As per the “List of Medical Institutions” published by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), there are 41 medical universities in Malaysia. Few of these universities are public medical universities funded by the government of Malaysia whereas the rest are run privately. As per the USN rankings “Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine in Malaysia 2023,” the best medical universities in Malaysia are
- Universiti Malaya
- International Medical University Malaysia
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
They are ranked highly for their general medicine courses, as well as their world-renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and teaching methodologies. Malaysia also hosts a few overseas campuses of renowned medical schools, including Newcastle University (UK), Monash University (Australia), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The general medicine courses in the country last for about 5 years and are delivered as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS or M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.) or Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Overview of Best Medical Universities in Malaysia
| Number of universities | 41 (source: MMC) |
| University types | Public, private, and universities with overseas campuses in Malaysia (both public and private) |
| Course level | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS or M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| Annual tuition fees for international students | RM 25,300 to 673,200 |
Ranking of Best Medical Universities in Malaysia
| University Name | USN Ranking Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine in Malaysia 2023 |
| Universiti Malaya | 222 |
| International Medical University Malaysia | 337 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia | 337 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | 436 |
| Universiti Teknologi MARA | 559 |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia | 655 |
Best Public Medical Universities in Malaysia
Universiti Malaya
As per the USN rankings, Universiti Malaya, or the University of Malaya, a public institution, is the top medical school in the country with a global ranking of 222 for clinical medicine. The institution was founded in 1949 and is one of the oldest universities in the country. It offers over 200 programs in a wide spectrum of disciplines like science, arts, and humanities. There are 4,500 international students enrolled in from more than 90 countries.
Universiti Malaya delivers an MBBS degree course that is taught entirely in English for international students. The course lasts 5 years and is taught full-time.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | 5 years | RM 673,200 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Completed and passed 12 years of education: High school diploma, IB, A-levels, grade 12, etc.
- English language proficiency scores: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 78, PTE 57, etc.
- Interview/test
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Also known as the University of Science Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was established in 1969. This science university is one of the second universities to be established in Malaysia. It is made up of 26 schools that offer courses in disciplines such as natural sciences, medical sciences, technology, humanities, etc.
The School of Medical Sciences at the university offers an international medical course called Doctor of Medicine. The course emphasizes teaching both clinical and non-clinical aspects of medical education. The course starts in October every year.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) | 5 years | RM 27,500 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- The candidate must have completed 12 years of primary and high school education
- The high school CGPA must be a minimum of 3.0 (HSC, A-levels, IB, etc.)
- English language proficiency scores: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL online 8, PTE 51, CPE 150, etc.
- Personal interview
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
The National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) is a public research university founded in 1970. The university ranks in the top 200 universities globally and offers a first-class education that is recognized anywhere in the world. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has 13 faculties, 12 institutes of excellence, and two commercial entities. The main campus is situated in Bangi, the second campus is in Cheras, and the third campus is in Kuala Lumpur which harbors the Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Institute of Ear, Hearing and Speech.
The Faculty of Medicine at Cheras Campus, Kuala Lumpur is renowned for its medical program: Doctor of Medicine. The program consists of two years of preclinical study in the fundamental medical sciences, one year of junior clinical clerkship as an intermediate stage, and two years of senior medical clerkship.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Doctor of Medicine | 5 years | RM 25,300 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- High school education with a CGPA of 3.0 minimum (HSC, A-levels, IB, etc.)
- English language proficiency scores: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL online 8, PTE 51, CPE 150, etc.
- Personal interview
International Public Medical Universities in Malaysia
Monash University Malaysia
It is a branch of Australia’s largest university, Monash University which is a member of the Australian Group of Eight universities. It is the first foreign university campus in Malaysia established in 1998. Monash University Malaysia is home to 9,300 students from more than 79 countries. It is ranked 42 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
The BMedSc/MD course at Monash University Malaysia is one of the most on-demand courses. The course awards an international degree that allows students to practice medicine in Malaysia, Australia, and other countries globally. In the first two years, the students will be taught basic medical education at Sunway campus. In the years 3 to 5, the students will be placed at the Clinical School in Johor Bahru for their clinical training along with a placement in an Australian hospital.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc/MD) | 5 years | RM 128,640 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- High school education (12 years) with 85% (A-levels, IB diploma, ATAR, etc.)
