International Student

Arrival by Air

Penang has direct air links with Singapore, Bangkok, Haadyai, Phuket, Medan, Xiamen and Madras operated by our national carrier, Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia. Most of the international flights to Penang will usually transit in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and transferred to domestic flights to Penang International Airport (Penang Island), which is approximately 10km from USM Minden Campus. Taxis fare from the airport to USM campus range between USD8 (day) and USD10 (night).

Arrival by Road

You can board the ferry from Butterworth jetty, located in the mainland. Tickets are only required for the return journey. Fares are USD0.30(Adult) and USD0.15 (Children). Fares for vehicle are varied based on engine capacity. You can take a taxi from the island jetty to USM Minden campus, the fare is approximately USD10.

You can board a bus or drive personally from Perai (mainland) to USM campus crossing the Penang Bridge. The levy is USM 2/car. No payment is require for traveling from Penang island to mainland. If you are traveling by bus, the levy is included in your ticket. You can alight at a nearby town of Gelugor. Take a taxi from this spot to the campus, which is within the vicinity.

All international candidates are required to obtain Student Visa for the purpose of study in Malaysia.

Candidates are not permitted to travel to Malaysia prior to the approval. Visa application must be applied directly to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).The following fees are required to be paid for visa application process: The above fees are inclusive of: Processing Fee, Medical Insurance, Student I-Card and Courier Charges.

** Fees are subject to change

Students arriving from Yellow Fever Endemic Zone and other effected areas are required to present International Health Certificates showing vaccination. A medical checkup report is required prior to the registration in USM. Students with critical ailments such as heart and kidney complications, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and drug addiction are not allowed to register. Students are advised to acquire health insurance for themselves and their dependents.

All students are eligible for treatment at the University Health Centre and are required to pay USD15.80 (RM60.00) persemester. The service is only available during office hours;
Mondays to Fridays : 8.10 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.

Health services are also available from appointed Panel Doctors within close proximity to the campus. The services are available within and after office hours. Emergency or serious cases are normally referred to the government hospital or to private hospital (on request).

USM will provide airport reception and students are advised to inform this office of their arrival details latest by 2 weeks before registration at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Overseas flights to Penang will usually transit in Kuala Lumpur where the passengers will be transferred to an domestic flight to Penang.

Your temporary address at USM :
STUDENT ADMISSIONS
ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT DIVISION
REGISTRY
LEVEL 2, CHANCELLORY BUILDING
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
11800 USM, PULAU PINANG

   1 300 888 876
   04 653 3328
   admissions@usm.my

The language of instruction for most of the undergraduate courses is Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language), but special tutorials in English are arranged specially for international students.

In terms of reference materials, most of the reference books and other reading materials in the library are in English.

Most of the academic places in the campus are within walking distance and new students are not allowed to drive in campus. USM shuttle bus plies the campus area frequently.

Equatorial climate that is warm and humid. The average temperature is 32.2C with annual rainfall approximately 267cm.

Light clothing will be best for Malaysia's climate. Students are not allowed to wear collarless T-shirt, short pants, sleeveless shirt and slippers during lectures.