Best Universities in Yangon – QRNW Editors’ Choice 2025

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Oct 3
5 min read

Yangon is more than Myanmar’s cultural and commercial heart. It is also the most important center for higher education in the country. Students from across Myanmar—and increasingly from abroad—come to Yangon to pursue degrees in medicine, technology, economics, business, education, languages, and the arts. With a long tradition of academic excellence, the city offers a wide variety of universities that combine history, modern innovation, and professional training.

This article presents the QRNW Editors’ Choice list of the best universities in Yangon, with full descriptions of their strengths, programs, and learning environments. It is designed to give students, parents, and educators a clear and truthful guide, free from jargon and heavy technical terms, written in a style that is accessible yet comprehensive.

Why Yangon is a University City

Yangon is Myanmar’s largest city, with nearly six million people. It is the country’s economic powerhouse and home to most of the nation’s corporate headquarters, financial institutions, embassies, and cultural centers. This unique position makes Yangon an ideal location for higher education, offering:

Proximity to opportunities: Students can find internships in banks, NGOs, government ministries, IT companies, schools, and hospitals.
Cultural richness: The city blends colonial architecture, modern offices, Buddhist temples, and vibrant local neighborhoods. Students are exposed to both tradition and modernity.
Access to teaching hospitals and labs: Medical and science students benefit from some of the largest hospitals and research facilities in the country.
Diversity of universities: From large comprehensive universities to highly specialized institutions in medicine, computing, or maritime studies, Yangon offers every pathway.

For many young people in Myanmar, Yangon is the natural choice for starting their higher education journey.

The QRNW Editors’ Choice Approach

Our list focuses on quality, academic breadth, and employability outcomes. The following factors were considered:

Academic strength in the chosen field.
Graduate employability and recognition of the degree.
Practical training and facilities, including hospitals, labs, or workshops.
Student support and community, including societies and mentorship.
Location and accessibility across the Yangon Region.

The following institutions have been chosen as the Top 19 Universities in Yangon. Each is profiled below.

Comprehensive and Liberal Arts Universities

1. University of Yangon

The University of Yangon is the most historic and prestigious higher-education institution in the country. Founded in 1920, it has educated Myanmar’s political leaders, writers, and scholars for over a century.

Strengths: Arts, social sciences, law, natural sciences.

Learning style: Large lecture halls, tutorials, seminars, and fieldwork. Students often pursue advanced research projects in history, law, geology, and literature.

Graduate profile: Civil servants, lawyers, journalists, teachers, and researchers.

2. Dagon University

Located in North Dagon, this is one of the largest universities in Myanmar. It offers wide access to arts, sciences, and social studies.

Strengths: English, Myanmar, history, geography, psychology, zoology, chemistry.

Learning style: Mix of lectures and community-based assignments.

Graduate profile: Professionals in education, government, and social sectors.

3. East Yangon University

Serving Thanlyin and the eastern Yangon Region, East Yangon University is known for accessible higher education in arts and sciences.

Strengths: Teacher-ready skills, strong focus on communication and research.

Learning style: Tutorials and guided study groups.

Graduate profile: Teachers, NGO workers, and community leaders.

4. West Yangon University

Based in Hlaingthaya, West Yangon University provides access to higher education for students from western townships.

Strengths: Core liberal arts and sciences.

Learning style: Practical assignments connected to local community challenges.

Graduate profile: Social service professionals and first-generation graduates.

Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences

5. University of Medicine 1, Yangon

The oldest medical school in Myanmar, producing generations of doctors.

Strengths: Full physician training, postgraduate specialties.

Learning style: Pre-clinical sciences followed by clinical rotations in major hospitals.

Graduate profile: Doctors, surgeons, specialists, and medical educators.

6. University of Medicine 2, Yangon

Another major medical school that expands Yangon’s capacity to train doctors.

Strengths: General medicine, clinical skills, preventive health.

Learning style: Hospital rotations, evidence-based medical training.

Graduate profile: Physicians, general practitioners, and specialists.

