2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Malaysia For International Students

48 Best Value Institutions in Malaysia for International Students

Here are the 48 best-value institutions in Malaysia for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.

The University of Malaya is the oldest and most prestigious university in Malaysia. With many academic programs to offer to domestic and international students, the institution continues innovating to provide its stakeholders with the best education possible. As a university of harmony and academic excellence, it seeks to widen its internationalization by taking in globally-competitive students and improving its research facilities to pave the way for more breakthrough discoveries.

The University of Putra, Malaysia (UPM) initially started as a school of agriculture in 1931 but grew into an influential college in the Selangor region. In 1971, the government of Malaysia converted the college into a complete university capable of educating its students in a wide range of topics and areas.

The University of Technology, Malaysia (UTM) is a long-standing public research institution in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia. UTM began as a technical school in 1904 but later became a college in 1955 and a full-fledged university in 1972. It counts itself as part of the top five universities in Malaysia and has gained international recognition in various fields. While UTM emphasizes technology and innovation, the university also offers a wide range of programs in diverse spheres of study.

The University of Science, Malaysia (USM) is a leading and prestigious institution in Malaysia specializing in science, engineering, health, and management. With its long history of innovation and research, USM has distinguished itself as a research-intensive university responsible for numerous Malaysian patents and inventions.

To further interdepartmental collaboration and ensure that its students are multi-disciplined, USM uses the school instead of the traditional faculty system. As a result, it has achieved a higher research quality and enacted impactful innovations compared to other conventional Malaysian universities.

Established in 1970 by the Malaysian government, the National University of Malaysia stands as the bastion of Malay culture, values, and language. It is among the leading institutions in the country and attracts elite students from around the world to participate in top-class education and research. The university is also rapidly growing in relevance globally which is reflected in its yearly rise in the QS University World rankings from a position of 279 in 2011 to a current world ranking of 129.

Integrating Islamic values and worldviews into scientific and technical education, International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM) aims to restore the roles of Muslims in knowledge creation and dissemination. Founded in 1983 by the government of Malaysia with aid from prominent Muslim scholars, the university has grown into a hub of innovation and extensive academic activities. In addition to skill and competencies, education in IIUM bestows students with a strong ethical conscience and a drive for societal development and impact.

MARA Technological University, also known as Universiti Teknologi MARA or UiTM in Malay, is one of the most extensive institutions in Malaysia. It began as a training center but has grown into a system with a flagship, satellite, and state campuses. UiTM’s premier education quality has allowed it to expand as more students aspire to learn and be trained within its walls. Also, the institution offers other programs, such as foundation courses, besides the usual degree programs, thus, opening more avenues to students who don’t want or can’t pursue a conventional track.

Offering a diverse range of programs but with an emphasis on management, the Northern University of Malaysia (UUM) has one of the best management courses in Malaysia. Students of UUM get the privilege of being mentored by top-tier business and management professionals in the country. The university has two campuses to make studying convenient for its students, with the main campus in Sintok, Changlun, and the other in Kuala Lumpur.

Situated close to Mount Kinabalu and the South China Sea, the University of Malaysia, Sabah (UMS) has one of the most beautiful campuses in Southeast Asia, with access to beaches, mountainous views, and forests. Students of UMS get to study in a serene environment close to natural wonders while engaging with a passionate community of students and lecturers that care deeply about personal growth and creativity.

Established by PETRONAS, the national oil and gas company of Malaysia, in 1997, the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS is a privately owned institution of higher learning. Tasked with the mandate of producing excellent graduates for Malaysia’s engineering and technology industry, the university has distinguished itself in science and technology with its list of prestigious graduates and its numerous research contributions.

The Technical University of Malaysia, Malacca (UTeM) is a public university located in Malacca, a UNESCO world heritage city with a rich multi-cultural history. It is home to one of the best engineering programs in Malaysia and also has a strong and innovative IT department. Since UTeM’s inception in 2000, the university has placed a strong emphasis on practice-based learning. As a result, it is considered the pioneer of ‘Application and Practice Oriented’ education in Malaysia.

Sunway University is an institution that was established to bring entrepreneurial progress and train students who are relevant to the industry. The visions of the university lie in developing an institution that promotes research for its students in the ever-changing world of business. It offers undergraduate programs, together with programs at the graduate and postgraduate levels.

Taylor’s University is a private institution established in the year 1969. It is one of the leading institutions in the region that prides itself in providing its students with research programs excellent for teaching and learning. The university is well known for its hospitality and leisure sectors that serve the region and the community at large.

Sultan Idris Education University is a public university dedicated to training educational professionals at the higher level. While the university offers diverse programs, it has one of the most sought-after education programs.

It was formerly a teacher training college that had served Malaysia since 1992, but it was later converted into a university by the government of Malaysia in 1997. As a result, Sultan Idris Education University is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.

The Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) is a public institution in Nilai, Malaysia, that integrates spiritual and Islamic values with conventional scientific knowledge. USIM also has a branch campus located in Kuala Lumpur focusing on medicine. As part of its goals, USIM wants to produce graduates with high societal impact. They hope to achieve this by producing graduates that are not only devout and disciplined but also knowledgeable and skilled.

University of Malaysia, Pahang is a world-class university focusing on technical courses such as engineering, biotechnology, data science, and more. The institution already has various campuses scattered around the country, with more than 10,000 students trained annually. Since its establishment, the university has aimed to allow its students to gain extensive real-world exposure to prepare them for the latest developments and updates in their fields of interest.

The National Energy University (UNITEN) is a private university owned by Ternaga Nasional Berhad, a Malaysian multinational electric company. UNITEN focuses on engineering, information technology, and management but also offers programs in other fields to provide a wealth of knowledge to its students. Graduates of UNITEN are adequately trained and come out ready to take on various roles, be it in commerce, industry, or academia.

Multimedia University (MMU) is the first private research university in Malaysia. Initially named Telekom University (UniTELE) during its establishment in 1996 but later renamed Multimedia University in 2000, MMU specializes in information and technology-related fields. In addition, the university is located in Cyberjaya, a bustling technological hub that has been dubbed ‘the Silicon Valley of Malaysia.’ This location allows the university to benefit from the city’s technological experience allowing collaboration that is mutually beneficial.

University of Malaysia, Perlis is famous for its science and technology courses. The university excels in the scientific area, which is why it invests more in laboratories and facilities to enhance its research and development sector. Throughout the years, the institution has showcased its skills in molding professional graduates capable of meeting the standards and needs of the industry.

Named in honor of Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman University is a private research university founded with a philosophy of knowledge dissemination and innovation. It is among the top private universities in Malaysia and offers courses in specialist areas like biomedical engineering and digital economy technology. The university also boasts two campus locations, providing its students with a wealth of experience and options.

Tagging itself as a ‘community-driven university,’ the University of Malaysia, Sarawak (UNIMAS) is known in the Malaysian state of Sarawak for its numerous social initiatives and commitment to sustainable development. The university also features a student-centered curriculum that continuously adapts to industry trends and enables individuals to discover their passions and nurture their creativity. Students who attend UNIMAS will find a close-knit community that values community, teamwork, and innovation.

Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia was initially founded in 1993 as Pusat Latihan Staff Polytechnic but was later renamed in 2006 to honor Tun Hussein bin Dato’ Onn, the third prime minister of Malaysia. It is a public university that holds true to its polytechnic roots by producing graduates with technical skills and relevant competencies to meet labor demands.

Sultan Zainal Abidin University is a vast institution that offers a variety of courses to its students based on their interests. Other than the career courses offered, the university prides itself on having clubs and associations as well as sporting activities for the all-around development of its students. The graduate employability is at 90 percent, showing the quality of the graduates produced by the university.

UCSI University is a scientific based institution that envisions itself as being among the universities known to be leaders in academics and community engagement in the area in which it is situated. The university offers research programs with unique delivery methods meant to empower the students and encourage them to desire to be more successful  and to contribute more to society.

University of Malaysia, Kelantan, was established in the year 2006 with the aim of being an institution that not only offers degree courses but also brings about entrepreneurial development. The university offers academic programs that give the graduates a good environment for fulfilling their social responsibilities and which in turn favors global prosperity. UMK has three campuses in different districts in Malaysia, namely, Bachok, Jeli, and Pengkalan Chepa.

University of Malaysia, Terengganu is a marine-focused institution that aims to be well-reputed and works to produce graduates that form a sustainable global community. Formerly known as Malaysian Science and Technology University College (KUSTEM), UMT officially gained full university status in 2007 and has been working toward its goals since. It takes part in international academic activities, having students graduating internationally and locally in the different levels of education offered in the institution.

INTI International University is a private university in Malaysia with four campuses across Malaysia. The university offers courses in high-demand specialist fields like multimedia design and culinary arts and prides itself on its contemporary and adaptable curricula. Its curricula are designed to foster collaboration and creativity among its students and integrate modern tools like the Canvas Learning System to boost students’ learning experience.

Management and Science University is a private institution that works to produce graduates who, in turn, become well-suited for employment by providing them with efficient study programs. It was initially founded as the University College of Technology and Management Malaysia. The programs allow the students to graduate at different levels, giving them a higher chance of securing jobs in the business market and fields.

The University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is a technical university offering academic and professional courses. Its main campus is in the commercial heart of Malaysia’s capital city, but UniKL has 11 other campuses spread across diverse locations in Malaysia, including places like Gombak, Bangi, and Sepang.

To better foster inter-disciplinary interaction, the university uses institutes instead of conventional faculties, and these institutes extend to all its various campus locations.

