Quick Information
| University | Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia |
| Programme | Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) |
| Degree Level | Master's / PhD |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Scholarship Type | Government |
| Scholarship Value | Full tuition + RM 1,500 per month living allowance (2026/2027) |
| Stipend | RM 1,500 per month (2026/2027) |
| Study Duration | Master's up to 24 months; PhD up to 36 months |
| Eligibility | Citizens of MIS recipient countries only |
| Application Deadline | April 3, 2026 |
| Last Verified Date | November 11, 2026 |
| Application Link | Apply via the official page |
| Official Source | https://biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER/index.php |
The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is a Government of Malaysia scholarship for international graduates to study for a full-time Master’s or PhD at a participating Malaysian university. It is run by the Scholarship Division of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and pays tuition fees plus a monthly living allowance.
Overview
The Malaysia International Scholarship is the Malaysian Government’s postgraduate award for outstanding international graduates. It supports full-time Master’s and PhD study at 24 participating institutions — 20 public universities and 4 private institutions (Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Multimedia University and INCEIF University). Applications go directly to the Ministry of Higher Education through its online system; there is no nominating body. The 2026/2027 round is closed.
Scholarship Benefits
For the 2026/2027 cycle, the award provides exactly two benefits:
- Tuition fees for the entire sponsorship period, paid directly to the university.
- A monthly living allowance of RM 1,500, paid every four months (RM 6,000 at a time) once the scholar submits a progress report to the Ministry.
Funding lasts for up to 24 months for a Master’s degree and up to 36 months for a PhD.
What it does NOT cover: the 2026 guidelines list no airfare or travel costs, no medical insurance, no visa or Student Pass fees, and no book, thesis or settling-in allowances. Scholars arrange and pay for their own travel to Malaysia, visa application and medical examination. The scholarship offer does not guarantee approval of an entry visa.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions for the 2026 cycle:
- Be a citizen of a recipient country named in the MIS guidelines for that year. The recipient-country list is published in the guidelines and changes from year to year.
- For a Master’s programme: not more than 40 years old at the time of application, with a Bachelor’s degree at CGPA 3.00 or Second Class Upper (Honours) or higher.
- For a PhD programme: not more than 45 years old at the time of application, with a Master’s degree at CGPA 3.00 or excellent results in courses related to the intended PhD study.
- Show good English proficiency in one of these ways: IELTS band 6.0 or higher; a total score of 550 or higher in the TOEFL paper-based test (or an equivalent score in other TOEFL tests); or a previous degree taught in English, confirmed by an official letter from the awarding university.
- Apply for full-time postgraduate study at a participating Malaysian university.
Available Fields
Applicants may apply for any accredited course at a participating university. Priority is given to: Education; Arts and Humanities; Social Sciences, Journalism and Information; Business, Administration and Law; Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics; Information and Communication Technologies; Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction; Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary; and Health and Welfare. Programmes in medicine, nursing and pharmacy are NOT supported.
Required Documents
Complete the online application form and upload all compulsory documents, scanned and saved in PDF format:
- A certified copy of the passport as evidence of nationality (minimum 6 months’ validity).
- Certified copies of academic transcripts, showing CGPA, marks or score percentile. If the transcript shows none of these, include a certified official document describing the institution’s grading system.
- A certified copy of the English proficiency test result (IELTS or TOEFL), or an official letter from the previous institution declaring English as the medium of instruction for the degree obtained.
- A letter of recommendation from two referees.
- An admission letter to a Malaysian university, if you are already undertaking postgraduate studies or have secured admission.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A research proposal (for research-based Master’s and PhD applicants; at least 1,000 words).
All documents must be in English; documents in another language need certified English translations.
Application Process
- Apply through the Ministry’s online system at biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER during the open window. Applications go directly to the Ministry.
- Fill in the application form and upload all compulsory documents as PDF scans.
- Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview session.
- Results are published on the portal — applicants check their status there.
An MIS award does not give automatic university admission. Apply separately to your chosen university for the Master’s or PhD programme.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open (2026/2027) | 4 March 2026 |
| Application deadline (2026/2027) | 3 April 2026 |
| Shortlist check for interview (2026/2027) | 7 – 22 July 2026 |
| Results / status check (2026/2027) | 8 October – 31 December 2026 |
Applications for the 2026/2027 round closed on 3 April 2026. Dates for the 2027/2028 round have not been published yet — check the official portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MIS cover?
For 2026/2027 it covers full tuition fees, paid directly to the university, and a monthly living allowance of RM 1,500. It does not cover airfare, medical insurance, visa fees or book and thesis allowances.
Who can apply?
Citizens of the recipient countries named in the MIS guidelines for that year, who meet the age, academic and English requirements above and apply for full-time Master’s or PhD study at a participating university.
How long does the funding last?
Up to 24 months for a Master’s degree and up to 36 months for a PhD.
Do I need a university admission letter before I apply?
No — an admission letter is only required if you already hold one or are already studying. But the scholarship itself does not admit you to a university, so apply to your chosen university separately.
The 2026/2027 deadline has passed. What should I do?
Prepare for the next cycle and watch the official MOHE portal — no dates for the 2027/2028 round have been published yet.
Official source: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia — Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)