Studying away from your home country can be challenging, but it can also significantly affect your career development. If you want to join other international students abroad, Malaysia may be one destination to consider because it offers a range of universities, programs, and scholarship opportunities for international students.
So, why should you consider Malaysian universities? First, the country’s higher education sector includes public, private, and international branch-campus options, and many institutions offer scholarships or tuition-fee waivers. If scholarships are your main motivation, this article may help.
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 Page
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee sponsorship and RM1,500 monthly living allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a Malaysian government scholarship created to attract talented international students to pursue postgraduate study in Malaysia. The current scholarship is open to eligible citizens from MIS recipient countries who are pursuing or planning to pursue full-time Master’s or Ph.D. study at supported Malaysian institutions.
The program covers tuition fees for the sponsorship period and provides a monthly living allowance of RM1,500. Other costs, such as travel and personal expenses, should be budgeted separately unless covered by another source.
Applicants for a Master’s degree must generally be 40 years old or younger, while Ph.D. applicants must generally be 45 years old or younger. Applicants must also meet the academic requirements, including a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or an equivalent standard at the previous study level.
English-language requirements can be met through IELTS 6.0, TOEFL PBT 550 or equivalent, or proof that the applicant’s previous degree was taught in English. A research proposal of at least 1,000 words is required for Master’s by Research and Ph.D. applicants. Applicants should also prepare the required documents, including academic transcripts, passport, recommendation letters, curriculum vitae, and other documents listed in the official application guidelines.
2. Monash International Merit Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: RM10,000 tuition fee waiver per year for the High Achiever Award; other merit awards vary
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Although international readers often refer to these as Monash International Merit Scholarships, Monash University Malaysia currently lists them under its Merit Scholarships. One major award is the Monash High Achiever Award, which is open to Malaysian and international students entering most undergraduate courses, excluding the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours).
For new students, the Monash High Achiever Award provides a RM10,000 tuition fee waiver per year, paid as RM5,000 per semester. Students are considered through their admission application, so a separate scholarship application is generally not required for this award. Continuing undergraduate students may also be nominated automatically if they meet the academic criteria listed by Monash University Malaysia.
Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship. Students should review the official scholarship page carefully because some awards are automatic, some have course exclusions, and some require students to maintain a minimum academic performance to continue receiving the award.
3. Heriot-Watt University Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Varies by scholarship program
- Eligible Degree/s: Foundation, Bachelor’s, Ph.D.
The Malaysia campus of Heriot-Watt University offers several scholarships for students who want to study in Malaysia. Heriot-Watt has physical campuses in the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Malaysia, and it also offers online learning options.
Scholarship values vary by program. Examples include the Foundation Excellence Award, which can provide RM15,000 per year for eligible students, undergraduate High Achiever awards of RM5,000, RM8,000, or RM12,000 per year depending on results, and selected Ph.D. scholarships that may provide a 50% tuition fee discount.
To qualify for any of these scholarships in Malaysia, students must meet the academic and other requirements for the specific award. Extra-curricular activities and leadership skills may also support some applications. Students should check whether the award is a one-off deduction or a continuing scholarship, and whether it covers tuition fees only or other costs.
4. International Graduate Student Scholarship – University Putra Malaysia
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) offers the International Graduate Student Scholarship (IGSS) as a financial incentive for international Ph.D. students with strong academic records. The scholarship is open to eligible students from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Priority is given to candidates who are academic staff from institutions with memoranda of understanding with UPM and to those whose research is relevant to UPM or Malaysia. The scholarship provides a 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver for up to three years, or until the sixth semester, and is subject to annual review.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree, meet UPM admission requirements, and must not be receiving another scholarship, financial aid, or employment funding. The current requirements also include supervisor support, verification from the applicant’s embassy that no other financial aid is being received, and evidence such as a journal article or strong academic recommendations. Applications are submitted online during the relevant semester call.
Although studying abroad is not without difficulties, it can shape your academic and professional path. Many international students consider Malaysia because of its universities, international branch campuses, and scholarship opportunities. If you want to pursue a degree in this country, review the financial aid opportunities above and learn more through the official links provided.
We hope this article on scholarships in Malaysia for international students was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Malaysia Page and some of the Available Programs for International Students!
