Top 10 Universities in Malaysia for Indian Students
- Priyanka Chandwani
- 8 min Read
Malaysia is quickly becoming one of Asia’s top places for higher education. Indian students looking for affordable, high-quality education and a lively cultural scene will find Malaysia a great option. The QS World University Rankings 2026 show that several Malaysian universities are now among the world’s top 300.
This article explores the Top 10 Universities in Malaysia for Indian Students, based on the latest international rankings, popular academic fields, tuition, and scholarships.
Introduction: Why Indian Students Choose Malaysia
Indian students are choosing Malaysia because its degrees are recognized worldwide, living costs are reasonable, and the country is very multicultural. Malaysian universities use international standards and work closely with top universities in the UK, Australia, and the US.
Many Indian students also like that classes are taught in English, getting a student visa is simple, and there are more job opportunities after graduation in fields like IT, healthcare, and business management.
QS World University Rankings 2026 – Top Malaysian Universities
|
Malaysia Rank |
Global Rank (QS 2026) |
University |
Location |
|
1 |
58 |
Universiti Malaya (UM) |
Kuala Lumpur |
|
2 |
132 |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) |
Serdang, Selangor |
|
3 |
143 |
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) |
Bangi, Selangor |
|
4 |
146 |
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) |
Penang |
|
5 |
251 |
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) |
Perak |
|
6 |
253 |
Taylor’s University |
Subang Jaya, Selangor |
|
7 |
265 |
UCSI University |
Kuala Lumpur |
|
8 |
390 |
Sunway University |
Bandar Sunway |
|
9 |
597 |
Asia Pacific University (APU) |
Kuala Lumpur |
|
10 |
650 |
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) |
Johor Bahru |
Universiti Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur
Universiti Malaya (UM), founded in 1905, is Malaysia’s oldest and top-ranked university. It is well known for research and innovation, especially in engineering, medicine, and law. The campus is located in Kuala Lumpur, right in the center of Malaysia’s academic and business life.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1905 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
58 |
|
Total Students |
28,000+ |
|
International Students |
~20% |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 3,000–10,000 per year |
|
Popular Programs |
Engineering, Medicine, Business, Law |
|
Scholarships |
UM Excellence Award, ASEAN Postgraduate Scholarship |
|
Student Clubs |
Indian Cultural & Students’ Society |
|
Highlights |
Top 100 QS global; strong research and innovation output |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor
UPM is a research-intensive institution globally recognized for its excellence in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Located in Serdang, it offers extensive research opportunities and a vibrant international student community.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1931 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
132 |
|
Total Students |
30,000+ |
|
International Students |
Over 3,500 from 80+ countries |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 2,500–9,000 per year |
|
Popular Programs |
Agricultural Science, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology |
|
Scholarships |
UPM International Graduate Research Award |
|
Highlights |
Leading in sustainability research and innovation |
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi
UKM, or the National University of Malaysia, focuses on technology, innovation, and public policy research. Its modern campus draws students from around the world who want a global outlook and new ways of learning.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1970 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
143 |
|
Total Students |
27,000+ |
|
International Students |
15% of enrollment |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 3,000–8,000 annually |
|
Popular Programs |
Health Sciences, Sustainability, Political Science |
|
Scholarships |
UKM Vice-Chancellor’s Award, ASEAN Mobility Fund |
|
Highlights |
Ranked among Asia’s top 100 for employer reputation |
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang
USM, the Science University of Malaysia, is a top school for innovation, science, and environmental research. Located on the beautiful coast of Penang, it offers both strong academics and a rich cultural experience.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1969 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
146 |
|
Total Students |
28,000+ |
|
International Students |
4,000+ |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 2,800–9,500 annually |
|
Popular Programs |
Environmental Science, Engineering, Medicine |
|
Scholarships |
USM Global Fellowship, Research Assistantships |
|
Highlights |
Eco-campus initiative and global patents portfolio |
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Perak
UTP was set up by Malaysia’s PETRONAS company and focuses on engineering and energy technology. It is quickly moving up in the QS 2026 rankings and is now ranked 251 in the world.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1997 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
251 |
|
Total Students |
10,000+ |
|
International Students |
25% |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 6,000–12,000 yearly |
|
Popular Programs |
Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering |
|
Scholarships |
PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP) |
|
Highlights |
Ranked top 20 globally for Petroleum Engineering |
Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya
Taylor’s UniversiTaylor’s University is the highest-ranked private university in Malaysia. It is known for programs that prepare students for work and for its partnerships with universities around the world. Students can earn degrees from both Taylor’s and UK universities like UWE Bristol and Queensland University of Technology.ersity, Kuala Lumpur
UCSI University is Malaysia’s leading private research university and is known worldwide for its innovation and diverse student body. It is especially strong in hospitality, biomedical sciences, and music.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1986 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
265 |
|
Total Students |
12,000+ |
|
International Students |
35% from 100+ countries |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 6,000–12,000 |
|
Popular Programs |
Business, Engineering, Nursing, Music |
|
Scholarships |
UCSI Trust Graduate Scholarship, ASEAN Scholarship |
|
Highlights |
Diverse exchange opportunities and international network |
UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur
UCSI University is Malaysia’s top-performing private research university, recognized globally for its innovation and international diversity. It has a strong record in hospitality, biomedical sciences, and music.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1986 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
265 |
|
Total Students |
12,000+ |
|
International Students |
35% from 100+ countries |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 6,000–12,000 |
|
Popular Programs |
Business, Engineering, Nursing, Music |
|
Scholarships |
UCSI Trust Graduate Scholarship, ASEAN Scholarship |
|
Highlights |
Diverse exchange opportunities and international network |
Sunway University, Bandar Sunway
Sunway University is a newer school with big ambitions. It works with Lancaster University in the UK and is well known for business, actuarial science, and the arts. Sunway puts a strong focus on teaching real-world skills.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
2004 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
390 |
|
Total Students |
10,000+ |
|
International Students |
25% |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 8,000–14,000 |
|
Popular Programs |
Finance, Psychology, Mass Communication |
|
Scholarships |
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Scholarship |
|
Highlights |
Partnerships with UK universities; modern eco-campus |
Asia Pacific University (APU), Kuala Lumpur
APU is Malaysia’s leading technology university and is very popular with Indian students for courses in computer science, AI, and cybersecurity. With over 13,000 students from 130 countries, APU is known for its international community and modern teaching style.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1993 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
597 |
|
Total Students |
13,000+ |
|
International Students |
50%+ |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 5,000–12,000 |
|
Popular Programs |
AI, Data Science, IT, Business Innovation |
|
Scholarships |
Merit-based APU International Scholarship |
|
Highlights |
No.1 for technology innovation in Malaysia |
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru
UTM is a well-known public university that focuses on engineering, architecture, and computing. It is famous for its green campus and close ties with industry for research.
|
Category |
Details |
|
Year of Establishment |
1904 |
|
QS Global Rank 2026 |
650 |
|
Total Students |
33,000+ |
|
International Students |
6,000+ |
|
Tuition Fees |
USD 4,000–9,000 |
|
Popular Programs |
Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science |
|
Scholarships |
Vice-Chancellor Research Scholarship |
|
Highlights |
Eco-campus; strong ASEAN collaboration |
Conclusion: Study in Malaysia, Study for the World
Malaysia’s top universities for Indian students offer strong academics, a welcoming culture, and affordable international experiences. Whether it’s research at Universiti Malaya, career-focused programs at Taylor’s, or tech innovation at APU, Malaysia combines quality education with good value.
If you are an Indian student looking for an international degree, career opportunities, and a friendly place to study, Malaysia is one of the best choices in Asia.
