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.

Published on January 6 2026

Last updated February 27 2026

Malaysia University Ranking 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.

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