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PhD (Political Science) -
Centre for Policy Research


  • OVERVIEW

    The Master of Social Science in Political Science provides a rigorous, sharply focused disciplinary programme with strong multidisciplinary links. The Programme consists of innovative, state-of-the-science graduate education in political methodology.

    Research Thrust Areas:

    • Human Resources Development
    • Social Demography
    • Ethnicity and Identity
    • Political Economy
    • Local Government Studies
    • Public Management
    • Multi-Religious and Multi-Cultural Studies
    • Political Science
  • ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    Applicants should possess the following:

    • A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
    • A Master’s degree in research mode; or
    • Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)
  • LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

    (Applicable for International Applicants Only)

    The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

    • A minimum of Band 6 for IELTS; or
    • A minimum score of 60 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
    • A minimum of Band 8.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
    • A minimum score of 169 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 169/ Occupational English Test (OET) min. score 250; or
    • A minimum score of 59 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
    • A minimum of Band 109 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
    • A minimum of Band 4 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

    Exemption is given to candidate if:

    • English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
    • Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

    IMPORTANT: Candidates are required to provide any of the above English result upon application. Incomplete application will be rejected.

  • DURATION

    • Full-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters

    • Part-time: Min 6 semesters /Max 15 semesters

  • FEES

    Malaysian (MYR)
    Full Time Part Time
    • Registration Fee : 310.00
    • Tuition Fee (Semester) : 2,900.00
    • Thesis Evaluation Fee : 750.00
    • Convocation Fee : 200.00
    • Research Methodology : 320.00
    • Registration Fee : 310.00
    • Tuition Fee (Semester) : 2,385.00
    • Thesis Evaluation Fee: 750.00
    • Convocation Fee : 200.00
    • Research Methodology : 320.00

     

    International (USD)*
    Full Time Part Time
    • Registration Fee : 222.50
    • Personal Bond : 1000.00
    • Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,400.00
    • Thesis Evaluation Fee: 250.00
    • Convocation Fee : 50.00
    • Research Methodology : 80.00
    • Registration Fee : 222.50
    • Personal Bond : 1000.00
    • Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,190.00
    • Thesis Evaluation Fee : 250.00
    • Convocation Fee : 50.00
    • Research Methodology : 80.00

    * NOT inclusive 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by Government of Malaysia

    ** Fees are subject to change

Postgraduate

Institute of Postgraduate Studies
Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: +604-653 6309 / 6027 / 2606 / 2946 / 2958
Fax: +604-653 2931

Disclaimer

This website uses the GTranslate component to provide translation into Bahasa Melayu & Chinese Simplify. In the event of any inaccuracies in the translation, the English version shall be referred to as the official reference of this website.

Last Update: Friday 06 March 2026.

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