🏅 QS World Rank #56
Universiti Malaya (UM) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Malaysia’s oldest and top-ranked university — QS World Rankings 2027 #56
Universiti Malaya (UM) is a public research university in Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1949 — Malaysia’s oldest university. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026), UM rose two places to achieve its highest-ever global position of 56th, placing it among the top 3.7% of universities worldwide and confirming its status as Malaysia’s No. 1 university. UM ranked first nationally in Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability. This guide covers UM’s faculties, undergraduate admission, tuition and scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions prospective students ask most. Every figure is labelled with its year or source.
UM Overview
Founded in 1949, Universiti Malaya is Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranked university, and will mark its 121st anniversary in 2026. Based in Kuala Lumpur, UM is particularly renowned for medicine, engineering, and law, and serves as a leading destination for students across Southeast and South Asia, including Pakistan.
UM Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Universiti Malaya is ranked 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026 — its highest-ever position, up two places from 58th the previous year. UM is Malaysia’s top-ranked university and ranked first nationally for Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability; globally, it ranked 56th for Academic Reputation and 61st for Employer Reputation.
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not a universal ranking — Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: Universiti Malaya official news release, June 2026.
Faculties & Key Strengths
- Medicine — Faculty of Medicine, one of Malaysia’s leading medical schools
- Engineering — Faculty of Engineering, covering civil, electrical, and mechanical disciplines
- Law — Faculty of Law, among Southeast Asia’s most established law schools
- Business & Economics — Faculty of Business and Economics
For the full list of faculties and degrees, see UM’s official website.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
UM admission details below were checked in October 2026. Confirm them on UM’s admissions site before applying.
Undergraduate Admissions
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Direct application through UM’s international admissions office |
| Entry Basis | Secondary school transcripts (e.g. A-Levels, IB, or local examination boards) |
| English Requirement | Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or approved equivalent) is required for non-native speakers |
| Medicine | Requires additional entrance assessments beyond standard academic review |
Graduate Admissions
Postgraduate applicants need a relevant Bachelor’s degree; specific requirements and deadlines vary by faculty and program.
Official source: UM International Students.
UM Acceptance Rate
UM’s acceptance rate is moderately competitive and varies substantially by faculty, with Medicine being the most selective, requiring outstanding secondary school results plus, for some pathways, an aptitude test and interview. UM has not published a single official overall acceptance rate.
Always check current entry requirements per program on UM’s official admissions pages.
Practical Application Checklist
- Confirm your target intake and application deadline directly with UM’s international admissions office
- Prepare certified secondary school transcripts and any required entrance test scores
- Book an IELTS/TOEFL test early if your prior education was not in English
- Apply for the Universiti Malaya International Scholarship alongside your admission application, where eligible
- Plan for the full cost of attendance, including living costs in Kuala Lumpur
- Check Malaysian student visa (Student Pass) requirements
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on UM’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
International undergraduate tuition at UM is roughly MYR 20,000–45,000 per year (approximately US$4,300–9,600), making it considerably more affordable than most top-60 global universities. Fees vary by faculty, with Medicine at the higher end.
Source: UM’s international student fee schedule, cross-checked against third-party fee aggregators, October 2026. Always confirm the exact fee for your specific program on UM’s official fees page.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Universiti Malaya International Scholarship — for outstanding international applicants, covering partial or full tuition
- Malaysian Government scholarships — available to students from partner nations under bilateral education agreements
Scholarship terms, values, and eligibility change year to year — confirm current offerings on UM’s official study page. Funding is not automatic or guaranteed for every applicant.
UM for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply directly to UM as international students; there is no separate country-specific quota. Practical points:
- Intermediate/A-Level or equivalent results are assessed against UM’s per-faculty entry requirements
- IELTS and similar English tests are available in major Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad
- UM’s considerably lower tuition compared to Western top-60 universities makes it an accessible option for strong students with limited financial resources
- A Malaysian Student Pass is required only after a formal offer; visa decisions are made solely by Malaysian immigration authorities, not by UM
- Applicants do not need a paid agent to apply — applications are submitted directly through UM’s admissions office
- Always verify current deadlines, fees, and requirements on UM’s official website before applying
Campus & Student Life
- UM’s main campus sits in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, blending tropical landscaping with modern academic buildings
- Students have direct access to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities
- UM serves as a leading regional destination for students from across South and Southeast Asia
Research & Career Opportunities
- UM is a major research university with particular strength in medicine, engineering, and law
- UM ranked first nationally for Employment Outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- UM does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes after graduation
Notable Alumni
- Numerous Malaysian political and business leaders
- Prominent regional medical researchers
Contact & Location
Universiti Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Admissions email: admissions@um.edu.my
Official website: um.edu.my
Contact details can change year to year — check the official website for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Universiti Malaya is ranked 56th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, its highest-ever position and Malaysia’s top-ranked institution.
Yes, founded in 1949, it is Malaysia’s oldest university.
UM is best known for medicine, engineering, and law.
Yes, at roughly US$4,300-9,600 per year, UM is considerably more affordable than most top-60 global universities.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process; IELTS testing is available in major Pakistani cities.
Check UM’s official admissions and fees pages, since deadlines, charges, and entry requirements can change.
Compare UM With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Universiti Malaya’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with Universiti Malaya before applying.