A List of the Best Private Universities in Malaysia Offering Top Rate Banking, Finance & Investment Degree Programmes
A Banking and Finance degree is for students who desire a career in the financial sector in roles such as securities analyst, financial or investment manager, or as a private, commercial or investment banker. In a Banking & Finance course students will typically learn about how the economy works, how decisions are made in banking and finance and how financial systems and capital markets operate in an international context. Furthermore, they will learn how government policies influence the overall stock market index, how corporate actions affect stock prices and how private and corporate wealth is created. A career in Banking & Finance can be very satisfying with high salaries. Studying at a top private university for Banking & Finance will set graduates apart and propel them to a successful career in the financial services sector.
Worldwide, the financial services sector records the highest earnings and drives a country’s economic growth. The Financial sector stands as one of the largest sectors in Malaysia with more than 300,000 people employed. The role of the financial sector is envisioned to continue growing to be a key driver and catalyst of Malaysia’s economic progression. This sector is projected to be more competitive, dynamic, inclusive, diversified, and integrated, with the ability to offer world class financial services, in terms of breadth, depth and quality to serve the needs of Malaysia.
You might also be interested to read:
- Best Banking & Finance Courses in Malaysia – Find Out About Studying the Course, Entry Requirements, Career & Salary
- Best Financial Technology (Fintech) Degree Courses in Malaysia – What are the Subjects, Course Details & Entry Requirements,
- Best Accounting Degree Courses with ACCA Accelerated Programme at Top Universities in Malaysia
Top Private Universities & Colleges in Malaysia Offering the Best Banking & Finance Degree Programmes

Bryan Yap, Foundation in Business at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
There is a demand for top graduates in banking and finance in Malaysia. Salaries for banking & finance graduates in Malaysia can be very high. In order to succeed in the competitive banking & finance industry, students must choose the best universities in Malaysia to study.
Moreover, students should choose the right university that fits them which has a good reputation for banking & finance programmes, excellent facilities, top lecturers, student support services and an English-speaking student environment. Graduates from accounting programmes are able to work in the banking and finance industry therefore the degree courses are included in the listing.
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- University of Southampton Malaysia (UOSM)
- University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
- Monash University Malaysia
- Taylor’s University
- Asia Pacific University (APU)
- Sunway University
- HELP University
- UOW Malaysia
- UTAR
Education Pathway to Banking, Finance & Investment Degree in Malaysia

Darren, Finance & Investment Graduate from UCSI University
Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels with at least 5 credits including the relevant subjects may enter a Foundation in Business or Foundation in Arts at a top private university in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 3-year banking or finance degree programme.
Pre-University graduates in Malaysia from programmes such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Students with at least 3 credits in SPM or O-Levels may go for the Diploma in Accounting or Diploma in Finance and then enter into Year 2 of the banking or finance degree programme.
Banking and Finance graduates may go for the the professional certifications by Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), FPAM – Financial Planning Association of Malaysia, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Asian Institute of Chartered Banker (AICB).
What is Banking and Finance?
Banking

Chew Ling, Accounting & Finance at Taylor’s University
Banking refers to that process in which a bank which is a commercial or government institution offers financial services such as monetary loans, collection of deposits, issue of currencies and debit cards, and transaction processing etc.
The majority of banks works as profit-seeking enterprises. Central banks function as government agencies and they regulate the interest rates and circulation of money in the total economy. Banking activities can usually be categorized into the following types :
- Receiving deposits from the customers and issue of current or checking accounts and savings accounts to businesses and individuals
- Providing financial consultation services to individuals and businesses
- Providing loans to businesses and individuals
- Encashment of checks
- Facilitation of monetary transactions, for example cashiers checks and wire transfers
- Issue of ATM cards, credit cards, and debit cards
- Offering safe deposit vaults for keeping valuables
- Encashment and distribution of bank rolls
- Retirement & pension planning
A bank is a financial institution licensed to receive deposits and make loans. Banks may also provide financial services, such as wealth management, currency exchange and safe deposit boxes. There are two types of banks: commercial/retail banks and investment banks.
- Commercial/Retail banks – Retail banking directly deals with small businesses and individuals, commercial banking, corporate banking services to important commercial organizations, and offering services to mid-market businesses.
- Commercial banks
- Postal savings banks
- Private banks
- Community banks
- Community development banks
- Savings banks
- Building societies
- Offshore banks
- Investment banks
- The investment banks function as underwriters of stock and bond issues and also provide a number of related services. Examples of investment banks are merchant banks and venture capital firms. As a whole, investment banking deals with capital markets.
- The financial transactions of a bank are carried out through a number of measures:
- Through branches
- Through ATMs (automated tellering machine)
- Telephone banking
- Online banking
- Through mail services
Finance

