Famous for its rich culture, delicious food, bustling metropolises, lush green tropics, and amazing shopping — Malaysian universities are also rapidly improving their quality of education for both local and international students.
Here we have provided the general information on the Top 10 Private Universities in Malaysia 2021 including the rankings and the recommended courses according to the QS University Ranking — you don’t want to miss out on this list!
1. Monash University Malaysia
Monash University is a premier research-intensive Australian university which is known as one of the members of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8). The university has also successfully partnered with more than 100 universities around the world.
Expanding its name, Monash University Malaysia was established in 1998 and is now the third-largest campus of Monash University. The campus provides a multicultural environment with approximately 8,400 students from 78 different countries. Not only that, it is also the first foreign university campus built in Malaysia.
General Intakes: February, July
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 55th
- Graduate Employability Ranking: 66th worldwide
Recommended Courses:
- Pharmacy (2nd in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Engineering; Mineral & Mining (7th in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Education (12th in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Nursing (14th in QS University Ranking by subject)
2. University of Nottingham Malaysia
With a community of estimated 5000 students from more than 85 different countries around the world — the University of Nottingham Malaysia offers a range of study opportunities for students from foundation level courses through to doctoral degrees from different specialist schools and departments across the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering and Science.
The University of Nottingham Malaysia also offers opportunities for full-time undergraduate students to spend part of their degree at a Nottingham campus in the UK or China under the program of intercampus exchange — students can spend a semester or a year abroad.
General Intakes:
- Foundation: April, June, September
- Undergraduate/ Postgraduate: September
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 99th
- Graduate Employability Ranking: 62nd worldwide
Recommended Courses:
- Pharmacy (7th in QS University Ranking by subject)
- English Language and Literature
- Education and Training
3. UOW KDU
Known as the first institution to have a purpose-built campus within a larger sustainable ecosystem and the first to offer twinning programs in the nation — KDU now has established more than 50,000 graduates.
UOW Global Enterprises, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Wollongong Australia partnered with KDU back in November 2018. Subsequently, a year after, the name of the college and university colleges were changed and they are now known as UOW Malaysia KDU.
This strategic partnership combines UOW’s internationally recognised teaching programmes and personalised approach to students together with KDU’s 36 years of experience in private tertiary education, modern campuses and vibrant, industry-focused programs.
Intakes: January, March, May, September, November
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 196th
- Graduate Employability Ranking: Top 180 worldwide
- Top 50 under 50: 14th worldwide
Recommended Courses:
- Business & Management
- Communication & Media Studies
- Engineering; Civil and Structural
4. Curtin University Malaysia
Recognised as an Australian University, Curtin University had established a partnership with the State Government of Sarawak to build Curtin Malaysia University that has now reached over 45 different nationalities represented.
Conveniently, since the courses and subjects offered by Curtin Malaysia are the same as those provided in Australia, students are able to transfer to or from either location at the end of any semester according to their preferences. Considering the same quality of education, the fees for the degrees are also more affordable in Malaysia compared to those in Australia.
Intakes: February, July
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 217th
- Graduate Employability Ranking: Top 300 worldwide
- Top 50 under 50: 17th worldwide
Recommended Courses:
- Engineering; Mineral & Mining (2nd in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Geology (33rd in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Engineering; Petroleum (38th in QS University Ranking by subject)
5. Taylor's University
Taylor’s University is ranked as the top private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, placing it among the world’s top-flight universities.
With their strong industry linkages, up-to-date facilities and well-equipped campus, Taylor’s University provides students with a wide range of courses including fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Biosciences, Architecture, Computing, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, Business, Communication, Education, Psychology, Design, Performing Arts, Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts.
Intakes: January, April, July, September
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 379th
- Malaysian University Ranking: 6th
- Asian University Ranking: 109th
- Graduate Employability Ranking: Top 250
- QS star: 5 stars for overall, employability, internationalization, inclusiveness, online, teaching, and facilities
- Top 50 under 50 2021: 49th worldwide
Taylor’s University is also ranked in the Top 200 in the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2020 for the subject Hospitality & Tourism Management — Taylor’s University is the only private university in Malaysia to be listed in the ranking two years in a row.
