Master of Design in Creative Industry by Coursework is a new programme that aims to produce Professional Graduates with Creative Thinkers, ensure Professional Practice & Ethics in the field of design are always maintained and be able to solve problems innovatively using the latest software and technology in the field of design.

The program offerings take into account the changes in the world of education and the development of the creative art industry where offering more innovative and up-to –date course in strategies places. It will be able to produce graduates skilled in making critical and pragmatic decisions in the field of design and to meet the needs of the National Creative Industry agenda. The rapid development in Fourth Industrial Revolution 4.0 makes individual competence in critical and pragmatic decision making indispensable. These skills are core competencies that enable decisions to be made effectively based on evidence (evidence-based).

The planned curriculum is centered on an outcome oriented educational approach or Outcome Based Education (OBE) and teaches to Student Centered Learning (SCL), Each learning outcome in each course will be tested throughout and at the end of the semester through audit sessions to ensure that each learning outcome can be achieved. In addition, the curriculum structure also takes into account the needs in the industrial world by offering relevant courses in the Design Industry. Self-skilled courses are also offered to equip their teams with the basics of research as well as skills in terms of problem solving, communication skills, works ethic, adaptability, lifelong learning, self-confidence, ethics and integrity that will be assessed throughout the course.

This programme is designed to bridge the gap between undergraduate students and working professionals who aspire to pursue a master’s degree. It has since garnered significant interest, particularly from media industry professionals in the fields of Graphic Communication, New Media Design & Technology, and Product Design. Due to the overwhelming number of applications, the course is now offered at three different locations: USM Main Campus, RECSAM Penang, and USM@KL. While the syllabus remains consistent across all locations, the multi-campus approach aims to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of students based on their geographical and professional circumstances.

Programme Coordinator/Contact:
Dr. Mohd Asyiek Mat Desa
School of The Arts
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 Pulau Pinang, MALAYSIA
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: https://arts.usm.my/

Application should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in New Media Design & Technology, Communication Graphics and Products Design from Universiti Sains Malaysia OR other institutions that recognized by the Senate of Universiti Sains Malaysia or the MQA with a CGPA of at least 2.75 and above; OR
  
  
• Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in New Media Design & Technology, Communication Graphics and Design Products from Universiti Sains Malaysia OR other institutions that recognized by the Senate of Universiti Sains Malaysia or MQA with ONE (1) year work experience in a related field if have a CGPA of less than 2.75 (Benchmark CGPA 2.50); OR
  
  
• Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) in any field offered from Universiti Sains Malaysia OR other institutions which is recognized by the Senate of Universiti Sains Malaysia or MQA may apply with condition;
  • ONE(1) year work experience in a related field or any industry or Passed the 'Interview' provided by PTJ.
  • Students who apply for this condition must have a CGPA 2.50 and above.
    
    
• Bachelor's Degree from any field offered from university or other institution recognized by the USM Senate or MQA can apply provided:
  • ONE(1) year work experience in a related field or any industry or Passed the 'Interview' provided by PTJ.
  • Students who apply for this condition must have a CGPA 2.50 and above.
    
    
• Diploma Holder in Art & Design, New Media Design & Technology, Communication Graphics and Products Design from other institutions recognized by the University Senate Sains Malaysia and MQA who have a CGPA of at least CGPA 2.75 and apply through the acquisition of the Certificate MQA APEL A Certificate.

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

• A minimum score of 46 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 8 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum of Band 5.5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 51 for PTE; or
• A minimum score of 160 for Cambridge English (CAE/CPE); or
• A minimum score of 160 for Linguaskill Online; or
• A minimum score of 108 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 4 for MUET

Exemption can be given if:

• English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
• The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction is English

• Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 4 semesters
• Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 6 semesters

March

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

** Fees are subject to change

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Master of Professional Management (MPM) offers an academically rigorous and professionally relevant program of study in contemporary management practices. The programme is tailor-made to equip students with requisite management and leadership skills that will promote their professional growth and career advancement. With an MPM, students are armed with the knowledge to help prepare them for managerial and leadership roles in their fields.

Why Join Us?

Competency-based curriculum; co-created with industry partners.
Specialised content; focuses on high performance and adaptive management skills.
Well trained teaching professionals
Suitable for prospective, young and middle range professionals from various disciplines

Program Structure
42 credit units
10 subjects including Field based Project
6 core, 3 electives and 1 project

Core Courses (Compulsory)

• AOW501 Management for Professionals
• AOW 502 Accounting & Finance for Professionals
• AOW503 Leadership Dynamics in Digital Era
• AOW504 Strategic Management
• AOW505 Organisational Development and Change
• AOW506 Research Method

Electives (Choose any THREE (3) courses)

• AOP508 Business Analytics for Professionals
• AOP509 Enterprise Risk Management
• AOP510 Economics for Professionals
• AOP511 Negotiation Dynamics
• AOP515 Safety and Health Practices
• AOP512 Talent Management
• AOP513 Client Centricity
• AOP514 Taxation
• AOP516 Professional Ethics

Project (Compulsory)

• AOW507 Field Based Project

Synopsis of Courses

The followings are brief overviews of the courses:

AOW501 Management for Professionals

This course explains the functional and contemporary approaches to management through planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. It introduces to the students the foundations of management and issues surrounding managing internal and external environment, building organisational structure to maintain agillity, mobilising talents and motivating workforce to achieve optimal performance.

