When choosing a university, students are often flooded with information—brochures, testimonials, course structures, and university rankings. Among these, the QS World University Rankings is among the most influential and frequently cited sources. But how important is QS ranking when choosing a top university in Malaysia? Should it be a deciding factor or just one of many?
In this article, we explore QS rankings, how Malaysian universities perform on this scale, and whether prospective students should consider it a major factor in their decision-making process.
What is the QS World University Ranking?
The QS World University Rankings is an annual publication by Quacquarelli Symonds, a British company that evaluates and ranks universities worldwide based on several indicators. These indicators include:
- Academic Reputation (40%)
- Employer Reputation (10%)
- Faculty/Student Ratio (20%)
- Citations per Faculty (20%)
- International Faculty Ratio (5%)
- International Student Ratio (5%)
In recent years, QS has also developed specialized rankings, such as QS Asia Rankings and QS Subject Rankings, which are often more relevant for regional comparisons.
How Malaysian Universities Perform in QS Rankings
Malaysia has made significant strides in global education. The University of Malaya (UM) consistently ranks among the top 100 in the QS World Rankings and among the top 10 in Asia. Other universities that regularly appear in QS rankings include:
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
- Taylor’s University
- UCSI University
- Monash University Malaysia (as part of Monash Australia)
Their rankings indicate strong academic reputation, international collaborations, and research output. For instance, UM was ranked 65th globally in QS 2025, a huge achievement for a Southeast Asian public university.
Advantages of Choosing a QS-Ranked University in Malaysia
1. Global Recognition
QS-ranked universities in Malaysia often enjoy better global reputation. A high ranking assures students and employers of academic excellence, research output, and graduate employability.
2. Better Funding and Resources
Top-ranked institutions are more likely to attract government funding, international collaborations, and research grants, enhancing the learning experience.
3. Stronger Graduate Employability
Universities with a high employer reputation score in the QS rankings tend to have better industry partnerships, internships, and job placements.
4. International Environment
QS rankings favor universities with diverse faculty and student bodies. This is particularly true for institutions like Monash Malaysia, home to students from over 70 countries.
Limitations of QS Ranking in University Selection
While rankings can offer a snapshot of a university’s performance, they are not everything. There are limitations to consider:
1. Generalisation Across Faculties
QS rankings evaluate institutions as a whole. A university may be ranked highly overall but might not be the best in your desired field of study. For example, a university strong in engineering may not be ideal for business or law.
2. Not Always Reflective of Teaching Quality
QS emphasizes research and international reputation. It may not accurately reflect the quality of teaching, student support services, or classroom experience.
3. Private vs Public Discrepancies
Public universities often benefit from larger student bodies and older academic reputations. Some top-performing private universities with excellent facilities and faculty may not rank as highly due to limited research output or a shorter history.
4. Affordability and Accessibility
A QS-ranked university may be more expensive or harder to get into. For budget-conscious students, ranking should be balanced with tuition fees, scholarships, and living costs.
How to Use QS Rankings Effectively
If you decide to consider QS rankings in your decision-making process, here’s how to use them wisely:
- Compare Subject Rankings: Look at QS Subject Rankings to assess how well the university performs in your chosen discipline.
- Balance With Other Factors: Combine QS rankings with course structure, tuition fees, campus life, location, and employability outcomes.
- Check the QS Asia or Regional Rankings: These are often more relevant than global rankings for students who plan to work or stay in Asia.
- Use as a Screening Tool: Use rankings to shortlist universities, then do deeper research into the top options.
Top QS-Ranked Universities in Malaysia (2025 Edition)
Here are some Malaysian universities and their QS 2025 rankings:
- University of Malaya (UM) – Ranked 65th globally, No. 1 in Malaysia
- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – Top 150 globally
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Top 150
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) – Top 150
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) – Top 200
- Taylor’s University – Ranked among top 300 globally, and No. 1 private university in Southeast Asia
- UCSI University – Top 300
- Monash University Malaysia – Ranked as part of Monash University, Australia (Top 50 globally)
These universities are strong across various indicators including academic reputation, research citations, and international presence.
Conclusion
So, is QS ranking important in choosing a top university in Malaysia?
Yes—but with context. Rankings like QS provide a useful, research-based benchmark, especially for international recognition, faculty quality, and research excellence. However, they should not be your only criterion. Every student has different priorities: some value teaching quality, others want strong industry connections, while many consider affordability and course flexibility more important.
The best strategy is to use QS rankings as a starting point—then dig deeper into the specifics of each university, visit campuses if possible, and talk to current students or alumni. That’s the best way to find the right university for your academic and career goals.
5 FAQs on QS Ranking and Choosing a University in Malaysia
1. Is QS ranking important for undergraduate students in Malaysia?
Yes, especially for those planning to work or study abroad. A high QS ranking can enhance your degree’s recognition internationally. However, it should be considered along with teaching quality and course relevance.
2. Which Malaysian university is ranked highest in the QS World Rankings?
The University of Malaya (UM) is the top-ranked university in Malaysia and placed within the top 100 universities globally.
3. Do QS rankings affect job opportunities in Malaysia?
While Malaysian employers value local experience and skills, graduates from QS-ranked universities may benefit from better job placements, especially with multinational companies.
4. Should I ignore universities that aren’t QS-ranked?
Not necessarily. Some newer or smaller institutions offer excellent programmes and student support, even if they don’t appear in global rankings. Look at programme quality, facilities, and accreditation.
5. Are QS Subject Rankings more useful than overall rankings?
Yes. If you’re focused on a particular field like Engineering, Business, or Medicine, subject-specific rankings give you a clearer picture of which university is best for your area of study.
In summary, QS rankings are a helpful guide, but not a rulebook. Smart students use them as part of a bigger picture when making one of the most important decisions of their academic lives.
