Sail Edu · 2026 Guide
Best University in Malaysia for Business & Accounting 2026
The best university in Malaysia for business, on the evidence of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, is Universiti Malaya, and it is also the best university in Malaysia for accounting by the same measure. But a business degree in Malaysia is a wide field, and the right choice depends on whether you want a chartered-accountant route, a foreign award, an actuarial career or the lowest fee. This guide from Sail Edu (SailEdu) compares 14 universities on published subject ranks, Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) recognition, indicative fees and entry requirements.
Quick answer
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Universiti Malaya leads Malaysia in both tables: 65th for Accounting and Finance and 104th for Business and Management Studies. Among private universities, MSU (112th) and Taylor's (144th) reach the business top 150. For a chartered-accountant route, choose a degree listed in MIA's First Schedule, such as UM, UKM, UPM, UTAR or TAR UMT.
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Best university in Malaysia for business and accounting: comparison table
Universiti Malaya is the only Malaysian university in the world top 100 for Accounting and Finance (65th) and ranks 104th for Business and Management Studies in the QS 2026 subject tables. The table lists 14 universities in order of their business rank, with the accounting band, whether the accounting degree is named in MIA's First Schedule, and an indicative annual fee for an international undergraduate.
| University | Type and location | QS 2026: Business & Management | QS 2026: Accounting & Finance | Accounting degree in MIA First Schedule (Part I) | Indicative tuition per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Public · Kuala Lumpur | 104 | 65 | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting | USD 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Private · Shah Alam, Selangor | 112 | 251–300 | Yes: Bachelor in Accountancy (Honours) | See the university fee page |
| Taylor's University | Private · Subang Jaya, Selangor | 144 | 151–200 | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 35,000 – 55,000 |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Public · Serdang, Selangor | 151–200 | 151–200 | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) | USD 3,500 – 7,000 |
| UCSI University | Private · Cheras, Kuala Lumpur | 151–200 | Not verified in the 2026 table | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 30,000 – 55,000 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Public · Bangi, Selangor | 201–250 | 151–200 | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) | USD 3,000 – 6,500 |
| Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | Public · Sintok, Kedah | 201–250 | 101–150 | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) | See the university fee page |
| Sunway University | Private · Bandar Sunway, Selangor | 201–250 | 251–300 | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | Private · Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur | 251–300 | Not verified in the 2026 table | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 30,000 – 45,000 |
| Monash University Malaysia | Foreign branch campus (Australia) · Bandar Sunway | Listed under Monash University, not the campus | Listed under Monash University, not the campus | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 45,000 – 75,000 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | Foreign branch campus (UK) · Semenyih, Selangor | Listed under the University of Nottingham, not the campus | Listed under the University of Nottingham, not the campus | Not listed; professional-body route | RM 45,000 – 65,000 |
| Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) | Private · Kajang, Selangor and Kampar, Perak | Not verified in the 2026 table | Not verified in the 2026 table | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) | See the university fee page |
| TAR UMT | Private · Kuala Lumpur | Not verified in the 2026 table | Not verified in the 2026 table | Yes: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours), from the February 2023 session | See the university fee page |
| Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | Foreign branch campus (UK) · Putrajaya | Branch campus; see the home university | Branch campus; see the home university | Not listed; professional-body route | See the university fee page |
QS figures are from the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, published in March 2026. QS gives an exact rank to about the top 150 in a subject and bands after that; universities in the same band are not ordered. "Not verified" means we could not confirm a 2026 entry for that subject, not that the university is weak. "Not listed" in the MIA column means the degree is not named in Part I of the First Schedule to the Accountants Act 1967; graduates normally qualify through a recognised professional body such as ACCA, ICAEW, CPA Australia or MICPA instead. Fees are indicative ranges for mainstream bachelor's programmes, reused from our fee guides; public-university figures are for international undergraduates. Confirm the current fee on the university's official page.
Open any linked university to see its business programmes and entry requirements, or compare all universities on Sail Edu.
How we chose: methodology
This page does not publish a Sail Edu ranking. "Best" here means best on published, checkable evidence: the QS subject tables for 2026 and the regulator's own list for accounting. We ordered universities by their QS Business and Management Studies rank and reported the Accounting and Finance band next to it.
- Subject rank: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Business and Management Studies and Accounting and Finance. QS scores academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, H-index and international research network. The QS site blocked our direct check, so bands were read from a third-party copy of the QS tables; UM, UUM, MSU and Taylor's positions were confirmed against university or news sources. Confirm any other band on topuniversities.com before relying on it.
