Universiti Sains Malaysia
Malaysia's only APEX university, organised into schools instead of faculties on a garden campus in Penang.
- Tuition
- $3,125
- From · 2025-26
- Founded
- 1969
- QS World Ranking
- #128
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
- 416.6 hectares (main campus, Minden)
About USM
Universiti Sains Malaysia was established in 1969 as the country's second university, first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang, and moved in 1971 to its present 416.6-hectare site at Minden, about 9.7 km from George Town. It was recognised as a Research Intensive University in 2007 and in 2008 became the first, and still the only, university selected for the government's Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX).
USM uses a school system rather than faculties, so students are exposed to other disciplines. It teaches about 30,000 students in 17 academic schools on the main campus in Penang, 6 schools at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal and 3 at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, with 17 research centres. Its strengths span the natural and applied sciences, medicine and health, pharmacy, building science and technology, social sciences, humanities and education.
International students choose from over 60 undergraduate programmes (a few taught in Malay), with tuition from about USD 1,560 per semester. USM suits students who want an affordable, research-led degree in Southeast Asia, particularly in science, engineering or health, and who like the idea of studying on a green island campus near a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Kami Memimpin
“We Lead” — university motto
Why students choose USM
Tuition for international undergraduates starts at USD 1,562.50 per semester (about USD 3,125 a year), and on-campus rooms from USD 30 to 75 a month.
USM is Malaysia's only APEX university and is ranked joint 128th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Engineering is taught on a dedicated campus at Nibong Tebal, with programmes from Aerospace to Chemical and Mechatronics Engineering.
Campus facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an eight-lane synthetic running track, an Astroturf hockey stadium, a museum and art gallery, and a library of over one million items.
Admissions
2026/2027 and 2027/2028 intakes (October and March)
Selectivity
USM does not publish an acceptance rate. Malaysian students apply mainly through the government's UPU system; international students apply directly, and many programmes (marked with #) also require an online interview.
Typical entry requirements
| High school certificate (A-levels, IB, HSC and equivalents) | 12 years of primary and secondary education and a recognised high school certificate, or a diploma in a related field; programme-specific subject requirements apply |
|---|---|
| English proficiency | IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 40, PTE Academic 47, Cambridge CAE/CPE 154 or MUET Band 3.5, or English-medium schooling |
| Malay-taught programmes | A credit in USM's Intensive Preparatory Bahasa Malaysia Programme |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 40 University minimums from the 2025/2026 international undergraduate booklet. Also accepted: PTE Academic 47, Cambridge CAE, CPE or Linguaskill 154, MUET Band 3.5, or schooling in English. USM recommends its Intensive English Programme before the test. |
Deadlines
- Semester II (March 2027 intake) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027
Application window 15 December to 15 January, as published in USM's international undergraduate booklet.
- Semester I (October 2027 intake) Non-binding In ~9 months15 July 2027
Application window 15 June to 15 July, as published in USM's international undergraduate booklet.
Windows come from the 2025/2026 international booklet and recur each year; confirm the exact dates for 2027 on USM's admission site before applying.
How to apply
Apply online through Pohon@USM (International Channel) with certificates and transcripts (translated if not in English or Malay), English test results or a medium-of-instruction letter, passport copy and the RM100 processing fee. After an offer, apply for a student visa through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).
What admissions looks for
- A recognised high school qualification after 12 years of schooling, with the subjects your programme requires.
- English proficiency at or above the university minimum, or English-medium schooling.
- A successful online interview for programmes marked as interview programmes, including Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering and Computer Science.
Tips for applying to USM
- 1 Check whether your programme is taught in Malay: those require USM's Bahasa Malaysia preparatory programme.
- 2 Budget for the one-off registration fee as well as tuition: the international booklet lists USD 1,325 in the first semester.
- 3 Allow time for the student visa: EMGS fees are USD 450 for a new application, and you cannot travel before approval.
- 4 Consider the March intake if you miss the June-July window for October.
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 · figures in USD
USM's international undergraduate booklet asks sponsored students to submit their scholarship letter but does not list university-funded undergraduate scholarships for international students. Costs are kept low by per-semester fees starting at USD 1,562.50 and on-campus housing from USD 30 a month.
