Study at Universiti Sains Malaysia

The university has been developing and expanding since its inception, which started with the enrolment of 57 science based students. Now, USM offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to approximately 20,000 students. USM has also become a well-known university locally and internationally.

Its success in a variety of fields, particularly research, is worth mentioning. The most recent achievement was when USM became the only winner of the Asian Innovation Award (Anugerah Inovasi Asia) from Malaysia.

USM was founded after an agreement made on a resolution approved by the Penang State Legislative Council in 1962, which suggested that a university college be established in the state. An area in Sungai Ara was identified and later the foundation stone was placed by the then Prime Minister, Y.T.M Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on the 7th of August 1967.

In 1969, the University of Penang was established in response to the need for a larger campus with a more conducive environment, appropriate to the needs of the future of the country.

In April 1969, Professor Hamzah Sendut was elected the Vice-Chancellor. Two months later, a group of 57 students was accepted to begin their studies. Since the area of Sungai Ara could not be developed as fast as required, the group was placed at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College at Bukit Gelugor on loan from the Education Ministry. In 1971, the campus, which was originally planned to be situated in Sungai Ara, moved to its present site, Minden, a beautiful location with an area measuring 500 acres. The green and hilly scenery facing the sea is truly captivating.

Since its beginning, USM has implemented a school system, as opposed to the traditional faculty system. What is unique about this system is that each school could fulfil the needs of a more focused degree in the chosen area of study and at the same time, students could have the opportunity to explore other areas of study offered by another school.

The interdisciplinary approach could ensure that USM, the first in the country to adopt this system, would produce trained, multi-skilled graduates.
Centre for Languages and Translation
The Centre for Languages and Translation offers a variety of language courses namely Bahasa Malaysia, English and other languages, namely Arabic, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Thai and Chinese Languages. Some of the courses, especially theBahasa Malaysia and English courses, are compulsory for graduation while other courses may be taken as electives or options. Starting from 1996/97, the Centre has also been offering 2 minor programmes, namely Chinese Language Studies and Japanese Language Studies.
The Centre works in an advisory-cum-secretarial capacity with terminology committees of other Schools to formulate suitable terminologies in Bahasa Malaysia. Information about Bahasa Malaysia terminologies is available to the University community. The Centre also provides translation and editing services. Translations are usually from Bahasa Malaysia into English and vice-versa. Both translation and editing services cover a wide range of written materials such as manuscripts, articles, pamphlets, messages etc., including the origical works of USM academic staff. Related services of the Centre include assisting the Publications Committee of USM to edit manuscripts and providing language consultancy services.
The Centre also provides supervisory services to post-graduate students doing MA/PhD degrees by research in English Language, Bahasa Malaysia, Linguistics, Terminolgy, Translation, Interpretation and other facilities for effective teaching and learning. 
Facilities
Art
Transportation
Post Office
Hadanah
Book Store
Sports Complex
Museum
Lecture Hall / Conference Hall / Foyer
Bank

Accommodation:
Dormitories are available on campus and are shared. Bathrooms are located on each floor. However, most students have chose to live off campus in Apartment complexes which are located close to campus.
ACADEMIC SCHOOLS
| Physics | Humanities | Education | Mass Communication | Distance Education |
| Management | Housing, Building & Planning | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Biological Sciences | Social Sciences | Chemical Sciences | Computer Sciences |

CONTACT

Universiti Sains Malaysia
International Relations Office,Registry, Universiti Sains Malaysia11800, PenangMalaysia, Malaysia

Tel: +604-6533888

Fax: 604 - 6590349

Email: norpisah@notes.usm.my

Website: www.usm.my/english/

CONTACT

Universiti Sains Malaysia
International Relations Office,Registry, Universiti Sains Malaysia11800, PenangMalaysia, Malaysia

Tel: +604-6533888

Fax: 604 - 6590349

Email: norpisah@notes.usm.my

Website: www.usm.my/english/

CONTACT

Universiti Sains Malaysia
International Relations Office,Registry, Universiti Sains Malaysia11800, PenangMalaysia, Malaysia

Tel: +604-6533888

Fax: 604 - 6590349

Email: norpisah@notes.usm.my

Website: www.usm.my/english/