Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling and most underrated study destinations — and in 2027-2028, it is offering more scholarship funding to international students than at any previous point in its history.
Home to Universiti Malaya (UM) — consistently ranked among the world’s top 70 universities — plus Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), and dozens of other internationally recognized institutions, Malaysia combines world-class research quality with some of the world’s most affordable living costs and one of the most welcoming multicultural environments for international students.
This guide covers Malaysia’s top 10 scholarships for 2027-2028 — full coverage details, eligibility, and official application links.
Table of Contents
Why Study in Malaysia in 2027?
Genuinely affordable world-class education. Malaysian public university tuition fees for international students range from approximately RM 15,000–35,000/year (approximately $3,200–$7,500 USD) — among the lowest of any country with globally ranked universities. Combined with scholarship support, studying in Malaysia is extraordinarily cost-effective.
English-medium instruction. Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s most English-proficient countries, and many Malaysian universities offer programs entirely in English — particularly at postgraduate level.
Strategic Asian location. Malaysia’s position between Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia — with direct flights to virtually every major Asian city — makes it an ideal academic base for researchers and students with Asia-Pacific career ambitions.
Growing research ecosystem. Malaysia has invested heavily in research and development, particularly in petroleum engineering, palm oil sciences, Islamic finance, and tropical environmental sciences — fields where Malaysian universities are genuinely world-leading.
Multicultural, welcoming society. Malaysia’s unique blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international communities creates one of the world’s most naturally diverse and welcoming environments for international students.
The Top 10 Malaysia Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly stipend (RM 3,500–RM 5,000) + Research allowance Eligibility: Non-Malaysian international students, outstanding academics
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is Malaysia’s flagship government scholarship for outstanding international students — funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) and designed to attract global academic talent to Malaysian research universities.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver at the host Malaysian public university
- Monthly stipend of RM 3,500–RM 5,000 (~$750–$1,070 USD) depending on degree level
- Annual book allowance
- Research allowance for PhD students
- Medical coverage contribution
- Return economy airfare
Who can apply: Non-Malaysian citizens of any country with outstanding academic records applying to full-time Master’s or PhD programs at participating Malaysian public universities. Must be under 40 years old for Master’s and under 45 for PhD.
Participating universities: Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and other public universities.
Deadline: Typically January–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/MIS
🏆 2. Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma, Short Courses Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly allowance + Accommodation + Airfare Eligibility: Government-nominated candidates from developing countries
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) — one of Malaysia’s oldest and most respected international scholarship programs — is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia as part of Malaysia’s South-South Cooperation framework, specifically targeting developing country government officials and professionals.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at Malaysian institutions
- Monthly living allowance
- University accommodation or equivalent housing support
- Return economy airfare
- Medical insurance
- Book and equipment allowance
Who can apply: Government officials, civil servants, and professionals from developing countries nominated by their home government through the Malaysian Embassy. Applications are submitted through your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent.
Focus areas: Public administration, governance, agriculture, health, education, engineering, and economic development — fields relevant to developing country capacity building.
Deadline: Nominations typically submitted September–November for the following year’s intake — contact your country’s Malaysian Embassy for exact dates
👉 Official Website: kln.gov.my/web/guest/programme-mtcp
🏆 3. Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) Graduate Assistantship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly stipend + Research allowance Eligibility: High-achieving students in engineering and technology
Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) — established by Petronas, Malaysia’s national petroleum corporation — is one of Malaysia’s most research-intensive technical universities with world-class programs in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and information technology.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly graduate assistantship stipend (RM 1,500–RM 2,500 depending on level)
- Research funding for project-related expenses
Why UTP: UTP’s direct connection to Petronas provides exceptional research funding, industry collaboration, and career placement opportunities in Malaysia’s petroleum and energy sector — one of the highest-paying industries in Southeast Asia.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis — contact UTP’s Graduate Studies office
👉 Official Website: utp.edu.my/admissions/scholarships
🏆 4. Petronas Education Scholarship Programme
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly allowance + Book allowance + Laptop grant Eligibility: Outstanding students for Petronas-affiliated programs
The Petronas Education Scholarship Programme is Malaysia’s most prestigious corporate scholarship — funded by Petronas — providing comprehensive support for outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees at UTP and other partner institutions.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the entire undergraduate program
- Monthly living allowance
- Book allowance per semester
- Laptop/computer grant
- Annual vacation allowance
Career pathway: Petronas scholarship recipients typically join Petronas upon graduation through a structured employment program — Malaysia’s most sought-after graduate employer with salaries among the highest in the country.
Deadline: Typically February–April — check Petronas scholarship portal
👉 Official Website: petronas.com/sustainability/community/education-programme
5. Universiti Malaya (UM) International Scholarship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Partial to full tuition waiver + Monthly allowance Eligibility: Outstanding international students at UM
Universiti Malaya — Malaysia’s oldest and most prestigious university, ranked among the world’s top 70 in QS rankings — offers international scholarships for outstanding non-Malaysian students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
What it covers:
- Partial to full tuition fee waiver depending on scholarship tier
- Monthly allowance for living expenses
- Research grant for graduate students
UM’s strengths: Medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, business, arts, and sciences. UM’s location in Kuala Lumpur provides excellent career networking in Malaysia’s capital city.
