Malaysian Government Scholarship
The Malaysian Government Offers Two Scholarships — One Is Significantly More Generous
When searching for Malaysian government scholarships, most results describe a single program. In reality, Malaysia offers two distinct government scholarship programs for international postgraduate students with meaningfully different financial packages:
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) covers full tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 per month.
The MTCP scholarship is for Master’s degree students from developing countries, covering tuition fees and offering a higher RM 3,500 per month allowance.
RM 1,500 vs RM 3,500 per month the MTCP is more than twice as generous as the MIS in monthly allowance. Understanding which program you are eligible for, and applying to the right one, changes your financial situation significantly.
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Malaysian Government to outstanding international students wishing to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees at leading Malaysian universities. The scholarship aims to attract global talents and promote Malaysia as an international education hub while fostering academic and cultural cooperation worldwide.
The 2027-28 MIS cycle is expected to open March 2027 with an April 2027 deadline. The 2026-27 cycle opened March 4 and closed April 3, 2026.
Program 1: Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) — The Flagship Program
What It Is
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is an initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia to attract brilliant minds from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies in Malaysia.
The MIS is Malaysia’s primary international scholarship, open to students from all designated recipient countries for both Master’s and PhD study at leading Malaysian public universities and selected private higher education institutions.
Financial Package
The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500. The scholarship will be renewed annually for two years for Master’s programs and up to 3-4 years for Doctoral programs.
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full coverage for program duration |
| Monthly allowance | RM 1,500/month (~USD $340/month) |
| Master’s duration | Up to 2 years (renewable annually) |
| PhD duration | Up to 3-4 years (renewable annually) |
| Airfare | NOT covered — arrange own travel |
| Application fee | None — free to apply |
RM 1,500/Month in Context
Malaysia’s cost of living is moderate by Asian standards:
- Student accommodation (shared): RM 400-700/month
- Food: RM 400-600/month
- Transport: RM 100-200/month
With RM 1,500/month, living carefully in Malaysia is feasible but tight particularly in Kuala Lumpur. In smaller university cities (Johor Bahru, Penang, Kuching), RM 1,500 goes further. Students often supplement with part-time work during permitted hours.
Program 2: Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) — More Generous
What It Is
The MTCP is administered by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Malaysia’s South-South cooperation agenda sharing Malaysia’s development experience with other developing nations.
The MTCP cordially invites graduates (full-time Masters) from MTCP recipient countries. MTCP scholarship is for Master’s degree students from developing countries, covering tuition fees and offering a higher RM 3,500/month allowance.
Financial Package
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full coverage |
| Monthly allowance | RM 3,500/month (~USD $790/month) |
| Accommodation | Provided or allowance |
| Return airfare | Covered |
| Book/equipment | Allowance included |
| Level | Master’s ONLY |
| Countries | Developing countries — ASEAN, OIC, Commonwealth, Africa (specific list) |
MTCP at RM 3,500/month is substantially more comfortable than MIS and the inclusion of airfare and accommodation support makes it closer to a true full scholarship experience.
How to Choose Between MIS and MTCP
| Factor | MIS | MTCP |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | RM 1,500 | RM 3,500 |
| Level | Master’s + PhD | Master’s only |
| Airfare | Not covered | Covered |
| Countries | Broader eligibility | Developing countries only |
| Ministry | Higher Education | Foreign Affairs |
| Fields | All | Technical/development focus |
If you are from a developing country and eligible for both, MTCP is significantly more financially generous. If you want to pursue a PhD, only MIS is available, and if your country isn’t among MTCP recipients, MIS is your option.
MIS Eligibility — Full Requirements
Master’s applicants must not be more than 40 years old at the time of application. PhD applicants must not be more than 45 years old at the time of application. Master’s applicants must have obtained a CGPA of 3.00, second class upper honors, or higher at bachelor’s degree level. PhD applicants must have obtained a CGPA of 3.00 or excellent results at master’s level in courses related to the intended PhD study program.
Complete MIS Eligibility:
1. Citizen of a Designated Recipient Country Open only to citizens of designated recipient countries. The full country list is published annually on scholarship.mohe.gov.my. It typically includes most OIC, Commonwealth, ASEAN, African, and other developing/partner countries. Always confirm your country’s inclusion in the current cycle.
2. Academic Qualifications:
- Master’s applicants: CGPA 3.00 / Second Class Upper Honors or higher at bachelor’s level
- PhD applicants: CGPA 3.00 / Excellent results at Master’s level
3. Age Limits:
- Master’s: ≤40 years at time of application
- PhD: ≤45 years at time of application
These are generous age limits compared to many scholarships allowing mid-career professionals to pursue postgraduate degrees.
4. Full-time Postgraduate Study: Applicants must intend to pursue full-time postgraduate studies in Malaysia.
5. Currently in Malaysia (Special Condition): Applicants who are already pursuing full-time postgraduate studies in Malaysian public universities or selected private higher education institutions may apply if they have at least two semesters remaining before the end of their study period.
