Malaysian International Scholarship MIS 2026 in Malaysia (Fully Funded). Apply for fully funded scholarships from here. The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a genuine fully funded scholarship offered by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for postgraduate study. It covers Master’s and PhD programmes at 24 participating institutions — all 20 public universities plus 4 private ones.
One thing to know upfront: MIS is for postgraduate study only, not bachelor’s degrees. The 2026/2027 application window has already closed, so this guide also covers what to expect for the next intake.
Malaysian International Scholarship MIS 2026 Details:
| Offered by: | Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
| Degree level: | Masters, PhD |
| Scholarship coverage: | Fully Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | Malaysia |
| Last date: | 22 July 2026 |
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Financial Benefits
MIS covers tuition fees in full and provides a modest monthly living allowance — enough for essentials, though not a lavish stipend by regional standards.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Fully covered |
| Monthly living allowance | RM 1,500 |
| Application fee | None |
| IELTS requirement | Waived if your previous degree was taught entirely in English (official letter required) |
Available Study Programs
Master’s by Research or Coursework: Open across accredited fields, though MOHE gives priority to certain strategic academic areas each cycle – check the current guidelines for the priority list.
PhD Programmes: Require a strong master’s academic record and a research proposal of at least 1,000 words tied to your intended field.
Current postgraduate students already in Malaysia: MIS also accepts students already enrolled in a Malaysian public university or eligible private institution, provided they have at least two semesters remaining.
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Top Universities
| University | City | Type | Scholarship Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Kuala Lumpur | Public, Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranked university | MIS-eligible |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Serdang, Selangor | Public, strong in agriculture, science, and engineering | MIS-eligible |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | Johor Bahru / Kuala Lumpur | Public, strong in engineering and technology | MIS-eligible |
World rankings and tuition vary by programme and change yearly — check each university’s own admissions page for current figures before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of one of MIS’s listed recipient countries — these include all ASEAN nations plus selected countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Master’s applicants: hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or second-class upper honours and be no more than 40 years old at the time of application.
- PhD applicants: hold a master’s degree with excellent results in a related field and be no more than 45 years old at the time of application.
- Demonstrate English proficiency via IELTS (Band 6.0+), TOEFL (550+ paper-based or equivalent), or an official letter confirming your prior degree was taught in English.
- PhD and Master’s-by-Research applicants must submit a research proposal of at least 1,000 words.
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Required Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Certified passport copy | Minimum 6 months’ validity at time of application |
| Certified academic transcripts | Must show all courses taken; include a grading-system letter if CGPA isn’t clear |
| English proficiency proof | IELTS/TOEFL score or official medium-of-instruction letter |
| Two recommendation letters | From academic or professional referees |
| CV | Academic and relevant professional background |
| Research proposal (1,000+ words) | Required for Master’s by Research and PhD applicants |
| University admission/offer letter | Not mandatory to apply, but useful if already admitted |
Application Process
- Confirm your country is on the current MIS recipient-countries list.
- Choose your intended field of study and check which of the 24 participating institutions offer it.
- Apply for the MIS scholarship first, before applying to a specific university — this can save you university application fees if you’re not selected.
- Register an account on the official MIS online application portal.
- Complete the application form with your academic and personal details.
- Prepare your research proposal if applying for a PhD or master’s by research.
- Upload all required documents as certified PDF copies in English (with certified translations if needed).
- Review your full application carefully before submitting — errors are hard to correct after submission.
- Submit before the deadline; the portal typically closes automatically.
- If selected, proceed to apply to your chosen university from MIS’s list of participating institutions.
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Student Visa Guide
Non-Malaysian students need a Student Pass, processed centrally through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) — not applied for directly with an embassy.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Managing body | EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) |
| Processing time | Typically 4–8 weeks |
| Financial proof | Bank statements or scholarship/sponsorship letters showing sufficient funds |
| Biometrics/medical | Pre-arrival medical screening, plus a second medical check within 7 days of arrival in Malaysia |
| Fees | Roughly RM 1,500–2,500 total (EMGS processing, visa/Student Pass, i-Kad, medical, insurance) plus a refundable security bond |
Your university initiates the EMGS application on your behalf once you have an offer — you cannot apply to EMGS directly.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for all international students, since Malaysia’s public healthcare subsidy system doesn’t cover non-citizens. Coverage must run at least 12 months and be recognised in Malaysia.
Most universities arrange an EMGS-linked policy as part of the visa process, typically costing RM 500–1,200 per year. Keep it active continuously – a lapse can invalidate your student pass status.
Accommodation and Living Costs
- University on-campus housing: often RM 300–600/month, subject to availability.
- Private shared accommodation: roughly RM 500–900/month depending on the city.
- Solo private rental: often RM 900–1,500+/month in Kuala Lumpur; lower in smaller university towns.
Malaysia is generally an affordable study destination — total monthly living costs (excluding rent) often fall between RM 700 and RM 1,200, though Kuala Lumpur runs higher than smaller cities.
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Post-Study Work Opportunities
Malaysia doesn’t offer a single blanket post-study work visa. Instead, eligible graduates from certain nationalities can apply for a Graduate Pass — a 12-month Social Visit Pass allowing you to stay, travel, and search for work without needing an employer sponsor first.
Once you secure a job offer, your employer sponsors your transition to an Employment Pass (EP), categorised by salary: Category I (RM 10,000+/month, up to 5 years), Category II (RM 5,000–9,999/month, up to 2 years), and a more limited Category III.
Note that a student pass cannot be converted to a work pass while still inside Malaysia in most cases—you typically need to exit and re-enter under the new pass or transition via the Graduate Pass if eligible. Long-term residency options like the Resident Pass–Talent (RP-T) exist for highly skilled professionals after several years of employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for MIS for a bachelor’s degree? No — MIS funds Master’s and PhD study only.
Do I need an IELTS score? Not if your previous degree was taught entirely in English and you can provide an official letter confirming this.
Should I apply to the university or the scholarship first? Apply for MIS first – securing the scholarship before applying to a university can save you application fees.
Is there an age limit? Yes – generally 40 for master’s applicants and 45 for PhD applicants, though always confirm the current cycle’s exact limits.
When does the next MIS cycle open? The 2026/2027 cycle closed 3 April 2026. The next cycle typically opens around March of the following year — confirm on the official MOHE portal.
Can I work while studying in Malaysia? Yes, subject to Student Pass conditions and generally limited to defined periods and hours.
Is there a guaranteed path to a Malaysian work visa after MIS? No — post-study work depends on securing an eligible graduate pass or an employer-sponsored employment pass; it isn’t automatic.
Conclusion
MIS is a real, well-structured, fully funded route into Malaysian postgraduate study, with genuine tuition coverage and a national network of 24 universities to choose from. It isn’t open to every degree level, and the current cycle has already closed, so timing your next application matters.
Apply only through the official MOHE portal, and confirm your country’s eligibility and the current cycle’s deadline before preparing documents.
Official Resources
| Website Type | Official Website | Latest Application Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Scholarship (MIS) | biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER | 2026/2027 cycle closed 3 April 2026 | Expected to Open (Next Intake) — Check Official Website |
| University Admissions (example: Universiti Malaya) | um.edu.my | Varies by program | Official |
| Student Visa / Pass (EMGS) | visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my | N/A — apply after admission | Official |
| Immigration Department of Malaysia | imi.gov.my | N/A | Official |
Deadlines and figures above reflect the latest publicly confirmed details at the time of writing. Always verify current dates, eligible countries, and financial figures directly on the official MOHE and EMGS portals before applying.
