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UM also maintained its position as the No. 1 university in Malaysia overall, while ranking first nationally in several key indicators, namely:
At the global level, UM continued to record notable performances across multiple indicators, ranking 56th worldwide for Academic Reputation and 61st for Employer Reputation. The university also achieved strong global positions in International Research Network (125th), International Students (153rd), Sustainability (166th), and Employment Outcomes (184th).
Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Dato’ Seri Professor Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, said Universiti Malaya’s best-ever performance in the QS World University Rankings is a landmark moment of institutional pride and national significance. It is the outcome of a university that has chosen discipline over complacency, execution over rhetoric, and collective purpose over mere conventional normalcy.
“This success reflects the strength of a mission-led and values-driven institution, powered by the unyielding hard work, intellect and commitment of our academics, researchers, students, staff and leadership teams. It affirms that when strategic vision is matched with clarity, cohesion, courage and sustained action, Universiti Malaya will not merely participate in the global higher education landscape, we are there to define it.
“This achievement belongs to the entire UM community. It is written in the quality of our research and new focus areas, the ambition of our students, the dedication of our academics, the professionalism of our staff and the relentless work of every faculty, centre, department and team that has carried the UM name with pride and distinction. Our progress is not accidental. It is the product of clear strategic action plans, sharper institutional alignment, stronger synergy and an unwavering focus on the critical sectors that will shape the future - from frontier research, digital transformation and sustainability to talent excellence, innovation, industry relevance and new global partnerships. This is not the final destination. It is the foundation for an even greater ascent,” he said.
Professor Azuan added that the world ahead will be defined by volatility, disruption and unforgiving competition. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical turbulence, technological acceleration and global insecurity will demand institutions that are faster, sharper, more resilient and more courageous in reform. Universiti Malaya will rise to this call.
“We will continue to spearhead our national duty in shaping Malaysia’s growth, strengthening national resilience and producing the knowledge, talent and solutions needed by humanity and the world. Rankings matter because they reflect quality, trust and impact - but our larger mission is to build a university that spearheads the nation, uplifts mankind and helps shape the future of the world. For UM, the best is yet to come,” Professor Azuan said.
As Malaysia’s premier university, UM continues to play a leading role in driving research excellence, innovation, sustainability, and talent development at both regional and global levels.
UM’s overall score for the 2027 edition stands at 81.2, reflecting the university’s strong performance across the key QS performance lenses, namely Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Sustainability, Learning Experience, and Global Engagement.
Notably, UM continued to record outstanding performance in the reputation indicators under the Research and Discovery as well as Employability and Outcomes lenses, achieving scores of 92.8 for Academic Reputation and 93.1 for Employer Reputation. These achievements reflect the continued recognition of UM’s academic excellence by global academics and employers, as well as the university’s strong standing in producing highly employable and industry-ready graduates.
The university also maintained strong momentum in global engagement and international collaboration, achieving a score of 93.4 in the International Research Network indicator, reflecting UM’s extensive and sustained international research partnerships. Meanwhile, UM continued to strengthen its global presence through its internationalisation indicators, recording scores of 93.1 for International Students and 83.7 for International Faculty, highlighting the university’s growing international attractiveness and global outlook. In addition, UM continued to demonstrate strong commitment towards sustainability and societal impact, maintaining its position as the top-ranked university in Malaysia for the Sustainability indicator.
The QS World University Rankings 2027 evaluated 8,808 institutions worldwide, with only 1,504 institutions published in the final rankings across 106 locations. In Malaysia, 32 institutions were evaluated in this edition.
Universiti Malaya will celebrate its 121st anniversary in 2026, marking more than a century of excellence in education, research, and service to society. As the nation’s No. 1 university, UM has produced numerous leaders and scholars who have made an impact at both the national and global levels. The #UM121 celebration is a special occasion to honor the university’s distinguished heritage while strengthening its commitment to building the future together with the campus community, alumni, and strategic partners. #UM121 symbolizes pride, legacy, and hope that continue to grow from the past into the future.