- ISAT exam score
- English proficiency test score
Newcastle University Malaysia
Newcastle University Malaysia (NUMed) is a branch campus of Newcastle University, based in the UK. The Malaysia campus was founded in 2011 and is located in Nusajaya, Johor. NUMed offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines.
NUMed has provided an integrated undergraduate medicine program (MBBS) since 2009. In the first two years, the students are taught through case-based learning to gain early clinical experience. In year 2, they will also get the opportunity to spend a semester at the main campus in the UK. The years 3 to 5 are reserved for clinical training via placements in government hospitals and community clinics in Johor. At the end of the course, the students will be awarded a UK qualification with international recognition.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | 5 years | RM 121,000 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- High school education with prerequisite subjects (biology, chemistry, and mathematics)
- English proficiency test score (IELTS 7.0, CEFR C2/C1, TOEFL 100, Pearson Test of English Academic 69)
- Personal interview
Private Medical Universities in Malaysia
Taylor’s University
Taylor’s University is a private university in Malaysia with campuses in Subang Jaya and Lakeside Campus in Bandar Sunway. It is known for offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, computing, hospitality, law, and more.
The MBBS program at Taylor’s University is divided into two distinct phases: phase 1 (preclinical) and phase 2 (clinical). There are two intakes for the course, so prospective students can apply in April or September. The university also supports students in preparing for the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), which is a requirement for international students planning to work as doctors in the USA.
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | 5 years | RM 100,874 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- High school education (HSC, A-levels, IB, CPU, etc.) with prerequisite subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics)
- English proficiency test score (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 60, MUET Band 4)
- Personal interview
RCSI & UCD, Malaysia Campus
Also known as Penang Medical College (PMC), RSCI & UCD Malaysia Campus was established in 1996 through the collaboration of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University College Dublin. It is a private medical university and is one of the best foreign-owned universities in Malaysia. The RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus offers several courses in the fields of science, medicine, public health, etc.
The RSCI & UCD Malaysia Campus delivers high-quality medical education that is recognized worldwide. The undergraduate medicine course at the university is a 5-year course, 2.5 years of which are spent in Dublin for pre-clinical training and the rest of 2.5 years for clinical study in Penang. Upon graduation, the student will receive an internationally recognized medical degree (M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.) from the National University of Ireland (NUI).
| Course Name | Duration | Annual Tuition Fees |
| Undergraduate Medicine | 5 years | RM 740,000 |
Minimum Entry Requirements
- High school education (HSC, A-levels, IB, etc.) with prerequisite subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics)
- English proficiency test score (IELTS 6.5, CEFR C1, TOEFL 90, Pearson Test of English Academic 63)
Suggested reading: Study Medicine in Malaysia, Job Opportunities After Medical Studies in Malaysia, Scholarships to Study Medicine in Malaysia for International Students
Conclusion
Many international students are considering Malaysia as a popular choice among affordable study destinations for medicine courses. With the growing international appeal for Malaysian medical education, the country is set to experience tremendous growth in the number of medical school applications. The best medical universities in Malaysia like Universiti Malaya, International Medical University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, etc., top the list of USN global medical universities. Malaysia also hosts a few international campuses of renowned medical universities like RCSI & UCD, Newcastle University, Monash University, and so on.
If you are looking for the best medical universities in Malaysia, check out Gyanberry, a one-step platform that enables students to apply to multiple universities to increase their chances of admission. To know more about it, you can get in touch with our expert counselors by filling out the form or by booking a free video appointment.
