Top 5 Private Universities in Malaysia 2019

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How to choose the right university for you? While it can be difficult to choose between universities, you will find that there are some key differences between them that can help you make the big decision. The most important thing is to determine what sort of character and focus the university has and ensure that it aligns with your own personality, interest and goals. Every university has its own persona, advantages/disadvantages and ranking standings in different ranking tables around the world. Here we provide you some tips of which private universities you can consider base on our detailed research.

Asia Pacific University (APU)

APU has emerged over the years as one of Malaysia’s largest education groups addressing all levels of education and is recognise amongst Malaysia’s premier private Universities. Established in 1993, APU provides student a unique fusion of technology, innovation and creativity in education which effectively prepares graduates to be career-ready – producing highly employable graduates who are able to immediately contribute to industry upon graduation.

Why study at APU?

  • Ranked 5 Star Excellent in SETARA 2017 – a rating system developed and implemented to assess the quality of teaching and learning in Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia.
  • Ranked 5 Star in the QS STARS Rating System 2018 for teaching, employability and facilities.
  • Provides student with an award-winning campus style learning environment. The new ultra-modern University campus is located in the Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
  • The only private University in Malaysia to be awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Industry Excellence Award in 2010 from the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. The award recognised APU’s organisational excellence.
  • APU was awarded the Primer Digital Tech University status by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

What can I study at APU?

Foundation ProgrammeDuration: 1 year (3 semesters)
Intake: September and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM20,000+ (Domestic), RM25,000+ (International Student)
Area of studyBusiness, Finance, Computing, Technology, Engineering Design and International Studies
Diploma ProgrammeDuration: 2 years (5/6 semesters)
Intake: September and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM20,000+ (Domestic), RM45,000+ (International Student)
Area of studyInformation & Communication Technology, Software Engineering, Data Informatics, Interactive Technology, Business, Accounting, Finance, Design & Media, International Studies, Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)Duration: 3/4 years (6/8 semesters)
Intake: September and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: Enquiry with us
Area of studyComputing, Technology & Games Development, Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, Tourism & Media, Accounting, Banking, Finance and Actuarial
Postgraduate Programme (Master’s Degree)Duration: 1/2 years (2/4 semesters)
Intake: August and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: Enquiry with us
Area of studyComputing, Data Science & Business Analytics, Management, Project Management, Business Administration/MBA, Technology Management, IT Management, Software Engineering, Global Marketing Management, International Business, Communications, Finance, Accounting and Engineering

What is recommended to study in APU?
•Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Animation
•Bachelor of Science (Hons) Information Technology
•Bachelor of Science (Hones) Software Engineering

INTI International University

For over 30 years, INTI has been empowering young minds of their graduates with over 55,000 to testify their quality of education delivered. INTI is one of the most respected and trusted education institution in Malaysia’s private higher education sector. Part of the Laureate International Universities network – it is the largest and fastest growing global network of private universities that also boasts former U.S. President Bill Clinton as its Honorary Chancellor. What this means that INTI offers students world-class education that is both accessible and affordable.

Why study at INTI University?

  • Ranked 5 Star in the QS STARS Rating System 2018 for teaching and employability.
  • Provide students with world-class academic facilities, state-of-the-art science laboratories, engineering workshops and multiple IT laboratories. INTI has 5 campuses across Malaysia located in Subang, KL, NILAI, Penang and Sabah.
  • INTI offers over 100 programmes which are approved by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and its qualification agency.
  • Collaborating with over 100 internationally-recognised universities, INTI offers cost-effective routes for you to attain quality education through twinning degrees, overseas degree transfer programmes and foreign degrees.

What can I study at INTI University?

