Malaysia is a multicultural nation recognized as one of the safest and happiest in the world. Though there is an abundance of different cultures and local languages, English is still widely spoken here, so communication is accessible, especially with the friendly and accepting locals. The popularity of the country’s universities for international students continues to rise because of their affordable rates and world-class quality.
Many business schools in the country have wide international networks and have built strong partnerships with leading business schools in America and Europe, as well as multinational corporations. Here, this article will discuss some of the best business schools in Malaysia, so make sure to read the information below carefully.
Top Business Schools in Malaysia
1. University of Malaya
The University of Malaya is the first institution in Malaysia and sits among the top 100 universities in global rankings. With the outstanding quality of its programs, UM’s Faculty of Business and Accountancy was named the top business school in the country in Eduniversal’s latest rankings. It was also the first business school in the country to be accredited by the AACSB and AMBA, two of the most well-known accrediting bodies in the world.
Its Faculty of Business and Accountancy intends to develop a global mindset in its students, making them adaptable and competent to respond to the ever-changing needs of the business industry and society. The school also researches various business, economic, and societal issues surrounding Malaysia and Asia and communicates its findings through its publications.
The University of Malaya offers several bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in business. These programs are designed to provide students with solid foundational knowledge through core courses and develop and practice their skills through industry training and internships.
2. University of Putra, Malaysia
The University of Putra, Malaysia, initially founded the Graduate School of Management. In 2012, it was granted autonomy and became the first business school in Malaysia to be accredited by the AACSB. It has recently changed its name to Putra Business School. Its master’s and doctoral programs are research- and industry-driven and are approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.
PBS business education strongly emphasizes human governance and believes that businesses must operate for the benefit of society rather than solely generating money. All of the school’s programs include teaching moral principles and ethical values that students will display once they enter the business world. Moreover, students here conduct several research activities and business development projects with PBS’s partner institutions.
3. Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia is one of the country’s leading public schools and is among the world’s top 150 universities in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. It is also the institution the Malaysian Ministry of Education chose to work with in executing the Accelerated Programme for Excellence, a plan to enhance the quality of higher education in the country to achieve sustainable development.
USM has two schools for business education: the School of Management, which offers different undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior, and the Graduate School of Business, which offers master’s and doctoral degrees in business administration.
Both schools hold seminars, workshops, and extracurricular activities and offer exchange programs and internship opportunities for students to develop their skills further, widen their networks, and gain relevant industry experience.
4. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia established Azman Hashim International Business School, named after one of the country’s most well-respected corporate figures, in honor of his generous contribution to the school’s development. Tan Sri Azman Hashim is a prominent Malaysian banking icon, founder of the Ambank Group, and current chair of the AHIBS Advisory Council.
AHIBS recently merged with UTM’s Faculty of Management, Department of Information Systems, and Faculty of Computing to integrate its expertise in technology and innovation in business and management education. This business school also has several groups of academic experts and corporate leaders to evaluate and give feedback on its programs.
One of the top business universities in Malaysia, AHIBS offers master’s and doctoral degrees. Students can apply for cross-campus programs with local and international business schools and participate in research, projects, consultancies, and training with its industry partners.
5. Universiti Utara Malaysia
Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business was granted autonomy in 2012. Currently, the school has the elite status of being accredited by prestigious accrediting institutions, such as the AACSB and AMBA. Moreover, it has active memberships in these multiple global alliances.
Because of the accreditations, the graduate business school is recognized as one of the best in Malaysia. Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business offers postgraduate programs accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, a British organization that seeks to raise the standards of business education.
Completing a CMI-accredited degree at OYAGSB would give students internationally recognized Chartered Manager status and surely widen their career prospects. By the end of their chosen programs, students must submit a project paper on a business issue and propose solutions based on the theories, concepts, and strategies they have learned.
6. Taylor’s University
Taylor’s University is highly ranked as one of the world’s top private institutions for business and management studies nationwide. As a leading business institution in Malaysia, it provides extensive programs for continuous professional growth and well-regarded international business credentials ranging from bachelor’s to doctorate degrees.
To fulfill each student’s learning needs, the school offers various options for global transfer. Taylor’s Business School also advances knowledge and develops employable business graduates with the skills to analyze situations and take decisive steps critically. As students advance in their studies and approach graduation, they will have access to unique and specialized learning opportunities.
Its graduates can use this foundation to launch themselves into the global business sector as successful entrepreneurs or future corporate leaders. For all these reasons, it’s no surprise that this institution is among the leading business schools in Malaysia.
7. National University of Malaysia
The National University of Malaysia, or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, is a renowned institution that preserves its superiority in learning with a vision of business sustainability as a driver for borderless education. With its innovative approach to business education and global perspective, this institute’s Graduate School of Business is one of Malaysia’s most internationally diverse schools.
Various academic programs are available at UKM-GSB, all intended to support students in achieving their career goals. It strives to foster intellectual development, critical thinking abilities, and competency in postgraduate students for increased involvement in gradually reshaping and altering communities.
With the newly developed and enhanced DBA, there are Ph.D. programs with specialties in accounting, marketing, management, and finance. The school’s mission is to provide the highest-quality education to best prepare students for careers in Malaysia or overseas. Students can get the most out of their time on campus by getting involved in the academic and research communities and finding resources for potential performances.
8. Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Science
Kulliyyah College of Economics and Management Science, which has four Kuala Lumpur campuses, has four departments. Over 3,000 students can currently choose from seven postgraduate and undergraduate programs. Multimedia systems are installed in classrooms to improve student learning. The school provides three executive programs: a doctorate in business administration (DBA), an MBA, and a Master’s in Management (MMgt).
Through its programs, it also highlights the importance of a balanced and comprehensive management approach. It employs highly skilled local and foreign academic staff members with strong backgrounds in teaching, research, and publications. By integrating traditional business-related fields with Islamic beliefs and ethics, the school aspires to be a leading faculty of international quality in teaching, research, and advisory services.
The school allows students to combine learned information from all study subjects with practical implementation and monitoring. Thus, it’s one of the leading business schools in Malaysia, and you should check it out if you’re looking to study there.
9. Universiti Kuala Lumpur
The Universiti Kuala Lumpur, conveniently located in the capital’s center, is committed to growing and fostering graduates capable of starting their businesses. Its core goal is to develop managers and leaders capable of starting businesses in various industries. Because UniKL views its students as its most significant assets, it provides a variety of engaging courses to ensure their growth. Its dedication to quality is demonstrated by the outstanding learning facilities offered there.
Its business institution offers graduate and undergraduate management consulting, accounting, Islamic finance, and business administration degrees. Additionally, it emphasizes a blended academic and business approach to learning and teaching. These educational facilities use the most up-to-date technology to simulate the real working environment. These programs and resources help students develop the necessary skills and marketability to succeed in the demanding work environments of the future.
At UniKL Business School, student satisfaction is always prioritized. To this end, the institution offers various services to support students in achieving their academic and personal objectives. Through the exchange program, students have the chance to study abroad. They also have an opportunity to explore their potential and creativity, whether through extracurricular activities or the clubs and societies already available here.
10. Asia School of Business
Almost 1,000 students, faculty members, and staff reside at the Asia School of Business, a global knowledge and learning center. To become Asia’s top management school, the school offers the resources to empower minds to gain a more comprehensive viewpoint. The ASB faculty members have received honors and accolades for their achievements.
Poets & Quants referred to this school’s prestigious MBA program as “the most innovative MBA” in the world. The ASB is praised for its ability to develop revolutionary and moral leaders who will progress the emerging world and contribute to a brighter future. To offer opportunities for learning, openness, and engagement, the Asia School of Management constantly endeavors to create a workplace culture that values connectedness and social equality.
The first step in ASB’s commitment to a fully integrated educational experience is offering all of the students pleasant residential facilities. With this in mind, this institution joins the top business schools in Malaysia for international students.
Malaysia is home to some of the world’s greatest business schools, so students who are considering a career in management or administration are encouraged to consider this. The business schools mentioned above have specialized and top-tier faculty who can support students in gaining a thorough understanding of actual business issues.
We hope this article on the best business schools in Malaysia was informative. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Malaysia Page and explore some of the Available Programs for International Students!
