Academic Communication in English
Build the Confidence and Communication Skills You Need to Succeed at University
The Academic Communication in English (A.C.E.) programme is a four-week intensive English programme designed for international students preparing for university study.
Offered by the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), A.C.E. helps you develop the English skills you need to communicate confidently in your academic and campus environment.
Who Is This For?
A.C.E. is designed for CEFR B1 (Intermediate) English learners, including:
- International students preparing to study at USM
- Learners who want to strengthen their academic English
Why Choose A.C.E.?
Start University with Confidence
Prepare for your degree programme by strengthening your English before you begin your university studies. A.C.E. helps you become more comfortable communicating in English from day one.
Learn English for Real University Situations
Go beyond grammar drills. Develop the communication skills you need for lectures, tutorials, academic discussions, group work and presentations.
Learn in a University Environment
Learn with experienced instructors in a supportive academic setting while building the skills to communicate with lecturers, classmates and the wider university community.
What You Will Learn?
The programme is organised into four stages, taking you from building confidence in everyday university communication to presenting your ideas with clarity and confidence.
Choose Your Intake
A.C.E. offers two intakes each academic year, allowing you to choose the timeline that best fits your degree plans:
- September Intake: For students preparing to begin Semester 1.
- February Intake: For students preparing to begin Semester 2.
What Will Your Week Look Like?
Classes run Monday to Friday, for a total of 20 hours per week, with dedicated independent learning sessions on Friday afternoons to help you reinforce what you have learned and make steady progress.
How You Will Learn
Learning at A.C.E. is interactive, practical, and student-centred. You will practise English through activities that reflect real university situations.
- Interactive Seminars & Discussions
Take part in group activities and discussions that build communication, participation, and teamwork skills. - Academic Presentations & Speaking Practice
Build confidence in expressing your ideas and delivering presentations in university settings. - Guided Independent Study
Strengthen your English through guided activities related to university study and everyday communication.
These learning activities help you build the fluency, confidence, and communication skills you need for your university studies.
Find the Right A.C.E. Package for You
Explore our two A.C.E. package options for undergraduate and postgraduate participants.
Each package includes the programme fee and the services provided, so you can choose the option that matches your study level.
Important Accommodation Note
The USD 1,000 Undergraduate Package includes on-campus accommodation. Students who choose to arrange their own accommodation may choose not to use the provided accommodation, but the package fee will remain USD 1,000, with no refund or fee deduction.
Please indicate your accommodation preference when submitting your application form. Your selection will be considered final once your application is submitted.
All fees are strictly non-refundable.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Applying for A.C.E. is simple. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Submit Your Documents
Once you have your USM Full Offer Letter, email the following to ppblt_courses@usm.my:
- Completed A.C.E. Application Form (PDF)
- Passport (bearer’s info page only)
- Passport-sized photo
- Proof of payment
- Previous institution transcript (High School/Degree/Master)
Payment for A.C.E enrolment can be made via cash deposit, local bank transfer or telegraphic transfer to the following account:
Beneficiary: USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.
Bank Name: AM Bank (M) Berhad
Account No.: 888-100-985-0380
Bank Address: Level 21, Menara Dion, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Swift Code: ARBKMYKL
Step 2: Apply for Your Student Visa
Apply for your student visa online via EMGS. Track your Electronic Visa Approval Letter (e-VAL) easily on the EMGS app.
Step 3: Arrive and Thrive
Arrive in Malaysia, complete your university health check and get ready to start your classes!
Schedule for current intake
Note:
Late applications may still be considered after the deadline, subject to availability. Please note that on-campus accommodation will not be available for late applicants, and payments made are non-refundable.
The flowchart below gives you an overview of your journey from A.C.E. application to starting your degree at USM.
Your A.C.E. Journey
Ready to secure your spot?
Don't wait until the deadline!
Application, Eligibility & Intakes
The ace is open to international students who have received full Offer Letter from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) but need to fulfil the university’s English language proficiency requirement.
Yes. In certain cases, non-USM students may be accepted into the A.C.E. programme, subject to approval. Please note that the programme is designed for CEFR B1 (Intermediate) English learners. On-campus accommodation is not provided for non-USM students, and the programme fee remains the same with no accommodation fee deduction or refund.
Once you receive your USM Conditional Offer Letter, email the following documents to ppblt_courses@usm.my:
- Completed ACE Application Form
- Passport copy (bearer’s page only)
- Passport-sized photograph
- USM Full Offer Letter
- Proof of payment (if paying via telegraphic transfer or credit card)
Your official ACE Offer Letter will be issued after your documents are received and verified.
Visa & Airport Arrival
For all visa-related inquiries, please contact the USM Visa Unit directly at visa@usm.my.
When applying for your Electronic Visa Approval Letter (e-VAL), select your main undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Do NOT select " Academic Communication in English (ACE)", as doing so may lead to your visa application being rejected.
Visa applications will not be approved by USM’s Visa Unit starting 1 week prior to the commencement of the ACE. Please ensure you complete and submit your visa application well in advance.
If your e-VAL or e-Visa is approved late, you are permitted to join the programme up to 2 weeks late. However, please note that you must still pay the full programme fee and no partial refunds will be given.
No, airport pick-up services are not provided. Students are required to make their own transportation arrangements from Penang International Airport (PEN) to the USM campus or their accommodation.
Fees, Payments & Accommodation
Payments can be made via cash deposit, local bank transfer, or telegraphic transfer (TT) to:
Beneficiary: USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.
Bank: AM Bank (M) Berhad
Account No.: 888-100-985-0380
Swift Code: ARBKMYKL
Credit card payments are also accepted via a link. Please note that a 2% surcharge applies to all credit card transactions.
Fees listed in USD can be paid in USD or converted to Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) based on the prevailing exchange rate on the day of transfer. Ensure you cover all bank/telegraphic transfer charges so the exact net amount is credited to USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.
Yes, you may pay upon arrival if you choose to make a local bank transfer or cash deposit at a local AmBank branch in Malaysia. However, full payment must be completed within the first week of the ACE. Failure to settle the fees by the end of the first week will result in the immediate cancellation of your student visa.
If your e-VAL/e-Visa application is officially rejected by Immigration before the start of the programme, you may submit a written request with proof of rejection to ppblt_courses@usm.my for fee review and refund consideration.
No. The programme fee is inclusive of accommodation. Participants who choose to arrange their own off-campus accommodation will not be entitled to a refund or reduction of the programme fee.
On-campus accommodation packages for ACE are primarily structured for undergraduate applicants. Postgraduate students seeking on-campus housing should check availability directly with the USM Housing & Accommodation Unit or consider off-campus options near the Penang main campus.
Academic Structure & Attendance
The programme consists of 20 hours per week: 18 hours of guided classroom instruction and 2 hours of dedicated independent study.
Yes. Attendance is strictly monitored. If you miss more than three class sessions, a warning letter will be issued. Any further absences after the warning letter will result in the cancellation of your certificate.