Foundation ProgrammeDuration: 1 year (3 semesters)
Intake: January, May and August of each year
Fees: RM18,000++ (Domestic), RM18,500++ (International Student)
Area of studySciences, Business & Finance, Computing & Technology, Engineering, Design, Arts, and International Studies
Diploma ProgrammeDuration: 2.5 years (6/7 semesters)
Intake: January, April and August of each year
Fees Per-Year: Enquiry with us
Area of studyArt & Design, Business & Finance, Computing & IT, Engineering, Hospitality, Communication and International Studies
Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)Duration: 3/4 years (6/8 semesters)
Intake: January, May and August of each year
Fees: RM62,000++ (Domestic), RM66,000++ (International Student)
Area of studyGraphic Design, Interior Design, Biotechnology, Accounting, Finance, Business, Marketing, Computer Science, Multimedia & Games Development, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communication, Hotel Management and International Studies
Postgraduate Programme (Master’s Degree)Duration: 1/2 years (2/4 semesters)
Intake: January, May and September of each year
Fees: RM35,000++ (Domestic), RM35,000++ (International Student)
Area of studyBusiness Administration/MBA, Global Financial Services, Global Business and International Business

What is recommended to study in INTI?
•BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
•BA (Hons) Marketing
•BA (Hons) Business Administration

Sunway University

Sunway University is a member of the Sunway Education Group, which is owned by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. All of the educational institutions that operate under the Foundation are not-for-profit; surpluses are channelled towards scholarships and bursaries to students, as well as towards grants for research. The University is a broad-based institution offering academic programmes at both undergraduate level and postgraduate level. It is structured into 6 schools (Business, Science & Technology, Arts, Mathematical Sciences, Hospitality, Interdisciplinary Studies)

Why study at Sunway University?

  • Sunway University has been rated Tier 5 “excellent” three times in a row by SETARA – a rating system developed and implemented to assess the quality of teaching and learning in Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia.
  • Ranked 5 Star in the QS STARS Rating System 2018 for teaching, employability and facilities.
  • Received 6 Stars in MyQuest 2016/2017 – the Malaysian Quality Evaluation System for Private Colleges.
  • Many of their programmes are validated by Lancaster University, UK – Ranked UK Top 10 in the latest league tables from both The Guardian and the Complete University Guide. Graduates are awarded 2 scrolls, one from Sunway and one from Lancaster University. This is to ensure that the Sunway degrees are validated and on par with the distinguished UK university.
  • Through the benefactions from the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Sunway University has sealed partnerships and affiliations with the world’s best institutions such as Harvard University, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. These connections create strong academic and cultural ties among the institutions that encourage knowledge-sharing from the world’s leading experts

What can I study at Sunway University?

Foundation ProgrammeDuration: 1 year (3 semesters)
Intake: January, March, July and August of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM25,000+ Enquiry with us
Area of studyBusiness & Finance, Computing & Technology, Engineering, Design and International Studies
Diploma ProgrammeDuration: 2 years (5/6 semester)
Intake: January, March and July of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM20,000+ Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccounting, Finance, Communication, Business Administration and Information Technology
Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)Duration: 3/4 years (6/8 semester)
Intake: June and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM27,000+ Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccounting, Financial Risk Management, International trade, Management & Innovation, International Hospitality Management, Information Systems Management, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, Banking & Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Event Management, International Tourism Management and Music Industry.
Postgraduate Programme (Master’s Degree)Duration: 6 semesters
Intake: Jan, Mar, Jun, Aug and Sep of each year
Fees Per-Year: Enquiry with us
Area of studyBusiness (Enterprise Resource Planning Systems) and Business Administration

What is recommended to study in SUNWAY University?
•American Degree Transfer program
•Bachelor of Science (Hons) Business Studies
•Bachelor of Science (Hones) in Business Management

Taylor's University

Taylor’s offers a huge range of courses available from pre-university, all the way to postgraduate. Taylor’s programmes are segregated into different “schools” which represents the category of the courses. There is a total of 14 schools (Medicine, Pharmacy, Biosciences, Computing & IT, Engineering, Architecture, Design, Culinary, Law, Business, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Communication, Education and Hospitality). As one of the most recognized private institution in Malaysia, Taylor’s provides relevancy and diverse options in curriculum and teaching methods – allowing its students to achieve excellence.

Why study at Taylor’s University?

