Scholarships in Malaysia

Studying in Malaysia with a scholarship

Malaysia is a popular destination for international students because it combines English-medium higher education, comparatively affordable living costs and a large number of public and private universities.

English is widely used in Malaysian higher education, and many degree programmes are taught in English. International students should still check the exact language requirement for the programme they want to study because universities can set their own admission standards.

Scholarships are offered through the Malaysian Government, universities and other organisations. The strongest government-backed options are generally focused on postgraduate study.

Malaysia International Scholarship

The Malaysia International Scholarship, commonly called MIS, is administered by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education.

For the 2026/27 academic year, MIS was open to eligible international applicants pursuing full-time master’s or PhD study in Malaysia. It also allowed some international students who were already enrolled at supported Malaysian institutions to apply, provided they had at least two semesters remaining.

The 2026/27 application cycle is now closed, so students planning for 2027 should wait for the next official call rather than relying on the previous application dates.

What MIS covers

Under the 2026 guidelines, MIS covered tuition fees for the entire approved sponsorship period.

It also provided a monthly living allowance of RM1,500, paid periodically after scholars submitted their progress reports.

This means MIS should be described as substantial postgraduate funding, but applicants should still calculate whether the allowance is enough for their individual living arrangements.

Students living in Kuala Lumpur may have different expenses from those studying in smaller Malaysian cities.

MIS study levels and universities

MIS supports full-time:

• master’s degrees
• doctoral degrees

The 2026 programme included many major Malaysian universities such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and International Islamic University Malaysia, together with selected private institutions.

Applicants should check the current university list every year because supported institutions can change.

MIS academic and English requirements

For the 2026 cycle, applicants needed strong academic results and sufficient English proficiency.

The official guideline accepted English evidence such as:

• IELTS 6.0 or above
• TOEFL or equivalent
• previous university education conducted in English, supported by an official declaration from the institution

Master’s by research and PhD applicants also needed to submit a research proposal of at least 1,000 words.

Meeting these minimum conditions does not guarantee selection.

MIS also evaluates academic and co-curricular achievement, research quality and communication ability.

Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme Scholarship

Another major government opportunity is the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme Scholarship, known as MTCP.

MTCP is sponsored by the Malaysian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is aimed at students from eligible developing countries.

For 2026, it supported full-time master’s study lasting approximately 24 to 36 months.

The application period ran from 4 May to 12 June 2026.

The 2026 application portal is now closed, so future applicants should monitor the official MTCP website for the next cycle.

Who can apply for MTCP

For the 2026 cycle, applicants had to:

• come from an eligible MTCP recipient country
• be no older than 45
• hold at least a Second Class Upper degree or CGPA 3.00 or equivalent
• meet the English-language requirement

Accepted English evidence included IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60 or previous education completed in English.

Applicants should always check the current country list because MTCP is not automatically open to every nationality.

What MTCP covers

The official MTCP programme states that the scholarship covers:

• tuition fees
• additional allowances
• return economy-class airfare

The exact allowances and conditions are set out in the annual scholarship guideline.

Because the programme is designed for postgraduate students from developing countries, applicants should also explain how the degree connects to their professional development and how they may use the knowledge afterward.

MIS and MTCP are not the same scholarship

These two programmes are often confused online.

MIS is administered by the Ministry of Higher Education and supports eligible full-time master’s and PhD applicants.

MTCP is administered through Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, in the 2026 cycle, focused on full-time master’s study for applicants from MTCP recipient countries.

Applicants should not mix the:

• eligibility criteria
• age limits
• application portals
• university lists
• funding conditions

Always identify which programme you are actually applying for.

University scholarships

Malaysia also has a large number of scholarships offered directly by universities.

Education Malaysia maintains a scholarship listing that includes institutional funding opportunities available across Malaysian higher education.

University scholarships can take different forms, including:

• partial tuition reductions
• full tuition awards
• merit scholarships
• research assistantships
• graduate funding
• foundation scholarships

Some universities automatically assess students for scholarships during admission.

Others require a separate application.

Students should check this before applying.

Undergraduate students should focus more on university funding

The two major government programmes discussed above are primarily postgraduate scholarships.

International undergraduate applicants should therefore research university-specific scholarships more carefully.

Possible options include:

• entrance scholarships
• academic merit awards
• tuition waivers
• faculty scholarships
• foundation funding

The scholarship amount can vary significantly between institutions.

