by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia · Participating Public and Private Universities in Malaysia (e.g., UM, USM, UPM, UTM, UKM, UIAM, UUM, etc.)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
💛 Tuition fees and monthly living allowance🔴 Active (Annual cycle)🎓 Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)🌍 Malaysia📌 Government-funded / Merit-based
June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July)
Level
Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)
Acceptance
Varies by year and country quota
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Aimed at international students from commonwealth, asean, and priority developing countries., Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) is a merit-based scholarship for study in Malaysia. The award covers Provides full tuition fee coverage and a fixed monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 for the duration of the study program. and is open to postgraduate (master's and phd) students studying science and engineering, agriculture and fisheries, economics and islamic finance, ict, biotechnology, biosecurity and food safety, infrastructure and utility, environmental studies, health (excluding medicine, nursing, and pharmacy). The scholarship runs for master's (maximum 24 months), phd (maximum 36 months) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on high-achieving international students from selected developing and partner nations who have secured an offer from a Malaysian university. The application deadline is June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July), with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies by year and country quota. Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
20%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
6/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Competitive (High volume of applicants for limited slots)
June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July)
🔬
Fields
Science and Engineering, Agriculture and Fisheries, Economics and Islamic Finance, ICT, Biotechnology, Biosecurity and Food Safety, Infrastructure and Utility, Environmental Studies, Health (excluding Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy)
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies (Approximately 100 to 500 per year depending on budget)
🌏
Study Country
Malaysia
🏛️
Provider
Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia
📊
Acceptance
Varies by year and country quota
The Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) is a flagship initiative by the Malaysian Government to attract top international talent to pursue postgraduate studies at Malaysia's leading universities. It aims to support human capital development while positioning Malaysia as a global hub for higher education excellence.
👥 Who Should Apply
High-achieving international students from selected developing and partner nations who have secured an offer from a Malaysian university.
🏛️ Host University
Participating Public and Private Universities in Malaysia (e.g., UM, USM, UPM, UTM, UKM, UIAM, UUM, etc.)
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia
🔬 Fields of Study
Science and Engineering, Agriculture and Fisheries, Economics and Islamic Finance, ICT, Biotechnology, Biosecurity and Food Safety, Infrastructure and Utility, Environmental Studies, Health (excluding Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy)
✨ Key Benefits
Provides full tuition fee coverage and a fixed monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 for the duration of the study program.
🎯 Target Students
International students from Commonwealth, ASEAN, and priority developing countries.
🏷 Tags
MalaysiaPostgraduateMaster'sPhDTuition WaiverMonthly StipendInternational Students
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies (Thousands globally)
Applicants Last Year
Check official website for annual report
Winners
Varies by year and country quota
Acceptance Rate
Competitive (High volume of applicants for limited slots)
Competition Level
Win Probability
20%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Full tuition fees paid directly to the university
Living Stipend
RM 1,500.00 per month
Total Award
RM 1,500.00 per month living allowance
✈️ Travel: No (Airfare to and from Malaysia is the responsibility of the student)🏠 Accommodation: No (Expected to be covered by the monthly stipend)💊 Health Insurance: Varies (Students must typically arrange their own medical insurance as per visa requirements)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Full tuition fees paid directly to the university
🏠 Living Stipend
RM 1,500.00 per month
🏡 Accommodation
No (Expected to be covered by the monthly stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No (Airfare to and from Malaysia is the responsibility of the student)
💊 Health Insurance
Varies (Students must typically arrange their own medical insurance as per visa requirements)
🎁 Other Benefits
Endorsement for student visa processing and networking opportunities through MOHE events
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.0 and satisfactory progress reports from the supervisor.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizen of eligible countries, max age 40 for Master and 45 for PhD, minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0, English proficiency certificate.
🎓 Academic Level
Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)
📊 Minimum GPA
3.00 out of 4.00 or Second Class Upper (Honours)
🗣️ English Requirement
IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, or an official letter confirming English as the medium of instruction for the previous degree.
🍢 Age Limit
40 for Master's students, 45 for PhD students
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory but considered an advantage for research-based applications.
🏆 Leadership
Strong record of leadership and extracurricular involvement is highly preferred.
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary criterion; scholarship is merit-based.
🎯 Target Students
International students from Commonwealth, ASEAN, and priority developing countries.
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Research proposal for PhD and Master's by Research; Statement of Purpose for others)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two recommendation letters from academic or professional referees)
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on document evaluation and research proposal quality)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two recommendation letters from academic or professional referees) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, or an official letter confirming English as the medium of instruction for the previous degree.
Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on document evaluation and research proposal quality)
Min GPA: 3.00 out of 4.00 or Second Class Upper (Honours)
📋 Application Process
Obtain an admission offer letter from a Malaysian university before applying. Ensure the research proposal aligns with Malaysia’s national development goals.
💡 Insider Tip: Double-check that all uploaded documents are certified true copies. Late or incomplete applications are automatically rejected by the portal.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
May (Varies annually)
⏰ Deadline
June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July)
🎤 Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on document evaluation and research proposal quality)
🎓 Study Starts
September/October
May (Varies annually)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No (Selection is primarily based on document evaluation and research proposal quality)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September/October
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, quality of the research proposal, English proficiency, and potential impact on home country development.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS)Current
Malaysia
Tuition fees and monthly living allowance
Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)
—
🇲🇾 University of Malaya (UM) Excellence Scholarship
High-achieving international students from selected developing and partner nations who have secured an offer from a Malaysian university.
This scholarship covers: Provides full tuition fee coverage and a fixed monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 for the duration of the study program.. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is June 30 (Varies annually; usually between May and July). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive (High volume of applicants for limited slots). Acceptance rate: Varies by year and country quota. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, or an official letter confirming English as the medium of instruction for the previous degree., Yes (Two recommendation letters from academic or professional referees) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.