Universiti Malaya achieved its strongest performance yet in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, securing 20 subjects in the Top 100 globally and four subjects in the Top 50. The Malaysian university doubled its Top 50 subject count from two in 2021 to four this year, maintaining its position as the country’s leading institution.
Universiti Malaya Leads Malaysia Universities in QS Subject Rankings 2025
Key Details
Education and English Language and Literature joined the university’s elite Top 50 subjects for the first time, while Library and Information Management and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence maintained their previous Top 50 positions, according to the March 12 announcement.
The university placed 28 subjects in the Top 10% globally, with a total of 41 subjects recognized in the QS Rankings for 2025. This represents an increase from 36 subjects ranked in 2021, demonstrating consistent improvement over five years.
Universiti Malaya holds the number one position in Malaysia for 38 subjects, up from 34 subjects in 2024. The university leads in all four main academic areas: engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences and management.
- 20 subjects ranked in global Top 100
- 4 subjects in global Top 50 (double from 2021)
- 41 total subjects recognized in QS Rankings 2025
- 38 subjects ranked first in Malaysia
- First Malaysian university ranked in Dentistry
Quotes & Reactions
“UM’s new global recognition and success in the global rankings reflect our relentless pursuit of the highest standard and quality in our research and teaching and learning,” said Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya.
“Our new achievements, including our historic debut in Dentistry and Marketing programmes and our continuous success in other subjects, reinforce our mission to lead the nation and the world in charting new frontiers that will shape a better tomorrow and a new future of hope to humanity and civilisations, from tackling the challenges of climate change to inventing new solutions to the problems facing the world today,” Abu Osman added.
Background & Context
The university maintains competitive rankings across five broad subject areas globally. Social Sciences & Management ranks 71st worldwide, followed by Engineering & Technology at 79th, Arts & Humanities at 98th, Life Sciences & Medicine at 118th, and Natural Sciences at 134th.
Dentistry and Marketing achieved first-time entries in the rankings, both securing Top 100 placements. Universiti Malaya became the first and only Malaysian university ranked in Dentistry, highlighting its strength in medical sciences.
Anthropology broke into the Top 200 for the first time, making it the first and only ranked anthropology subject in Malaysia. The university continues recording significant improvements in life and medical sciences recognition, according to the QS World University Rankings methodology.
