History
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).
Education
Graduates of the University of Malaya will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in their field of study, appropriate research and professional practices, the processes of critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving.
- Use effective methods including contemporary technology to manage information, to achieve diverse professional goals aligned with professional standards and make decisions based on appropriate data and information.
- Engage in continuous self-improvement and professional growth, support the professional development of others, and display positive leadership.
- Communicate effectively with other professionals, and the community, and project a coherent vision of social responsibilities.
Research
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.
Career
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.
Top reasons to study here
- Malaysia’s #1 university, globally recognized. QS ranking 58 in 2026.
- Right in KL, with real exposure to industry, internships, and vibrant student activities beyond the classroom.
- A research-led university with global rankings that reflect both academic excellence and real-world impact.
Universiti Malaya Key Statistics & Highlights
- #58 Ranking
- 143 Masters
- 45 Scholarships
- 2,500 Academic Staff
- 46,000 Students
- 10,500 Students (int'l)
- Public Institution Type
Universiti Malaya Overview
Universiti Malaya Scholarships
Universiti Malaya Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Universiti Malaya. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Universiti Malaya Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 64 reviews
- 5 Star 23 Reviews
- 4 Star 29 Reviews
- 3 Star 9 Reviews
- 2 Star 3 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.0
- Admission Process 4.5
University of Malaya: Malaysia's Number One University
This university is a research university and is Malaysia's number one university. Strategically located on the western end of Kuala Lumpur, the university is well-connected with public transport and nearby amenities like shopping malls, high-end neighbourhoods and even the highway. The campus' population is diverse and inclusive as all walks of life (whether local or international) attend here. The campus itself is like a mini self-sufficient city, with its own lake, park, faculties, sports centre, stadium, dormitories and even a student clinic, which perfectly caters to every student's needs. The only downside of this university is its IT and WiFi. WiFi coverage is not strong due to the growing number of students being enrolled on the university year on year. The university's course registration website constantly breaks down during the period of course registration, leaving many students frustrated and disappointed at the university's capacity. I hope that the university can seriously rectify this issue. Overall, if you are looking forward to further your studies at Malaysia's number 1 university, University of Malaya is the place for you!
Competitive UM spirit
The campus life in University of Malaya is quite liberating. The lecturers are all professionals and very well versed in their field of study. However, the living cost can be quite high if you intend to stay off campus. Dormitory is the cheapest accommodation you can get, plus the perks of being near the faculties and university facilities. The learning environment is very competitive so you will find yourself striving to be the best.
Punctuality
Friendly, and people are clean , good volcabulary , great communication
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
Universiti Malaya Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Climbed 2 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 60 | 58 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
Climbed 50 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | 251 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 50 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 226 | 281 | 331 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Dropped 200 places compared to 2024
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.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
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.
Housing services
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.
Library services
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.
ICT services
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.
Medical services
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.
Campus life
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.
Sports facilities
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.
Student clubs
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.
Accreditation
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.