MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION MALAYSIA
Government of Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
partial · masters, phd
- RM 1,500/monthLiving allowance
- Tuition coveredFee funding
- ~EUR 300/month (est.)Approx. allowance value
- 1,000+ wordsResearch proposal required
- Age 40 / 45Master's / PhD age limit
- MalaysiaWhere you study
At a glance
partial
Funding
€12k
Max amount
May 18, 2027
Deadline
Open to applicants from MIS-eligible countries (refer to the official guidelines)
Country
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
Provider
The Government of Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a Malaysian government award for talented international postgraduate students pursuing Master's and PhD study at higher institutions in Malaysia for the 2026-2027 cycle. The scheme is part of Malaysia's strategy to grow as a hub of academic study by attracting, supporting and retaining international scholars. The award covers tuition fees and a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500, but recipients arrange and pay for their own travel to Malaysia, so applicants are advised to budget for the cost of living. Eligibility is restricted to applicants from eligible countries who hold the right academic background: Master's applicants must be no older than 40 and PhD applicants no older than 45 at the time of application, with a CGPA of 3.0 or a Second Class Upper (Honours) at Bachelor's level. English requirements are an IELTS band of 6.0 or a TOEFL paper-based score of 550, or a previous degree taught in English, and applicants must submit a research proposal of at least 1,000 words relevant to their intended field. Applications are made through the MIS online system with certified documents in PDF. Award values, eligible countries and closing dates can change between cycles, so confirm the exact current-cycle figures and deadline on the official Ministry of Higher Education page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — The scholarship covers tuition fees for the approved Master's or PhD programme at the host Malaysian institution.
- Monthly living allowance — A monthly maintenance allowance of RM 1,500 (around EUR 300 est.) to support living costs in Malaysia.
- Postgraduate study placement — Funded full-time Master's or PhD study at a Malaysian public university or selected private higher education institution.
- Access to research environment — Access to the academic and research facilities of the host institution for the duration of the award.
- Multiple awards each cycle — Multiple scholarships are offered each cycle to international scholars from eligible countries, with a combined tuition-plus-allowance value running into thousands of euros est. per year.
How to apply
Applications are made through the MIS online application system, with all required documents scanned and saved as PDF for upload.
- Check eligibility and country list — Confirm you are from an MIS-eligible country and meet the age, academic and English requirements in the official guidelines.
- Prepare your documents — Scan and save all mandatory documents in PDF format, including transcripts, English test results and your research proposal.
- Complete the online application — Register on the MIS online application system and enter all required information accurately.
- Upload supporting documents — Upload your passport, transcripts, English proficiency results, references, endorsement form, CV and research proposal.
- Submit before the deadline — Review and submit the complete application through the online system before the 2026-2027 cycle closing date.
Eligibility
Age limitMaster's applicants must not exceed 40 years and PhD applicants must not exceed 45 years at the time of application.
Academic qualificationMaster's applicants need a CGPA of 3.0 or a Second Class Upper (Honours); PhD applicants need a CGPA of 3.0 or strong results at Master's level in a related field.
English proficiencyIELTS band of 6.0 or higher, or TOEFL paper-based score of 550 or higher, or a previous degree taught in English (with evidence).
Research proposalA written research proposal of at least 1,000 words relevant to the intended field of study.
Applicants must intend to pursue, or be enrolled in, full-time postgraduate study at Malaysian public universities or selected private institutions. The award covers tuition and a monthly allowance only; travel to Malaysia is not covered.
Eligible countries
Open to applicants from MIS-eligible countries (refer to the official guidelines)
Deadlines
2026/2027 entry~18 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia on academic merit, the strength and relevance of the research proposal, English language proficiency and the candidate's fit with Malaysia's priority study areas. Applicants must be from eligible countries and meet the age and CGPA thresholds, and shortlisted scholars are confirmed by the Ministry ahead of enrolment.
Verified sources
- Malaysia International Scholarship - Ministry of Higher Educationbiasiswa.mohe.gov.myofficial
About the provider
The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia administers the Government of Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) as part of the country's drive to become a regional hub for higher education. The award supports international postgraduate students at Malaysian public universities and selected private institutions across priority national fields of study.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for this scholarship?
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International postgraduate applicants from MIS-eligible countries who intend to pursue, or are enrolled in, full-time Master's or PhD study at Malaysian public universities or selected private institutions.
What does the scholarship cover?
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It covers tuition fees and a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500. Travel to Malaysia is not covered and must be arranged and paid for by the recipient.
How much is the monthly allowance?
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Recipients receive a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500 (around EUR 300 est.).
Is travel to Malaysia covered?
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No. Recipients are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs to Malaysia.
What are the age limits?
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Master's applicants must not exceed 40 years and PhD applicants must not exceed 45 years at the time of application.
What academic results do I need?
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Master's applicants need a CGPA of 3.0 or a Second Class Upper (Honours); PhD applicants need a CGPA of 3.0 or strong Master's-level results in a related field.
What are the English requirements?
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An IELTS band of 6.0 or higher, or a TOEFL paper-based score of 550 or higher, or a previous degree taught in English with supporting evidence.
Do I need a research proposal?
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Yes. You must submit a written research proposal of at least 1,000 words relevant to your intended field of study.
Which study levels are eligible?
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The scholarship funds full-time Master's and PhD postgraduate study in Malaysia.
How do I apply?
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Apply through the MIS online application system, completing the form and uploading all mandatory documents scanned as PDF files.
Do I need an admission letter to apply?
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An admission letter from a Malaysian university is required only if applicable; you may apply with the intention to enrol full-time and provide it as part of your documents where relevant.
Where can I confirm the latest details?
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Check the official Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia MIS page for the current eligible-country list, benefits and deadline before applying.