It was founded on 28 September 1905 in Singapore as the King Edward VII College of Medicine and on 8th October 1949, it became the University of Malaya with the merger of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College (founded in 1928).
Graduates of the University of Malaya will be able to:
As Malaysia’s premier Research University, UM will have more research activities, collaboration, partnerships and engagements with the other universities and industry locally and abroad to share and capitalise on leading-edge research carried out by its researchers. Enhanced collaboration amongst the region's research universities and industry can lead to thriving networks for research innovation, commercialization and sharing of results on the next generation renewable energy technology, climate change, ocean science and health sciences. UM’s role in leading Malaysian research and innovation will be its everlasting contribution to Malaysia’s New Economic Model and the coveted developed country status. The question is not whether UM can lift research and innovation to be truly world class but when and how quickly this will happen.
Graduates from Universiti Malaya are part of a global alumni network, with many building careers not just in Malaysia, but across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.
With a strong academic foundation and industry exposure, UM graduates move into roles in multinational companies, government, startups, and leading organisations across fields like business, technology, healthcare, and engineering. Many also pursue postgraduate studies internationally, further expanding their global career opportunities.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 2 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 58 | 56 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 20 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 281 | 331 | 311 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | 201 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Students at Universiti Malaya can reach dedicated help desks for support on admissions, applications, and general enquiries, both online and on campus.
For international students, UM offers visa application support through the eVAL (electronic Visa Approval Letter) service. This helps simplify the visa process, as the university manages the application on the student’s behalf for a service fee, allowing students to focus on their transition into their studies.
Universiti Malaya offers limited on-campus accommodation for international students. Availability is restricted, so early application is encouraged.
Many students choose to stay off-campus, with a wide range of apartments and rental options available in areas surrounding the university. These nearby accommodations are easily accessible and provide flexibility based on students’ preferences and budget.
Universiti Malaya libraries provide extensive academic resources, including books, journals, and digital databases. Students can access quiet study spaces, collaborative areas, and online materials anytime. The libraries support research, assignments, and self-study throughout their academic journey.
Universiti Malaya provides campus-wide WiFi access for students. Each faculty is equipped with its own library and computer labs, allowing students to access computers, software, and online resources for their studies. Basic IT support is also available to assist with connectivity and system access.
Universiti Malaya provides on-campus healthcare through the UM Clinic for basic medical consultations and treatment. For more specialised care, students can access University Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM), a leading teaching hospital located within the campus.
Universiti Malaya is set within a single, expansive campus in Kuala Lumpur, just minutes from the city centre. Faculties, lecture halls, and facilities are all within one connected environment, making it easy to get around.
The campus is well-connected, with nearby LRT station and RapidKL buses running through multiple stops within the campus. Students have access to multiple food courts, convenience stores, ATMs, and extensive sports facilities. A mosque and several shopping malls are also located nearby, adding to the convenience of daily campus life.
Universiti Malaya offers a wide range of sports facilities across its campus, including a fully equipped gym, stadium, basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming pools, and pickleball courts.These facilities are located within the campus and are easily accessible to students. UM students can make use of most sports facilities free of charge, whether for casual use, training, or university-level sports activities.
Universiti Malaya has a vibrant student life, with a wide range of student associations, clubs, and societies across interests such as music, arts, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, and more.There is always something happening on campus—often with major student-led events taking place almost every month. Through these activities, students not only explore their interests but also develop soft skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and event management. Participation is open and accessible, with opportunities to join, contribute, or take on leadership roles.
Universiti Malaya is recognised for its academic quality and global standing, ranked #1 in Malaysia and among the world’s top universities.
Its programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and respected professional bodies. Engineering programmes, accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), are part of the Washington Accord, allowing graduates’ qualifications to be recognised in member countries worldwide.
These accreditations reflect UM’s commitment to internationally benchmarked, industry-relevant education.
Based on 64 reviews
My time at Universiti Malaya (UM) has been an exceptionally enriching and transformative academic journey. Pursuing my Master’s degree here allowed me to push my potential, resulting in an outstanding academic performance with a CGPA of 3.81/4.00. What I liked most about UM is its vibrant research culture, world-class faculty, and the encouraging environment created by distinguished professors. The guidance I received throughout my studies not only sharpened my critical thinking and technical skills but also opened up doors for advanced PhD opportunities under prestigious research groups. Furthermore, the diverse, multicultural community on campus enriched my personal growth immensely. However, there is always room for improvement, particularly regarding administrative processes. Streamlining procedures for scholarship applications, degree conferrals, and international student paperwork could significantly enhance the student experience and reduce unnecessary stress during transitions between programs.
Profesionally I like this university since have a lot of program prepare, We have a more opportunities in this university so I chooses this then the dislike nothing but other people choice a better University for them. Maybe not recommend this school since makati university have a lot event so nothing
University Malaya (UM) is widely regarded as Malaysia's premier and most prestigious university, consistently holding the #1 spot in the country and ranking #58 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Global Reputation: A degree from UM carries significant weight with employers both locally and internationally due to its high academic and employer reputation scores. Diverse & Multicultural: The campus is home to students from over 90 countries, offering a rich multicultural environment that helps students develop global perspectives. Strategic Location: Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, students have easy access to the city�s attractions, malls (like Mid Valley), and public transport (LRT Universiti). Vibrant Campus Life: The university is known for its "green campus" and has hundreds of active clubs and societies. Research Excellence: It is a top-tier research institution. Aging Facilities: Being the oldest university in Malaysia, some residential colleges and laboratories are outdated or poorly maintained compared to newer private universities. Inconsistent Teaching: Reviews on teaching quality vary; while many professors are world-class experts, some students report lecturers who merely read from slides. Academic Pressure: The workload can be heavy, with high competition and a strong emphasis on theoretical knowledge and exams. Overall, this is very good University.
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