Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumour. However, the causes of GBM are not clear, and the prognosis remains poor. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the key coding genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with the survival time of GBM patients by obtaining the RNA expression profiles from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database and conducting weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Modules associated with overall survival (OS) were identified, and Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The hub genes of these modules were validated via survival analysis, while the biological functions of crucial lncRNAs were also analysed in the publicly available data. The results identified a survival-associated module with 195 key genes. Among them, 33 key genes were demonstrated to be associated with OS, and the majority of these were involved in extracellular matrix-associated and tyrosine kinase receptor signalling pathways. Furthermore, LOC541471 was identified as an OS-associated lncRNA, and was reported to be involved in the oxidative phosphorylation of GBM with pleckstrin-2. These findings may significantly enhance our understanding on the aetiology and underlying molecular events of GBM, while the identified candidate genes may serve as novel prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for GBM.