Other than that, Taylor’s University has also been awarded the “Premier Digital Tech University” status given by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) which is a recognition given to Malaysia’s leading digital tech-focused tertiary institutions.
Recommended Courses:
- Hospitality & Tourism Management (16th in QS University Ranking by subject)
- Business and Management Studies
- Architecture
6. UCSI University
Placed in Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Sarawak — UCSI University offers a wide spectrum of academic programmes from Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Engineering and Architecture to Music, Multimedia, Education, Liberal Arts and Hospitality.
Over the years, students from 110 different countries have studied at UCSI University, making the campus a melting pot of culture and diversity with a current total of students of over 12,000.
Intakes: January, May, July, September
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: 391st
- Malaysian University Ranking: 7th
- Asian University Ranking: 122nd
- Graduate Employability Ranking: Top 300 worldwide
Recommended Courses:
- Performing Arts
- Business & Management Studies
7. Asia Pacific University (APU)
With an international student community of more than 12,000 students from more than 130 countries studying in its Malaysian campus, APU is recognised for its commitment in providing top-notch digital technology courses that will prepare the students to fill the future digital job demands locally and globally.
Featured in News Portals
APU’s Cybersecurity Talent Zone continues to be the talk of the town until today. This Zone features a fully-functional Security Operations Centre (SOC) that provides students a hands-on cybersecurity operations experience. APU’s Cyber Security students will be given the opportunity to actively analyse occurrences of cyber-attacks and plan counteractive measures towards cyber threats through real-time data.
Featured in:
- Digital News Asia
- The Star Online
- New Straits Times
- Oriental Daily
Intakes: February, April, September, November
Awards/Rankings:
QS Star:5 stars for employability, teaching, inclusiveness, and facilities
In addition, APU was also one of the universities that were awarded the “Premier Digital Tech University” status by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Recommended Courses:
- Information technology
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Digital marketing
8. Sunway University
Located in Sunway City, on the western side of Kuala Lumpur in the heart of the Klang Valley — Sunway University is a leading not-for-profit private university committed to the pursuit of educational excellence through scholarship, research and enterprise.
Sunway University has also successfully established close partnerships with Lancaster University UK, Le Cordon Bleu International, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Intakes: January, March, August
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: Top 750
- Malaysian University Ranking: 13th
- Asian University Ranking: 194th
- QS star – 5 stars for overall, employability, teaching, facilities, social responsibility, and inclusiveness
Sunway University is also awarded the “Premier Digital Technology University” status by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDCE).
Recommended Courses:
- Business & Management Studies
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Computer & Technology
9. Multimedia University (MMU)
Two decades in the education sector, Multimedia University has always maintained its vision to transform society through innovation. The number of total students in Multimedia University has now reached over 9000 local and 1000 international students.
Intakes: July, November
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- World University Ranking: Top 1000
- Malaysian University Ranking: 16th
- Asian University Ranking: 170th
MMU stood among seven other universities that were awarded the “Premier Digital Tech University” which was accorded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Recommended Courses:
- Engineering; Electrical and Electronic
- Business & Management Studies
- Computer Science
10. SEGi University
SEGi University Kota Damansara has been providing higher education since 1977. Serving 25,000 students in five major campuses located in Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Penang and Sarawak — SEGi University is known as one of the largest private higher education providers in Malaysia.
In the year 2020, SEGi University had shown an excellent performance for a first-time entrant as the university successfully emerged in the Top 54% of the 2020 QS World University Ranking: Asia. With programmes tailored to meet both industry and student needs, SEGi graduates are highly sought after in the job market and have become leaders in their respective industries.
Intakes: January, March, May, September
Awards/Rankings:
QS Rankings:
- Asian University Ranking: Top 350
Recommended Courses:
- Biomedical Science
- Business & Management Studies
- Education
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Heather
I seek peace and knowledge in discovering myself.
