Malaysian International Scholarships: How They Can Help in Your Higher Education

Malaysia is a preferred study-abroad destination for students across the world looking for the best-quality education at a reasonable price. One of the main reasons behind it is that this country offers Malaysian international scholarships at different academic levels. 

These fully-funded scholarships open doors to different undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs by covering living allowances, tuition fees, and sometimes even travel costs and health insurance.

This blog lists the 5 best Malaysian international scholarships for students pursuing programs in related areas.

5 Best Malaysian International Scholarships for International Students in 2026

Here are the top 5 fully-funded scholarships available for international students in Malaysia, with the highlights of their eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

This scholarship is offered to exceptional students pursuing both postgraduate and undergraduate programs in different fields at public and a few selected private universities.

1. Eligibility- The eligibility of this scholarship is based on the academic excellence of students, their strong extracurricular involvement, and a selected field aligned with the development needs of Malaysia.
2. Benefits- The main benefits of this scholarship are full tuition fees, return flight tickets, monthly living allowances, and medical insurance.
3. How to apply- To apply for this scholarship:

• Submit an online application with the required documents like your academic transcripts
• A copy of your passport, letters of recommendation
• Results of the English proficiency test, and research proposals for some applicants.

Malaysia Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

Being one of the highly generous financial aid programs of Malaysia, this scholarship offers different fellowship and scholarship opportunities to international students.  The main goal of these scholarships is to promote knowledge in science and culture, international cultural cooperation, and the technological and economic sectors of Malaysia in different parts of the world.

1. Eligibility- The applicant should have a TOEFL (score - 92), an IELTS (score - 6.5), and a GPA of 3.5 or 4 to apply for this scholarship.
2. Benefits- This scholarship offers a monthly maintenance allowance, tuition fees, air tickets, an annual grant for internal travel and books, medical insurance, a termination and installation grant, a study visa, and a thesis allowance to applicants.
3. How to apply- To apply for this scholarship, one must:

• Identify the program and its eligibility.
• Submit the QECS application.
• Apply to the university by considering the admission criteria.
• Prepare and submit the necessary documents.

Also read: Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students 

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship

This scholarship program is aimed at students from developing countries studying vocational and technical undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. 

1. Eligibility- The students should be nominated by their home governments to be eligible for this scholarship. Besides, they must have a strong academic background in some relevant technical fields.
2. Benefits- This scholarship offers a monthly living allowance, full tuition fees, medical insurance, and accommodation to the students.
3. How to apply- To apply for this scholarship:

• Collect the application form from the Malaysian High Commission or Embassy, or get it from the MTCP website.
• Fill out and endorse them by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Submit it through the diplomatic channel.
• Submit supporting documents like passport-sized photos, a copy of your passport, and your medical report.

University Putra Malaysia (UPM) Graduate Research Scholarships

This scholarship is offered to international students studying research-based post-graduate programs in different fields.

1. Eligibility- Eligibility criteria to get this scholarship depend on a strong academic background of the applicant, research experience (if applicable), and a precisely created research proposal aligned with the UPM’s faculty expertise.
2. Benefits- This scholarship offers coverage of full tuition fees, health insurance, and a monthly stipend for the living expenses of students.
3. How to apply- To apply for this scholarship, the students need to:

• Submit application forms with necessary documents and research proposals.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Fellowship

The USM fellowship is awarded to those international students studying postgraduate studies across different disciplines. 

1. Eligibility- Students with excellent academic credentials, strong research skills, and strong research proposals aligned with the research focus areas of USM can apply for this fellowship.
2. Benefits- This fellowship offers coverage of full tuition fees, medical insurance, and a monthly living allowance to the students.
3. How to apply- To apply for this fellowship:

• Check the application requirements and the eligibility criteria of the particular fellowship.
• Get the application form.
• Fill it out and get all the necessary documents and Apply.

Also read: Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students

Top Reasons to Apply for Malaysian Scholarships

Over the past years, Malaysia has evolved as one of the leading educational hubs in the world, attracting students from worldwide. With the generous effort of the Malaysian government, the educational ground of this country has grown into an advanced, developed, and stable one. 

However, the cost of studying in Malaysia depends on several factors. Scholarships and other financial aid are one of them.  Here are some of the reasons to apply for Malaysian international scholarships.

