√Fully Funded Scholarships in Malaysia

Malaysia offers attractive fully funded opportunities for international students — especially at the postgraduate level. This guide explains the main government scholarships (Malaysia International Scholarship — MIS, and the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme — MTCP), major university funding options, what they cover, who can apply, and practical tips to prepare a winning application. All program links and guidance are current as of mid-2025. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+2mtcp.kln.gov.my+2

1. The big two: MIS and MTCP (what they are and who they target)

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

MIS is Malaysia’s flagship scholarship to attract outstanding international postgraduate students (Master’s and PhD) to study and conduct research in Malaysian public and private universities. It’s administered through the official national scholarship portal and opens annually (check the portal for exact dates). MIS typically covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and other allowances depending on the year’s guideline. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)

MTCP is a long-running South–South cooperation initiative run by Malaysia’s foreign affairs/ministry system. It offers fully funded training and degree opportunities (often Master’s) primarily to applicants from developing countries and government/agency staff in MTCP-listed recipient countries. MTCP focuses on capacity building and technical skill transfer, and scholarships often include airfare, tuition, living allowances, and training costs. mtcp.kln.gov.my+1

2. What “fully funded” usually covers in Malaysia

Coverage varies by program, but fully funded Malaysian scholarships commonly include some or all of the following:

• Full tuition fee waiver for the program. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

• Monthly living stipend (amounts vary by program and degree level). StudyMalaysia.com

• Health insurance or medical coverage during study. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

• Round-trip international airfare (often for government scholarships like MTCP). Scholarships.af

• Research / thesis allowance for postgraduate research degrees. admission.utm.my

Always read the specific scholarship guidelines for the intake year — benefit packages can change between calls. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

3. Top Malaysian universities that consistently offer funded places

Many public and private Malaysian universities host MIS/MTCP scholars and provide their own research scholarships or assistantships for international students. Notable examples:

• Universiti Malaya (UM) — research scholarships and merit awards; often hosts MIS scholars. StudyMalaysia.com

• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) — research grants, PhD & Master’s assistantships, and MIS placements. UTM lists scholarship & financial aid options for research students. admission.utm.my

• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) — all have a range of international scholarships, research assistant roles, and regular participation in government schemes. (See national scholarship lists and university pages.) StudyMalaysia.com

Universities may offer additional top-ups (housing, research funds) to government scholarships — check each university’s international office pages for specifics. admission.utm.my

4. Who is eligible?

Eligibility depends on the scholarship but common criteria include:

• Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s for Master’s applicants; Master’s for PhD applicants; competitive GPA. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

• Nationality: MIS is open to many nationalities (check the MIS portal list); MTCP is for citizens of MTCP-recipient/developing countries. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

• Age and work experience: MTCP may target mid-career professionals or public sector staff; age caps sometimes apply. mtcp.kln.gov.my

• Language: English proficiency is usually required (universities may accept prior medium-of-instruction evidence in lieu of tests). biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

Because rules change, always confirm eligibility via the official scholarship page before applying. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

5. How to apply — step-by-step (practical checklist)

1. Choose the right program and intake: MIS and MTCP dates vary year-to-year; check official portals and university notices. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

2. Prepare documents: passport, academic transcripts, degree certificates, research proposal (for postgraduate), CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, language proof (if required), medical certificate. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

3. Apply online via the official portal / embassy / university: MIS applications go through the national scholarship portal; MTCP may be coordinated via Malaysian diplomatic missions or a central portal. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

4. Follow up with host university: If the scholarship requires university placement, contact your preferred department/international office early. Universities like UTM publish their scholarship pages and required admission steps. admission.utm.my

5. Attend interview/assessment: Shortlisted applicants may face interviews (online/in-person) and academic checks. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

6. Visa & arrival preparations: On award, you’ll get acceptance letters and guidance for student visa (and any pre-arrival briefings). biasiswa.mohe.gov.my

6. Application tips that increase your chance

• Write a tight, realistic research proposal (for Master’s/PhD). Universities value clarity, methodology, and feasible timelines. admission.utm.my

• Tailor your motivation letter to explain why Malaysia and your chosen university are the best fit.

• Secure strong recommendation letters from academics or supervisors who can speak to your research potential.

• Contact potential supervisors at target universities early — an academic “yes” can greatly strengthen your application. admission.utm.my

• Track deadlines closely; government scholarships often have one annual intake and strict cut-offs. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

7. Recent 2025 highlights & where to check official updates

• MIS 2025 calls were announced via the Ministry of Higher Education scholarship portal and participating universities (MIS guidelines for 2025 list coverage and rules). Always use the official MIS portal for the exact application window and document checklist. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

• MTCP continues to run annual intakes for eligible developing country applicants with full funding for Master’s-level programs; application windows and eligibility lists are published on the MTCP site. mtcp.kln.gov.my+1

• University research scholarships and assistantships (e.g., UTM, UM, USM) remain an excellent route to full or partial funding — check each university’s scholarship/financial aid page. admission.utm.my+1

8. Final thoughts — is Malaysia right for a fully funded degree?

Yes — Malaysia offers high-quality, affordable education and several genuine fully funded opportunities for international postgraduate students. Government programs such as MIS and MTCP are the most comprehensive fully funded options; universities add research scholarships and graduate assistantships that can fully cover tuition and living costs for strong candidates. If you’re aiming for a funded Master’s or PhD in 2025, Malaysia should be on your shortlist — but do your homework, prepare a strong research plan, and apply early via official channels. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+2mtcp.kln.gov.my+2

Official starting points (check these first)

• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) — official portal & guidelines. biasiswa.mohe.gov.my+1

• Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) — official site and recipient-country details. mtcp.kln.gov.my

• University scholarship pages (example: UTM Scholarship & Financial Aid). admission.utm.my

• StudyMalaysia — consolidated list of scholarships & university programs. StudyMalaysia.com