Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Best Programs & Majors 2026

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Best Programs & Majors for International Students 2026

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)'s strongest programs and what each is genuinely known for — beyond marketing copy. With BrightKey's view on which serves international students best.

The best and most popular majors at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) include Pharmacy (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Medicine (Health Campus, Kubang Kerian), Engineering (Nibong Tebal Engineering Campus) — below, what each is genuinely known for, its career outcomes, and which international students it suits best.

Best & most popular majors

Pharmacy (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences)

Malaysia's first pharmaceutical sciences school and one of USM's signature strengths, with strong national standing in pharmacy education and research.

Medicine (Health Campus, Kubang Kerian)

A full medical and health-sciences faculty on the dedicated Kelantan health campus, with a teaching hospital and broad clinical training.

Engineering (Nibong Tebal Engineering Campus)

A dedicated engineering campus spanning civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials and aerospace disciplines with applied research links.

Environmental & Sustainability Sciences

A distinctive cross-disciplinary strength aligned to USM's APEX sustainability mission and its strong QS Sustainability standing.

Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Core research-led science schools on the Penang main campus, historically among the university's founding strengths.

Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI, Kepala Batas)

A specialised postgraduate and research institute in advanced medical and dental sciences, including regenerative and translational research.

Compare in the same discipline

Medicine & Health Sciences in Malaysia →Computer Science & Engineering in Malaysia →Natural Sciences in Malaysia →

Common questions

What are the best and most popular majors at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)?

Pharmacy (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences): Malaysia's first pharmaceutical sciences school and one of USM's signature strengths, with strong national standing in pharmacy education and research. Medicine (Health Campus, Kubang Kerian): A full medical and health-sciences faculty on the dedicated Kelantan health campus, with a teaching hospital and broad clinical training. Engineering (Nibong Tebal Engineering Campus): A dedicated engineering campus spanning civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials and aerospace disciplines with applied research links. Environmental & Sustainability Sciences: A distinctive cross-disciplinary strength aligned to USM's APEX sustainability mission and its strong QS Sustainability standing. Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics): Core research-led science schools on the Penang main campus, historically among the university's founding strengths.

What kind of student fits Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)?

International (especially ASEAN) students wanting an English-medium, affordable research university in a heritage city Pharmacy, medicine and health-sciences students drawn to Malaysia's pioneering pharmaceutical school and large health campus Engineering and natural-science students seeking solid research-led programmes at a national flagship research university