Best Medical University in Malaysia

Choosing the right medical university in Malaysia for your medical education is a pivotal decision that can shape your future career in healthcare. With Malaysia’s burgeoning reputation as a hub for medical education, it’s essential to explore the top-tier institutions offering world-class programs. 

In this article, we’ll talk about Malaysia’s leading medical schools, helping you make an informed choice for your medical journey. Whether you’re a prospective student or an enthusiast of medical education, join us as we explore the pinnacle of healthcare education in Malaysia.

See Also: The Best Study in Malaysia Guide for International Students (2024)

Medical University in Malaysia: Branch Campuses

1. Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (UK Branch Campus)

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) is one of the premier medical university in Malaysia. Renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and clinical proficiency, NUMed offers world-class medical education in Malaysia.

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia’s medical program was awarded The Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Students are entitled to a progression discount for the foundation students leading to the medicine programme.

There is only one intake per year, which is September. 

Students graduating from Newcastle University Malaysia will also receive a UK-based certificate which is more recognized and known across the globe such as the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and more. 

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

2. Monash University (AUS Branch Campus)

Monash University Malaysia, known as a popular medical university in Malaysia, offers a distinguished medical program characterised by academic excellence, innovation, and a global perspective. The program, built upon Monash’s renowned medical curriculum, provides students with a comprehensive foundation in healthcare.

The medical program at Monash University Malaysia specializes in infection and immunity, cardiometabolic field, neuroscience and global public health. During your initial two years, you will be situated at the Monash Sunway campus. Here, you will enhance your clinical abilities through practical experiences, including visits to medical facilities, community care centres, hospitals, and a two-week immersion as part of a healthcare team in a rural setting.

The medical program only offers one intake per year, which is in February. 

In years three to five, your focus shifts to the Clinical School located in Johor Bahru. At this stage, your clinical education centres around the Sultanah Aminah Hospital. As you progress into your final year, your schedule intensifies with diverse clinical rotations, including a placement at an Australian hospital, setting the stage for graduation.

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

3. RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (Irish Branch Campus) 

At RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC), the medical program epitomizes excellence in medical education, blending rigorous academics with practical experience and a global outlook. The program unfolds across five years, instilling students with comprehensive medical knowledge and honing their clinical skills.

The intake is only once per year, which is in September. 

In the initial 2 and a half years, students engage in foundational coursework at the RUMC Dublin campus, delving into fundamental principles of medicine and healthcare. Practical exposure begins early, with hands-on training in simulated environments and supervised clinical visits to hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Then, for the clinical years, students will continue back in Penang, Malaysia. As students progress, the curriculum evolves to incorporate advanced clinical rotations and specialized training. Under the guidance of experienced faculty and healthcare professionals, students deepen their understanding of medical specialities and gain invaluable real-world experience.

Students can pursue housemanship in Ireland, the UK or any country recognized by the Irish Medical Council. This will be ideal for students who are unable to do housemanship in their home country, such as an Indian passport holder. 

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

Top Private Medical University in Malaysia

1. International Medical University (IMU)

The International Medical University (IMU) offers a distinguished medical program renowned for its academic excellence, clinical exposure, and global perspective. Spanning five years, the program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of medical science, clinical skills, and professional ethics.

For IMU’s medical program, there are two intakes per year which are in February and September. 

For the first 2 and a half years, students will focus on Medical Sciences. After that, students are required to take the Clinical Training. Students are given a choice to do a 5-year study in Malaysia or transfer to any partnered university in other countries for Clinical Training, called Partner Medical School Programme (PMS) programme.

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

2. Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University is well-known for its state-of-the-art facilities that meet the standards of the Malaysian Medical Council as well as the Ministry of Higher Education. Another plus point that makes Taylor’s University the best medical university in Malaysia is how they regularly host field trips to rural communities that promote social awareness and compassion for all medical students. On top of that, Taylor’s University is known as the number one private university in Malaysia and is ranked at #284 based on QS Ranking. 

The medical program at Taylor’s University offers two intakes per year, which are in March and September. 

Students are also able to apply for scholarships. Simply enquire to find out more!

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

See Also: IT University in Malaysia: Top Private Universities for IT in Malaysia (2024)

3. Management and Science University (MSU)

Management and Science University (MSU) is known to be an affordable medical university in Malaysia! At the Management and Science University (MSU), students can enrol in a 5-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program available at both its primary campus in Shah Alam and an offshore location in Bangalore, India. 

The medical program offers two intakes per year, which are in February and September. 

This program is structured into two different phases: the initial pre-clinical phase spanning Years 1 and 2, which concentrates on fundamental medical sciences. The second phase, called the clinical phase spanning Years 3, 4, and 5, focuses on clinical sciences.

Students can apply for scholarships up to 80,000 for the whole 5 years.

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

4. University of Cyberjaya (UOC)

At the University of Cyberjaya (UOC), the medical program is split into two stages. The 5-year program includes the Basic Medical Sciences phase (Years 1-2) and the Clinical Sciences phase (Years 3-5). There is only one intake per year, which is in October. 

The initial two years, primarily held at the Cyberjaya campus, establish the groundwork for fundamental medical understanding, structured through sequential courses/blocks with early clinical involvement. Moreover, the curriculum integrates Disaster and Relief Medicine, equipping prospective graduates with skills necessary for humanitarian and relief missions.

Scholarships are given upon eligibility for the programme to all students. Basically, you can study medicine within a span of 5 years for less than RM450,000! 

You may visit the medical program page to learn more. 

5. Quest International University (QIU)

Quest is another well-known medical university in Malaysia. The medical program has an Integrated Hybrid Problem-Based Learning Curriculum aligned with the esteemed United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

There are two intakes per year, which are May and October. 

Quest’s MBBS program also adopts an Integrated Hybrid Problem-Based Learning Curriculum. The 5-year MBBS structure comprises two consecutive phases: Phase 1 (Years 1 & 2) and Phase 2 (Years 3 to 5). During Phase 1, the curriculum prioritizes integrated basic sciences alongside early clinical exposure, while Phase 2 concentrates on clinical sciences integrated with the practical aspects of basic and laboratory sciences.

Students can apply for scholarships up to RM30,000, based on their academic results. This means the total fees will be less than RM300,000 for the entire 5 years! 

You may visit the medical program page to learn more.