Do not assume Malaysia has one national fully funded undergraduate scholarship covering all universities.

Tuition fees vary by institution

Malaysia does not have one standard international tuition fee.

The cost depends on:

• university
• degree level
• subject
• public or private institution
• branch campus
• programme length

Education Malaysia advises students to check costs directly with the institution because fees vary by programme.

Malaysia also hosts branch campuses of international universities, so students may sometimes obtain a foreign university degree while studying in Malaysia.

These programmes can still be more expensive than ordinary Malaysian public universities.

International tuition is subject to SST

Students should also know about a relatively recent cost change.

Since 1 July 2025, Malaysia has applied a 6% Sales and Service Tax to tuition fees charged to international students.

That means students looking at an older tuition table may underestimate the actual amount payable.

When comparing scholarship offers, ask whether the advertised scholarship amount applies before or after the relevant tax and institutional charges.

Living costs

Malaysia is generally affordable compared with many major international study destinations.

Education Malaysia currently gives an average living-cost estimate of around USD 582 per month, though real spending depends on the city, accommodation and lifestyle.

Typical accommodation guidance currently lists:

• approximately USD 50 to USD 150 per month for some on-campus housing
• approximately USD 100 to USD 300 per month for some off-campus accommodation

These are broad estimates and should not be treated as guaranteed prices.

Housing in central Kuala Lumpur, for example, can cost considerably more than accommodation near universities in smaller cities.

Build a realistic personal budget

Before accepting a scholarship, calculate:

• remaining tuition
• accommodation
• food
• utilities
• mobile data
• transportation
• medical insurance
• student pass fees
• flights
• books
• personal expenses

A monthly allowance may be enough for one student living in university housing but insufficient for another student renting privately in a more expensive area.

Use the scholarship amount together with your actual university location.

Student Pass

International students normally require a valid Student Pass to study in Malaysia.

Education Malaysia Global Services, commonly called EMGS, manages much of the application process together with the university and Malaysia’s Immigration Department.

The Student Pass application is normally started after the student has accepted an offer from a Malaysian institution. Applications can be processed through EMGS systems or through the institution.

Students should not confuse university admission with immigration approval.

An offer of admission does not automatically mean the Student Pass will be approved.

Student Pass documents

The exact documents depend on the case, but EMGS guidance includes items such as:

• passport photograph
• passport biodata page
• university offer letter
• academic records
• health-related documentation
• other immigration documents requested for the application

Students should follow the checklist produced for their own institution and nationality.

Do not copy another student’s immigration checklist without checking whether it applies to you.

Scholarship does not guarantee immigration approval

MIS makes this point clearly.

Its scholarship conditions state that successful candidates remain responsible for meeting entry visa requirements and that receiving the scholarship does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

This distinction should be explained whenever The Scholarship Circle publishes a Malaysian government scholarship.

Scholarship selection and immigration approval are separate processes.

Student Pass costs

Students should expect immigration-related charges.

EMGS publishes a formal schedule of fees covering items such as:

• processing
• eVAL
• i-Kad
• medical screening
• insurance
• Student Pass
• visa fees

For public universities, the current published schedule includes a new-student processing fee and additional immigration or third-party charges depending on the student’s situation.

The total cost can vary by nationality, study duration, insurance package and institution.

Use the EMGS fee calculator or current fee schedule rather than relying on an old social-media estimate.

Part-time work is restricted

International students should not assume they can work freely during the semester.

Current Education Malaysia guidance says international students at recognised public or private higher education institutions may work up to 20 hours per week only during semester breaks or holidays longer than seven days.

Permitted work is restricted to certain sectors, such as:

• restaurants
• petrol kiosks
• mini markets
• hotels

Prior approval from Malaysia’s Immigration Department is required.

International students are also not permitted to work as cashiers or in certain other prohibited roles.

Part-time work should therefore not be treated as the main plan for financing a degree.

MIS scholars face additional employment restrictions

Scholarship recipients must also check their scholarship conditions.

Under the 2026 MIS terms, scholars were not allowed to take paid employment during the scholarship period without written approval from their university.

That makes it even more important for funded students to calculate whether the official scholarship package is enough before accepting an award.

English-medium study is common

One advantage for many international students is the broad use of English.

Education Malaysia states that English is widely used and that most courses are taught in English.

However, this should not be taken to mean that every course has no language requirement.

A university may still require:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• another recognised English examination
• proof that previous education was completed in English

Always check the individual programme.

