🇲🇾 Malaysia · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Malaysia — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
Malaysia's flagship award for international students is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), a government scholarship for outstanding postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates, alongside university scholarships and fee waivers. Explore the MIS and university sites, confirm your field is eligible, and apply by the deadline.
For international students, the main government award is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), offered by the Ministry of Higher Education for postgraduate study and research at Malaysian institutions. Many universities also offer their own scholarships and fee waivers. Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) provides official information for international applicants.
- The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS, Ministry of Higher Education) funds postgraduate study/research.
- Many universities offer their own scholarships and fee waivers.
- EMGS provides official information for international applicants.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map Malaysian funding: the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS, postgraduate/postdoctoral) and university scholarships and fee waivers.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
Official higher-education authority (Malaysia International Scholarship).
- Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)
Official international-student services centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Malaysia International Scholarship?
A government scholarship for outstanding international postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates, covering fees and a living allowance.
Who is eligible?
High-achieving international students in priority fields, typically at master’s, PhD or postdoctoral level; check the current eligible areas.
Are there university scholarships too?
Yes — Malaysian public and private universities offer their own merit scholarships and fee waivers for international students.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- MyGovernment Portal — Malaysia government services portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia — Visas, passes (Employment / DE Rantau) and MM2H
- Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) — Income tax and tax-number registration
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) — Foreign investment and manufacturing/services licensing