Intensive English Programme

The IEP is open to international students who have received a Conditional Offer Letter from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) but need to fulfil the university’s English language proficiency requirement.

Once you receive your USM Conditional Offer Letter, email the following documents to ppblt_courses@usm.my:

• Completed IEP Application Form
• Passport copy (details page only)
• Passport-sized photograph
• Academic transcripts
• USM Conditional Offer Letter
• Proof of payment (if paying via telegraphic transfer or credit card)

Your official IEP Offer Letter will be issued after your documents are received and verified.

Only students whose main degree/academic programme begins in Semester 2 are eligible to apply for the December intake.

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 "Intensive English Programme (IEP)", 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 IEP. 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 4 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.

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 IEP. 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.

Undergraduate students who choose to arrange their own off-campus accommodation can opt for the non-accommodation package at USD 3,400.

On-campus accommodation packages for IEP 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.

Upon arrival at SoLLaT, all students are required to sit for a mandatory English Proficiency Test. Based on your test score, you will be assigned to either the Foundation Module or the Fluency Module.

No. Level placement is determined strictly by your score on the mandatory English Proficiency Test upon arrival. Our language experts place you in the module best suited to help you achieve your required score.

You must sit for the proficiency test before attending classes. If you arrive late, you must report to the SoLLaT office immediately upon arrival to arrange a special sitting.

The programme consists of 20 hours per week: 18 hours of guided classroom instruction and 2 hours of dedicated independent study.

Yes. High attendance is strictly required to comply with Malaysian student visa regulations. Attendance is strictly monitored. If you miss more than 3 class sessions, a warning letter will be issued. Any further absences after the warning letter will result in the cancellation of your student visa.

At the end of the IEP course, you will sit for the official IELTS exam in Penang. Transportation to the IELTS test centre will be provided. If required, SoLLaT provides extra preparation sessions and scheduling for a retake before the academic semester begins.

No. The IEP serves as an intensive preparation program; you must sit for and pass the official IELTS exam (or an equivalent recognized English test) to fulfil USM’s degree entry conditions.

Once you receive your official IELTS test report form with your required target band score, submit a copy to the USM Admissions Unit to finalize your full admission into your main undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

You must still complete your enrolled IEP session and maintain attendance, as your student visa and active stay in Malaysia are tied to your current IEP enrolment status until the main semester begins.

If you do not obtain your required score on the first attempt, SoLLaT offers structured retake preparation sessions and assists you in registering for a retake later in the month before the academic semester officially begins. However, if you still do not achieve the required score after the retake, you will not be able to proceed to your main academic programme and will be required to leave the country.