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Scholarships for Studying in Malaysia

The Malaysian government's main scholarship for international students is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), for master's and PhD study. Universities offer their own awards too. Amounts are in Malaysian ringgit (MYR).

Malaysia Scholarship Overview

Most scholarships for international students in Malaysia are for master's and PhD study.

Scholarships in Malaysia

Start with the university that accepts you. Ask what it offers to international students.

For master's or PhD study, look at MIS.

Why Apply for Scholarships?

  • MIS pays tuition and MYR 1,500 a month.
  • Some university schemes do not charge some international student fees in the first year.

Types of Scholarships

Two main kinds are open to international students.

Government

From the Malaysian government's Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

  • Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

University

Set by each university, with their own rules.

  • Taylor's postgraduate scholarship schemes

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

A scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for talented international students in master's and PhD study.

MIS covers full-time master's and PhD study at listed universities, such as Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). It does not cover medicine, nursing or pharmacy.

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

Master's and PhD, full time.

Key Benefits of Malaysia Government Scholarships

Tuition for the whole scholarship period, paid to your university.

A living allowance of MYR 1,500 for each month. It is paid in one payment every 4 months.

University Scholarships

Some awards are open to international students.

Ask Your University

Each university sets its own scholarships and who can apply. Many are only for Malaysian students.

Taylor's postgraduate schemes

Under some schemes, the extra fees that international students pay are not charged in the first year of a master's.

Taylor's undergraduate scholarships

Some international students can apply if they meet the rules.

How to Find University Scholarships

Where to Look

  • The scholarship page of each university on your list.
  • The scholarship list on the Education Malaysia website, sorted by university.

Application Tips

  • Apply early, before your intake.
  • If you start your course before the scholarship is approved, you may have to pay the fees for that semester (half a year).

Application Tips

What MIS asks for, and what helps.

Check the dates

Watch the MIS website for the next round.

Meet the grade

For a master's, MIS asks for a CGPA of 3.00 or a 'second class upper' (a strong honours grade) in your bachelor's.

Show your English

An IELTS score of 6.0 or more, or a letter from your university that says your degree was taught in English.

Two referees

MIS needs letters of recommendation from two referees (people who know your work).

Research proposal

For a research master's or PhD, write a proposal of at least 1,000 words.

Age limits

MIS: not over 40 for a master's, not over 45 for a PhD.

Frequently Asked Questions

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