Universiti Sains Malaysia located in George Town is the second oldest university in Malaysia. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate as well as distance learning programs in various fields. Programs are spread out over the components of Arts, Science, Engineering and Medical, Dental and Health Sciences. USM has a total enrollment of 20,908 students comprising 3,070 international students . In the latest round of admissions, 3931 new undergraduates and 1,334 graduates enrolled to study in Malaysia.
Universiti Sains Malaysia welcomes applications for the September and February intake. September is the primary intake month as limited programs are available for second-semester intake i.e. February. The University accepts applications throughout the year until cut-off dates. All applications received before the cut-off dates will be processed for the same intake. Applications received beyond the cut-off dates will be processed for the next semester.
A minimum CGPA of 2.75 on 4.0 is ideal for admission to most graduate programs. Some programs like MBA at USM require a CGPA of 3.0 on 4.0 for admission. Candidates who do not meet the minimum CGPA requirements may still be considered for admission on the basis of a combination of CGPA, research experience, work experience or journal publications.
COVID-19 Admission Updates
Starting October 4, 2023 the institute will begin procedures for the Semester 1 academic years once the board has decided on the standard operation procedure.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online Application Portal |
| Application Portal | 100 RM |
| Mode of Payment | Online payment via EPayment@USM |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-wise |
| Intake Semesters | Semester I, II |
| Intake Months | September/ February |
| English language proficiency tests | TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, CAE, CPE |
| Work Experience | Maybe required for some graduate courses |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships, grants |
Universiti Sains Malaysia Admission Deadlines
The University has fixed application deadlines for programs and offers rolling admission in some cases to postgraduate applicants. Application deadlines differ for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants. These have been stated below:
| Program | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | August 12 (extended) | December 30 |
| Postgraduate | August 31 (extended) | October 15 |
Universiti Sains Malaysia International Student Admissions
Universiti Sains Malaysia attracts students from all around the world and currently has about 3,070 international students. International students must apply well in advance in order to have enough time for visa processing as well. The overall application process for international and domestic applicants is similar. However, international applicants are required to fulfill some additional requirements to secure admission.
Application Portal: Online Portal or via International@USM
Application Fee: 100 RM
Basic Admission Requirements: International applicants must fulfill the following requirements for admission to the university:
- Completed 12 years of Primary and High School Education.
- Obtained high school certificate or diploma in related field.
- Official academic transcripts, certificates, mark sheets or report cards from all institutions attended.
- Translations of documents issued in language other than English or Malay language.
- Copy of Passport (details page)
- English language proficiency test scores
- Letter of Scholarship
- Receipt of processing fee payment
First time applicants are advised to first register and provide the required information online with the university after which detailed information and reference numbers will be provided to the student for further admission procedures.
English Proficiency Test Score for International Students
International students whose primary language of instruction is not English are required to submit proof of English language proficiency. The institute accepts the following minimum test scores for admission:
| Test | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Band 5.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) | 42 |
| PTE | 47 |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 154/B1 |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 154/B1 |
| Malaysian University English Test | Band 3 |
Visa Process for International Students
International students require a student visa in order to study in Malaysia. Students are advised to apply well in advance, at least three months prior to the beginning of their program in order to secure enough time to obtain the visa. Visa applications must be submitted directly to the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).
Application Fee: 400 USD
The following documents are required to apply for a Malaysian visa:
- Valid passport
- Health declaration
- Insurance cover
- Passport size photograph
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Offer letter from the University
- No Objection Certificate
Applicants should get in touch with the Malaysian embassy for further details on the same.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Undergraduate Admissions
Undergraduate programs at USM are offered in the field of computer science, applied statistics, fine arts, product design, mechanical engineering, etc. Programs are offered in Malay language as well as English. These programs differ for international and Malaysian students.
Where to Apply: Applications can be submitted online via International@USM.
Application Fee: 100 RM
Admission Requirements: The following documents must be submitted along with the application for admission to undergraduate programs:
- Official transcripts, mark sheets or grade cards from all secondary schools or colleges attended.
- Translated copy of certificates issued in any language other than Malay or English.
- English language proficiency test scores
- Copy of passport
- Student pass
- Letter of scholarship
- Receipt of fee payment
Universiti Sains Malaysia Graduate Admissions
The institute has four basic schools offering graduate programs in Arts, Science, Engineering and Medical, Dental and Health Sciences. Programs may be coursework based, research based or a combination of both. Applicants are advised to check their program type and its specific requirements before applying. A combination of low GPA and research/ work experience and journal publications can be used for admission.
Where to Apply: Online Application
Application Fee: 100 RM
Admission Requirements: The general admission requirements to apply for a master’s program at USM are as follows:
- Bachelor degree with minimum CGPA of 2.75 on a 4 point scale depending on the program of interest.
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
- Work or research experience
- English language proficiency test scores
Specific requirements for some of the popular degrees have been tabulated below:
| Requirements | M. Sc Medical Physics | Master of Economics Management | M. Sc Civil Engineering | Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) | Master of Business Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intake Month | September | September | September | September | September |
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Education Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in related field with minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.00 or relevant research and paper publications. | Bachelor’s degree with CGPA of 3.00/4 in relevant field or bachelor’s degree with work experience in relevant field. | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.50 to 2.75/4.0 or 2.50 to 2.74/4.00 with relevant research experience, final year projects, professional experience, etc. | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.00 with credit variability. | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/4.0 CGPA for scholarship. |
| English Language Proficiency test scores | Not applicable. | TOEFL IBT – 35; IELTS band 5; CAE, CPE – 154; PTE – 36. |
Not applicable. | TOEFL IBT – 35; IELTS band 5; CAE; CPE – 154; PTE – 36. |
TOEFL IBT – 80; IELTS band 6; MUET Band 4. |
All above documents can be submitted electronically along with the application form after successful registration with the university. Applications to the university may be slightly competitive, but with a strong GPA and sufficient experience, one can get admission to the program of their interest and secure their careers. The University takes 5 days to review applications. After receiving the letter of acceptance from the university, international students must apply for a visa on time.
