25 Best Universities In Malaysia For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Malaysia, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 48 universities and colleges in Malaysia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 48 universities in Malaysia, University of Malaya and University of Technology, Malaysia are the top-performing schools in Malaysia. This list covers both public and private institutions in Malaysia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Malaysia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Malaysia.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Malaysia?

Applying to the universities in Malaysia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Malaysia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Malaysia?

Tuition fees at Malaysia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 2,040 MYR to 70,900 MYR , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 1,470 MYR to 100,000 MYR. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Malaysia!

As we cover the best universities in Malaysia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Malaysia for International Students

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.