Introduction to Universiti Sains Malaysia
Established as the second university in the country in 1969, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. In 1971, USM moved from its temporary premises at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College, Bukit Gelugor to the present 416.6 hectare site at Minden, approximately 9.7 km from Georgetown.
As its name suggests, USM is highly focused on science, engineering and healthcare studies. USM offers courses ranging from Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences to Building Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education. These are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to approximately 30,000 students at its 17 Academic Schools on the main campus in the island of Penang; 6 Schools at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal (approximately 50km from the main campus); and 3 at the Health Campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (approximately 300km from the main campus).
USM also has 17 dedicated research centres for a wide range of specialisations which include archaeology, medicine and dentistry, molecular medicine, science and technology, Islamic development and management studies, and policy research and international studies. It also provides consultancy, testing, and advisory services to the industry under the ambit of USAINS Holdings Sdn Bhd, the University’s commercial arm.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) QS Ranking 2025
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), located in Gelugor, is one of the best public universities in Malaysia. According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, USM is ranked 146th globally and 35th in Asia
Universiti Sains Malaysia Structure
Main Campus
- School of the Arts
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Communication
- School of Chemical Sciences
- School of Computer Sciences
- School of Distance Education
- School of Educational Studies
- School of Housing, Building, and Planning
- School of Humanities
- School of Industrial Technology
- School of Management
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- School of Physics
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Language, Literacies, and Translation
- Institute of Postgraduates Studies
- Graduate School of Business (GSB)
Engineering Campus
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- School of Aerospace Engineering
- School of Chemical Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering
Health Campus
- School of Dental Sciences
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Medical Sciences
Research Centers
- Advanced Management Center
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute
- Biomedical and Health Sciences Research Platform
- Center for Archaeological Research Malaysia
- Center for Drug Research
- Center for Education, Training, and Research in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- Center for International Studies
- Center for Islamic Development Management Studies
- Center for Marine and Coastal Studies
- Center for Policy Research and International Studies
- Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Center
- Doping Control Center
- Engineering and Technology Research Platform
- Fundamental Sciences Platform
- Human Genome Center
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine
- Malaysia Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
- National Advances IPv6 Center
- National Higher Education Research Institute
- National Poison Center
- The Platform for Clinical Sciences Research
- The Platform for Information and Communication Technology Research
- The Platform for Life Sciences Research
- The Platform for Social Transformation Drainage Research Center
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Center
- Women’s Development Research Center
Service Centers
- Center for Instructional Technology and Multimedia
- Center for Knowledge, Communication and Technology
- Cultural Center
- Hamdan Tahir Library
- Hamzah Sendut Library
- Islamic Center
- Museum and Gallery Tuanku Fauziah
- USM Press
- Technical Facilities Center
- Center for Language and Translation
Units
- Astronomy and Atmospheric Science Research Unit
- Basic Education Research Unit
- Computer-Aided Translation Unit
- Engineering Innovation and Technology Development Unit
- Laboratory Animal Research Unit
- Research and Education for Peace Unit
- Student Development and Advisory Unit
- Vector Control Research Unit
Universiti Sains Malaysia's entry requirements
- Completed 12 years of Primary and High School Education and
- Obtained High School Certificate (eg. A-Level, HSC, SMU & Matayom Suksa 6 (Thailand), International Baccalaureate etc.) or
- Diploma in the related field
Universiti Sains Malaysia's English Score Required
All applicants from countries other than the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and some Caribbean Islands must submit scores from the following English proficiency tests:
For Undergraduate Students
- IELTS Band 5.0
- TOEFL score of 40 (IBT)
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) score of 154
- Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) score of 154
- Cambridge English (Linguaskill Online) score of 154
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Score of 47
For Postgraduate Students
- TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 40
- IELTS minimum Band 5
- PTE minimum score of 47
- Cambridge English (CAE/CPE) minimum score of 154
- Linguaskill Online minimum score of 154
- MUET minimum Band 3.5
Universiti Sains Malaysia tuition fee
Scholarships & Funding at Universiti Sains Malaysia
Great News! Now you can study at Universiti Sains Malaysia on a fully funded or partially funded scholarship. Universiti Sains Malaysia is a renowned educational institution that offers many scholarships each year. Additionally, you may qualify for scholarships sponsored by third parties or government programs. Source: ScholarshipsAds
Malaysia Universities scholarship - Malaysian Government Scholarships and Universities for 2025 (Study in Malaysia Without IELTS) - study Bachelor, Masters, PhD program on Fully Funded, Partial Funding scholarship. Source: ScholarshipsAds
Universiti Sains Malaysia Facilities & Resources
USM provides extensive facilities and resources to its students, including:
- A museum and art gallery
- Classrooms and lecture halls
- A library and laboratories
- Computer labs and sports facilities
- Student accommodation
