The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026 is now open for applications from outstanding international students who wish to pursue fully funded Master’s and PhD degrees in Malaysia. Sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Government of Malaysia, the scholarship aims to attract talented graduates from around the world to study at Malaysia’s leading public and selected private universities.
The MIS programme provides comprehensive financial support, including full tuition fees and a monthly living allowance, allowing scholars to focus on their academic studies and research without financial stress. It is designed for high-achieving students with excellent academic records, strong research potential, and a commitment to contributing to their respective fields.
Beyond financial assistance, the Malaysia International Scholarship offers access to world-class universities, modern research facilities, internationally recognized faculty, and a multicultural academic environment. Scholars also gain valuable global exposure, professional networking opportunities, and research experience while studying in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing higher education destinations.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Malaysia
- Sponsored By: Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia
- Host Institutions: Eligible Malaysian Public and Selected Private Universities
- Degree Level: Master’s & PhD
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Applicants: International Students from Eligible Countries
- Application Deadline: 22 July 2026
Why Choose the Malaysia International Scholarship?
The Malaysia International Scholarship is one of Malaysia’s flagship scholarship programmes for international students. It enables talented graduates to receive a world-class postgraduate education while enjoying affordable living, excellent research opportunities, and exposure to a diverse international community.
Graduates will benefit from:
- High-quality education at top Malaysian universities
- Advanced research opportunities
- International academic collaboration
- Professional networking
- Multicultural learning experience
- Career development opportunities
Degree Level
The scholarship supports the following postgraduate programmes:
- Master’s Degree
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Note: Current international postgraduate students studying at eligible Malaysian universities may also apply if they have at least two semesters remaining in their programme.
Eligible Fields of Study
Priority will be given to applicants in the following disciplines:
- Education
- Arts and Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Journalism and Information
- Business
- Administration
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Fisheries
- Veterinary Sciences
- Health and Welfare (excluding Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country.
- Apply for a full-time Master’s or PhD programme at an eligible Malaysian university.
- Meet the age requirements:
- Master’s applicants must be 40 years old or younger.
- PhD applicants must be 45 years old or younger.
- Hold a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or Second Class Upper Honours (or equivalent) for Master’s admission.
- Hold a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or demonstrate excellent academic performance in a Master’s degree for PhD admission.
- Meet the English language proficiency requirement by providing one of the following:
- IELTS score of 6.0 or above
- TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) score of 550 or above
- Equivalent TOEFL qualification
- Official letter confirming that the previous degree was taught entirely in English
- Submit a research proposal (minimum 1,000 words) for Master’s by Research and PhD programmes.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living allowance of RM1,500
- Opportunity to study at leading Malaysian universities
- Financial support throughout the scholarship period
- Access to modern research facilities and academic resources
- International academic and cultural exposure
- Opportunities for research collaboration and professional development
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Completed online application form
- Certified copy of a valid passport (minimum six months validity)
- Official academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- English language proficiency certificate or medium-of-instruction letter
- Two recommendation letters
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Admission letter from a Malaysian university (if available)
- Research proposal (required for Master’s by Research and PhD applicants)
- Certified English translations for documents not originally issued in English
How to Apply for Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026
Follow these steps to submit your application:
- Visit the official Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) application portal.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents in PDF format.
- Submit your research proposal if required.
- Carefully review your application before submission.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic excellence
- Overall academic performance
- Co-curricular and extracurricular achievements
- Quality of the research proposal
- English language proficiency
- Leadership potential
- Expected contribution to research, innovation, technology, and society
Application Deadline
22 July 2026
Apply Now
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)?
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia to support outstanding international students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees at eligible Malaysian universities.
2. Is the Malaysia International Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance of RM1,500, along with access to research facilities and academic support.
3. Who can apply for the MIS Scholarship 2026?
International students from eligible countries who meet the academic, age, and English language requirements can apply.
4. What degree programmes are supported?
The scholarship supports:
- Master’s Degree
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
5. What is the age limit for applicants?
- Master’s applicants: 40 years or younger
- PhD applicants: 45 years or younger
6. Is IELTS mandatory?
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, an equivalent English qualification, or an official letter confirming that their previous degree was taught in English.
7. Is a research proposal required?
Yes. A research proposal of at least 1,000 words is required for Master’s by Research and PhD applicants.
8. Can current international students in Malaysia apply?
Yes. International postgraduate students currently enrolled at eligible Malaysian universities may apply if they have at least two semesters remaining in their programme.
9. What is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026 is 22 July 2026.
