Best Medical, Dental & Pharmacy Schools in Malaysia, according to D-SETARA ratings

Did you know that Medicine is one of the most popular courses Malaysian students take locally? It's no wonder because this is one of the most life-altering professions that enable you to greatly contribute to the whole community (if this isn't your main motivator, then perhaps consider another course?).

If you have a passionate interest in pursuing your studies in the medical and health field, you should totally consider one of the top universities we've included in the list below. 

In this feature, we present you the best medical universities in Malaysia according to the D-SETARA rating established by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). The system ranks private and public universities with 5 Tier as the highest.

Oh, btw, we thought you might like this - check out these online open days. Take virtual tours of our facilities, chat to the counselors, get answers on the spot!

But first, how does the SETARA ranking system work?

SETARA rates the quality of teaching and learning by categorising the universities according to six tiers of the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).

Now let's start with the universities and find out which university is the best and perfect for health and medical studies:

1. Universiti Malaya (UM)

At Tier 5 is Universiti Malaya, the country's leading state university, this is the public institution where a lot of students want to get accepted. Known for its rigorous entry requirements - must have a 4.0 CGPA and pass the interview test, UM makes a good place to take up medicine and other health science courses because it has its own university hospital and even a UM specialist centre. 

2. AIMST University

At Tier 4 is AIMST University, the private institution's medical programme is modelled on the clinically integrated curriculum followed by major medical schools in the United Kingdom and also incorporates local requirements stipulated by the Malaysian Medical Council. 

3. International Medical University (IMU)

Also in Tier 4 is International Medical University, a private institution that has first introduced the Partner Medical School programme that allows a student to start their education in Malaysia while completing and earning a degree at an international university. To date, IMU has 30 world-class university partners in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US, Ireland, China and UK.

4. Monash University, Malaysia Campus

Monash University Malaysia is a full-fledged campus of one of Australia’s top universities, offering world-class education and research. It earns Tier 4 in the recent D-SETARA ratings. Monash's pharmacy programme is identical to that conducted by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Parkville campus in Melbourne, Australia and so does its other programmes in medicine and medical science. 

5. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Also in Tier 4 is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) which has a strong academic reputation as Malaysia’s national university and is supported by the Malaysian government as a Research and Autonomous University. In 2013, UKM is the only Malaysian institution in the top 100 of the inaugural Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings.

6. UCSI University

In Tier 3 is UCSI University, which has a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences that offers a recognised Pharmacy degree and postgraduate programme since the year 2000. The UCSI pharmacy programme trains students with creative and critical thinking, in addition to the research skills needed for their career advancement.

Other public universities to consider: 

• Universiti Malaysia Sabah - Tier 4
• Universiti Malaysia Sarawak - Tier 4
• Universiti Putra Malaysa - Tier 4
• Universiti Teknologi MARA - Tier 4
• Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia  - Tier 3

Related study guides:

• Health and Medicine in Malaysia
• MBBS in Malaysia
• Nursing in Malaysia
• Pharmacy in Malaysia