Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Courses and Fees 2026

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Courses and Fees 2026

George Town, PenangLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1969established year
21394enrollment
Public
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Chetna Sharma

Study Abroad Content Writer | Updated on - Jun 2, 2026

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is a public research university located in Penang, Malaysia. Universiti Sains Malaysia offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and over 200 postgraduate programs across disciplines such as engineering, medical sciences, business, social sciences, computing, arts, and health sciences.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Fees 2026:

  • Total Bachelor’s Tuition Fee: USD 8,570 – USD 18,750 | INR 8.15 lakh – INR 17.8 lakh
  • Total Master’s Tuition Fee: USD 3,630 – USD 9,600 | INR 3.45 lakh – INR 9.13 lakh

USM estimates monthly international student living expenses at around USD 5,000/year (INR 4.75 lakh), excluding tuition, although costs vary depending on accommodation type and lifestyle.

Scholarship opportunities for international students are primarily concentrated at the postgraduate level, with funding available through government-backed scholarships, research assistance programs, and external sponsorship schemes.

International students in Malaysia can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during approved semester breaks, with wages ranging from RM 7–15/hour (INR 140–300/hour). Students can pay tuition fees through the university’s official USM ePayment portal, which supports selected online payment methods and international card payments.

Current currency conversion: 1 USD = 95.20 (as of June 1, 2026).

Also read: Malaysia Study Guide for Indian Students


Universiti Sains Malaysia Postgraduate Courses 2026

At the Universiti Sains Malaysia, students need to pay the sum of the following:

  • Registration fee: Administrative fee charged when you officially enroll in the university/program.
  • Personal Bond: Security/immigration-related deposit for international students
  • Tuition fees
  • Convocation bond: Graduation-related fee.
Course Name Typical Course Duration Total Tuition Fees in USD Tuition Fees in INR
MBA 2 years USD 9,600 INR 9.13 lakh
MS Project Management 2 years USD 3,630 INR 3.45 lakh
MS Building Technology 1 - 1.5 years USD 3,630 INR 3.45 lakh
MS Data Science and Analytics 1.5 - 2 years USD 8,800 INR 8.37 lakh
MS Mechanical Engineering 2 years Per Semester: USD 1,850 INR 1.76 lakh

USM usually publishes a minimum and maximum study period, not one fixed duration.

For example: Minimum duration: Fastest possible completion time if you study continuously full-time.

  • Maximum duration: Longest allowed time before you must complete the program.
  • So when you see something like: 1–2 years: means students can finish in as little as 1 year, but the university allows up to 2 years in that mode.
  • 1–3 years: usually research programs where thesis work creates more flexibility.
  • 2–2.5 years: common when programs offer flexible pacing or part-time options.

Also read: Admission Requirements for Indian Students at Universiti Sains Malaysia


Universiti Sains Malaysia MBA Tuition Fee

For international students, the fee structure for the MBA at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is primarily in USD, and the cost is based on a 48-credit program. Here is the breakdown:

Fee Component Amount (USD) Amount (INR)
Registration Fee USD 225 INR 21,414
Tuition Fee USD 200 × 48 units = USD 9,600 INR 9.13 lakh
Personal Bond USD 1,000 INR 95,177
Convocation Fee USD 50 INR 4,758
Estimated Total Cost USD 10,875 INR 10 lakh

This means the estimated total MBA cost for an international student is around USD 10,875 (excluding living costs, insurance, visa, accommodation, and miscellaneous expenses).

A few important things to note: 

  • Program duration: 2–5 years, depending on pace and course load.
  • Payment flexibility: USM states that MBA fees are generally not payable in installments under university policy.
  • Application fee: A separate RM 70 | INR 1,675 application fee applies at the time of admission.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Undergraduate Courses 2026

Undergraduate programs at Universiti Sains Malaysia ask for:

  • Recurrent fees: Payable every semester, and the amount varies according to the course.
  • Non-Recurrent fees: Payable upon registration, and the amount varies.
Course Name Course Duration Total Fees in USD Total Fees in INR
BS Forensic Science 4 years USD 17,000 INR 16.1 lakh
Bachelor of Accounting 4 years USD 8,570 INR 8.15 lakh
Bachelor Architecture 4 years USD 18,750 INR 17.8 lakh
BS Medical Radiation 4 years USD 17,000 INR 16.1 lakh
BS Nutrition 4 years USD 17,000 INR 16.1 lakh

Universiti Sains Malaysia Tuition Fee Payment Process for Indian Students

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) provides international students, including Indian students, with an official digital payment system for tuition and university-related charges through its USM ePayment portal.

  • After receiving an admission offer, students are given access to fee details through their admission portal or student account, where they can view payable amounts for registration fees, tuition fees, hostel charges (if applicable), and other university-related payments.
  • Since USM processes payments in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR/RM), Indian students should check exchange rates, foreign transaction charges, and bank conversion fees before making payments from India.

Students can generally pay using international credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and selected online banking options supported by the system.

  • Before payment, students should carefully select the correct payment category, which may include:
    • Application fees
    • Admission deposits
    • Semester tuition fees
    • Registration charges
    • Accommodation/hostel fees

International applicants must pay a non-refundable application processing fee of RM 100 | INR 9,517 during the admission process.

After payment, students should download and save payment receipts and transaction confirmations, as these may be required for visa processing, registration, student pass applications, and hostel allocation.

