Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), abbreviated as "USM" or "USM," was established in 1969. USM is the second national university established in Malaysia and one of the country's five research-intensive universities.
USM Scholarship Types
USM offers a variety of scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. Key scholarship types include:
USM Global Fellowship: Designed for international students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral programs, it covers tuition and a monthly stipend.
USM Vice-Chancellor Award: Awarded to international freshmen with outstanding academic performance and leadership potential, and is available for selected taught postgraduate students.
Graduate Assistantship Scheme: Students can work as teaching assistants or research assistants, receiving a monthly stipend and tuition waiver.
School-Based Scholarship: Some schools offer individual scholarships based on applicants' background, academic performance, and research plans.
In addition, Chinese students can apply for a government-sponsored study abroad program through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for joint graduate studies with Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Scholarship Application Requirements
Scholarships are generally competitive, and applicants must meet the following basic requirements:
Excellent academic performance: Undergraduate GPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher is required, and master's and doctoral applicants must also have relevant research background.
English language proficiency: Most scholarships require an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, while some doctoral scholarships may accept TOEFL or equivalent language proficiency test scores.
A comprehensive research proposal: Research-based programs require a detailed research proposal that clearly describes the research objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.
Leadership and social contribution: Some scholarships place particular emphasis on leadership skills, extracurricular activities, and community service experience.
Supervisor recommendation: For research-based scholarships, obtaining the consent or recommendation of a potential supervisor is essential to increase your chances of acceptance.
A Complete Analysis of the Scholarship Application Process at the University of Science Malaysia
Determine the scholarship type: Visit the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) official website to review the scholarship types and specific requirements for the current year.
Choose a course and supervisor: For research-based applications, you must first determine your research topic and supervisor of interest. We recommend contacting your supervisor for guidance.
Prepare application materials: This includes transcripts, graduation certificates, English language scores, research proposal, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Submit your application online: Log in to the USM application system (ApplyUSM) to complete both the course application and scholarship application process simultaneously.
Wait for review and interview: Some scholarships may require an online interview or the submission of additional documents.
Receive the scholarship notification: Awardees will receive an acceptance letter and a scholarship award letter, which can be used for visa applications.
It is recommended to begin preparation at least six months in advance, especially for research-based scholarships. Thorough communication with your supervisor is essential to ensure that your application materials are aligned with your research focus.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Application Notes
Scholarships are limited, so we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
Please note application deadlines, as they may vary for different programs and scholarships.
Documents must be in both Chinese and English, and notarized documents must be officially stamped.
Applicants for research-based programs are advised to contact their advisors first to obtain a letter of support.
In addition to on-campus scholarships, you can also apply for scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia or third-party organizations to increase your chances of admission.