If you are already studying in Malaysia, you can still apply provided you have at least two semesters left.
6. Priority Fields: Science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), social sciences, business, and humanities. STEM fields tend to be prioritized.
Application Process — MIS
Visit the official Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) online application portal. Complete the scholarship application form. Upload all required documents in PDF format. Review your application and submit it before the deadline.
Official portal: scholarship.mohe.gov.my
Annual Timeline:
For the academic year 2026/2027, the call for applications was announced between March and April 2026. Applications for the MIS 2026-2027 were open from 04 March 2026 to 03 April 2026.
2027-28 expected timeline: Applications open March 2027, deadline April 2027.
Step-by-Step:
Step 1: Check designated country list Confirm your country is on the current cycle’s recipient list at scholarship.mohe.gov.my.
Step 2: Choose your Malaysian university and program Research leading Malaysian universities and identify a program that fits your research interests.
3: Get admission (optional but helpful) Admission letters are optional but recommended. Applicants already admitted to Malaysian universities may include them. You do not need an offer letter to apply, but having one strengthens your application.
4: Prepare documents Required documents (all in PDF format):
- Completed online application form
- Latest admission offer letter (if available)
- Academic transcripts (bachelor’s and master’s for PhD applicants)
- Degree certificates
- Passport (personal details page)
- CV/resume
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
- Two reference letters
- English language proficiency proof (if medium of study is English)
Step 5: Submit before April deadline Submit online — no application fee.
Step 6: Await results Results typically announced mid-year. Successful candidates notified through the portal.
Malaysian Universities for MIS Scholars
Leading Malaysian universities where MIS scholars study:
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| University Malaya (UM) | Kuala Lumpur | QS top 70 Asia — all fields |
| University Technology Malaysia (UTM) | Johor Bahru/KL | Engineering, technology, built environment |
| University Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Serdang, Selangor | Agriculture, sciences, engineering |
| University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Bangi, Selangor | Sciences, humanities, medical |
| University Sains Malaysia (USM) | Penang | Sciences, social sciences, engineering |
| University Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) | Perak | Engineering, petroleum, technology |
| International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | Gombak/KL | Islamic studies + all fields |
Malaysia as a Study Destination
Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy and a genuine regional education hub. The country has invested heavily in positioning itself as an “Education City” for international students with over 170,000 international students enrolled at any given time.
Key advantages:
- Multicultural society: Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities coexist in a dynamic multicultural environment
- English-medium programs: Most postgraduate programs at major universities are taught in English
- Affordable: Cost of living significantly lower than Singapore, UK, or Australia
- Islamic environment: Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country with halal infrastructure throughout
- Strategic location: Gateway to ASEAN with excellent regional connectivity
- Safe and stable: Consistent political stability
Kuala Lumpur: A modern, cosmopolitan city with excellent infrastructure, diverse food culture, strong public transport, and world-class shopping and entertainment.
Quick Reference — Both Programs
| Element | MIS | MTCP |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry | Higher Education | Foreign Affairs |
| Level | Master’s + PhD | Master’s only |
| Monthly allowance | RM 1,500 (~$340) | RM 3,500 (~$790) |
| Tuition | Full coverage | Full coverage |
| Airfare | NOT covered | Covered |
| Accommodation | Not specified | Covered/allowance |
| Countries | Designated list | Developing countries |
| Age — Master’s | ≤40 years | Check MTCP site |
| Age — PhD | ≤45 years | N/A (Master’s only) |
| CGPA minimum | 3.00 / 2nd Class Upper | Check MTCP |
| Already in Malaysia | Yes (2+ semesters) | N/A |
| Application fee | None | None |
| Annual deadline | March-April | Check MFA Malaysia |
| Portal | scholarship.mohe.gov.my | Check mfa.gov.my |
| 2027-28 opens | Expected March 2027 | Check MFA |
FAQ
What is the monthly allowance for MIS?
RM 1,500 per month (~USD $340/month). Renewed annually for 2 years (Master’s) or 3-4 years (PhD).
Does MIS cover airfare?
No, successful applicants are asked to arrange their own travel to Malaysia.
What is the MTCP monthly allowance?
RM 3,500 per month significantly more generous than MIS.
What are the age limits for MIS?
Master’s: not more than 40 years. PhD: not more than 45 years at time of application.
What CGPA is required?
Master’s: CGPA 3.00 or Second Class Upper Honors or higher. PhD: CGPA 3.00 or excellent results at Master’s level.
Can I apply without a Malaysian university offer?
Yes, admission letters are optional but recommended.
When is the MIS 2027-28 deadline?
The MIS cycle typically opens March-April annually. The 2027-28 cycle is expected to open March 2027 with an April 2027 deadline. Check scholarship.mohe.gov.my.