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Johor is a hub for top-quality local institutions as well as foreign-based universities at a fraction of the cost compared to studying overseas.
Here are 10 top private universities and colleges in Johor you can check out ranging from top ranking to those offering affordable courses.
#1 University Of Reading (Malaysia)
The University of Reading’s Malaysian campus opened its doors in 2015. It is famous locally for its business courses, under the Henley Business School and its Law course.
Here’s some information about Reading Malaysia:
| Total student population | 1,000 |
| % of international students | 5% |
| Teaching faculty-to-student ratio | 1:25, an acceptable ratio (about 40 academic staff) |
| Graduate employability rate % | 97%-100%, 6 months after graduation |
Why Should You Study At Reading Malaysia?
- Rank #194 globally in 2026 on the QS World University Rankings.
- Many of its subjects are ranked in the top 150 and top 250 of the QS Subject Ranking, such as, Built Environment, Accounting (#101-#150) Business and Management (#131) and Law (#201-#250).
- 75% of the Business School academic faculty are PhD holders. Henley Business School is also recognised by the prestigious AACSB accreditation.
- Current head of the Henley Business School, Professor Teck Yong Eng, has taught in UK universities for almost 30 years.
- Graduates from its BSc (Honours) Accounting and Finance are also recognised by ICAEW and can get the Business and Finance Professional (BFP) designation.
- Malaysian students can transfer to the UK for a semester and enjoy living and studying in the UK.
Reading Malaysia popular courses:
- Business
- Accounting
- Real Estate
- Law
- Psychology
Discover more about Reading Malaysia from our
#2 University of Southampton (Malaysia)
Speaking of top private universities in Johor, you must include the University of Southampton Malaysia. Malaysia is the university’s only foreign campus which means you get the privilege of graduating from a world-class Russel Group UK university at a fraction of the cost!
Here’s some information about Southampton Malaysia:
| Total student population | 1,000 |
| % of international students | 5% |
| Teaching faculty-to-student ratio | 1:20 a healthy ratio (about 50 academic staff) |
| Graduate employability rate % | 100%, 6 months after graduation |
Why Should You Study At Southampton Malaysia?
- The university ranks in the Top 100 at #87 in 2026 on the QS World University Rankings and has been there consistently for more than a decade.
- Experience the EduCity Iskandar Puteri mixed development where students have access to a central sports stadium and facilities. For entertainment, the campus is also near the main city of Johor Bahru.
- Only few universities offering Aerospace studies and a chance to further studies in the United Kingdom and 7 specialisations to choose from.
- Organisations that have employed students from the university include Aston Martin, BAE Systems, Boeing, Dyson, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce and more.
- Business course is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) which only awards the top 5% of Business Schools in the world.
Southampton Malaysia popular courses:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business
- Actuarial Science
- Accounting & Finance
If you plan to fly to the skies, you best learn more about Southampton Malaysia in our
#3 Raffles University
The Raffles Education brand has built a strong reputation in creative arts including Fashion Design, Creative Media Technology and Graphic Design. It has a global campus presence and operates its first Malaysian campus branch in Kuala Lumpur.
Why Should You Study At Raffles University?
- Raffles received 5 Stars for the categories of ‘’Teaching, Employability, Inclusiveness and Online Learning’’ by the QS World University Rankings standard.
- Raffles is at the forefront of design learning innovation. It embraces the use of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) to find design inspiration and exploration.
- Opportunity to advance your Diploma in Fashion Design, to a Bachelor of Fashion Design at Raffles Singapore which you will also receive an additional award from Coventry University, UK.
- Launched an AI Research Institute, producing not only research findings but real-life solutions that are tested for the construction, medical and educational industries.
- Campus presence in 9 countries spread across the globe expands the institution’s cross-border industry network which students can tap into.
Raffles University popular courses:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Marketing
- Creative Media Technology
- Game Arts
- Multimedia Design
- Graphic Arts
- Interior Design
Considering studying fashion design or creative arts at Raffles? Here’s our full
#4 UNITAR International University
UNITAR is one of the best destinations for affordable higher education. One of its appeal is its accessibility through 13 locations including the main campus in Selangor and satellite branches in multiple states across Malaysia including Johor.
The Johor campus offers studies in Accounting, Business Administration, Animation Design, Early Childhood Education, Logistics Management and Information Technology.
Why Should You Study At UNITAR?
- The first institution in Asia to be awarded a QS 5-Star Rating for Online Learning.
- Highly affordable courses relative to many other private colleges and universities.
- Highly accessible as UNITAR provides many course varieties, it has many campus or satellite campus locations in almost every state, and best of all many of its courses can be completed fully online.
- One of the few private universities where you can obtain a PTPTN loan for Foundation courses.
- You can take your Foundation or Diploma in Johor and continue your Degree at the main campus in Selangor which offers much more options.
- Various scholarship schemes to help B40 students and students with disabilities.
UNITAR popular courses:
- Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Business and Accounting
- Creative Media and Design
- Computing & IT
Check out our full review of
#5 Sunway University
Sunway University is regarded by many as one of their top private university choices in Malaysia too. In Johor, Sunway College provides Foundation, Diploma, and limited Degree courses.