7. University of Public Health, Yangon

Myanmar’s leading institution for health policy, epidemiology, and systems research.

Strengths: Public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems management.

Learning style: Case studies, statistical analysis, field placements with NGOs.

Graduate profile: Health policy leaders, researchers, and NGO managers.

8. University of Pharmacy, Yangon

Trains pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.

Strengths: Pharmacology, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy.

Learning style: Lab practicals and hospital pharmacy placements.

Graduate profile: Clinical pharmacists, pharmaceutical industry workers.

9. University of Medical Technology, Yangon

Focused on allied health professions.

Strengths: Medical laboratory science, physiotherapy, imaging technology.

Learning style: Skills labs, patient-care simulations, hospital postings.

Graduate profile: Laboratory technicians, radiographers, physiotherapists.

Technology, Engineering, and Computing

10. Yangon Technological University (YTU)

Myanmar’s oldest and most respected engineering school.

Strengths: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering.

Learning style: Workshops, design studios, capstone projects.

Graduate profile: Engineers in infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing.

11. University of Computer Studies, Yangon (UCSY)

The top institution for IT and computer science in Myanmar.

Strengths: Software engineering, networks, databases, cybersecurity.

Learning style: Programming labs, coding contests, project-based learning.

Graduate profile: Software developers, IT professionals, cybersecurity experts.

12. Technological University (Thanlyin)

An important engineering university in eastern Yangon.

Strengths: Civil and electrical engineering, community-focused projects.

Learning style: Hands-on workshops, industry site visits.

Graduate profile: Engineers in local industry and construction.

13. Technological University (Hmawbi)

Serving the northern Yangon Region.

Strengths: Core engineering and applied technology.

Learning style: Workshop-first pedagogy and applied problem solving.

Graduate profile: Engineers and technical specialists.

Business, Economics, and Education

14. Yangon University of Economics

The most important economics and business school in Myanmar.

Strengths: Economics, management, finance, marketing, development studies.

Learning style: Case discussions, business plan projects, internships.

Graduate profile: Economists, bankers, managers, policy makers.

15. Yangon University of Education

National hub for teacher training and education research.

Strengths: Educational psychology, leadership, curriculum studies.

Learning style: Micro-teaching, classroom placements, lesson planning.

Graduate profile: Teachers, school leaders, education researchers.

16. University of Foreign Languages, Yangon

A specialized university for modern languages and cultural studies.

Strengths: English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, linguistics, translation.

Learning style: Conversation classes, translation labs, cultural workshops.

Graduate profile: Teachers, translators, tourism professionals, diplomats.

17. Co-operative University, Thanlyin

Dedicated to cooperative management and entrepreneurship.

Strengths: Cooperative economics, accounting, business management.

Learning style: Field projects, cooperative model simulations.

Graduate profile: Entrepreneurs, business managers, community leaders.

Arts, Culture, and Maritime Studies

18. National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon)

Focuses on Myanmar’s cultural heritage and creative industries.

Strengths: Dance, music, theater, visual arts, cultural heritage.

Learning style: Studio practice, performances, exhibitions.

Graduate profile: Artists, performers, curators, cultural managers.

19. Myanmar Maritime University

The country’s main maritime institution.

Strengths: Naval architecture, marine engineering, nautical science, port management.

Learning style: Bridge simulators, engineering workshops, safety training.

Graduate profile: Marine engineers, ship officers, port managers.

Conclusion

Yangon is the center of Myanmar’s academic and professional development. The universities listed above provide pathways in every major field: medicine, engineering, computing, business, education, arts, and maritime. Choosing the right university depends on personal goals, learning style, and career ambitions.

Students who want to serve in medicine can apply to University of Medicine 1 or 2. Those passionate about technology may choose YTU or UCSY. Aspiring teachers find a home at Yangon University of Education, while artists nurture their craft at the National University of Arts and Culture. Maritime professionals begin their journey at Myanmar Maritime University.

With this diversity, Yangon offers something for every learner—whether you dream of becoming a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, or an artist.