Asasi UPM Requirements: Asasi Sains Pertanian SPM Grades and How to Apply

"Asasi UPM" means one programme: Asasi Sains Pertanian, often shortened to ASPer. It is run by UPM's foundation centre in Serdang. The grades below are from e-Panduan UPUOnline for the 2026/2027 academic session and may change next cycle.

What it is

• Programme: Asasi Sains Pertanian (UPU code UP0000001)
• Duration: two semesters, one year
• Campus: Kampus Serdang, Selangor
• Interview: none
• Status in UPU: feeder programme, STEM

The centre says it was set up in June 2005. The programme first ran for three semesters and has been two semesters since 2017. Its students follow the same university rules and can use the library, health centre and other campus facilities.

The name is misleading

Many students skip this programme because of the word "Pertanian". The centre explains that the name comes from UPM's history as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. It describes the programme as a basic science foundation equivalent to those at other public universities.

e-Panduan states that students who complete the foundation are eligible to enter any undergraduate programme offered by UPM, subject to that programme's entry requirements. The centre says all programmes, including the Doctor of Medicine, have been open to its graduates since 2011.

Who can apply

• Malaysian citizens with a MyKad.
• All qualified candidates. The UPU FAQ for 2026/2027 lists "Asasi UPM" among the foundation programmes open to all qualified candidates, and e-Panduan shows no descent condition for it. The centre describes it as open to all SPM science-stream leavers who meet the requirements.
• Current-year SPM leavers. In the 2026 e-Panduan it appears under Kategori A only.

Minimum SPM requirements (2026/2027 session)

The general requirement is five credits including Bahasa Melayu, and a pass in Sejarah. The special requirements have three parts:

The STEM elective slot can be filled by one of: Pertanian, Sains Komputer, Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam, Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik dan Elektronik, or Lukisan Kejuruteraan.

Because the rule is four out of five, a student without Biology can still qualify with Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and an eligible elective. The next section explains what that costs later.

The average merit shown in e-Panduan was 89.34%. It is not a cut-off. e-Panduan warns that an offer depends on your merit rank, the requirements and the number of places. Work out your score with the merit calculator, and read how to read UPU course requirements if the wording is unclear.

Where it leads

Under UPU's definition, students who accept a feeder foundation complete their bachelor's degree at the same public university. Asasi UPM is therefore a decision to do your degree at UPM.

Within UPM the range is wide. The centre says students with excellent results can choose from all programmes. For some programmes, including medicine, veterinary medicine, and design and architecture, CGPA is not the only requirement and students must also pass an interview.

Your subject combination matters. The centre publishes a table, dated 2023, that matches each foundation subject option to the UPM degrees it qualifies for. In that table the options without Biology, Chemistry or Physics are closed to some degrees. For example, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is marked as available only for options that include both Biology and Chemistry. If you have a specific degree in mind, check that table with the centre before choosing your subjects.

How and when to apply

The centre says applications are made online through UPU starting in January each year.

1. Buy a UPUOnline PIN from Bank Simpanan Nasional. It cost RM10.60 for 2026/2027.
2. Register at upu.mohe.gov.my under Kategori A.
3. Choose up to 12 programmes, with the first six compulsory, and include Asasi Sains Pertanian.
4. Submit and save your application slip.

For 2026/2027, the SPM-leaver window ran from 29 January to 13 April 2026. It opened before SPM results. UPU matches your actual grades afterwards and you update your choices. Results were announced on 22 May 2026. The 2027/2028 dates had not been announced as of 1 October 2026, so follow the key dates page and our UPU 2027 guide.

Fees are set by the university and stated in the official offer letter, according to e-Panduan.

Who it suits

Asasi UPM suits science-stream students of any background who want a public-university foundation and would be glad to do their degree at UPM, whether in agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, science, medicine or business. Its minimum grades are lower than those of ASASIpintar UKM, the other large science foundation open to all qualified candidates, so many students list both. Bumiputera students can also consider Asasi UM, Asasi UiTM and Asasi UIAM.

If you are not sure you want to be tied to one university, compare Matrikulasi and read the Matriculation versus Foundation guide. The asasi pathway page sets the options side by side.

Sources: e-Panduan UPUOnline and the UPUOnline FAQ for the 2026/2027 session (Ministry of Higher Education), Ministry of Higher Education media statements, and the Universiti Putra Malaysia foundation centre website and documents. Requirements and dates change every cycle. Check "syarat kemasukan" at e-Panduan UPUOnline before you apply.