AOW 502 Accounting & Finance for Professionals

This course will emphasise on the learning terminologies, methods and techniques that can be applied in real business situations. While computational competency is important, this course will lean more on the application of techniques, analyzing results obtained and making recommendations that go beyond cost and financial aspects.

AOW503 Leadership Dynamics in Digital Era

This course is designed to elaborate about the contemporary leadership skills which are critical in the value creation process of successfully bringing a new breed of firm. This course will explore the various dynamics of leadership and the dimensions of leadership that are relevant to the digital era.

AOW504 Strategic Management

This course concentrates on ways in formulating, implementing, and evaluating strategies. Strategic-management concepts and techniques are studied. Students will use the knowledge acquired from previous business courses, coupled with new strategic-management techniques learned, to chart the future direction of different organizations.

AOW505 Organisational Development and Change

This course enhances students' understanding of the areas of organizational development ranging from orientation to career development and organizational development and provides a clear understanding of the concepts, processes, and practices that form the basis of effective OD.

AOW506 Research Method

This course provides students with basic concepts and process of conducting a research including various research methods and designs. Students will acquire the knowledge and skillsets to undertake an original research with good ethical research practices.

AOP508 Business Analytics for Professionals

This course explains the scientific process of transforming data into insights for analytics-driven business decision making and make future prediction. It covers the methodologies, issues, and challenges related to analyzing business data. It prepares students to understand business analytics and become leaders in these areas. Students will learn to apply analytical tools, algorithms and methodologies to solve business problems. Students will also go deeper into advanced investigative and computational methods for developing their personal analytical skills and perspectives. Potential analytical tools will be used whenever applicable based on the simulated business examples.

AOP509 Enterprise Risk Management

This course discusses risk management from the perspective of non-financial corporations. The course examines various types of risks including market risks, credit risks and operational risks and risk-management. It ialso focuses on procedures in the context of the general framework of enterprise-wide risk management (ERM).

AOP510 Economics for Professionals

This course covers the basic economics principles to be applied by professionals in making sounds business decision, taking into account the microeconomics of demand and supply forces in transactions, theory of consumer and customer behavior, and the principle of production and cost analysis in supplying profesionals products and services

AOP511 Negotiation Dynamics

This course develops the negotiation style in a challenging, action-oriented, international environment to develop skills and strategies to negotiate. Students will be exposed to the understanding of negotiation dynamics, prepare for uncertainty, learn to craft agile strategy and be quick in changing circumstances and how to build the negotiation competency.

AOP515 Safety and Health Practices

This course is designed to enhance the understanding in regard to safety and health at workplace. It will expose about the fundamentals of health and safety, the acts related to Health and Safety at Work, and provides the understanding of study risk assessment and the working environment.

AOP512 Talent Management

The course explores key aspects of talent management from developing core competencies to the design and implementation of performance management systems that include identifying, evaluating and developing talent, to provide performance guidance for individuals and teams to encourage employee engagement. Experience-based learning is also practiced in providing exposure to students

AOP513 Client Centricity

This course focuses on the essential elements of customer services including conflict resolution, communication strategies, emotional intelligence and utilises strategies to build employee self-motivation to offer world-class service. Students will be exposed to the knowledge on the ways to approach customers, as well as to communicate effectively and confidently.

AOP514 Taxation

This course is designed to develop an understanding among candidates of the concepts and principles of personal, business and corporate income taxation, taxation of specialised entities, withholding taxes, etc. Besides these, legislation relating to real property gains tax and investment incentives will also be covered.

AOP516 Professional Ethics

This course provides the understanding of the ethical principles and the issues related to ethics among professionals. Part of professional ethics is the understanding of the ethics of other professions: and ethical behaviour. Students will also be exposed to the ethical decision-making and general professional conduct in comtemporary society

AOW507 Field Based Project

This course is designed for students to apply the research skills in business problems in the global business environment. The course provides opportunity to students to leverage techniques and methods analytics in analysing the business problems and recommend feasible business solution.

