Malaysia offers over 30 medical universities for students seeking a degree in medicine and medical research. When narrowing the field of potential universities, prospective students can refer to university ranking sites such as Webometrics or QS Top Universities to determine which schools are most highly acclaimed. The colleges featured in these rankings provide both undergraduate and graduate programs for a variety of medical specializations, including nursing, psychiatry, pharmaceutical science and primary care medicine.

University of Malaya

The University of Malaya is located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Cybermetrics, a research organization under the Ministry of Education in Spain, ranked the University of Malaya 4th out of the 90 Malaysian universities surveyed in their Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. In 2014, the Top University Rankings released by QS, a British-based education and study abroad resource, ranked the University of Malaya 151st out of world universities and 32nd out of Asian universities. The University of Malaya offers bachelor’s degrees in biomedical science, nursing, pharmacy, medicine and surgery. Graduate programs include master’s degrees in medicine or science and doctorates in pharmacy, nursing and molecular medicine. Unlike many other Malaysian colleges, the University of Malaya has an onsite teaching hospital where medical students can perfect their skills in a practical training environment.

University Teknologi MARA

The University Teknologi MARA was ranked 6th in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities and 241st out of Asian universities in the QS Top University Rankings of 2014. UiTM, located in Shah Alam in western Malaysia, was established with the goal of improving the society and economy of rural areas of Malaysia. MARA, which stands for “Majlis Amanah Rakyat” -- Malay for “Council of Trust for the Indigenous People” -- is a government agency devoted to training indigenous Malaysians in industry skills. The UiTM Faculty of Medicine, established in 2003, operates out of medical campuses located in Sungai Buloh and Selayang, within 25 miles of the Shah Alam campus. UiTM offers postgraduate programs in psychiatry, internal medicine, laboratory medicine and primary care medicine, and is the first Malaysian university to offer bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery that include an Advanced Medical Science degree.

University Kebangsaan Malaysia

The University Kebangsaan Malaysia, also known as the National University of Malaysia, is located in Bangi in western Malaysia. QS Top Universities ranked it 56th out of Asian universities and 20th in the category of Top 50 Under 50, which ranks the top 50 universities established in the last 50 years. It is ranked 5th in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. The University Kebangsaan Malaysia was established in 1970 to be a Malay language-based institute and has been recognized for its research in health and medical technology. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in health sciences, pharmacy, dentistry and pre-medicine. Courses are conducted in Malay, the language of Malaysia.

University Sains Malaysia

The University Sains Malaysia, located in Pulau Pinang on the west coast of Malaysia, is ranked 3rd out of all Malaysian universities by Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. QS Top Universities ranked it 309th out of world universities and 57th out of Asian universities. The university offers undergraduate premedical training as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree, focusing on holistic health and interdisciplinary schooling. Graduates of the program are not only equipped to recognize and diagnose medical conditions but also to create follow-up management plans based on the patient’s cultural background, establishing compassion and connection between doctor and patient. The majority of courses are conducted in Malay.

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