Studying away from your native country can be challenging, but it’s a decision that can have a huge impact on your career development journey. If you’re interested in joining other international students abroad, there are various places that might be ideal for you. Malaysia, for one, is quickly becoming one of the best study destinations for international students across the globe.

So, why should you consider Malaysian universities? First, the quality of education in the country is top-notch and is constantly improving to catch up with the current trends. Availability of scholarships is another important factor that seems to attract many prospective international students. If that’s your main motivation, they might find this article helpful. Read on to learn more about some of the popular scholarships offered to students studying in Malaysia.

Top Scholarships in Malaysia

1. Malaysia International Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee and monthly allowance (US$360)
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD

Are you planning to study in Malaysia but still aren’t sure of how you’ll cover all the expenses? Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), the best Malaysia scholarship, is a program initiated by the Malaysian Government to attract talented minds from various parts of the world. Through the same initiative, the government is also able to retain the best and most skilled personnel to help with developments and economic growth in general.

The program covers all the tuition fees of those who qualify to be beneficiaries. On top of that, they’re also entitled to a monthly allowance of US$360. However, any other expense apart from these two is supposed to be covered by the applicant. For instance, the Malaysian Government will not provide any travel expenses.

With that in mind, how do you go about applying for this scholarship program? First, you need to make sure that you meet all the requirements. Anyone applying for a Master or Ph.D. must be below 40 or 45 years respectively. A GPA of 3.5 in their previous level of study (either Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) is also required for both Master’s and Ph.D. courses.

Another important requirement is your English language tests; a score of 6.5 in IELTS and 580 in TOEFL. Finally, you must also submit a 1000-word written proposal relevant to your field of specialization. During the application process, make sure you attach all the aforementioned documents and any other required information to stand a chance of being part of the annual beneficiaries.

2. Monash International Merit Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Up to $50,000
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

The Monash International Merit scholarship, as the name suggests, is based on one’s academic performance. The university has up to 31 spots every year for those who’re interested in the program in its Malaysian campus. So, who is eligible and how can you apply?

Whether you’re a commencing or current student of Monash University, you’re eligible for this scholarship as an international student. After receiving a course offer from the institution, you can go ahead and apply for the scholarship separately. Nonetheless, it’s important that you go through the requirements because some of the scholarships under this program may not need any application process.

As a beneficiary, you’ll receive $10,000 annually to cover your expenses from tuition fee to accommodation. This offer will be valid until the final year of your degree. However, you must maintain a performance of over 70% every semester and participate in at least three scholarship promotional activities per year for you to continue enjoying the benefits.

3. Malaysia Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee waiver, health insurance, air tickets and more
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and Ph.D.

Are you looking to continue your postgraduate studies in Malaysia? The Malaysia Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is a program by the Malaysian government aimed at helping international students from member states of Commonwealth. Depending on the course, the Master degree awards run for 12 to 24 months while Ph.D. programs are 3 years. Keep in mind that this scholarship is only applicable to those taking full-time degree courses.

Other eligibility factors for this Malaysia scholarship include age and academic performance. For one, the candidate shouldn’t be more than 45 years at the time of the application. You must also score a GPA of at least 3.5 in your previous level of studies (Bachelor’s and Master’s respectively).

In addition, anyone applying for a scholarship as a doctoral student must possess an excellent set of research skills and enough knowledge in their field of specialization. Visit the scholarship application portal for more information on what’s required of you as the applicant.

4. Heriot-Watt University Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 50% of all expenses
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Heriot-Watt University has grown to become one of the best higher education institutions in recent years. It has six campuses in Europe and Asia, each of which is ranked among the top in the world. The Malaysian campus offers various scholarship programs for international students looking to continue their studies in Malaysia. The most famous ones include Women in Science and Engineering, Data Futures, Progression, and Higher Achievers Scholarships.

To qualify for any of these scholarships in Malaysia, you must meet the academic and other relevant requirements. Extra-curricular activities and leadership skills may also come in handy in your application process. As a beneficiary of this scholarship, you’ll receive partial financial assistance from the university throughout your studies.

5. University Putra Malaysia International Graduate Student Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 30% of the tuition fee
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and Ph.D.

University Putra Malaysia is another excellent institution that you can opt for as an international student if you’re looking for some financial assistance. Through the International Graduate Student Scholarship (IGSS) program, the university offers Malaysia scholarship awards to international students hailing from Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Priority is given to those candidates who’re focused in conducting research exercises in areas that are relevant to the Malaysian community.