Established in 1987, it has since grown into one of the largest and most reputable higher learning institutions and is operated as a non-profit under the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.
Here are some key statistics about Sunway University:
| Total student population | 25,000 |
| % of international students | 10%-30% based on faculty from 90+ countries |
| Teaching faculty-to-student ratio | 1:70 (~360 academic staff) |
| % of international academic staff | 5% -25% based on faculty |
| Graduate employability rate | 87% – 98% based on fields of study |
Why Should You Study At Sunway University?
- Ranked at #410 globally in 2026 by the QS World University Ranking and also ranked #55 among the top universities in Asia.
- Vibrant campus life (main campus), located near attractions such as Sunway Pyramid Mall and Sunway Lagoon theme park.
- Good accessibility via its other college campus branches at Sunway Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Ipoh, Sunway Johor Bahru and Sunway Kuching which offers pre-university and diploma courses.
- Wide variety of fields of study to choose from Business, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Actuarial Science, Interior Design, Fashion, Animation, Multimedia, Communications, Computer Science, Engineering, Hospitality, Culinary, Science and many more.
Sunway University popular courses:
- AUSMAT pre-university
- Business Studies
- Supply Chain Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Media and Communications
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Hospitality and Culinary
- Nursing
It should be noted that the Johor campus does not offer all the above courses. Alternatively, students can study Foundation or Diploma in Johor before transferring to the Selangor campus for Degree.
o learn more, read our
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#6 Crescendo International College
Crescendo started in 2001 and has grown into its newly built campus at Desa Cemerlang, Johor. The campus can accommodate up to 1,200 students and is equipped with modern amenities including spacious lecture halls, a well-furnished cafeteria, hostel accommodations, and various other student-friendly facilities.
Why Should You Study At Crescendo International College?
- One of the few centres in Johor where you can study A-Level, especially for those aspiring to study abroad later.
- The first in Johor to conduct full ACCA papers and has been producing ACCA graduates since 2002. Crescendo is a Gold Approved Learning Partner (second to Platinum).
- Even though Crescendo does not have a huge variety of courses but students who study their Degree here will be awarded by the University of London (UOL) UK for studies including Accounting & Finance, Business Management and Computer Science.
- Its BSc Accounting and Finance degree is designed and managed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
- The only University of London (UOL) LLB course in Johor. Students can have the option to transfer to study in the UK and even enter the Bar exams in the UK.
Crescendo’s popular courses:
- Law LLB
- Accounting and Finance
- Business
- Computer Science
- A-Level
#7 MDIS Malaysia International College
Established in 1956 as Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), the institution is Singapore’s oldest professional learning institute.
MDIS has since opened 3 international campuses in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Johor, Malaysia; and Chennai, India.
MDIS Malaysia offers courses in Business and Management, Marketing, Accounting, Information Technology, Mass Communications, Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Campus life at MDIS Malaysia:
Why Should You Study At MDIS Malaysia?
- Gain an international award from the University of Sunderland UK when you complete
- BA (Hons) Media, Culture & Communication
- BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management
- As MDIS has its roots in Singapore, you can consider enrolling into MDIS Singapore after completing your Diploma in MDIS Malaysia. This may open up opportunities for you to continue seeking employment in Singapore upon graduation.
- Full-fledged campus experience in EduCity Johor, together with international students from around the world.
MDIS Malaysia popular courses:
- Business Management
- Communications
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Information Technology
#8 Southern University College
Established in 1990, Southern University College was the first non-profit institute of higher education in Malaysia, which provided affordable learning for high school leavers. Formerly known as Southern College, its status was upgraded to University College in 2012.
Why Should You Study At Southern University College?
- Affordable courses on par with UNITAR in terms of fees at all academic levels (foundation, diploma, degree).
- Offers wide variety of courses such as business and management, arts and design, engineering and information technology, and education.
- One of the handful, if not the only institution offering Traditional Chinese Medicine studies in Johor. Students receive a dual award for its Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours) with Tianjin University of TCM, China.
- For students aiming to further their studies, especially in China and Taiwan, Southern University College has an extensive list of university partners in these 2 countries.
Southern University College popular courses:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Business Management
- Accounting
- Communications
- Language Studies (Chinese, Malay)
- Psychology
- Education (Counselling)
- Electronics Engineering
#9 City University Malaysia
City University is an established higher education institution that has a main campus in Selangor and a branch campus in Johor, with two smaller satellite campuses in Penang and Sabah. The university supports close to 8,000 students every year.
City University popular courses:
- Business
- Accounting
- Human Resource
- Computer Science
- Mass Communication
- Creative Arts
#10 Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed)
NUMed is a specialised offshoot of Newcastle University from the UK for medical studies only. It was established in Johor since 2011 and comes under the Newcastle University School of Medicine.
Newcastle University in the UK ranks #129 globally in 2025 on the QS World University Rankings.
NUMed’s MBBS programme is recognised by Great Medical Council UK, Malaysian Medical Council, Sri Lankan Medical Council, The Medical Council of Thailand and Medical Council of India
NUMed’s flagship courses:
- MBBS
- Biomedical Science
See More Uni Review Guides
If you are looking for other options outside of Johor, check out our full list of university reviews and ultimate course & fees listings too!
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