Deadline: Aligned with UM admissions — typically October–February for March/September intake
👉 Official Website: um.edu.my/scholarships
6. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Graduate Research Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly stipend (RM 1,500–RM 2,000) Eligibility: International research students at UTM
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) — ranked among the world’s top 200 and Malaysia’s leading technical research university — provides graduate research scholarships for international Master’s and PhD students working on funded research projects.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly stipend of RM 1,500–RM 2,000 (~$320–$430 USD)
- Research project funding through supervisor grants
UTM’s strengths: Civil and structural engineering, construction management, information technology, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences. UTM’s Johor Bahru campus is minutes from Singapore — providing access to both countries’ career markets.
Deadline: Rolling applications — contact UTM Graduate School or target supervisors directly
👉 Official Website: sgs.utm.my/scholarships
7. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) International Fellowship
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Tuition waiver + Monthly fellowship allowance Eligibility: Outstanding international postgraduate researchers
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) — Malaysia’s second-ranked research university and the only Malaysian university with APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status — offers international fellowships for outstanding graduate researchers particularly in sciences, engineering, and health sciences.
What it covers:
- Tuition fee waiver (full or partial)
- Monthly fellowship allowance for living expenses
- Research infrastructure access at USM’s world-class facilities
USM’s distinctive strengths: Pharmaceutical sciences, medical sciences, engineering, computer sciences, and humanities. USM’s Penang campus — on Malaysia’s most culturally diverse island — provides an extraordinary living and academic environment.
Deadline: Typically October–January — contact USM’s Graduate School
👉 Official Website: ips.usm.my/scholarships
8. Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship (Global)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Full tuition + Living allowance + Airfare + Support grants Eligibility: Outstanding Malaysian and international students (select programs)
Yayasan Khazanah — the scholarship arm of Khazanah Nasional (Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund) — offers one of Malaysia’s most prestigious and financially generous scholarships for exceptional students pursuing education at top global universities.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at partner universities (including top UK, US, and Australian universities)
- Monthly living allowance calibrated to the host country’s costs
- Return airfare
- Support grants for academic expenses
Who can apply: Outstanding students (primarily Malaysian, with some international tracks) for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at world-leading institutions. The Global Scholarship track supports study at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, MIT, and other elite global universities.
Deadline: Typically September–January — check Yayasan Khazanah website
👉 Official Website: yayasankhazanah.com.my/scholarships
9. Commonwealth Scholarship — Malaysian Track
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Living allowance + Airfare + Thesis allowance Eligibility: Commonwealth country citizens
Malaysia participates in the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) — both sending Malaysian students abroad and receiving Commonwealth students for study at Malaysian universities through bilateral arrangements.
For international students coming TO Malaysia: Citizens of Commonwealth countries may access scholarship funding for study at Malaysian universities through their home government’s Commonwealth Scholarship mechanisms.
For Malaysian students going abroad: Malaysian students can pursue Commonwealth Scholarships at UK universities through the standard Commonwealth Scholarship Commission process.
Deadline: Varies by track — typically October–December
👉 Official Website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
10. International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Excellence Award
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Partial to full tuition + Monthly allowance Eligibility: Muslim and non-Muslim international students
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) offers merit-based Excellence Awards for outstanding international students — one of the most accessible pathways to funded study in Malaysia, open to students of all faiths.
What it covers:
- Partial to full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly allowance for qualifying students
- Access to IIUM’s extensive international student support services
IIUM’s strengths: Islamic studies, law (Malaysia’s top Islamic law school), economics and management, engineering, medicine, and allied health sciences. IIUM’s international orientation — with students from 100+ countries — creates one of Malaysia’s most globally diverse campus environments.
Deadline: Aligned with IIUM admissions — typically October–February and March–May for two annual intakes
👉 Official Website: iium.edu.my/finance/scholarship
Quick Reference — All 10 Malaysia Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malaysia International (MIS) | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + RM 3,500–5,000/mo | Jan–Mar |
| 2 | MTCP | All levels | Full tuition + accommodation + airfare | Sep–Nov |
| 3 | UTP Graduate Assistantship | All levels | Full tuition + RM 1,500–2,500/mo | Rolling |
| 4 | Petronas Education | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + allowances | Feb–Apr |
| 5 | Universiti Malaya | All levels | Partial/full tuition + allowance | Oct–Feb |
| 6 | UTM Research | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + RM 1,500–2,000/mo | Rolling |
| 7 | USM Fellowship | Masters/PhD | Tuition waiver + allowance | Oct–Jan |
| 8 | Yayasan Khazanah | Bachelors/Masters | Full package | Sep–Jan |
| 9 | Commonwealth Malaysia | Masters/PhD | Full package | Oct–Dec |
| 10 | IIUM Excellence | All levels | Partial/full tuition | Oct–May |
Health Insurance in Malaysia — What International Students Need
All international students in Malaysia must have health insurance. Malaysia’s healthcare system is excellent and highly affordable by international standards.