- Accounting recognition: Part I of the First Schedule to the Accountants Act 1967, as published by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. We list a degree as recognised only if the university is named there.
- Quality floor: every programme should also be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Search the Malaysian Qualifications Register for the exact programme before you pay a deposit.
- Fees: indicative ranges already published in our tuition guides. Where we have no verified figure we say so instead of estimating.
- Branch campuses: QS lists Monash, Nottingham and Heriot-Watt as single institutions, so we do not assign their Malaysian campuses a separate subject rank.
- What we left out: opinions, acceptance rates, pass rates and employment rates, because we could not verify them from a primary source.
Last verified: October 2026.
Business degree Malaysia: nine universities profiled
These nine universities all have live pages on Sail Edu, so each profile links to real business, accounting, finance or actuarial programmes. Four of them (UM, UPM, UKM and TAR UMT) offer an accounting degree named in MIA's First Schedule; the other five are private universities or foreign branch campuses.
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur · Public
Ranked 65th in the world for Accounting and Finance and 104th for Business and Management Studies in QS 2026, the highest in Malaysia on both. Its Bachelor of Accounting is named in MIA's First Schedule. Indicative international undergraduate tuition is USD 3,000 to 6,000 a year, and entry is competitive.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor in Accounting · Bachelor of Business Administration · Bachelor of Finance · Bachelor of Actuarial Science
Taylor's University
Subang Jaya, Selangor · Private
Ranked 144th for Business and Management Studies and in the 151–200 band for Accounting and Finance in QS 2026. Indicative tuition is RM 35,000 to 55,000 a year. Its accounting degree is not in MIA's First Schedule, so plan on a professional qualification such as ACCA after graduating.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor of Business (Honours) · Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Honours) · Bachelor of Banking and Finance (Honours) · Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Honours)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Serdang, Selangor · Public
In the 151–200 band for both Business and Management Studies and Accounting and Finance in QS 2026. Its Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) is named in MIA's First Schedule. Indicative international undergraduate tuition is USD 3,500 to 7,000 a year.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) · Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours
UCSI University
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur · Private
In the 151–200 band for Business and Management Studies in QS 2026; we could not verify an Accounting and Finance entry. Indicative tuition is RM 30,000 to 55,000 a year. It offers accounting, business administration and several actuarial science degrees.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) In Business Administration · Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) Accounting · Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) Accounting And Finance · Bachelor Of Science (Honours) Actuarial Science
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Bangi, Selangor · Public
In the 151–200 band for Accounting and Finance and 201–250 for Business and Management Studies in QS 2026. Its Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) is named in MIA's First Schedule. Indicative international undergraduate tuition is USD 3,000 to 6,500 a year.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor (Hons) in Accounting · Bachelor (Hons) in Business Administration · Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Science
Sunway University
Bandar Sunway, Selangor · Private
In the 201–250 band for Business and Management Studies and 251–300 for Accounting and Finance in QS 2026. Indicative tuition is RM 30,000 to 50,000 a year. Its accounting degree is not in MIA's First Schedule, so the usual route to chartered status is a professional body.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business Management · Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance · Bachelor (Honours) in Finance · Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Studies
Monash University Malaysia
Bandar Sunway, Selangor · Foreign branch campus (Australia)
The Malaysian campus of Monash University. QS ranks Monash as one institution, so there is no separate subject rank for the campus. Indicative tuition is RM 45,000 to 75,000 a year, the highest in this list, for the same award as the Australian campus.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor of Business and Commerce · Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Honours) · Bachelor in Actuarial Analytics
University of Nottingham Malaysia
Semenyih, Selangor · Foreign branch campus (UK)
The Malaysian campus of the University of Nottingham, ranked under the UK university in QS. Indicative tuition is RM 45,000 to 65,000 a year. Its business school degrees combine finance, accounting and management rather than offering a standalone accounting degree.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Finance, Accounting and Management BSc (Hons) · International Business Management BSc (Hons) · Business Economics and Finance BSc (Hons)
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT)
Kuala Lumpur · Private
Its Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) is named in MIA's First Schedule for programmes that began from the February 2023 session. We could not verify a QS 2026 subject entry. Check the university's fee page for current tuition.
Programmes on Sail Edu: Bachelor of Accounting (Hons.) · Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) · Bachelor of Finance (Hons.)
Programme names are shown as they appear on Sail Edu. Programme pages list entry requirements and intakes; exact fees may require you to sign in or enquire, and the university's official fee page is always the final word.
Best university in Malaysia for accounting: MIA and ACCA explained
For accounting, recognition matters more than rank. Only members of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants may call themselves accountants in Malaysia, and there are two ways in: a degree named in Part I of the First Schedule to the Accountants Act 1967, or membership of a professional body named in Part II.
Part I names the accounting degrees of Universiti Malaya, UKM, UiTM, UUM, UPM, IIUM, USM, UNITEN, Multimedia University, UMT, UMS, UNISEL, UniSZA, USIM, UTAR, INTI International University, MSU, UTM, UPSI, UNIMAS and TAR UMT, some only from a stated intake onwards. TAR UMT states that its graduates can apply for Chartered Accountant membership after three years of relevant experience under MIA's CARE programme. An MIA-recognised accounting degree at a public university typically takes four years.
| Route | How it works | Where you can take it |
|---|---|---|
| MIA First Schedule, Part I degree | Graduate with a named Bachelor of Accounting, then complete the required supervised work experience to apply for MIA membership as a Chartered Accountant, C.A.(M). | UM, UKM, UPM, UUM, USM, UiTM, UTM, UTAR, TAR UMT, MSU, INTI and others named in the Schedule |
| MIA First Schedule, Part II professional body | Take any business or accounting degree, then qualify with a recognised body: ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, Chartered Accountants Ireland, CPA Australia, CA ANZ, CIMA, MICPA, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants or ICAI. | Any university, including Taylor's, Sunway, UCSI, APU, Monash Malaysia and Nottingham Malaysia |
| ACCA alongside or after a degree | ACCA awards exemptions from up to nine exams, all at the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels. No exemptions are given for Strategic Professional exams. | Exemptions are set per degree; check the ACCA exemptions calculator for your exact programme and graduation year |
Check ACCA exemptions for your exact degree
Many Malaysian accounting degrees advertise ACCA exemptions, but the number depends on the programme, the modules you pass and the year you graduate. ACCA's own rule is a maximum of nine exemptions and none at Strategic Professional level. We have not listed a figure per university because we could not confirm each one from ACCA. Use the ACCA exemptions calculator and ask the university for written confirmation before you enrol.
Finance and actuarial science degrees
QS has no separate actuarial science table, so there is no evidence-based single "best university in Malaysia for actuarial science". Judge a programme by which professional exams it prepares you for or exempts you from. The Society of Actuaries (SOA) keeps a public directory of Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs (UCAP) that includes Malaysian entries such as Universiti Malaya, UKM, Taylor's University and Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.
For a finance degree in Malaysia, the QS Accounting and Finance table is the closest measure: UM at 65th, UUM at 101–150, then Taylor's, UKM, UPM and USM at 151–200. Finance graduates often add the CFA charter, which is taken after graduation and is not tied to a university. The actuarial programmes below are all listed on Sail Edu.
- Universiti Malaya: Bachelor of Actuarial Science
- UKM: Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Science
- Taylor's University: Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Honours)
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia: BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science
- Sunway University: Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Studies
- UCSI University: Bachelor Of Science (Honours) Actuarial Science
- UTAR: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Actuarial Science
- Asia Pacific University (APU): Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies
- Monash University Malaysia: Bachelor in Actuarial Analytics
An entry in the SOA directory is not an accreditation of the degree, and tiers change. Check the current SOA UCAP listing, and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries exemption list if you plan to qualify through the UK route. Actuarial degrees are mathematics-heavy; expect a stronger mathematics requirement than for a general business degree.
Entry requirements for a business or accounting degree in Malaysia
The common minimum for a bachelor's degree is 2 STPM subjects at grade C, 2 A-Level passes, 5 Bs in UEC, or a foundation or diploma CGPA of 2.00. Business administration and management degrees usually sit close to that minimum; accounting, finance and actuarial science typically add a mathematics requirement. SPM alone is not enough for a degree.
