This program is Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)’s first international joint PhD program to be offered in collaboration and partnership with Newcastle University (NU) in the United Kingdom and NUMed Malaysia.

NU is a Russel Group University which has a global ranking of 122^nd in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and is one of the top 70 universities in the world for medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).

USM is the second oldest university in Malaysia and one of the premium research intensive leading universities in the country. It has a ranking of 143^rd in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

By enrolling in this joint PhD program, the students:

• if successfully completed the program and meets all requirements, will be awarded a joint degree from both universities (USM and NU)
• will be supervised by at least one supervisor from each university where students will be doing research in two high-quality research environments
• will spend their time at NU for at least 1 year and their other remaining years at USM
• will have access to expertise and resources at both institutes as well as gain skills from local and international supervisors on their journey towards impactful and excellent research
• will have the opportunity to experience international academic, research, and learn about various cultures

The admission requirements for the joint PhD are:

• projects with at least one supervisor from each university must be identified before the acceptance letter is provided
• applicants must fulfill either NU (Master’s degree in a relevant subject) and USM (Master’s degree in a related area of Science with a CGPA of at least 3.00 or a pass in research mode MSc)
• English language requirement: 

- A minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub skills IELTS or score 550 (TOEFL)

• Applications that meet the above criteria can apply through USM and NU portals
• Applications will be approved by respective USM School Board (Institute Postgraduate Studies) and NU Faculty of Medical Sciences Graduate School
• Both universities will provide separate offer letters which specify the joint PhD program

• Both universities, USM and NU require that the applicants must have an acceptable English language requirement with:

  • a minimum score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills) for IELTS or
  • a minimum score of 550 for TOEFL

The duration for this joint PhD program is a minimum of THREE (3) years with at least ONE (1) year at NU and remaining years at USM.

Fee structures are determined by the student’s host university. If the student’s place of study is at USM, he/she will pay according to USM’s fee and vice versa. The current fee structure for both universities is as follows:

** Fees are subject to change.
*This fee is only payable when the student’s placement is in NU.