Malaysia is an established destination for international students, with public and private universities offering programs across a wide range of fields. What makes studying a tertiary program in Malaysia appealing? Common factors include program choice, comparatively affordable fees, and the availability of English-taught options.
Malaysia has a substantial public university system, and public university tuition is generally lower than tuition at private institutions. Many universities offer programs in English, but applicants should confirm the language of instruction, fees, and admission requirements for their chosen program. These factors can make it more affordable for international students to earn a degree in the country.
Read on to learn about the top Malaysian public universities and pursue your academic interests while experiencing Malaysia’s diverse culture.
Top Public Universities in Malaysia
Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education lists all seven institutions below as public universities. This article provides an editorial overview rather than a definitive ranking, so the order should not be interpreted as a current national or global league-table position.
| INSTITUTION NAME | SELECTED ACADEMIC AREAS |
|---|
| Universiti Malaya | Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, and Education |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia | Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Science, and Biotechnology |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia | Pharmacy, Chemistry, and English Language and Literature |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Medicine, Law, and Business Administration |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | Engineering, Computing, and Built Environment and Surveying |
| Universiti Teknologi MARA | Business and Management, Computer Science, and Engineering |
| Universiti Malaysia Kelantan | Hospitality and Tourism, Data Science and Computing, and Veterinary Medicine |
1. University of Malaya
Universiti Malaya is Malaysia’s oldest university. Its institutional history dates to the establishment of the King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1905, while Universiti Malaya was formed in 1949 through the merger of that college and Raffles College.
UM offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across engineering, science, education, communication, computer science, and numerous other fields. The language of instruction and tuition fees vary by program. International applicants should review the current program information and fee schedule before applying rather than relying on a single annual US-dollar estimate.
2. University of Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia traces its history to the School of Agriculture, which was established in 1931. It is a public research university with longstanding strengths in agriculture and related sciences.
UPM is one of Malaysia’s established universities and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across agriculture, forestry and the environment, biotechnology, engineering, medicine, business, and other disciplines. International applicants should verify current program availability, entry requirements, fees, and intake dates on the university’s official admissions pages.
3. University Science, Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia, commonly known as USM, was established in 1969. It operates a Main Campus in Penang, an Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal, and a Health Campus in Kelantan.
USM welcomes students from a wide range of countries and offers programs in pharmacy, chemistry, English language and literature, management, education, computing, and numerous other fields. Program availability, language requirements, and tuition fees vary, so international applicants should check the relevant official program page.
4. National University of Malaysia
Founded on May 18, 1970, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, or UKM, is a public research university. Its main campus is in Bangi, and it offers undergraduate and postgraduate study through a broad range of faculties and research institutes.
International students may apply to eligible UKM programs in fields such as social sciences and humanities, information science and technology, economics and management, Islamic studies, medicine, and law. The language of instruction and English-language requirements vary by program, so applicants should review the individual program specifications.
5. University of Technology Malaysia
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Selected Academic Areas: Engineering, Computing, and Built Environment and Surveying
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is a public research university known for its engineering, science, and technology programs. Its principal campuses are in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur.
International students can choose from eligible undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The language of instruction and tuition fees vary by program. UTM publishes international fees in Malaysian ringgit, with charges determined by factors such as study level, academic field, and credit load, so applicants should consult the current official fee schedule rather than rely on a fixed US-dollar semester estimate.
6. MARA Technological University
- Admissions
- Selected Academic Areas: Business and Management, Computer Science, and Engineering
Universiti Teknologi MARA traces its history to Dewan Latehan RIDA, which began operations in 1956 to support rural Malay communities. The institution’s first convocation was held in 1964, when 50 graduates received certificates.
UiTM now offers more than 500 academic programs from foundation through doctoral level, including programs in business and management, computer science, engineering, arts, and technology. International availability, eligibility, and language requirements differ by program and study level, so applicants should use the university’s official international and postgraduate admissions channels.
7. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
- Admissions
- Selected Academic Areas: Hospitality and Tourism, Data Science and Computing, and Veterinary Medicine
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan was established in 2006 and welcomed 295 pioneering students when its temporary campus began operations in July 2007. Entrepreneurship and enterprise education have been central to its curriculum since its establishment.
UMK offers undergraduate and postgraduate study in fields including entrepreneurship and business, creative technology, hospitality and tourism, data science and computing, veterinary medicine, architecture, and related disciplines. International applicants should confirm their eligibility, tuition fees, and intake details through the official Study@UMK portal.
Malaysia appeals to many international students because of its English-taught degree options, education system, and comparatively affordable public university tuition. Before applying, students should compare each program’s admission requirements, language, tuition fees, and study mode on the university’s official website.
We hope this article has provided the information you need. If you are interested, check the Study in Malaysia Page and available courses for international students!
