Malaysian universities continue to make steady improvement in the global rankings system where five public universities are now ranked top 100 Asian Universities in the QS Rankings 2016. Eleven Malaysian universities are ranked in the top-200 and twenty made it to the top-300. Comparatively, only eight Malaysian universities were listed in the top-200 in 2015

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), now the positioned as the second best university in Malaysia, achieved the biggest improvement, leaping up 17 places from its previous position. It is also ranked 38th in the QS Top-50 under 50 2015 rankings and 331st in the global rankings. Universities which have made improvements include:

• University of Malaya (UM) - from the 29th spot in 2015 to 27th in 2016
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) - from 66th to 49th
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) - from 56th to 55th
• Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) - from the 151-160 group to the 127th spot
• Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) - from the 191-200 group to 137th
• Taylors University - from the 201-250 group to 179th
• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) - from the 201-250 group to 181st
• Multimedia University (MMU) - from the 201-250 group to 193rd

In terms of subject rankings, UM is the highest performer, ranking in the global top-200 for 14 of the subjects covered by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015.

Commentary from Jennifer Wan, British Council Malaysia

The rankings of public universities in Malaysia have always been subjected to close scrutiny and compared to the country's better performing neighbours. Coupled with on-going criticisms on the unemployability of graduates, the Malaysian government is keen to enhance the delivery of higher education in the country. One of the ten shifts in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (HIgher Education) is to transform higher education delivery in Malaysia, focusing on delivery, accountability, transparency and outcomes.

What this means for the UK education sector is possible opportunities in direct student recruitment at the postgraduate research level, research collaborations and academic exchanges which will help Malaysian universities raise their profile and research capacities.

For more information on the market and how British Council can help promote your institution in Malaysia, please contact Jennifer Wan.