Further information are posted at https://anyflip.com/ueaxr/qtvv/ or contact us at dean_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applicants should possess the following:

A. Bachelor's degree in Management, or any other related and recognized degree; or

1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least one year; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

B. APEL A (Level 7)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 47 for PTE; or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English (CAE/CPE); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Linguaskill Online; or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for MUET

Exemption can be given if:

• English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
• The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction is English

• Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 4 semesters
• Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 8 semesters

April & October

Fees Structure Effective for Students Intake from Academic Session 2026/2027:

*Not inclusive 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by Government of Malaysia
** Fees are subject to change

Master of Arts in Management at the School of Management, offers program in research areas as follows:

• Management
• Finance
• Accounting

These programmes are offered as full-time and part-time modes to qualified Malaysian and International Students to do independent research supervised by at least a their respective supervisor lecturers in the related fields.

Research Thrust Areas:

Organisational Behaviour

• Strategic Management and Organisational Issues
• Workplace Attitudes and Behaviour
• Human Resource Management/Human Capital Development
• Learning Organisations
• Women in Management and Business
• Entrepreneurship and Enterprising Culture
• Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Sustainable Leadership 

Internationalisation

• Internationalisation of Enterprises
• International Entrepreneurship
• Global Strategies and Competitiveness
• Cross Cultural Management
• Export Markets
• Global Strategic Management
• Strategies and Practices in MNCs
• Expatriation and Repatriation

 Marketing

• International Marketing
• Strategic Marketing
• Consumer Behaviour
• Advertising and Marketing Communications
• Retailing
• Brand Management
• Service Marketing
• Environmental Marketing
• Wellness Marketing
• Technology Marketing
• Experiential Marketing

 Operations and Production

• Productivity and Quality
• Technology Management
• Management Sciences
• Managing Information Resources
• Operations Strategies
• Supply Chain Management
• Operations Management
• Logistics Management

 Research Thrust Areas:

Finance

• Asset Pricing
• Behavioural Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Derivative Market
• Financial Market and Institutions
• International Finance
• Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Islamic Finance
• Merger and Acquisition
• Applied Mathematic in Finance

Research Thrust Areas:

Accounting

• Goods and Services Tax and Taxation Issues
• Auditing
• Management Accounting and Control
• Financial Reporting
• Accounting Information System
• Management Accounting Practices
• Behavioural Accounting Finance
• Legal Environment of Business & Accounting
• Market Based Accounting Research
• Corporate Governance
• Islamic Accounting
• Public Sector Accounting
• Accounting Education
• Social and Environmental Accounting/Corporate Social Responsibility

Expertise available in the following School:
School of Management

Applicants should possess the following:

A. Bachelor's degree in related area

1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least one year; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

(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 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 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)

• Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 6 semesters
• Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 12 semesters

Master of Arts in Management at the School of Management, offers program in research areas as follows:

• Management
• Finance
• Accounting

These programmes are offered as full-time and part-time modes to qualified Malaysian and International Students to do independent research supervised by at least a their respective supervisor lecturers in the related fields.

Research Thrust Areas:

Organisational Behaviour

• Strategic Management and Organisational Issues
• Workplace Attitudes and Behaviour
• Human Resource Management/Human Capital Development
• Learning Organisations
• Women in Management and Business
• Entrepreneurship and Enterprising Culture
• Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Sustainable Leadership 

Internationalisation

• Internationalisation of Enterprises
• International Entrepreneurship
• Global Strategies and Competitiveness
• Cross Cultural Management
• Export Markets
• Global Strategic Management
• Strategies and Practices in MNCs
• Expatriation and Repatriation

 Marketing

• International Marketing
• Strategic Marketing
• Consumer Behaviour
• Advertising and Marketing Communications
• Retailing
• Brand Management
• Service Marketing
• Environmental Marketing
• Wellness Marketing
• Technology Marketing
• Experiential Marketing

 Operations and Production

• Productivity and Quality
• Technology Management
• Management Sciences
• Managing Information Resources
• Operations Strategies
• Supply Chain Management
• Operations Management
• Logistics Management

 Research Thrust Areas:

Finance

• Asset Pricing
• Behavioural Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Derivative Market
• Financial Market and Institutions
• International Finance
• Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Islamic Finance
• Merger and Acquisition
• Applied Mathematic in Finance

Research Thrust Areas:

Accounting

• Goods and Services Tax and Taxation Issues
• Auditing
• Management Accounting and Control
• Financial Reporting
• Accounting Information System
• Management Accounting Practices
• Behavioural Accounting Finance
• Legal Environment of Business & Accounting
• Market Based Accounting Research
• Corporate Governance
• Islamic Accounting
• Public Sector Accounting
• Accounting Education
• Social and Environmental Accounting/Corporate Social Responsibility

Expertise available in the following School:
School of Management

Applicants should possess the following:

A. Bachelor's degree in related area

1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least one year; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

(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 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 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)

• Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 6 semesters
• Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 12 semesters