings 2025.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>1. Universiti Teknologi Petronas

The Universiti Teknologi Petronas is a private research university that was established in 1997. It is owned by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), a Malaysian oil and gas company.

The university works alongside PETRONAS to conduct research in six key areas: self-sustainable building, transport infrastructure, health analytics, hydrocarbon recovery, contaminant management, and autonomous systems.

The university is located in Seri Iskandar, a town in western Malaysia.

There are two undergraduate faculties within the university: the faculty of engineering and the faculty of science and information technology. There is also the Centre for Foundation Studies, as well as the Centre for Graduate Studies.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>2. University of Malaya​

The University of Malaya, a public research university in Kuala Lumpur, is Malaysia’s oldest university, founded in 1905.

Initially established to address the shortage of doctors in the country, the university has maintained its position as a leading medical school.

It also offers bachelor’s degrees right through to doctoral qualifications across a range of other disciplines including economics, law, engineering, accountancy, linguistics and education.

The university also partners with several institutions across the globe, with links to Australia, France, Japan and the UK.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>=3. Sunway University

Sunway University is a member of the Sunway Education Group. It was originally established in 2004 as Sunway University College. In 2011 the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education granted it full university status and it became Sunway University.

The university is located in Sunway City, on the western side of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

The university consists of six academic schools: arts, medical and life sciences, hospitality and service management, mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, and the Sunway University Business School. There is also the Centre for American Education and the Centre for English Language Studies.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>=3. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was established in 1970. It has campuses in Bangi, Cheras and Kuala Lumpur.

UKM’s Tun Seri Lanang Library is one of the biggest university libraries in Malaysia with a collection of over 2 million books, journals, e-books, and e-journals.Ìý

Key areas of focus for the university are energy related, which include earth sciences and biotechnology. Research from the university has helped propel various Malaysian industries, within engineering, architecture and food science.Ìý

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>=3. Universiti Sains Malaysia

Founded in 1969, the Universiti Sains Malaysia was the second university to be established in the country.Ìý

The university specialises in the sciences and courses are offered in a number of scientific disciplines, including natural sciences, medical sciences, and building sciences and technology, along with courses in arts, humanities and education.

Alongside the university’s three academic campuses, it also has 17 research centres dedicated to a range of specialisations, including archaeology, policy research and international studies.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>=3. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is a public research university with a focus on engineering, science and technology.

It offers courses inÌýsubjects ranging from architecture and accounting, to electrical engineering and Islamic studies.

The institution has two campuses, one in the centre of the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur,Ìýand the other in the city ofÌýJohor Bahru, the state capital of Johor state, which is at the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia. The latter location is UTM’s main campus and there are 10 residential colleges at this site.Ìý

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>=3. Universiti Utara Malaysia

Universiti Utara Malaysia is a public university that was established in 1984.

The university’s three faculties focus on business, arts and sciences, and law, government and international studies.

Most undergraduate programmes are taught in English, and students are expected to pass a test to prove their proficiency in English. You must also learn the Malay language during your degree, and you will be tested on it at the end of your course.

<ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ>The top universities in Malaysia 2025

Click on each institution to see its full World University Rankings 2025Ìýresults

Malaysia Rank 2025World University Rank 2025ÌýWorld University Rank 2024ÌýUniversityCity/area
1201–250Ìý301–350ÌýUniversiti Teknologi PetronasSeri Iskandar
2251–300Ìý251–300ÌýUniversity of MalayaKuala Lumpur
=3401–500Ìý601–800ÌýSunway UniversitySelangor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaSelangor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPulau Pinang
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Teknologi MalaysiaJohor
=3401–500Ìý401–500ÌýUniversiti Utara MalaysiaKedah Darul Aman
=8601–800Ìý601–800ÌýUniversiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)Pahang
=8601–800Ìý601–800ÌýUniversiti Pendidikan Sultan IdrisTanjong Malim
=8601–800Ìý501–600ÌýUniversiti Putra MalaysiaSelangor
=8601–800Ìý601–800ÌýUniversiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)Selangor
12801–1000ÌýNRÌýManagement & Science University (MSU)Shah Alam
=131001–1200Ìý1201–1500ÌýMultimedia UniversityCyberjaya
=131001–1200Ìý1001–1200ÌýUniversiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)Terengganu
=131001–1200Ìý1201–1500ÌýUniversiti Sultan Zainal AbidinTerengganu
=131001–1200Ìý1001–1200ÌýUniversiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)Petaling Jaya
=171201–1500Ìý1001–1200ÌýUniversiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)Sarawak
=171201–1500Ìý1201–1500ÌýUniversiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)Batu Pahat
=191501+Ìý1501+ÌýUniversiti Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur
=191501+Ìý1501+ÌýUniversiti Malaysia KelantanKelantan
=191501+Ìý1201–1500ÌýUniversiti Malaysia PerlisArau
=191501+Ìý1201–1500ÌýUniversiti Teknikal Malaysia MelakaMelaka
=191501+Ìý1501+ÌýUniversiti Teknologi MARASelangor

Ìý

Ìý


You may also like

Most beautiful universities in East Asia - Nanyang Technological University

The 10 most beautiful universities in East Asia

While it isn’t advisable to base your university choice on how pretty the campus is, here are some of the most beautiful institutions in East Asia for your perusal

March 30 2018
sticky sign up

Register free and enjoy extra benefits