  • Since international transactions may take longer to process, students should pay well before deadlines to avoid registration delays or penalties.
  • Students should use official USM payment instructions only and avoid unofficial payment channels or third-party agents unless instructed by the university.

Also read: Malaysia Student Visa for Indian Students

Universiti Sains Malaysia Cost of Living for International Students

According to the Universiti Sains Malaysia student life page, the monthly estimated cost of living for international students would be around INR 4.75 lakh.

Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost USD Estimated Monthly Cost in INR
Estimated Annual Living Cost (Excluding Tuition) USD 5,000/year INR 4.75 Lakh
Food Expenses USD 150/month INR 14,260
Academic Expenses USD 100/month INR 9,507
Personal Expenses USD 100–150/month INR 9,507 - 14,260

USM primarily presents international student cost-of-living estimates in USD on its international/student life pages, although certain accommodation pages use Malaysian Ringgit (RM) for housing charges.

Also check: Cost of Living in Malaysia for International Students


Universiti Sains Malaysia Scholarships for International Students

Universiti Sains Malaysia offers limited university-led scholarships for international students, with most funding opportunities concentrated at the postgraduate level.

Indian students applying for Master’s or PhD programs have access to scholarships covering tuition fees, living allowances, or research support, while undergraduate applicants may need to rely more on external funding sources.

Scholarship Name Eligibility (Who is it for?) Award Amount RM
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) Master’s & PhD international students (including eligible Indian applicants); requires full-time postgraduate study and academic merit Full tuition fee + RM 1,500/INR 1.42 lakh monthly living allowance
USM Graduate Student Financial Assistance (GRA-ASSIST) Research-based Master’s & PhD students at USM; open to international candidates, including Indians Variable funding amount (not publicly fixed by USM)
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship UG, Master’s & PhD students from eligible countries/communities; relevant for some Indian applicants, depending on eligibility criteria Varies by scholarship category; funding package differs by programme

Also read: Popular Scholarship to Study in Malaysia for Indian Students


Part-time Job Opportunities for Students at Universiti Sains Malaysia

International students at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) can access part-time work opportunities, but employment rules in Malaysia are significantly stricter compared to many Western study destinations. International students are generally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, but only under specific conditions and with approval requirements.

  • International students can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week, subject to Malaysian immigration regulations and university approval procedures.
  • Part-time work is generally permitted only during semester breaks or holidays exceeding 7 days, not as unrestricted year-round employment.
  • Students usually require approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department and support from their university before taking up legal employment opportunities.
  • International students are typically permitted to work only in selected sectors, including:
    • Restaurants and food outlets
    • Hotels and hospitality services
    • Petrol kiosks/gas stations
    • Mini markets and retail support roles
  • Certain job categories remain restricted for international students, and students should verify eligibility through official university channels before accepting employment.
  • Typical student wages for entry-level part-time work in Malaysia generally range between RM 7–15 per hour (INR 140–300 per hour), depending on city, employer, and job type.
  • Based on the legal cap of 20 hours/week, students may potentially earn around RM 560–1,200 per month (INR 11,200–24,000 per month) during eligible work periods.

At Universiti Sains Malaysia, undergraduate tuition ranges from INR 8.15 lakh to 17.8 lakh and postgraduate tuition starts from around INR 3.45 lakh for selected programs. International students should additionally budget approximately INR 4.75 lakh annually for living expenses, while also accounting for registration charges, personal bonds, visa costs, and accommodation expenses. Although scholarship opportunities are more concentrated at the postgraduate level and part-time work options remain restricted, USM provides comparatively lower tuition costs than many private Malaysian universities, making it a practical option for Indian students seeking research-focused and professionally oriented programs in Malaysia.

STEM Course

Sort Highest fees | Lowest fees | Rating | A-Z
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 63,307/YrMYR 2,640 /Yr
2 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 63,307/YrMYR 2,640 /Yr

Bachelor of Science [B.S] Forensic Science

4 years
Honours, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 1 L/YrMYR 4,250 /Yr

Master of Science [M.S] Data Science and Analytics

1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 77,695/YrMYR 3,240 /Yr

Master of Science [M.S] Mechanical Engineering

1 year
Honours, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 2.2 L/YrMYR 9,255 /Yr

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4 years
Honours, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 4.1 L/YrMYR 17,000 /Yr
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 76,736/YrMYR 3,200 /Yr

Bachelor of Science [B.S] Nutrition

4 years
Honours, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 4.1 L/YrMYR 17,000 /Yr
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 1.7 L/YrMYR 7,155 /Yr
4 years
Honours, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 4.1 L/YrMYR 17,000 /Yr
3 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 3.2 L/YrMYR 13,500 /Yr
3 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 63,307/YrMYR 2,640 /Yr
4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 3.6 L/YrMYR 14,875 /Yr
2 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 2.2 L/YrMYR 9,255 /Yr
2 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 1.2 L/YrMYR 4,920 /Yr
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 2.6 L/YrMYR 10,755 /Yr
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 63,307/YrMYR 2,640 /Yr
1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 1.7 L/YrMYR 7,200 /Yr
18 months
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 74,818/YrMYR 3,120 /Yr
3 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL40|IELTS5|PTE47
INR 4.5 L/YrMYR 18,750 /Yr

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