Easy Steps To Enrol To USM (UPU vs Saluran Alternatif)

Is Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) your dream place to enrol? As Malaysia’s second-ranked institution, applicants will need to fight tooth and nail to study at one of their 5 campuses.

Why are students anxious to secure a place?

• It has a beautiful study environment (nicknamed the University in a Garden).

• Extensive fields of study offered. Some you may not find in private universities.

• The tutors are experienced and dedicated to their fields of expertise.

• You will be surrounded by an enthusiastic and goal-driven community. 

USM is ranked high on the QS World University Ranking at #134 in 2026, making it an ideal place to kickstart your research project.

How can you join this dream family? There are 2 entry methods towards enrolling into USM i.e. Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU) and Saluran Alternatif.

1. UPU vs Saluran Alternatif: Are They Both The Same?

No. While both platforms manage applications for university students across Malaysia, they are NOT THE SAME.

UPU is the “KL Sentral” for students to apply to

1. Public Universities
2. Polytechnics
3. Community Colleges  
4. Institut Kemahiran Awam (IKLA)

This is where many students prefer to register for their chosen schools and courses. Here, you can even include up to 12 options when you apply.

Meanwhile, Saluran Alternatif is like a highway into the designated university.

1. Instead of going through a portal, you will be applying directly to the institution itself. 
2. At Universiti Sains Malaysia, you can find 51 programmes to choose from.

2. How To Enrol Via UPU And Saluran Alternatif?

Even with online applications open, both platforms handle university applications differently, like very differently.

If you are applying through UPU, you start off by

1. Buy your PIN from a BSN ATM, or BSN branch, or buy online through MyBSN internet banking.
   
2. Through your computer (not your smartphone or tablet), you then start setting up your application.
   
3. Fill in the necessary information.
   
4. Next, submit your exam results and wait for the announcement.
   
5. After receiving your offer, you may make an appeal (Rayuan) if the offer does not match your needs. 
   

Saluran Alternatif is a direct application to Malaysian universities. Thus, you will need to

1. Visit your chosen university’s official portal.
   
2. Complete the essential details.
   
3. Place your application.

3. How Fast Can You Get Your Offer?

Does applying early help speed up your application? Not necessarily. There are many factors that affect your application, including the filter process and the number of options you can choose in one go.

Take a look at how and why UPU’s processing time differs from the Saluran Alternatif’s.

UPU

1. The Upside: It processes all 12 options you have selected before revealing your offer on the release date.
   
2. The Down Side: With the mountain of options (courses and universities) to review, the waiting time for placement can take about 1–3 months.

Saluran Alternatif

1. The Upside: As you apply directly on the university’s portal, it takes around 7 working days to process an application.
   
2. The Down Side: In this route, universities only process your application for the specific course you are applying for.

4. Which Is Harder? UPU or Saluran Alternatif?

Entry requirements are one of the main building blocks to enrolling into a university. Thus, meeting the essential conditions will put you a step closer to your desired course.

So, which pathway has the easier conditions?

The answer is that the entry requirements of both pathways are the same. What sets them apart are

• The Competitiveness: The Unit Pengambilan Universiti has much fiercer competition due to its massive volume with over 105,000 students applying for undergraduate spots annually, and limited, exclusive places. Hence, it drastically heightens the bar to filter applicants.

• The Limited Slots: The quota for top-tier courses is incredibly tight. For example, the recent 2025 admission data revealed that for a single Accounting degree at a top public university, there were over 1,127 applicants with a flawless 100% merit score fighting for only 85 places! Similarly, nationwide placements for highly sought-after courses like Medicine remain strictly capped at just a few hundred slots across all public universities combined. Today, even with a perfect 4.0 CGPA, you may not be able to land your first choice! Yikes!

5. Is UPU Cheaper Than Saluran Alternatif?

Did you know that the tuition fees offered for both pathways are the same? A degree at University Sains Malaysia still costs from RM7,450 to RM35,700 per semester and you WILL NOT be paying at an international student rate. The only difference is that one of these application platforms has the government’s aid to cover the tuition fees.

• UPU: Thanks to the support from the government, the fees you need to pay will be much lower. For instance, a student with this offer will only need to pay RM 1,800 (per year) as opposed to the FULL annual fee of RM 12,883.

• Saluran Alternatif: Fees paid through this route are higher because of the 0% subsidy, meaning you will need to pay the full amount of your tuition fees.

Despite that, there are other financial support you can look into. Among those offered at USM come from

1. AFFIN Education Financing-i
2. Yayasan Bank Rakyat
3. Maybank
4. Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN)

6. How Else Can I Enter USM?

While UPU is a hotspot for students to hand in their course applications, the Saluran Alternatif is another alternative to get you into your desired institution. And we are happy to announce that Uni Enrol recently became an official online partner of Universiti Sains Malaysia!

• You can go through us to enrol on one of the 49-degree courses listed on our site. Visit this page to explore the full USM+1 programme list.

• Through this direct authorised channel with Uni Enrol, you will have another secure and faster way into the nation’s number 2 public university. (Plus, it will only take 7 working days to process your submission!)

• Simply head over to this USM+1 application form and start filling in for a place before the next admission period in September.

7. Wait, Does That Mean One Is Better Than the Other? No.

Technically, you CAN apply for your education on BOTH application platforms. Though be prepared to learn about the gaps between the two. To summarise their individual traits,

1. The Unit Pengambilan Universiti has a longer processing time, a higher volume and is more competitive. However, it will allow you to enlist multiple options at a lower price.
   
2. Saluran Alternatif, on the other hand, can cost more and requires a bit more manual work. But you do not have to wait long for your application status.

To wrap it up, deciding on a pathway is another form of investment, and you can make that happen. The most important thing for you is to keep your eyes and options open. Take your time to gather enough information. If you are still at a loss or have any questions, contact us on our socials!

Check out our The Complete Review Of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

The Complete Review Of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)