- USD 1,325
- Registration fee, first semester (international)
- USD 30 to 75 per month (without meals); off-campus rooms USD 75 to 125
- On-campus accommodation
- From USD 2,500 per year
- USM estimate of other living expenses
- RM100
- Application processing fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (October and March intakes)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Five-year programme at the Health Campus in Kelantan, USD 13,750 per semester for international students.
Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering
Taught at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal, USD 2,750 per semester.
Bachelor of Computer Science (Intelligent Computing / Computing Infrastructure)
From the School of Computer Sciences on the main campus, USD 1,875 per semester.
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
A three-year degree from the School of Housing, Building and Planning.
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
One of the School of Health Sciences' specialised degrees, USD 2,125 per semester.
Research
- Designated a Research Intensive University by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education in 2007 and an APEX university in 2008.
- 17 dedicated research centres covering areas such as archaeology, medicine and dentistry, molecular medicine, Islamic development management and policy research.
- The Advanced Medical and Dental Institute at Bertam and the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cancer centre are part of the USM network.
Schools & faculties
- School of Medical Sciences
- School of Dental Sciences
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Computer Sciences
- School of Physics
- School of Chemical Sciences
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Housing, Building and Planning
- School of Management
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Aerospace Engineering
Student life
USM calls its main campus 'the university in a garden', and most students live in on-campus residences with single or twin-sharing rooms, cafeterias, laundry and study rooms. Commuter buses run around campus. Sports facilities are extensive, with soccer fields, an eight-lane synthetic track, an Astroturf hockey stadium and an Olympic-sized pool, and the Cultural Hall hosts events that bring students of different backgrounds together. Clubs range from the Political Science Society and Computer Science Club to cultural societies.
- On-campus residences from USD 30 a month.
- Olympic-sized swimming pool and eight-lane synthetic running track.
- A museum and art gallery on the main campus.
- Free wi-fi across campus and commuter buses between buildings.
Housing. International students can choose on-campus single or twin rooms (USD 30 to 75 a month without meals) or private rooms within 3 km (USD 75 to 125 a month).
Location
The main campus is at Minden in Gelugor on Penang Island, about 10 km from George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its street food and colonial architecture. The Engineering Campus is on the mainland at Nibong Tebal, about 50 km away, and the Health Campus is in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, about 300 km away, so where you study depends on your programme.
Nearest airport: Penang International Airport (PEN)
Notable alumni
- CK Chow Kon YeowChief Minister of Penang since 2018
- YI Yusril Ihza MahendraIndonesian politician, former Minister of Human Rights and Justice
- TK Teresa KokMalaysian Member of Parliament and former Minister of Primary Industries
- IJ Idris JalaFormer Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and corporate executive
- LB Lim Boo LiatZoologist and mammalogist
- KT Kee Thuan ChyeActor, poet, dramatist and journalist
- JS Jins SamsuddinFilm director and actor
Frequently asked questions
How much does USM cost for international students?
Tuition is charged per semester in US dollars, from USD 1,562.50 (e.g. Social Sciences) to USD 13,750 (Medicine), plus a USD 1,325 registration fee in the first semester. On-campus rooms cost USD 30 to 75 a month.
What IELTS score do I need for USM?
The university minimum is IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 40, and PTE 47, Cambridge 154 or MUET Band 3.5 are also accepted. Some programmes may set higher requirements.
When can international students apply to USM?
USM's booklet lists two windows: 15 June to 15 July for the October intake and 15 December to 15 January for the March intake. Applications go through Pohon@USM.
Does USM interview applicants?
Yes, for many programmes. Programmes marked as interview programmes, including Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering and Computer Science, hold an online interview.
What is USM's acceptance rate?
USM does not publish one. Admission depends on your qualifications meeting programme requirements, English proficiency and, where required, the interview.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- USM: Corporate information (history, schools, facilities)
- USM Admission: International undergraduate
- USM Admission: Undergraduate overview
- USM: Undergraduate Studies for International Students 2025/2026 (PDF booklet)
- USM: Undergraduate international tuition fees per semester (PDF)
- USM Admission: How to apply (international)
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to USM in the QS World University Rankings 2027.