Top 10 Malaysian Universities in the QS World University Rankings 2024

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Deciding which university to send you kids a bit tough as you want only the best for your child. After reading this Malaysia university ranking based on QS world university ranking, you can decide better.

The 2024 QS World University Rankings have finally been released!

Overall, Malaysian universities are performing better than last year, with 28 universities in Malaysia making the list and UM maintaining its top position!

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QS World University Rankings have been attracting the attention of students, parents and people in various fields worldwide.

The ranking is an important reference index for parents and students in recruiting universities and employers.

A total of 1,498 universities are listed in the QS World University Rankings 2024, with nine metrics to assess in this year’s rankings, including:

• Academic reputation (30%)
• Employer reputation (15%)
• Research citations per paper (20%)
• Student-teacher ratio (10%)
• Proportion of international teachers (5%)
• Percentage of international students (5%)
• Employment performance (5%) [New indicator]
• International Research Network (5%) [New indicator]
• Sustainability (5%) [New indicator]

Top 10 Universities in Malaysia

Malaysia has 24 universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2023, while 28 universities are featured in the 2024 rankings, setting a new record last year!

Read on to find out which universities in Malaysia are on the list!

1. Universiti Malaya (UM)

QS ranking: 65

Universiti Malaya (UM) is still the top-ranked University in Malaysia’s QS World University Rankings!

After three consecutive years of declining rankings, UM has finally returned to the 65th position in the 2024 rankings, maintaining its position from 2022.

UM is one of Malaysia’s prestigious universities and a long-established institution with a world-class international reputation, thus attracting many overseas students to enrol.

2. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

QS ranking: 137

The Universiti Sains Malaysia has moved up again in the 2024 rankings.

It has overtaken Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to become the second-highest-ranked Malaysian University ranking in the QS World University Rankings.

USM is also one of Malaysia’s world’s most prestigious research universities, especially in science, engineering and medicine.

3. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

QS ranking: 158

UPM’s performance in 2024 was not as good as in previous years.

Its place fell to 158th this year after the Malaysia university ranking rose from 143rd in 2022 to 123rd in 2022.

However, the institution’s good reputation in education and research, especially in agriculture, attracts many local and international students to enrol.

4. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

QS ranking: 159 

UKM also slipped 30 spots in the 2024 rankings, falling from 129th in 2023 to 159th in 2024.

Nonetheless, UKM has an excellent academic reputation and international research network by offering many undergraduate and postgraduate programs, making it popular with students at home and abroad.

5. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

QS ranking: 188

UTM has finally risen to 188th! 

UTM rose 3 places in 2024 with a good performance after three consecutive years of declining rankings and even falling out of the world’s top 200 in 2023.

UTM has produced about 200,000 technical graduates and qualified professionals over the years.

The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in 10 faculties, attracting local and international students and giving it an international reputation and standing.

6. Taylor’s University

QS ranking: 284

Taylor’s University is one of the leading private universities in Malaysia.

The University has maintained this ranking in 2024 after jumping from the top 400 in 2022 to 284th in 2023.

With diverse study options, courses and teaching methods, continuous collaboration with leading universities and industries, and accreditation from various professional bodies locally and internationally, Taylor University attracts overseas students every year, and its graduates are recognized in the world of work.

7. UCSI University

QS ranking: 300 

UCSI University, one of Malaysia’s leading comprehensive private universities, has been rising in the QS rankings for five consecutive years, ranking alongside Taylor’s University in 2023 but slipping to the 300th position in 2024.

Offering a range of industry-acclaimed programs, partnerships, and plug-in research programs with overseas universities, UCSI’s diversity of study and program options has helped the University build an international reputation.

8. Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

QS ranking: 307 

UTP continues to perform well this year, jumping from 361st in 2023 to 307th in 2024.

As a private research university, UTP offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs related to the engineering, science and technology industries.

It is coupled with a strong level of research and key engineering technology program designation, producing many well-rounded graduates from home and abroad each year.

9. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

QS ranking: 538

Universiti Utara Malaysia has consistently performed over the years and has slipped 57 places to 538th in the 2024 QS rankings.

UUM has an excellent academic position and has achieved significant successes in information dissemination, management technology and quality management.

UUM has also formed strategic partnerships with many world-renowned universities.

It also enjoys an international reputation and has become one of the ideal universities for many international students.

 

10. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

QS ranking: 555

Of all the above universities, University Teknologi Mara is the one that has made the most progress.

It previously held a position between 600th and 700th but made significant progress, achieving a ranking of 555th in 2024.

This marks a historic achievement for UiTM, securing its highest-ever placement since its inclusion in the QS World University Rankings.

UiTM is a university that focuses on developing students’ practical abilities.

It offers diverse courses, actively collaborates with industry and has achieved outstanding scientific research results in many fields.

Other Malaysian universities in the ranking: 

11. INTI International University; QS ranking: 556th

12. Sunway University; QS ranking: 586th

13. Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU); QS ranking: 621-630

14. Management and Science University (MSU); QS ranking: 621-630

15. International Islamic University (IIUM); QS ranking: 711-720

16. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN); QS ranking: 711-720

17. Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP); QS ranking: 781-790

18. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR); QS ranking: 801-850

19. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI); QS ranking: 951-1000

20. Multimedia University (MMU); QS ranking: 1001-1200

21. Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL); QS ranking: 1001-1200

22. Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP); QS ranking: 1001-1200

23. UniversitI Malaysia Sabah (UMS); QS ranking: 1001-1200

24. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS); QS ranking: 1001-1200

25. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT); QS ranking: 1001-1200

26. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM); QS ranking: 1001-1200

27. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM); QS ranking: 1201-1400

28. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM); QS ranking: 1201-1400

Although the ranking of Malaysian universities in 2024 has dropped a few compared to 2023, a significant few have done well. 

However, university rankings are only secondary. It is advisable to enrol in your ideal University based on your needs.

If you don’t plan to continue your studies, you may wish to become a real estate agency, learn and grow together, and breakthrough yourself to create more possibilities!