  • Achieved ‘Tier 6: Outstanding’ rating in the Discipline-Based Rating System, D-SETARA (a rating instrument that measures the quality of teaching and learning in academic disciplines in universities and universities colleges in Malaysia) by the Minister of Higher Education for Hospitality and Tourism discipline.
  • Ranked 5 Star in the QS STARS Rating System 2018 for teaching, employability, facilities, internationalization and inclusiveness.
  • Provides a 2nd transcript upon graduating students which provides recognition for student’s extra-curricular involvement. The transcript not only provides formal recognition but also rewards students for extra-curricular achievement both on and off campus. This allows its students to develop abilities required across different jobs and work settings.
  • Taylor’s also adopted a transformative teaching approach which allows students to lean through their smart devices in a self-directed and personalised manner, anytime and anywhere. This allows its students to review recorded lectures and access notes whenever they need them. Not only does it make learning interactive, but also interesting for the generation today as they prefer flexible learning.

What can I study at Taylor’s University?

Foundation ProgrammeDuration: 1 year (3 semesters)
Intake: January, March and August of each year
Fees: RM24,000+ (Domestic), RM40,000+ (International Student)
Area of studyArchitecture, Biosciences, Culinary Arts, Communication, Computing & Technology, Education, Engineering, Hospitality, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Business, Law and Design.
Diploma ProgrammeDuration: 2 years (5/6 semesters)
Intake: March and August of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM28,000+ (Domestic), RM34,000+ (International Student)
Area of studyArchitecture, Biosciences, Culinary Arts, Communication, Computing & Technology, Education, Engineering, Hospitality, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Business, Law and Design.
Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)Duration: 3/4 years (6/8 semesters)
Intake: March and August of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM32,000+ (Domestic), RM43,000+ (International Student)
Area of studyArchitecture, Biosciences, Culinary Arts, Communication, Computing & Technology, Education, Engineering, Hospitality, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Business, Law and Design.

HELP University

Founded in 1986, HELP provides affordable educational qualities opportunities as it has developed into the leading institution of higher learning in Malaysia. By offering a wide range of programmes covering from business, law, management, economics, IT, social sciences and humanities in regards with undergraduate and graduate levels. The quality of HELP’s academic programmes also allows the acceptance of its undergraduates to postgraduate studies at universities in the US, UK and Australia with scholarships and awards provided for academic excellence.

Why study at HELP?

  • Recognised by Forbes Asia, a contributor group of Forbes (an American family-controlled business magazine) in 2011 as one of the 200 Top Performing companies in Asia Pacific with a capitalisation below USD 1 billion.
  • HELP University is recognized both locally and internationally as their programmes are benchmarked internationally. Students are able to continue their future studies at leading universities around United Kingdom, Australian, United States and Russia.
  • Assists students in career and job placement for graduates of HELP through organizing workshops for graduating students to learn finer points such as writing resumes, attending interviews and the most important, selecting the most suitable job.

What can I study at HELP?

Foundation ProgrammeDuration: 1 year (3 semesters)
Intake: January, March/April, May and September of each year
Fees: RM20,000 Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccountancy, Business, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Hotel Management, Tourism, Communication and Information Technology
Diploma ProgrammeDuration: 2 years (5/6 semesters)
Intake: January, March, May, August and October of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM18,600+ Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccountancy, Business, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Hotel Management, Tourism, Communication and Information Technology
Undergraduate Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)Duration: 3/4 years (6/8 semesters)
Intake: January, March, May, August and October of each year
Fees Per-Year: RM19,000+ Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccounting, Banking, Finance, Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, English & Language Studies, Hospitality & Tourism, Law, Management, Communication, Economics, Engineering, Information Technology & Computer Science, Marketing and Psychology
Postgraduate Programme (Master’s Degree)Duration: 1/2 years (2/4 semesters)
Intake: January, March, May, July, September and November of each year
Fees Per-Year: Enquiry with us
Area of studyAccounting & Finance, Business Administration, Psychology, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Management

Note: The program listed are provided as a general guide only, the university course fees were captured base on the publicly available information on the internet. Please consult with our education advisor for further assessment. 

Contact us to find out more


International Student enquiries:
Phone: +6018-241-4802
Email: [email protected]

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About Post Author

TX NG

I am a freelance commercial content writer and student of IACT College studying Diploma in Graphic Design. I love to travel and enjoy ‘Me’ time with a cup of coffee in a quiet cafe. I prefer long black over Americano, you may ask me why by emailing me at [email protected].

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