Malaysia has over 590 higher education institutions and more than 1,270,000 students enrolled.
With such a vast selection of universities and colleges, you may seek guidance in finding the right learning institution.
Therefore, let us guide you through Malaysia's best universities and colleges.
Top Universities And Colleges in Malaysia
Malaysia's higher education system consistently improves and offers a range of top-rated colleges and universities.
These institutions have gained recognition both locally and internationally.
Hence, we have compiled a complete list of Malaysian education institutions according to the QS World University Ranking for 2024 below:
| No. | University | QS World Ranking 2024 |
|
1 |
Universiti Malaya (UM) | 65 |
| 2 | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | 137 |
| 3 | Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 158 |
| 4 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 159 |
| 5 | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 188 |
| 6 | Taylor's University | 284 |
| 7 | UCSI University | 300 |
| 8 | Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) | 307 |
| 9 | Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | 538 |
| 10 | Universiti Teknologi MARA - UiTM | 555 |
| 11 | INTI International University | 556 |
| 12 | Sunway University | 586 |
| 13 | Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) Malaysia | 621-630 |
| 14 | Management and Science University | 621-630 |
| 15 | International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | 711-720 |
| 16 | Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) | 761-770 |
| 17 | Universiti Malaysia Pahang | 781-790 |
| 18 | Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | 801-850 |
| 19 | Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) | 951-1000 |
| 20 | Multimedia University (MMU) | 1001-1200 |
| 21 | universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) | 1001-1200 |
| 22 | Universiti Malaysia Perlis | 1001-1200 |
| 23 | Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) | 1001-1200 |
| 24 | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) | 1001-1200 |
| 25 | Universiti Malaysia Terengganu | 1001-1200 |
| 26 | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) | 1001-1200 |
| 27 | Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia | 1001-1200 |
| 28 | UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA | 1201-1400 |
Also read: Malaysia University Ranking 2024 here!
Other than QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the Malaysian university and college ranking can be determined by SETARA.
What Is SETARA?
SETARA was developed under the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2015-2025 for Higher Education.
This rating system uses a strict assessment methodology to evaluate the local educational institutions.
It is based on three performance metrics -- teaching, research, and services, and the institutions' status, to be fairly represented.
Below is the breakdown of the SETARA performance metrics weightage:
| Mature University | Emerging University | University College | |
| General | 40% | 40% | 40% |
|
Teaching and learning |
30% | 40% | 50% |
| Research | 20% | 15% | 5% |
| Services | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Malaysian universities and college status
As for the Malaysian learning instituitions' status, you may refer to the table below:
| Types of universities and college | Status remarks |
| Mature universities | Over 15 years of operation. |
| Emerging universities | Established within 15 years. |
| University colleges | Institutions with university college status regardless of the history. |
SETARA rating-tier
The SETARA rating system employs a comprehensive six-tier categorization scheme to assess performance.
| Rating-tier | Category |
| Tier Six | Outstanding |
| Tier Five | Excellent |
| Tier Four | Very Good |
| Tier Three | Good |
| Tier Two | Satisfactory |
| Tier One | Weak |
Best Universities in Malaysia (SETARA ranking)
| No. | Universities | SETARA ranking |
| 1 | Universiti Malaya | Outstanding: 6 |
| 2 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 3 | Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 4 | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 5 | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 6 | Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 7 | International Medical Malaysia (IMU) | Outstanding: 6 |
| 8 | Monash University Malaysia | Outstanding: 6 |
| 9 | Universiti Malaysia Pahang | Excellent: 5 |
| 10 | Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | Excellent: 5 |
| 11 | International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | Excellent: 5 |
| 12 | Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) | Excellent: 5 |
| 13 | Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) | Excellent: 5 |
| 14 | Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | Excellent: 5 |
| 15 | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) | Excellent: 5 |
| 16 | Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) | Excellent: 5 |
| 17 | Curtin University, Malaysia | Excellent: 5 |
| 18 | The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNM) | Excellent: 5 |
| 19 | Asia Pacific University of Technology and innovation (APU) | Excellent: 5 |
| 20 | Management and Science University (MSU) |
Excellent: 5 |
Why University and College Rankings Are Important?
When deciding on pursuing higher education in Malaysia, students need to consider the rankings of universities.
These rankings serve purposes, including providing a quality check for students to determine the caliber of higher education institutions in Malaysia.
Rankings are often based on research output, academic excellence, and faculty credentials, which can provide a better career prospect.
Therefore, highly-ranked universities usually provide better faculty, facilities, and academic resources to enhance students' learning experience.
They also offer financial aid and scholarships to attract more students to enroll in the institution.
Besides, university rankings can help students to identify which institutions excel in their chosen academic discipline.
It shows that the university rankings are not solely based on reputation. But it also depends on the specific study field.
With that, the students can make informed decisions that align with their interests or prospect planning.
When choosing a university, it is vital to remember that rankings should not be the sole determining factor.
Instead, as a student, you should carefully consider your personal preferences, career, financial constraints, and the specific courses each institution provides.
Ultimately, the ideal university for a student caters to their unique needs and objectives.
Our goal is to help you find the right course and university. Feel free to check out our website for useful Guides and Articles!
