MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA
Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) Scholarship
full · masters
- Since 1980Year the MTCP scheme began
- 22 universitiesParticipating Malaysian public universities
- 24-36 monthsMaster's degree duration funded
- Full tuitionCourse fees covered in full
- ~EUR 700/mo (est.)Estimated monthly living allowance
- Age 45Maximum applicant age
At a glance
full
Funding
€12k
Max amount
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
Citizens of developing countries recognised by Malaysia
Country
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia
Provider
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) Scholarship is a fully funded master's award offered by the Malaysian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a scheme that has been running since 1980 to strengthen ties with developing countries and share Malaysia's development experience. The scholarship supports a master's degree lasting 24 to 36 months at one of 22 participating public universities, including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Available fields cover science, technology and engineering (excluding nursing, medicine and clinical pharmacy), economics and management, social sciences and humanities, information and communication technology, agriculture and education. Funding covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, book and thesis allowances, a travel allowance and medical insurance, so recipients can study without paying course fees. Applicants must first secure admission to a Malaysian university and be under 45 with proof of English proficiency. Allowance amounts shown here are estimates drawn from past cycles, so confirm the exact current-cycle stipend and benefits on the official MTCP page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full coverage of tuition fees for the duration of the master's degree at the host Malaysian university.
- Monthly living allowance — A monthly allowance to cover living costs during study, estimated at roughly ~EUR 700 (est.) per month though set in Malaysian ringgit by the programme.
- Book and thesis allowances — Allowances toward books, study tools and thesis preparation costs.
- Travel allowance — A travel allowance, typically including round-trip airfare to and from Malaysia.
- Medical insurance — Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for the entire duration of the programme, with total support estimated at over ~EUR 12,000 (est.) per year.
How to apply
You must first gain admission to a Malaysian university, then apply for the MTCP scholarship through the official portal.
- Secure university admission — Apply to and obtain an admission offer from a participating public or private Malaysian university.
- Prepare your documents — Gather your admission letter, transcripts, English proficiency proof, passport and a health declaration.
- Apply on the official portal — Complete the MTCP scholarship application on the official Malaysian government portal during the open window.
- Upload supporting documents — Attach all required documents and double-check that they meet the stated format requirements.
- Submit and await results — Submit before the deadline and wait for the selection outcome from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of a developing country recognised by the Malaysian government.
AgeUp to a maximum of 45 years old.
AdmissionAlready admitted to a participating public or private Malaysian university.
English proficiencyProof of English proficiency such as an IELTS score or an institutional certificate.
Academic recordExcellent academic credentials meeting the chosen programme's entry requirements.
Applicants should be in good health and committed to returning home after study to contribute to national development. Nursing, medicine and clinical pharmacy programmes are excluded.
Eligible countries
Citizens of developing countries recognised by Malaysia
Deadlines
2026 cycle~31 March 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on their academic credentials, the relevance and quality of their chosen programme, and their fit with the MTCP objective of sharing Malaysia's development expertise with other developing countries. Holding a confirmed admission offer from a Malaysian university is a prerequisite before the scholarship application is considered.
Verified sources
- MTCP - official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portalmtcp.kln.gov.myofficial
About the provider
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme is administered by Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, since 1980, has offered training and scholarships to developing countries as part of Malaysia's South-South cooperation and development-sharing agenda.
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 funds the MTCP Scholarship?
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It is funded by the Malaysian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has run since 1980.
What level of study does it cover?
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This award covers a master's degree lasting between 24 and 36 months at a participating Malaysian university.
Who can apply?
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Citizens of developing countries recognised by Malaysia, aged up to 45, who already hold admission to a Malaysian university.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. The maximum age for applicants is 45 years old.
What does the scholarship cover?
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It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, book and thesis allowances, a travel allowance and medical insurance.
How much is the monthly allowance?
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It is estimated at around ~EUR 700 (est.) per month, set in Malaysian ringgit. Confirm the exact figure on the official MTCP page.
Do I need to be admitted first?
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Yes. You must already hold an admission offer from a participating Malaysian university before applying for the scholarship.
Which universities take part?
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There are 22 participating public universities, including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Is English proficiency required?
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Yes. You must provide proof of English proficiency, such as an IELTS score or an institutional certificate.
Which fields are excluded?
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Nursing, medicine and clinical pharmacy are excluded from the science and engineering field group.
How do I apply?
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After securing admission, you apply through the official Malaysian government MTCP scholarship portal during the open window.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is around 31 March 2026 (est.). Always confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official MTCP page.