Hosting over 30,000 students from 165 different countries, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology is a private university that offers study programs in various fields from diploma level to postgraduate level. It was the first private college in Malaysia to be recognized as a university in 2002 and currently operates up to nine campuses all over the world, across Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Tun Abdul Razak University (UNIRAZAK) is considered one of the first private universities to be established in Malaysia. The university aims to ensure that it produces graduates who are top choices for employers and it works toward this goal by providing high-quality study programs that are developed in collaboration with professional bodies. These tailored study programs allow students to graduate with both a degree and accreditation from professional bodies, allowing them to have higher chances in the job market.

The National Defence University of Malaysia is a public institution established to offer military training as well as provide education in different fields such as engineering, management, and science. The university offers study programs that allow its students to graduate and have a higher chance of employment in the job market.

HELP University was established with the aim of providing a good environment for learning to the students in the institution so that they may be fit to take part in societal development. The university envisions itself being one that promotes its culture of developing quality leaders other than encouraging the research programs necessary for the excellence of its graduates at different levels.

Al-Madinah International University is a private institution that was founded by Muslim scholars to spread and nurture Islamic knowledge for those living in the Muslim world. It offers undergraduate programs as well as graduate and post-graduate programs, both on campus and online. The school prides itself in its partnerships with both local and international institutions and uses these partnerships to ensure its students receive a holistic education.

Malaysia University of Science and Technology is a private institution of higher learning that came to be as a result of the endorsement of the Prime Minister at the time (1997) as well as a delegation that had visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to establish a university modeled after MIT. The school’s main aim is to work toward cultivating highly skilled human resources by offering a holistic education to its students.

Quest International University was established with the goal of being more than just an institution that churns out degrees. Its aspirations lie in becoming a university led by research that delivers quality programs and promotes research that is of global quality and recognition. The university offers 28 undergraduate programs, as well as programs at the graduate and postgraduate levels.

Asia e University is a flexible institution that offers partly and also fully online learning to its students. The university prides itself in giving programs and projects that empower students in the various aspects of their study, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. Courses offered in the institution include education, management, new media communication, and business administration.

AIMST University Malaysia is a private institution that aims to provide its students with education and basic technical knowledge in various fields. The university caters to students locally and internationally, providing access to different scientific programs to all its students. The programs offered include pharmacy, biotechnology, and physiotherapy, among others.

The University of Selangor is a renowned private university that aims to train and instill professional values and ethics among its students. It is committed to offering an academic environment conducive to learning, allowing individuals to pursue their passions and dreams in their chosen fields. More than its advanced facilities and infrastructure, the university also provides student-centered policies that put first the well-being of its constituents.

City University Malaysia is a private university established to produce graduates equipped to handle the challenges of the ever-changing world and foster entrepreneurship for the global market. The university has many national and international partnerships in education as well as in the various industries for which it offers study programs. It is a research-focused institution, having its own research center that offers research grants and has partnerships with other research facilities.

Considered the first private virtual university in Malaysia, UNITAR International University is also the first university in Asia to be awarded a 5-star rating in the category of online learning in the QS university ratings. It was founded in 1997 and aimed to educate its students in entrepreneurial programs that will help them develop into employable individuals. The programs offered by the institution include accounting, education, business administration, and fashion design with marketing.

Established with the aim of improving the human capital available in Malaysia, Manipal International University is a multidisciplinary university that offers programs in the fields of science, engineering, management, and business. The school has numerous local and international partners, both in academia and industry. It is one of the six campuses under the Manipal Education Group.

Perdana University is a private university founded in 2011, with the institution being in pursuit of becoming one of the best universities by offering programs in various fields to students. Some of the programs include health and social sciences as well as technology, and they are offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship prides itself on producing professionals who are specially trained for industry. It is the first specialist school for Management, IT, and Entrepreneurship in its region and works toward ensuring the employability and entrepreneurial potential of its students. The university offers study programs from undergraduate to postgraduate level and is a globally integrated school, having students from over 60 countries.

The International University of Malaya-Wales is a private institution that works to educate students that will participate in promoting industrial development. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s courses to students both locally and internationally, covering the fields of arts and sciences like psychology, project management, information technology and computer science, communication, real estate management, and auction.

Albukhary International University is a private university founded by the Albukhary Foundation in Malaysia. It boasts a fully residential campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The school’s vision at its founding was to innovate solutions that would contribute to building a sustainable world and it continues to work toward that vision by providing a conducive living and learning environment.

DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Malaysia is at the forefront of offering automotive education in Malaysia. The university concentrates on technical and vocational courses to produce competent graduates who are well-equipped in theory and practice. Despite having only two faculty departments, the university has already proven its expertise and worth through its contributions to the community.

International Medical University (IMU) is a leading private institution of higher learning in Malaysia focusing on medicine and health sciences. IMU has one of the best and most extensive medical programs in Malaysia. Students at IMU have the opportunity of transferring their credits to a partner school abroad after five semesters. IMU partners with numerous prestigious institutions in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and the united kingdom. Therefore, students have various pathways to sculpt their professional future and maximize their potential.