All postgraduate students in UPM are required to have a minimum English qualification. The accepted forms of qualifications are: 

IELTS - Band 6 

TOEFL - Paper Based Test 550; Computer Based Test 21, Internet Based Test 80 

If you have the above qualifications, please provide a certified photocopy when you register at the School of Graduate Studies. Please note that NO other qualifications are accepted. 

If you do not have these qualifications, you can sit for a UPM English placement test when you arrive in Malaysia. If you pass the placement test, you would have met the minimum English requirement. However, if you have NOT passed the TOEFL, IELTS or UPM placement test, you will be required to do a compulsory English for Graduate Studies course. The code name for this course is BBI 2418. You MUST pass this paper to confirm your candidature as a postgraduate student in UPM. 

The placement test comprises 60 multi choice questions. The questions will be on reading comprehension, grammar, and writing. In order to register for the placement test, you have to go to the School of Graduate Studies and register during the registration week. You will need to take a copy of your offer letter and your passport to register. Once you have registered, you will be given a registration slip. You have to bring your passport and registration slip to sit for the exam. If you do not have these documents, you will not be allowed to sit for the placement test. You are also required to bring 2B pencils and an eraser. If you pass the placement test, the School of Graduate Studies will consider this as a fulfilment of your English language requirement. However, if you fail, you will have to register for the BBI 2418. 


BBI 2418: English for Graduate Studies 

This is a 6 hour per week proficiency course. The classes will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There will be classes from 5-7 for 3 days of the week. There will also be alternative slots from 8 - 10 pm for 3 days of the week. Some classes will be offered during the week-ends too. You can choose to attend the evening, night or week-end classes. However combinations are not allowed, that is, you cannot have one class from 5-7 and another two classes at 8-10 pm. These classes will be conducted in small groups of 25. The focus of this course will be on academic writing, listening, speaking and reading. You will have weekly assignments, tests, quizzes, oral presentations and a final examination. You have to do two types of registration for BBI 2418. First you have to register on the student portal of the School of Graduate Studies. Information on how to do this will be provided when you register as a student. Once you have done this, you will have to register for your classes (groups) with the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication.