Top Ranking Universities in Malaysia: 2025 Edition

University rankings are a big part of higher education worldwide. They provide an overview of academic standards, research output, global reputation, and employability.

For students, rankings are a guide to selecting universities that align with their academic and career goals.

Malaysian universities have been making progress, not only on the national level but also across Southeast Asia.

Let’s look at the top ranking Malaysian universities according to QS Rankings 2025…

1. Top Ranking Universities in Malaysia According to QS Ranking

Top Ranking Universities in Malaysia (2)

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most respected global ranking systems.

It evaluates universities on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, internationaization, and research impact.

Here are the top ranked Malaysian universities in the 2025 QS World University Rankings:

Rank in Malaysia	University	QS World Rank 2025
1	University of Malaya (UM)	#65
2	Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)	#123
3	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)	#138
4	Taylor’s University (Private)	#251–300
5	Monash University Malaysia (Private, branch campus)	#251–300

2. Top 5 Public Universities in Malaysia (2025)

Malaysia’s public universities are known for being affordable while still delivering high-quality education and research opportunities. Many of them are among the top-ranked in Asia.

Rank	Public University	QS World Rank 2025
1	University of Malaya (UM)	#65
2	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)	#188
3	Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)	#123
4	Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)	#138
5	Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)	#228

4. Top 5 Ranked Private Universities in Malaysia (2025)

Private universities in Malaysia play a huge role in expanding access to world-class education. Many have international collaborations and modern, industry-driven programs.

Rank	Private University	QS World Rank 2025	Unique Highlights
1	Taylor’s University	#251–300	Business, hospitality, digital media
2	Monash University Malaysia	#251–300	Internationally recognized, medicine & sciences
3	International Medical University (IMU)	#601–650	Health sciences, medicine, pharmacy
4	Sunway University	#651–700	Business, hospitality, creative arts
5	UCSI University	#631–640	Business, engineering, performing arts

5. How University Rankings in Malaysia Impact Students

University rankings are more than just numbers—they shape how students and employers view institutions:

For international students, rankings help in choosing Malaysia as a study destination over other countries.
For universities, rankings encourage investment in research, innovation, and teaching quality.
For local students, highly ranked universities open doors to global exposure, industry connections, and better career opportunities.

Malaysia’s consistent improvement in global rankings shows the country’s dedication to building a world-class education hub in Asia.

Written by Shahd Ashraf

Updated 23 days ago | min read

Shahd Ashraf is a reader, a writer, an English teacher, and a lover of classical language. Her passion for language began when she joined a poetry club in college. Shahd’s writing extends beyond words and yearns to connect with the reader on a meaningful level.