Chun Tim, Foundation in Business into Finance at Taylor’s University
Finance deals with efficient allocation and distribution of resources by commercial entities, individuals, as well as other establishments over time taking into consideration the associated risks.
The term called finance can include any of the following areas:
- The process of managing money
- The study of money and other types of assets
- Managing and controlling those assets
- Identifying and handling project risks
If the term finance is used as a verb, it denotes provision of funds for individuals for buying cars or houses and businesses.
The function of finance is to apply a group of techniques which the corporate entities and individuals implement for managing their financial activities, specifically the margin of income and expenditure as well as investment risks.
Finance can be widely categorized into the following types:
- Personal finance
- Business finance
- Public finance
The major sources of financing include:
- Savings
- Loan or credit
- Taxes
- Donations
- Subsidies
- Grants
Jobs in the Banking & Finance Industry in Malaysia
Worldwide, the financial services sector records the highest earnings and drives a country’s economic growth. The Financial sector stands as one of the largest sectors in Malaysia with more than 300,000 people employed. The role of the financial sector is envisioned to continue growing to be a key driver and catalyst of Malaysia’s economic progression.
This sector is projected to be more competitive, dynamic, inclusive, diversified, and integrated, with the ability to offer world class financial services, in terms of breadth, depth and quality to serve the needs of Malaysia.
Banking is a traditional career area for graduates, as is the wider financial services sector. Although many graduate entrants have a financial background there are also openings for those with degrees in other subjects: you can expect good training on a graduate programme and there may be a chance to extend your knowledge through professional exams.
The banking and finance industry plays a crucial role in promoting and sustaining the economic growth of a country. It safeguards the interests of its customers, sells its services and encourages investments. Different types of banks offer different kinds of services to different groups of customers.
- The banking and finance industry comprises:
- Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank)
- commercial banks
- finance companies
- money and stockbroking firms
- futures trading firms
Commercial banks provide financial advice to the public, businesses and industries, as well as the local government.
Merchant banks provide services to firms and corporations. They offer banking services and advice on takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and international trading.
Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank) does not provide banking services to the public. It functions as a central bank and acts as an intermediary for the government and other banks. It supervises other banks and foreign exchange, looks after the government’s interests, prints and withdraws money in circulation. It also provides advice to the Ministry of Finance and other government agencies.
Where can Banking & Finance Graduates work in Malaysia?
Many students have asked me where the can work after graduating with the degree banking, finance or investment. There are many areas where graduates can work in such as banks, investment banks, islamic banks, moneybrokers, insurance, reinsurance, fund managers, futures fund managers, and more.
Qualified people are required to fill up different posts in the various departments of a bank. The departments include:
- Accounts – Keeps a full record of the bank’s transactions.
- Loans – Policies and guidelines for loans are determined by the head-office, to be abided by branch offices.
- Investments – Handles investment in bonds and government securities to ensure maximum returns.
- International trade – Connects with overseas banks and assists Malaysian traders in establishing contacts with foreign counterparts.
- Sales and Marketing – Sells the bank’s services to the public and organises publicity campaigns for the bank.
- Personnel – Recruits new workers and takes care of promotions, transfers, pay and welfare of staff.
- Training – Responsible for the training of new recruits.
- Systems and Technology – Keeps up with the latest development in technology to help in the daily running of the banks.
- Economy – Provides the latest information on local and global economic trends. Researches and compiles statistical information.
Graduates can focus on banking & financial services jobs in a number of specialist areas including:
- Risk – Credit / Marketing / Operational
- Finance / Accounting / Audit
- Corporate / Consumer Banking
- Compliance
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Finance / M&A
- Investment Management
- Operations
- Actuarial
- Insurance
- Private Equity
- Treasury
Which one is better place to study finance,public or private university
Public university has its positive points while private university has different approaches to education