| Qualification | Common minimum for a bachelor's degree | What business, accounting and actuarial programmes typically add |
|---|---|---|
| SPM / O-Level / IGCSE | 5 credits for a foundation programme; 3 credits for a diploma. Not accepted for direct degree entry | A credit in Mathematics and a pass or credit in English are typically expected for accounting and finance |
| STPM | Grade C (CGPA 2.00) in at least 2 subjects | Public universities are far more competitive; UPUOnline ranks applicants by merit score |
| UEC | Grade B in at least 5 subjects | Widely accepted by private universities and branch campuses; Mathematics is typically among the required subjects for accounting |
| GCE A-Level | Passes in at least 2 subjects | Branch campuses and actuarial programmes typically ask for higher grades, often including Mathematics |
| Foundation / Matriculation | CGPA 2.00 out of 4.00 | A foundation in business or arts fits business degrees; actuarial science may need a science or mathematics-based foundation |
| Diploma | CGPA 2.00 out of 4.00 in a related field | A diploma in accounting or business can earn credit exemptions and entry into Year 2 |
| China: Gaokao | Accepted directly by selected universities only | Typically around the first-tier line; otherwise a senior high school certificate plus a one-year foundation |
| English | Most private universities ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.5; public universities typically IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 | Branch campuses usually sit at the upper end; check accepted alternatives to IELTS |
General minimums are the same ones published in our application guide and reflect MQA programme standards as stated by universities. The field-specific column describes typical practice, not a rule: every programme sets its own grades and compulsory subjects, so confirm on the university's programme page.
If you hold SPM or an equivalent, start with Foundation Programmes in Malaysia 2026 or Diploma Courses in Malaysia 2026.
Business degree Malaysia fees: what a year costs
Business, accounting and finance are among the cheapest fields in Malaysia: about USD 3,000 to 5,000 a year at a public university and RM 30,000 to 50,000 a year at a private one. Foreign branch campuses cost more, at about RM 45,000 to 75,000 a year. Figures are indicative annual tuition for international undergraduates.
| Institution type | Indicative tuition per year (business / accounting / finance) | Examples in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Public university | USD 3,000 – 5,000 (about RM 12,000 – 20,500) | UM, UKM, UPM, UUM |
| Private university | RM 30,000 – 50,000 | Taylor's, Sunway, UCSI, APU |
| Foreign branch campus | RM 45,000 – 75,000 | Monash Malaysia, Nottingham Malaysia |
Ranges are reused from our tuition and cheapest-university guides and exclude registration, exam and resource fees. RM equivalents use about RM 4.1 to the US dollar (October 2026). Professional exam fees such as ACCA are separate. Fees change every intake: confirm the fee for your exact programme on the university's official fee page.
To bring the cost down, see Cheapest University in Malaysia 2026 and scholarships listed on Sail Edu. For MBA and other postgraduate business study, see Master's in Malaysia 2026.
Careers and salaries after a business or accounting degree
Fresh accounting and finance graduates in Malaysia typically start at about RM 3,000 to 4,500 a month, rising to RM 6,000 to 15,000 with experience. Professional qualifications such as ACCA or CPA and Big Four experience lift pay significantly. Business graduates spread across marketing, HR, operations, banking and consulting.
Accountant
RM 3,500 – 8,000 / month
Audit, tax, financial reporting and corporate accounting. Chartered status through MIA or a recognised professional body is the main step up.
Business manager
RM 4,500 – 12,000 / month
Team and operations leadership across marketing, HR, finance and general management. An MBA is optional and usually comes after work experience.
Accounting and finance graduate (fresh)
RM 3,000 – 4,500 / month
Typical starting range. Experienced accounting and finance professionals earn about RM 6,000 to 15,000 a month.
Actuarial and finance specialists
Depends on exams passed
Actuarial pay tracks professional exam progress; finance roles reward the CFA charter. We do not publish a figure we cannot source.
See the role pages for accountant salary in Malaysia and business manager salary in Malaysia, or the full Graduate Salaries in Malaysia 2026 guide.
How to choose and how to apply
Decide the career first, then the university. Most private universities and branch campuses take new students 2 to 5 times a year, and international students should apply 3 to 4 months before the intake to leave time for the EMGS student visa.
- 1Want to be a chartered accountant in Malaysia? Shortlist degrees named in MIA's First Schedule, or accept that you will need ACCA or another recognised body after any other degree.
- 2Want a UK or Australian award? Look at Monash Malaysia, Nottingham Malaysia, Heriot-Watt Malaysia or a 3+0 programme, and budget RM 45,000 or more a year for a branch campus.
- 3On a tight budget with strong grades? Apply to public universities first (UM, UKM, UPM, UUM) and keep one or two private universities as a backup.
