Malaysia International Scholarship 2026 (MIS) in Malaysia

The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a prestigious scholarship program funded by the Government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Higher Education. The program aims to attract outstanding international students who wish to pursue full-time Master's or PhD degrees at leading Malaysian universities.

The scholarship provides financial support by covering tuition fees and offering a monthly living allowance, allowing scholars to focus on their academic and research goals. The program welcomes talented graduates from eligible countries who demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential.

Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Malaysia
• Scholarship Name: Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
• Funded By: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
• Degree Level: Master's, PhD
• Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
• Eligible Nationalities: International Students from Eligible Countries
• Monthly Living Allowance: RM 1,500
• Application Deadline: 22 July

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Monthly living allowance of RM1,500
• Opportunity to study at leading Malaysian universities
• Financial support throughout the scholarship period
• Access to quality research facilities
• International academic and cultural exposure

The scholarship is available for:

• Master's Degree
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Current international postgraduate students studying at eligible Malaysian universities may also apply if they have at least two semesters remaining in their program.

Priority will be given to students in the following fields:

• Education
• Arts and Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Journalism and Information
• Business
• Administration
• Law
• Natural Sciences
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Fisheries
• Veterinary Sciences
• Health and Welfare (excluding Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy)

The scholarship is open to applicants from eligible countries, including:

• ASEAN member countries
• Commonwealth countries
• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Brazil
• Chile
• China
• Egypt
• Georgia
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iran
• Iraq
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Libya
• Morocco
• Palestine
• Qatar
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• South Korea
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Timor-Leste
• Tunisia
• Türkiye
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an eligible country.
• Apply for full-time Master's or PhD studies in Malaysia.
• Meet the age requirement:
  • Master's applicants must not be over 40 years old.
  • PhD applicants must not be over 45 years old.
• Have a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or Second Class Upper Honours for Master's admission.
• Have a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or excellent Master's results for PhD admission.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through:
  • IELTS score of at least 6.0, or
  • TOEFL Paper-Based Test score of at least 550, or
  • Equivalent TOEFL score, or
  • An official letter confirming the previous degree was taught in English.
• Submit a research proposal (minimum 1,000 words) for Master's by Research and PhD applications.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Completed online application form
• Certified passport copy (minimum six months validity)
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• English language proficiency certificate or medium-of-instruction letter
• Two recommendation letters
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Admission letter from a Malaysian university (if available)
• Research proposal (for Master's by Research and PhD applicants)
• Certified English translations for documents not originally issued in English

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Visit the official Malaysia International Scholarship application portal.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Upload all required documents in PDF format.
4. Submit your research proposal if required.
5. Review your application carefully before submission.
6. Submit your application before the deadline.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence
• Co-curricular achievements
• Research proposal quality
• English language proficiency
• Leadership potential
• Expected contribution to technology, research, and society

Research proposals related to Malaysia's development priorities may receive additional consideration.

Why Apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship?

The Malaysia International Scholarship offers an excellent opportunity for international students to pursue postgraduate education at top Malaysian universities without worrying about tuition fees. Along with a monthly living allowance, scholars benefit from high-quality education, advanced research opportunities, and an international learning environment that supports both academic and professional growth.