As a beneficiary, this Malaysia scholarship will cover about a third of your tuition fee for the first six semesters of your academic duration. However, it’s worth noting that this policy is subject to annual reviews. The application process can be done online and assessment is done within the next three months. Consider going through all the requirements and procedures before commencing submitting your application.

6. MMU Merit Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 50% discount on tuition fees
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s degree

The Multimedia University Merit Scholarship is awarded to international students who have high academic potential.  This merit-based scholarship is highly competitive and is open to every field except the law department. Grades from the student’s first trimester at MMU will be the basis for selection. The tuition waiver that a scholar may receive varies depending on his or her grades, and it can range from 25% up to 50% of the complete tuition fee. A student needs to have a CGPA of at least 3.50 to receive this scholarship.

The Multimedia Merit Scholarship is not available to students who have received another scholarship that was granted by this university or sibling institutions, as each student can only be granted one scholarship. If a student applies for this particular scholarship and is qualified for more than one, they will receive the one with the best financial help.

7. UiTM Endowment Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fees, Monthly allowance
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees

The UiTM Endowment Scholarship is the first of its type at this institution, and it is offered to outstanding Malaysian and international students who wish to study for undergraduate and graduate degrees at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The scholarship will cover full academic tuition fees and provide a generous monthly stipend to help students with their living and other expenses.

More than 30 scholarships will be given out to deserving students. Only those enrolled as full-time students and have achieved high grades are eligible to apply. There is one deadline each year and interested students must submit their application forms online to be considered. An interview with the selection committee is also part of the application process. For applicants at the Ph.D. level, publication in at least two journals is also required. This scholarship is a very good opportunity for local and international students because it supports all the programs that are available at the university, and it is highly focused on helping students achieve the best education possible in this beautiful country. Extra information regarding the application process and requirements for this scholarship in Malaysia can be found in the attached link.

8. University Malaya Excellence Ph.D. Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial to full tuition fee coverage, Monthly stipend
  • Eligible Degree: Ph.D. degree

The University of Malaya is considered the oldest and highest-ranking Malaysian institution of higher education. It is a public university located in the majestic city of Kuala Lumpur and is home to many international students who seek new experiences.

Ph.D. applicants who have excellent academic records are welcome to apply to the Universiti Malaya Excellence Ph.D. Scholarship. It is rewarded only to the best applicants that offer promising talents and skills. Students must be registered as full-time and have at least two research supervisors in order to be considered. Additional requirements include previous academic records as proof of Bachelor’s and Master’s GPA and proof of English proficiency. An aptitude test and interview will also be part of the application process.

This is one of the university’s most generous scholarships, covering up to full tuition fees and providing a monthly stipend. After receiving admission, applications must be submitted online. There are two deadlines every year, one for each semester.

9. MSU’s Presidents Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Awards in various amounts
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees

The Management and Science University is a prestigious private institution for local and international students located in Shah Alam, Selangor. Before formally becoming a full-fledged university in October 2007, this university was established in 2001 as the University College of Technology and Management Malaysia. The MSU President’s Scholarship is a program that has helped many students throughout the years. Students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and come from disadvantaged backgrounds are given this prize.

This Malaysian scholarship does not have a lot of information available to the public because it is given directly by the university. Interested applicants are invited to contact the university staff to get more information and see what possible reward they may acquire. Additional information regarding the value of the scholarship and the documents that may be required can be found in the attached scholarship link.

10. Sunway University Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial tuition fee coverage
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s

Sunway University is one of the most prestigious universities in this country. Located in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the university offers a variety of scholarships that can make quality education affordable for local and international students. The Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship is one of the best available scholarships for new students aspiring to start their higher education at this university. It is given to those who have outstanding academic records prior to enrollment at Sunway University.

The application process is separate from the main university application. Aside from an application form, a few documents must be submitted before a specific deadline. The primary documents include passports and identification cards. You will also need to provide previous education records that will prove your strong academic performance. Only full-time students are eligible to apply. The value of the scholarship is decided based on many factors, but international students studying degree programs can get up to RM 11,000 per year. Selected scholars will need to maintain specific CGPAs in order to continue the scholarship. More information regarding the eligibility criteria and scholarship value can be found on the official university page linked in the scholarship link.

 

We hope that this article on best scholarships in Malaysia for international students was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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