Academic requirements vary

Malaysia has public universities, private universities, colleges and international branch campuses.

Their requirements differ.

Depending on the programme, applicants may need:

• high school qualification
• bachelor’s degree
• master’s degree
• transcripts
• English-language results
• CV
• recommendation letters
• research proposal
• work experience
• interview

Education Malaysia states that international students applying for diploma or degree study normally need at least 12 years of prior education and a recognised national or international examination.

Postgraduate programmes set their own additional requirements.

Research applicants should prepare carefully

Malaysia can be particularly attractive for master’s by research and PhD study.

Research applicants should examine:

• supervisor expertise
• research facilities
• programme structure
• publication expectations
• funding
• research costs
• scholarship duration

For MIS, research-based master’s and PhD applicants were required in 2026 to submit a research proposal of at least 1,000 words.

A strong research proposal should be connected to a genuine research question.

Avoid submitting a generic proposal that could be sent unchanged to any university.

Admission can remain the student’s responsibility

Another important MIS condition is that scholars remain responsible for confirming their university admission.

The scholarship does not replace the need to complete the appropriate university process.

Applicants should therefore track:

• university application
• scholarship application
• offer of admission
• scholarship result
• Student Pass application

Do not assume one application automatically completes all four stages.

Scholarship renewal and academic progress

Receiving a scholarship is not the end of the academic conditions.

MIS requires scholars to maintain satisfactory academic progress and good standing. Failure to do so can result in the scholarship being withdrawn.

Other university scholarships can also impose:

• minimum GPA
• full-time enrolment
• research milestones
• attendance requirements
• academic progress reviews

Always read the renewal conditions.

Graduate Pass

Malaysia also has a Graduate Pass that can allow some eligible international graduates to remain in the country for an additional 12 months after completing their studies.

EMGS describes it as allowing eligible graduates to stay and gain work experience, including permitted part-time work.

Eligibility is subject to nationality, immigration status and current programme rules.

Students should verify whether their nationality and qualification qualify at the time they graduate rather than assuming the scheme will automatically apply several years later.

Choosing a university

Do not choose solely because an institution advertises a scholarship.

Compare:

• accreditation
• programme quality
• tuition after scholarship
• location
• accommodation
• research facilities
• scholarship renewal rules
• Student Pass support
• total living cost

Malaysia offers very different study environments.

Living in central Kuala Lumpur is different from studying in places such as Johor, Penang, Selangor or other university areas.

The best option depends on the student’s field, finances and priorities.

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a Malaysian scholarship, confirm:

• supported nationality
• degree level
• age requirement
• academic requirement
• English requirement
• supported universities
• tuition coverage
• monthly allowance
• airfare
• medical or insurance support
• whether university admission is separate
• research proposal requirements
• Student Pass costs
• employment restrictions
• scholarship renewal conditions
• application deadline

For MIS and MTCP, use the current annual guideline, not an old scholarship article.

Be careful with outdated scholarship posts

This matters particularly for Malaysia.

As of September 2026, the MIS 2026/27 application is already closed, and the MTCP 2026 application is also closed.

Students looking toward 2027 should wait for new official announcements.

The Scholarship Circle should avoid presenting old application dates as though they are confirmed for the next cycle.

If a 2027 call has not yet been published, say so clearly.

Avoid scholarship scams

Applicants should be cautious if someone claims they can guarantee:

• MIS selection
• MTCP selection
• Malaysian university admission
• Student Pass approval
• scholarship places in exchange for unofficial payments

Government scholarships use formal selection systems.

Education Malaysia also provides an official scholarship directory where students can investigate legitimate funding opportunities.

Use third-party websites to discover opportunities, then verify everything through the Malaysian Government, university or scholarship provider.

Final advice

Malaysia can be an attractive destination for international students because it combines a broad university system, widespread English-medium instruction and comparatively manageable living costs.

For postgraduate students, MIS and MTCP are particularly important government-backed opportunities, but they should not be confused with each other.

MIS supports eligible master’s and PhD students, while the 2026 MTCP programme focused specifically on master’s study for applicants from eligible developing countries.

Undergraduate students should look more closely at scholarships offered directly by Malaysian universities.

Whichever route you choose, compare the scholarship package with your actual tuition, accommodation, immigration and living expenses before accepting an offer.

The scholarship listings below can help students discover opportunities in Malaysia, but final eligibility and application details should always be checked through the official provider.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026