For many reasons, Malaysia has become a popular destination for international students. The country offers a growing higher education sector, modern campus facilities, and many programs taught in English. Another big plus is the language because many classes are available in English. Malaysia is also considered budget-friendly, as studying and living costs in this country are generally affordable compared with many Western study destinations.
The government of this beautiful Southeast Asian nation sees the value of higher education. Malaysia continues to support universities, health education, and international student pathways, which helps keep the doors open to international students and academic partnerships. In this article, we will look at Malaysia’s best medical schools.
Top Medical Schools in Malaysia
1. University of Malaya
The University of Malaya traces its roots to the King Edward VII College of Medicine, founded in 1905, and is Malaysia’s oldest university. Located in Kuala Lumpur, it is also Malaysia’s highest-ranked university for Medicine in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its Faculty of Medicine is supported by University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), a teaching hospital with more than 1,000 beds and more than 1 million patients annually.
These facilities provide students with strong opportunities to learn in a supervised clinical setting and prepare for future medical careers. The multicultural environment and international partnerships also make fitting in easier for international students.
2. International Medical University
International Medical University, now known as IMU University, is a private medical and health sciences university that began in 1992. It introduced Malaysia’s first global medical partnership program, allowing students to begin their medical education locally before transferring to partner medical schools abroad. Today, IMU collaborates with many universities worldwide and offers pathways across medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, and related fields.
The goal is to participate in international education and provide students with global pathways in healthcare. The university also has a community engagement program called IMU Cares, where students and staff take part in community projects and service-based learning. Through these activities, students can strengthen their communication, decision-making, and compassion as future healthcare professionals.
3. National University of Malaysia
The National University of Malaysia, locally known as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, was established in 1970. Its Faculty of Medicine began with its first group of students in the 1973/74 academic session. Since then, it has become one of the country’s well-known medical education institutions. The Doctor of Medicine program lasts five years and is divided into two years of pre-clinical education, during which students familiarize themselves with the basics of medical science.
After that, there is a year-long intermediate stage of junior clinical clerkship, followed by two more years of senior medical clerkship. The university is also connected with Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM, where students learn about the clinical and hands-on parts of the medical education process.
4. Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia was established in 1969 and is one of Malaysia’s major public research universities. It was selected by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education to implement the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) in 2008. USM has several campuses, and its School of Medical Sciences is based at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, together with Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The School of Medical Sciences was established in 1979. In its early years, pre-clinical teaching was carried out in Penang while clinical training was conducted in Kelantan; the school later became fully operational at Kubang Kerian. This gives students access to health-focused facilities while also allowing them to experience Malaysian culture in different parts of the country.
5. Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, or the University of Malaysia Sabah, was established on November 24, 1994. The School of Medicine, now known as the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, was established in 2003 to help increase the number of doctors, nurses, and health professionals, especially in Sabah. This top medical school in Malaysia is one of the younger public medical schools in the country.
UMS offers a Doctor of Medicine program through its Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Like many medical programs in Malaysia, its medical training emphasizes both academic study and practical exposure so students can develop the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed in healthcare.
6. Asia Metropolitan University
Asia Metropolitan University offers health science and healthcare management programs designed for students interested in the healthcare sector. Its Faculty of Health Sciences offers health science programs approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
The university also offers programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (Hons) and the Master of Science in Healthcare Management. These programs focus on healthcare knowledge, management, leadership, legal and regulatory compliance, and the skills needed to work in hospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations, and public health agencies.
Another area where AMU stands out is its focus on practical learning environments. The university highlights modern campus facilities, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and student clubs and societies, which can help students build professional networks and practical experience before graduating.
7. Cyberjaya University
Founded in 2005, Cyberjaya University, officially the University of Cyberjaya, is a private university with a strong focus on medical and health sciences. Its Faculty of Medicine is one of the university’s founding faculties, and its MBBS program started with 71 registered medical students in December 2005.
The Faculty of Medicine offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), a five-year program divided into Basic Medical Sciences in Years 1 and 2 and Clinical Sciences in Years 3 to 5. The faculty also offers the Master of Science in Public Health (Global Health).
The medical school provides clinical training and early clinical exposure as part of its MBBS curriculum. Its medical program also includes Disaster and Relief Medicine, preparing graduates for healthcare work in humanitarian and emergency settings.
Cyberjaya University is also known for its healthcare-focused academic environment, giving students access to programs across medicine, pharmacy, nursing, allied health sciences, and related fields.
With so many excellent universities in Malaysia, choosing the best medical school can be daunting, and the repercussions of making the wrong decision can be serious. These ten medical schools and health-focused universities in Malaysia offer a range of medical, clinical, biomedical, and healthcare-related education options. This comprehensive list can help you compare schools with traditional classes, modern facilities, clinical exposure, and healthcare-focused programs, so pick wisely.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Malaysia was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Malaysia Page or check out some of the Available Programs for International Students.