- 4Unsure between business, accounting and finance? A general business degree with a finance or accounting major keeps options open, but check which exemptions it carries.
- 5Check the exact programme on the Malaysian Qualifications Register. Chinese students should also confirm the university on the Ministry of Education list at jsj.moe.gov.cn.
- 6Apply directly to the university or through Sail Edu, which is free to use: compare programmes, upload documents once to your document vault and ask the AI advisor about requirements.
Step-by-step instructions are in How to Apply to University in Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia University Intake Dates 2026. Families moving with younger children can also compare international schools in Malaysia.
Not sure where to start? Apply with our AI advisor
Tell the SailEdu AI advisor your results and goals in English or Chinese — get university and programme matches in minutes and start your application right away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best university in Malaysia for business?
On QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Universiti Malaya is first in Malaysia for Business and Management Studies at 104th in the world. Management and Science University (112th) and Taylor's University (144th) follow, then UPM and UCSI in the 151–200 band. The best one for you also depends on fees, entry grades and whether you want a foreign award.
What is the best university in Malaysia for accounting?
Universiti Malaya ranks 65th in the world for Accounting and Finance in QS 2026, the highest in Malaysia, and its Bachelor of Accounting is named in MIA's First Schedule. Universiti Utara Malaysia is in the 101–150 band; Taylor's, UKM, UPM and USM are in 151–200. For a chartered-accountant route, check MIA recognition before rank.
What is the best university in Malaysia for actuarial science?
There is no QS table for actuarial science, so no single answer is evidence-based. Compare programmes by the professional exams they prepare you for. The Society of Actuaries directory includes Malaysian entries such as Universiti Malaya, UKM, Taylor's and Heriot-Watt Malaysia. Sunway, UCSI, UTAR, APU and Monash Malaysia also offer actuarial degrees.
How much does a business administration degree in Malaysia cost?
Indicative tuition for a business administration degree in Malaysia is about USD 3,000 to 5,000 a year at a public university and RM 30,000 to 50,000 a year at a private university. Foreign branch campuses charge about RM 45,000 to 75,000 a year. Confirm the exact fee with the university.
What are the entry requirements for a business management degree in Malaysia?
A business management degree in Malaysia commonly needs 2 STPM subjects at grade C, 2 A-Level passes, 5 Bs in UEC, or a foundation or diploma CGPA of 2.00, plus an English result such as IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 at private universities. SPM leavers need a foundation or diploma first. Each university sets its own grades.
Which accounting degree in Malaysia is recognised by MIA?
An MIA recognised accounting degree is one named in Part I of the First Schedule to the Accountants Act 1967. The list includes Universiti Malaya, UKM, UPM, UUM, USM, UiTM, IIUM, UTM, UTAR, TAR UMT, MSU, INTI International University and Multimedia University, some from a stated intake onwards. Check the current list on mia.org.my.
How many ACCA exemptions can I get from a Malaysian university degree?
ACCA awards a maximum of nine exemptions, all from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams, and none at Strategic Professional level. How many your degree earns depends on the programme and your graduation year. Use the ACCA exemptions calculator for your exact Malaysia university degree rather than relying on a brochure.
Is a finance degree in Malaysia worth it?
It can be. Accounting and finance graduates typically start at about RM 3,000 to 4,500 a month and reach RM 6,000 to 15,000 with experience, while tuition is among the lowest of any field. Value rises if you add a professional qualification such as ACCA or the CFA charter.
BBA Malaysia: how long does the degree take?
A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Malaysia typically takes three to four years depending on the university and your entry qualification. Accounting degrees named in MIA's First Schedule typically take four years. A related diploma can give entry into Year 2.
Sources
Subject ranks come from the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 and were cross-checked against university and news announcements. Accounting recognition comes from the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. Fees and general entry minimums are reused from our own guides.
- QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Business and Management Studies (topuniversities.com)
- QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Accounting and Finance (topuniversities.com)
- Bernama: UUM in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (25 March 2026)
- Universiti Utara Malaysia: QS 2026 Accounting and Finance announcement
- Management and Science University: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Sunway University: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 announcement
- Malaysian Institute of Accountants: First Schedule, Accountants Act 1967
- TAR UMT Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business: MIA accreditation
- ACCA: exemptions help and rules
- Society of Actuaries: Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs (UCAP)
- Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQA)
Last verified: October 2026. Rankings, recognition lists and fees change; check the source before you decide.
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