Universiti Sains Malaysia admissions for international students are offered in two main intakes—Semester I (October) and Semester II (March). For the 2025–26 academic year, the application deadline for Semester I is July 15, 2025, and for Semester II is January 15, 2026. All applications must be submitted online through the USM admissions portal, along with the required documents and applicable fees. USM processes applications within 5 working days, making it one of the more efficient public universities in Malaysia.
With a moderately selective admissions process, Universiti Sains Malaysia maintains an estimated acceptance rate of around 45–50% for international students. Indian applicants to undergraduate programs must have completed 12 years of formal education (such as A-Levels, IB, or equivalent), while postgraduate applicants need a recognized bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75. English language proficiency is mandatory, with minimum scores such as IELTS 5.0 for general programs and IELTS 6.0 for the MBA. Additional requirements like interviews or written tests may apply to competitive programs like MBA or engineering.
- Universiti Sains Malaysia Top Courses and Fees
- Universiti Sains Malaysia Application Deadlines and Intakes
- Universiti Sains Malaysia Postgraduate Admission Requirements
- Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA Admission 2025
- Universiti Sains Malaysia Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Universiti Sains Malaysia International Application Process
- FAQs
Universiti Sains Malaysia Top Courses and Fees
Check out the top courses offered by the Universiti Sains Malaysia in the table below.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Application Deadlines and Intakes
USM offers two main intakes for international applicants: Semester 1 and Semester 2. The application deadlines for each intake are given below.
- Semester I (October 2025): July 15, 2025
- Semester II (March 2026): January 15, 2026
Universiti Sains Malaysia Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Universiti Sains Malaysia offers 60 programs to international students across fields like science, engineering, medicine, arts, business, and literature. MBA, MS in Aerospace Engineering, Master of Computer Science, MSc Biotechnology, MSc Marine Sciences, MSc/ PhD Dentistry are among the popular postgraduate courses at USM Penang. Universiti Sains Malaysia fees for these programs range between 5,600 to 63,000 USD (4.74 to 53.39 lakhs INR). The admission requirements are as follows:
- A recognized Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00
- For certain master’s programs (including MBA), additional interviews or written assessments may be required
- Minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS: 5.0
- TOEFL iBT: 40
- PTE: 47
Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA Admission 2025
USM offers a flexible MBA program through its Graduate School of Business with specializations such as International Business, Sustainable Development, Digital Leadership, and Business Analytics. The Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA can be completed full-time over 2–5 years.
Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor's degree with CGPA of:
- 2.75 and above with 1 year of work experience
- 3.50 and above without work experience
- Applicants with lower CGPAs may be required to attend an interview or pass a written test
- English language proficiency:
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 60
- PTE: 59
Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA Fees
- Registration Fee: USD 225
- Personal Bond: USD 1,000
- Tuition Fee (48 credits x USD 200): USD 9,600
- Convocation Fee: USD 50
- Total Estimated Cost: USD 10,875
Universiti Sains Malaysia Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Forensic Science, BS in Nutrition are among the popular undergraduate courses at USM Penang. The tuition fees for Universiti Sains Malaysia undergraduate courses are within 1,562 and 13,750 USD (1.32 to 11.65 lakhs INR) per semester. The admission requirements of these programs are as follows.
- Completion of 12 years of formal education (e.g., A-Level, IB, AUSMAT, or equivalent)
- A minimum score in recognized English proficiency tests:
- IELTS: 5.0
- TOEFL iBT: 40
- PTE: 47
Universiti Sains Malaysia International Admission Application Process
The application process to apply for USM admissions are as follows:
- Visit the Universiti Sains Malaysia portal:
- Select your preferred postgraduate program
- Fill in personal, academic, and language proficiency details
- Upload required documents (transcripts, certificates, English test scores, passport copy)
- Pay the application fee:
- Undergraduate: 2,000 INR (100 MYR)
- Postgraduate: 19,111 to 23,358 INR (225–275 USD)
- Submit the application before the respective deadline
- Await confirmation and further instructions from USM
Note: USM takes 5 days to review applications. After receiving the letter of acceptance from the university, international students must apply for a visa on time. To know more, visit Malaysian Student Visa.
Universiti Sains Malaysia offers a streamlined and affordable admission process for international postgraduate applicants, with two main intakes in October 2025 and March 2026. With modest eligibility criteria, quick 5-day processing, and program fees starting from USD 5,600, USM is a strong choice for students seeking quality postgraduate education in Malaysia.
FAQs
How do I apply for USM?
Ans: To apply to Universiti Sains Malaysia, visit the official USM application portal, choose your desired undergraduate or postgraduate program, fill in your personal, academic, and English proficiency details, upload required documents (transcripts, certificates, test scores, passport), pay the application fee, and submit your application before the deadline.
Ques: Is USM public or private?
Ans: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is a public research university funded by the Malaysian government.
Ques: How much is the application fee for USM?
Ans: The application fee is 2,000 INR (100 MYR) for undergraduate programs and between 19,111 to 23,358 INR (225–275 USD) for postgraduate programs.
Ques: What is the acceptance rate of USM Malaysia?
Ans: Based on available data, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has an estimated acceptance rate of approximately 55%. However, this figure is an approximation, as USM does not officially publish its acceptance rates. The actual rate may vary depending on the specific program and applicant pool.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Program Fees & Deadlines
Program | Important Dates | Fees |
---|---|---|
B.A/B.S Architecture 3 years | INR 3.8 L/Yr MYR 18,750 /Yr | |
B.Acc 4 years | INR 3.6 L/Yr MYR 18,000 /Yr | |
B.S Forensic Science 4 years | INR 86,063/Yr MYR 4,250 /Yr | |
B.S Medical Radiation 4 years | INR 3.4 L/Yr MYR 17,000 /Yr | |
B.A Music 4 years | INR 63,281/Yr MYR 3,125 /Yr | |
INR 3.4 L/Yr MYR 17,000 /Yr | ||
B.S Nutrition 4 years | INR 3.4 L/Yr MYR 17,000 /Yr | |
B.S Building Surveying 3 years | INR 2.7 L/Yr MYR 13,500 /Yr | |
INR 3 L/Yr MYR 14,875 /Yr | ||
B.A Fine Arts 4 years | INR 2.5 L/Yr MYR 12,500 /Yr |
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