If you are an international student seeking to advance your higher education in Southeast Asia, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia is officially inviting you to apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) 2026.

This program is specifically designed to attract the best brains from around the world to pursue advanced academic studies in Malaysia. By securing this scholarship, you will receive full financial support to pursue full-time postgraduate studies (Master’s or PhD) at designated Malaysian public and private universities.

Below is the complete, official, and unambiguous information you need to prepare a successful application.

Important details

• Deadline: April 3, 2026
• Host Country: Malaysia
• Funding Body: Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia
• Degree Level: Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Study Mode: Full-time study only
• Eligible Institutions: 20 Public Universities and 4 selected Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia
• Application Mode: Entirely Online

Benefits of Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

If you are selected as an MIS scholar, the Malaysian government will provide significant financial backing to ensure you can focus entirely on your academic and research goals. The scholarship covers:

• Full Tuition Fees: Your tuition fees for the entire sponsorship period will be paid directly by MOHE to your host university upon the issuance of their invoice.
• Monthly Living Allowance: You will receive a living allowance of RM 1,500.00 per month. Please note that this allowance is disbursed every four (4) months, and payment is strictly contingent upon your submission of a satisfactory academic progress report to MOHE.

Note: You are personally responsible for the costs of your travel/flight to Malaysia, visa application fees, and mandatory medical examinations. The scholarship offer does not guarantee the approval of an entry visa.

Fields of study

You are welcome to apply for any accredited courses at the participating universities. However, the scholarship committee gives strong priority to applicants enrolling in the following areas of study:

1. Education
2. Arts and Humanities
3. Social Sciences, Journalism and Information
4. Business, Administration and Law
5. Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics
6. Information and Communication Technologies
7. Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction
8. Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary
9. Health and Welfare (Explicit Exclusions: Programs in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy are NOT supported).

Participating Universities

The scholarship is strictly tenable at the following 24 Malaysian higher education institutions:

Public Universities:

1. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
2. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
3. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
4. Universiti Malaya (UM)
5. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
6. Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM/IIUM)
7. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
8. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
9. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
10. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM)
11. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
12. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
13. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
14. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
15. Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)
16. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
17. Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP)
18. Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UNISZA)
19. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM)
20. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)

Private Universities:

21. Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) 22. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) 23. Multimedia University (MMU) 24. INCEIF University (INCEIF)

Who can apply?

To ensure your application moves forward in the selection process, you must strictly fulfill all of the following eligibility criteria:

You must strictly fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Current Status: Must intend to pursue full-time studies in Malaysia, or have at least two semesters remaining if already enrolled at the eligible universityy .
• Age Limit: Maximum age 40 for Master’s and 45 for PhD applicants.
• Academic Requirement: Minimum CGPA of 3.00 or 2nd Class Upper Honours for your previous degree.
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL PBT 550, or an official letter confirming your previous degree was taught in English

Eligible Countries

The MIS 2026 is restricted to citizens of specific regions and countries. You are eligible to apply if you hold citizenship from any of the following:

1. ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

2. Commonwealth Countries: All nations within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands & Mediterranean, Canada, The Caribbean, Americas & The Atlantic, India, and the Pacific.

3. Other Specific Recipient Countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

Required Documents

Documents must be scanned, saved in PDF format, and uploaded online. Certified English translations are required for non-English documents.

1. Passport: Certified copy with at least 6 months validity.
2. Academic Transcripts: Certified copies of all degrees (include a grading system explanation).
3. English Proficiency: Certified IELTS/TOEFL scores or an English medium of instruction letter.
4. Recommendation Letters: Two formal letters from qualified referees.
5. Admission Letter: Only required if already admitted or currently enrolled in Malaysia.
6. CV: Comprehensive and updated resume.
7. Research Proposal: Minimum 1,000 words (Required for PhD and Master’s by Research only).

Selection Criteria

Your application will be evaluated based on:

1. Outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements.
2. Quality of the research proposal (Malaysia-related topics are preferred).
3. Excellent English communication skills.

How to apply?

The entire process is digital. No paper applications are accepted.