Cutting-edge learning

The Malaysian universities follow the latest study techniques and methodologies to enhance the learning experience of students. This modern approach keeps the students well-prepared for their careers in the future and equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in this global environment.

Financial grants and assistance

Malaysia offers several funds and grants for international students, which cover their living expenses, tuition costs, and other related expenses. Therefore, these funds can further alleviate their financial burden of studying abroad.

English as the instruction medium

In the majority of Malaysian universities, English is used as the primary language of instruction. This thing makes it easy for international students to familiarize themselves and excel in their studies. Besides, this thing also successfully eliminates language barriers while ensuring that the students can pursue studies in the language they feel comfortable with.

Low living costs and tuition fees

The living costs and the cost of education in Malaysia are comparatively lower than in several other countries in Asia. This affordability makes higher education highly accessible while helping students to pursue their academic goals without incurring substantial debt.

Eligibility Criteria for Malaysian International Scholarships

The eligibility of the applicants for the scholarships available for international students in Malaysia depends on the following criteria:

1. The applicant should not be more than 40 years old while applying for scholarships for the Master’s degree program, and 45 years old when applying for scholarships for the PhD program.
2. The applicant must possess good academic qualifications. The Master’s applicant should have a 3.0 CGPA or 2nd Class Upper (Honours) or higher at the level of a Bachelor’s degree. The PhD applicant should have a 3.0 CGPA or outstanding results at the Master’s level in a course related to the intended study program.
3. The applicant should have a proficiency in the English language with a final score of 550 or more in TOEFL, a band 6.0 or higher score in IELTS, and previous degrees in English used as the instruction medium.
4. The PhD and research students should submit written research proposals (1000 words minimum) relevant to their intended field of study.

Also read: How to Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad: A Simple Guide

How to Apply for Malaysian Scholarships in 2026?

There is a complete range of scholarships available for international students in Malaysia applying to both private and public universities. So, understanding the procedure and submitting the right documents can significantly increase your chances of receiving financial aid.

Research and select the right scholarship

Before you apply for Malaysian scholarships for higher studies, you must research properly about the programs and courses that you want to study in this country. Find out the ones that are suitable for your career and which are not.

Prepare the application

Get all the necessary documents like your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language proficiency proof, and a research proposal (if needed). Make sure that all of your documents are certified and properly scanned for online submission.

Apply online

Once you familiarize yourself with the application procedure and prepare the application, apply online, considering the deadlines and other specific requirements for the scholarships.

Prepare for the tests and interviews

Once you apply for the scholarships available for international students in Malaysia in 2026, the next step is to prepare for the tests and interviews. So, you must demonstrate your proficiency in English, focus on academic excellence, and highlight the unique qualities in these tests and interviews to qualify for the scholarships.

Verify the documents

Verify the following documents to ensure a convenient admission to study in this country. Make sure these documents reflect your educational achievements accurately.

1. Transcripts or certified copies of the previous academic results.
2. Passport-size photographs.
3. A valid passport with one year of validity.
4. A general medical report to ensure your health is ok.
5. Certifications in TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 advanced. Confirm the minimum score requirements of the university for the specific program scholarship.
6. The university application form.

Confirm the financial and funding details

Check and confirm the financial obligations and funding details related to the scholarship’s coverage, like living expenses, tuition fees, and other allowances. 

Get English language proficiency

To meet the requirements of English language proficiency for getting Malaysian international scholarships, you can either get a sufficient score on any recognized English language test like TOEFL or IELTS, or submit a certificate from your previous association mentioning that your last degree was taught in English. 

How upGrad Can Help?

upGrad helps international candidates to secure Malaysian international scholarships by offering them necessary support and guidance throughout the application procedure. It includes guiding the students to prepare their necessary documents, identifying the best scholarships, and offering them interview training. 

Apart from that, this online learning platform also evaluates the profiles of the students to assess course eligibility and offer them guidance on financial planning.

Here is a detailed overview of how the experts of upGrad help:

• Find the right scholarships for international candidates that align with their profiles and academic goals.
• Help the students to shortlist universities depending on their budget and preferences.
• Help them prepare the necessary documents like LOR, transcripts, essays, etc.
• Evaluate the profiles of students to assess their qualifications and goals.
• Help them prepare for the entrance exams, such as TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT.