Ready to study your Master’s or PhD abroad without paying tuition? The Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) is a Fully Funded offer from the Government of Malaysia that helps talented international students like you earn a top degree at Malaysia’s leading public universities in the 2026/2027 academic year.
If you want world-class education, lower living costs, and a diverse English-speaking environment in Asia, this is your moment. Funding covers tuition plus a monthly allowance, so you can focus on research and results. Foreigners welcome. Apply now and fast-track your global career with a respected Malaysian degree.
Why the Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) stands out
Fully Funded: Tuition fees covered plus a monthly living allowance
Top universities: Study at leading Malaysian public universities in all major fields
Research-ready: Ideal for Master’s by coursework/research and PhD candidates
English-taught options: Many programs are offered fully in English
Lower cost of living: Stretch your stipend further compared with Western countries
What the scholarship covers
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MIS is designed to remove the biggest financial barriers so you can focus on your degree.
Tuition fees: Fully covered by the scholarship for the approved duration of study
Monthly living allowance: A stipend paid to cover accommodation, food, and local transport. Recent cycles set this at around RM 1,500 per month, subject to government updates
Duration:
Master’s: up to 24 months, aligned to your program length
PhD: up to 36–48 months, depending on university regulations
Important notes:
Airfare and visa costs are generally not covered
Health insurance is usually required and paid by the scholar
Family/dependant support is not included
Available study fields
You can apply for most academic disciplines taught at participating Malaysian public universities, including:
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Information and Communications Technology
Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Sciences
Economics, Accounting, Finance, Islamic Banking
Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities
International Relations, Public Policy, Law
Clinical programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy are typically not funded. Always confirm your specific program’s eligibility with the target university and the official MIS guidelines.
Participating universities
MIS is tenable at Malaysian public universities. Examples include:
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
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For the complete and current list of participating universities for the 2026/2027 cycle, check the official portal.
Who can apply: eligibility at a glance
Criteria
Master’s
PhD
Citizenship
Non-Malaysian citizens only
Age limit
Up to 40 years in the year of application
Up to 45 years in the year of application
Academic performance
Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or equivalent strong second-class upper
Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 at Master’s level or evidence of strong research output
English proficiency
IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, or equivalent. Waived if your previous degree was taught in English with official proof
Admission
Offer letter from a participating Malaysian public university for the 2026 or 2027 intake in an eligible program
Health
Medically fit. You may be asked to submit a health/medical report
Conduct
Good character, no criminal record, and able to commit full-time study in Malaysia
Eligible countries
MIS targets outstanding students from a wide range of countries across ASEAN, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Eligibility varies by cycle. Check the official MIS portal for the updated list of eligible nationalities for 2026/2027.
Documents you need to prepare
Valid passport bio-data page
Recent passport-sized photo
Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates
Admission offer letter from a participating university
English proficiency test result or proof your prior degree was in English
Research proposal or study plan:
Master’s: brief study plan or research interest
PhD: structured proposal with title, problem statement, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes
Two recommendation letters from academic or professional referees
Medical/health report if requested
Any other documents specified on the MIS portal for the 2026/2027 cycle
How to apply for MIS 2026/2027
Confirm eligibility: Match your age, GPA, English score, and target field against the latest MIS criteria.
Apply to a university: Submit your program application to one or more participating Malaysian public universities and seek an offer letter for a 2026 or 2027 intake.
Prepare your documents: Compile certified transcripts, CV, English proof, references, passport, and your study plan or research proposal.
Create an account and submit online: Apply via the official MOHE scholarships portal. Upload all documents and complete every section carefully.
Track your application: Monitor your email and the portal for evaluation updates. You may be asked to provide clarifications or additional documents.
Receive the decision: If selected, you will get an award offer with conditions and next steps for visa, enrollment, and scholarship activation.
Tip: There is no application fee. Only submit through the official government portal and your target university’s official website.
Selection criteria: how candidates are assessed
Academic excellence: GPA, class of degree, and academic rigor
Research potential: Quality and feasibility of your proposal, publications, and references
Program relevance: Alignment with Malaysia’s priority fields and your future impact
Communication skills: Clear, concise, and well-presented motivation and study plan
Referee strength: Credibility and detail of recommendation letters
Scholar obligations if awarded
Maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress
Abide by university and scholarship regulations
Provide progress reports or documentation if requested by MOHE or your university
Activate the scholarship within the specified intake window
Timeline and deadline
MIS typically opens once a year for the next academic cycle. For 2026/2027, the call will be announced by MOHE with specific submission dates. Visit the official website for the current deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a university offer before applying?
Having an offer from a participating Malaysian public university makes your application stronger and is usually required for scholarship activation. Some cycles may allow you to submit while admission is in process, but you must provide the offer letter before the award is finalized. Check the latest MIS instructions.
How much is the monthly allowance and is it enough?
Recent MIS cycles have provided a stipend around RM 1,500 per month. This typically covers shared accommodation, food, and local transport in most cities. Your actual costs will depend on lifestyle and location.
Does MIS pay for flights, visa, or family expenses?
No. Airfare, student pass/visa, and dependant costs are normally not covered. Plan and budget for these separately.
Can I change university or program after being selected?
Changes are usually not allowed once the award is issued, except under exceptional circumstances and with written approval from MOHE and the university. Choose your program carefully.
Can I work part-time while on MIS?
Malaysia allows limited part-time work for international students under specific conditions. Your primary responsibility is full-time study. Always check current immigration rules and your university’s policy before taking any work.
Pro tips to strengthen your application
Target a program that clearly matches your past work or academic background
Write a sharp, realistic research plan with measurable outcomes
Use referees who know your work well and can discuss your achievements in detail
Highlight publications, projects, competitions, or community impact
Proofread every document. Small mistakes can cost big opportunities
Ready to apply?
You worked hard to get here. Now let MIS fund your next big step. Shortlist your universities, finalize your documents, and submit a standout application on the official portal. Fully Funded seats are limited. Apply now and start your Master’s or PhD in Malaysia in 2026/2027.