1.  You can apply online using the link in apply now button below.  If you don’t know how to apply, you can contact us on the Scholarship for Afghanistan WhatsApp number HERE https://wa.me/93793070936 , we will check your documents and apply professionally. 
2. Complete the Form: Accurately fill out all necessary information.
3. Upload Documents: Upload your certified and translated PDF documents.
4. Submit: Submit your application before the official deadline.

Important Terms and Conditions

• Location: Tenable only at approved Malaysian universities; all research must be carried out in Malaysia.
• Study Changes: No program changes allowed without written permission from the university and MOHE.
• Academic Standing: Must maintain satisfactory academic progress to avoid scholarship withdrawal.
• Employment: Paid employment is strictly prohibited unless written approval is given by the host university.
• Conduct: Suspension due to a breach of laws or university rules results in immediate scholarship suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the scholarship cover my flight ticket to Malaysia? No. It only covers tuition fees and a monthly living allowance. You are responsible for your travel, visa, and medical exam costs.

Can I work while studying under this scholarship? No. Scholars are not permitted to take on any paid employment during their scholarship tenure without explicit, written approval from their host university.

Can I apply if I am already studying in Malaysia? Yes, if you are currently studying at one of the 24 eligible universities and have a minimum of two semesters remaining.

Is it mandatory to have an IELTS or TOEFL score? Not necessarily. If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, you can submit an official declaration letter from your former university instead.

What happens if I change my mind about my study program? You cannot change your program without formal, written permission from both your host university and MOHE.

General Overview & Eligibility

Q: What is the MIS application period for 2026/2027? A: Applications are open from March 4 to April 3, 2026, and must be submitted through the MOHE online portal. There is no application fee.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the MIS? A: Citizens from ASEAN countries, Commonwealth (CPA) regions, and 39 other specified nations (including China, Japan, South Korea, UAE, and Brazil). Unsuccessful past applicants may reapply. Eligible candidates include:

• Master’s: Age 40 or younger, with a minimum bachelor’s CGPA of 3.0 or 2nd Class Upper.

• PhD: Age 45 or younger, with a Master’s CGPA of 3.0 or excellent related results.

• Current Students: Must be enrolled full-time at an eligible Malaysian university with at least two semesters remaining.

Q: What are the English proficiency requirements? A: Applicants must provide an IELTS score of 6.0+, a TOEFL PBT score of 550+, or official proof that their previous degree was taught entirely in English.

Financials & Coverage

Q: What does the scholarship cover, and how long does it last? A: The MIS covers full tuition fees (paid directly to the university) and a monthly living allowance of RM1,500. Funding lasts up to 24 months for a Master’s degree and 36 months for a PhD.

Q: How is the living allowance disbursed? A: It is paid every four months (October, February, and June) into a local Malaysian bank account, preferably Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad. Satisfactory progress reports are required to receive disbursements.

Q: Are there any expenses the scholarship does not cover? A: Yes. The MIS does not cover travel to Malaysia, lodging, thesis expenses, or paper publication fees. Additionally, funding cannot be extended beyond the maximum duration, and leftover allowances are forfeited if you graduate early.

Q: Do I have to work for the Malaysian government after graduating? A: No, there is no contractual bond or post-study work requirement.

Academics & Application Process

Q: What fields of study and universities are supported? A: The scholarship is valid at 20 public and 4 private Malaysian universities. Priority fields include Education, STEM, Business, Arts, and Agriculture. Note: Clinical research, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy are strictly excluded.

Q: What are the rules for research proposals? A: Master’s by Research and PhD applicants must submit an academic research proposal of at least 1,000 words. The research must be directly relevant to Malaysia and conducted entirely within the country.

Q: Do I need an admission letter to apply for the scholarship? A: No. University application and MIS application are separate processes. However, if you are offered the MIS, you must secure university placement within 90 days of the offer.

Q: What documents are required for the application? A: You must submit certified, English-translated copies of:

• Your passport (minimum 6 months validity)

• Academic transcripts (must include an official grading guide if there is no CGPA)

• English proficiency test results

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a research proposal

• Two recommendation letters from academic or professional superiors (not family or friends).

Q: How are candidates selected? A: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview.

Support & Contact

Q: Who do I contact for questions or technical issues? A: Contact the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) via email at international@mohe.gov.my or by phone at +603-88706346 / +603-8870 6375. For technical issues, include screenshots in your email.