Mandatory international student insurance: Most Malaysian universities require international students to purchase health insurance as part of enrollment. University-arranged group insurance is typically the most cost-effective option.
University health panels: All major Malaysian universities maintain health clinics and hospital panel networks. Visits to panel hospitals are significantly subsidized for enrolled students.
Private insurance options:
Takaful Malaysia Student Insurance Malaysia’s leading Islamic insurance provider offering affordable international student plans. 👉 takaful.com.my
AXA Affin Student Insurance Comprehensive student health coverage widely available at Malaysian universities. 👉 axa.com.my
Etiqa Insurance Popular affordable student health insurance across Malaysian universities. 👉 etiqa.com.my
Medical costs in Malaysia: GP visits cost approximately RM 30–80 ($6–$17 USD). Specialist consultations RM 150–400 ($32–$85 USD). Hospitalization significantly lower than Western countries — even without insurance, Malaysia’s healthcare is highly affordable.
Banking in Malaysia — Set Up Before and After Arrival
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Malaysian Ringgit account accessible from your home country. Scholarship stipend received from day one. Excellent exchange rates for international transfers. 👉 wise.com
Maybank — Malaysia’s Largest Bank Most accessible bank for international students with branches at or near every major campus. Student account (Maybank Save) available with simplified documentation. 👉 maybank2u.com.my
CIMB Bank — Strong Digital Banking CIMB’s digital banking platform is excellent. CIMB Clicks and CIMB Go provide full English-language digital banking. 👉 cimb.com.my
Hong Leong Bank — Good Student Account Competitive student account with no minimum balance and strong digital features. 👉 hlb.com.my
DuitNow: Register for DuitNow (Malaysia’s instant transfer system linked to your phone number or IC number) after opening your Malaysian account — used universally for scholarship disbursements and everyday payments.
Malaysia Student Visa (Student Pass) — Requirements
All non-Malaysian international students need a Student Pass from Malaysia’s Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia).
Key requirements:
- Letter of acceptance from your Malaysian university
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months validity)
- Financial proof (scholarship award letter or bank statements)
- Medical examination clearance from approved medical centers
Application process: Your university’s International Student Office handles the Student Pass application on your behalf — providing a streamlined process compared to managing visa applications independently.
eVAL System: Malaysia uses the eVAL (e-Visa Approval Letter) system for most international student applications — your university submits through this system and you receive your Student Pass upon arrival.
Processing time: Typically 4–8 weeks after submission
5 Tips to Maximize Your Malaysia Scholarship Success
Apply to MIS as your primary target. The Malaysia International Scholarship is the most comprehensive government scholarship available — full tuition plus monthly stipend. Applying early in the January–March window gives you the best chance.
Contact supervisors before applying for research scholarships. UTP, UTM, and USM research scholarships are typically linked to specific supervisors’ research funding. Email potential supervisors with a specific, professional research interest message before the formal application.
MTCP requires government nomination. If you are a government employee in a developing country, the MTCP route provides one of the most comprehensive funding packages available in Malaysia. Contact your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Malaysian Embassy immediately about nomination procedures.
Petronas scholarship offers Malaysia’s best corporate career pathway. For engineering students — particularly petroleum, chemical, and mechanical engineering — a Petronas scholarship provides both excellent financial support and guaranteed entry into Malaysia’s highest-paying graduate employer.
Malaysia’s cost of living makes modest stipends go far. Monthly living costs for an international student in Malaysia range from RM 1,500–RM 2,500 ($320–$530 USD) — meaning even partial scholarships covering RM 1,500–RM 2,000/month stipends provide very comfortable student living.
Final Thoughts — Malaysia Is Southeast Asia’s Most Underrated Scholarship Destination
Malaysia in 2027 offers international students an extraordinary combination: globally ranked universities at some of the world’s lowest tuition fees, scholarship programs covering both tuition and living costs, a multicultural society that is genuinely welcoming to international students from every background, strategic Asian location, and living costs so affordable that even modest scholarship stipends create comfortable student lives.
The Malaysia International Scholarship’s full tuition plus monthly stipend. MTCP’s comprehensive developing country professional support. Petronas’s world-class petroleum engineering ecosystem. UTM’s minutes-from-Singapore engineering research programs. UM’s world top-70 research environment.
Applications for MIS open January–March. MTCP nominations September–November. University-specific scholarships year-round.
Study in Malaysia. Your academic journey begins here.
👉 Malaysia International Scholarship: biasiswa.mohe.gov.my 👉 MTCP Programme: kln.gov.my/mtcp 👉 Study in Malaysia Portal: educationmalaysia.gov.my 👉 Malaysia Immigration (Student Pass): imi.gov.my/en/pass/student-pass
