Best universities in Malaysia 2026
Discover the Times Higher Education Malaysia University Rankings 2026 and explore which universities in Malaysia rank the highest.
This list of Malaysian universities reveals the best universities and colleges in Malaysa, according to the trusted Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
Universities across Malaysia are scored in areas such as teaching, research and international outlook.
It uses a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, that is relied upon by students, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.
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Best universities in Malaysia 2026
| Malaysia Rank 2026 | WUR Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
| =1 | 201–250 | Universiti Teknologi Petronas | 56.4–58.6 | 41.6 | 40.3 | 82.4 | 94.5 | 78.9 |
| =1 | 201–250 | University of Malaya | 56.4–58.6 | 47.8 | 38.8 | 72.8 | 65.2 | 91.4 |
| =3 | 301–350 | Sunway University | 51.6–54.2 | 27.2 | 34.2 | 90.1 | 58.4 | 89.3 |
| =3 | 301–350 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | 51.6–54.2 | 47.5 | 32.4 | 65.7 | 61.8 | 82.6 |
| =5 | 401–500 | Universiti Sains Malaysia | 46.2–49.8 | 42.9 | 30.3 | 65.8 | 64.5 | 76.5 |
| =5 | 401–500 | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 46.2–49.8 | 44.5 | 29.5 | 62 | 71.1 | 70.7 |
| =5 | 401–500 | Universiti Utara Malaysia | 46.2–49.8 | 41.1 | 30.2 | 66.2 | 30.1 | 82.1 |
| 8 | 501–600 | Universiti Putra Malaysia | 43.6–46.1 | 40.7 | 31.6 | 51.7 | 57.1 | 82.5 |
| =9 | 601–800 | Management & Science University (MSU) | 39.0–43.5 | 33.2 | 15 | 65.8 | 33.4 | 92.1 |
| =9 | 601–800 | Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) | 39.0–43.5 | 37.9 | 23.9 | 59 | 52.8 | 58.7 |
| =9 | 601–800 | Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris | 39.0–43.5 | 39.4 | 27.6 | 48.4 | 56.2 | 81.4 |
| =9 | 601–800 | Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) | 39.0–43.5 | 26.1 | 16.3 | 72.8 | 68.1 | 65.3 |
| 13 | 801–1000 | Mahsa University | 35.5–38.9 | 19.6 | 8.7 | 68.5 | 16.9 | 81.1 |
| =14 | 1001–1200 | Multimedia University | 32.1–35.4 | 26.1 | 21.3 | 38.7 | 74.8 | 64 |
| =14 | 1001–1200 | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) | 32.1–35.4 | 31.4 | 22.1 | 29.7 | 77.7 | 60.2 |
| =14 | 1001–1200 | Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) | 32.1–35.4 | 22.6 | 20.2 | 55.1 | 36.6 | 61.2 |
| =14 | 1001–1200 | Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin | 32.1–35.4 | 26 | 13.6 | 58.8 | 22.5 | 52.1 |
| =14 | 1001–1200 | Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | 32.1–35.4 | 20.8 | 17.8 | 51.5 | 63.5 | 52 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) | 10.3–27.2 | 22.1 | 9.4 | 18.5 | 16.9 | 40 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Lincoln University College | 10.3–27.2 | 35 | 9.3 | 12.6 | 16.9 | 97.8 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Kuala Lumpur | 10.3–27.2 | 20.6 | 9.6 | 23.6 | 28.8 | 39.3 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Malaysia Kelantan | 10.3–27.2 | 16.1 | 14.8 | 35.5 | 37.7 | 49.8 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Malaysia Perlis | 10.3–27.2 | 23.5 | 13.9 | 34.2 | 35.2 | 39.6 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) | 10.3–27.2 | 23.9 | 12.2 | 28.1 | 28.8 | 42.1 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka | 10.3–27.2 | 26.9 | 11.4 | 27.3 | 37.4 | 48.3 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Teknologi MARA | 10.3–27.2 | 21.2 | 17.1 | 33.9 | 46.5 | 29.8 |
| =19 | 1501+ | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) | 10.3–27.2 | 23.2 | 15.3 | 36.3 | 30.2 | 46.6 |
Key insights from the Malaysia University Rankings 2026
- Universiti Teknologi Petronas and the University of Malaya are in joint first place position in this year's Malaysia University Rankings
- There are 27 universites ranked in the top universities in Malysia
- There are three new entries this year including Islamic Science University of Malaysia, Lincoln University College and Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Choosing a university in Malaysia
The table for the best universities in Malaysia was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the Malaysia university ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.
