Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) 2026 is a Malaysian Government scholarship for international students to pursue full-time postgraduate study (Master’s/PhD) in Malaysia, with the official 2026/2027 application window open 04 March 2026 to 03 April 2026. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is an initiative by the Malaysian Government to attract top talents from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies in Malaysia. This scholarship is parallel with Malaysia’s aspiration to emerge as one of the global centres of academic excellence by attracting, motivating and retaining talented human capital from abroad.

Basic information (MIS 2026 + deadline)

Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is an initiative by the Government of Malaysia (via the Ministry of Higher Education, MOHE) to attract outstanding international talent for postgraduate studies in Malaysia.
For the Academic Year 2026/2027, the official MIS portal states the call opens 04 March 2026 and closes 03 April 2026, so you should aim to submit early to avoid last-week issues.

Study Level

• Master’s Degree
• PhD Degree
• Full-time study only

University/institution details

MIS is administered through Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and is meant for full-time postgraduate study at selected Malaysian higher learning institutions.

Universities Covered

Public universities such as:

• Universiti Malaya
• Universiti Putra Malaysia
• Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Private universities such as:

• Universiti Teknologi Petronas
• Multimedia University
• INCEIF University

Study areas (available program names)

• Education
• Arts & Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Business & Law
• Natural Sciences
• ICT
• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Health & Welfare (excluding medicine, nursing, pharmacy)

Malaysian International Scholarship MIS benefits

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Monthly allowance: RM 1,500
  • (paid every four months)
• This means MIS is designed to reduce your biggest recurring burdens—tuition and baseline living support—so you can focus on research, coursework, and academic progress.
• Selection criteria highlighted by MOHE include high academic achievement, the quality and contribution potential of your research proposal, and strong English communication skills.

Benefits not included

MOHE’s MIS guidance states that successful applicants are expected to independently arrange travel to Malaysia, and travel expenses are not provided by the Government of Malaysia under this scheme.
MOHE also advises applicants to check expected living expenses in Malaysia, which is an important hint that your real monthly cost may exceed the allowance depending on city and lifestyle.
You should also expect typical application-related costs such as document certification, translation (if needed), courier, and visa-related medical checks, because MOHE notes scholars must handle visa and entry requirements (including medical examination) as part of the process.

Eligibility criteria for Malaysian International Scholarship MIS

• Graduates from eligible countries.
• Want to study full-time postgraduate (Master’s or PhD) in Malaysia.
• OR currently studying postgraduate in a Malaysian university with at least 2 semesters remaining.
• Age Limit
  • Master’s: Maximum 40 years
  • PhD: Maximum 45 years
• Academic Requirement
  • Master’s: CGPA 3.00 or Second Class Upper (Honours) or higher in Bachelor’s degree.
  • PhD: CGPA 3.00 or excellent results in Master’s degree.
• English Language Requirement
  • One of the following:
    • IELTS: Minimum 6.0
    • TOEFL: Minimum 550 (paper-based) or equivalent
    • OR proof that previous degree was taught in English.

Important Conditions

• Must study full-time in Malaysia.
• Cannot change program without permission.
• Must maintain good academic progress.
• Must follow Malaysian laws and university rules.
• Paid work is not allowed without permission.
• Must obtain student visa and pass medical exam

Eligible Countries

Applicants from:

• ASEAN countries (e.g., Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.)
• Commonwealth countries
• Other countries such as:
  • China, Japan, South Korea
  • Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE
  • Brazil, Chile
  • Egypt, Morocco
  • Iran, Iraq, Jordan
  • Russia, Serbia
  • Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen
  • and several others.

(Note: Bangladesh is generally eligible through the Commonwealth group.)

Selection Criteria

Applicants are selected based on:

• Strong academic results
• Good research proposal
• Co-curricular achievements
• Strong English communication skills

Required documents

MOHE’s MIS guidance states all documents are compulsory and must be uploaded in PDF format through the online application system.

• Passport copy (valid at least 6 months)
• Academic transcripts
• English proficiency certificate
• Two recommendation letters
• Admission letter from Malaysian university (if available)
• CV / Curriculum Vitae
• Research Proposal (minimum 1000 words) (for research Master’s or PhD)

Malaysian International Scholarship MIS application process (step-by-step)

MOHE requires MIS applications to be submitted through the official online system on the MIS portal.
Use this step-by-step workflow to keep things clean and deadline-safe:

1. Choose your target university and confirm your Master’s/PhD program fits MIS priority fields (and that you can study full-time).
2. Prepare all documents in advance as certified PDFs, including transcript certifications and the grading system document if needed.
3. Draft your research proposal (minimum 1,000 words) and align it with a real research problem and methods you can execute in Malaysia.
4. Request two recommendation letters early and ensure referees sign/complete them as required.
5. Apply through the MIS online application system within 04 March 2026 to 03 April 2026 as stated on the official portal.
6. Upload all compulsory documents and double-check file clarity, naming, and completeness before final submission.
7. If selected, proceed with university admission confirmation (if not already secured) and complete visa/medical requirements as MOHE indicates scholars must meet entry visa requirements.

Tips for a successful MIS 2026 application

Treat your research proposal like your “main product,” because MOHE explicitly evaluates proposal quality and its potential contribution to technology and human well-being.
Write plainly: define the problem, explain why it matters, outline methods, expected outcomes, and why Malaysia/university facilities make your plan realistic (avoid vague, trendy keywords without a method).
Also, make your documents frictionless for evaluators: certified copies, readable scans, consistent naming across passport/transcripts, and include the university grading-system document when CGPA/marks are unclear.

Monthly living expenses for international students (USD)

MOHE’s MIS allowance is RM 1,500/month, but your real spending depends on accommodation type, city, and lifestyle, and MOHE advises applicants to check expected living expenses in Malaysia.
As a practical planning range, many international students budget roughly USD 350–800/month for basics (shared housing on the low end; bigger cities/private rentals and a more flexible lifestyle on the higher end), and then adjust once they know the campus location and housing situation.
Because MIS officially covers tuition and provides a monthly allowance, you should still keep a buffer for one-time costs (arrival setup, visa/medical, deposits) and any gap between your real cost and the allowance.

Why choose the Malaysian International Scholarship (5+ reasons)

1. Government-backed scholarship: MIS is a Malaysian Government initiative designed to attract global talent for postgraduate study, which adds credibility to your academic journey.
2. Clear deadline and centralized application: the official portal provides a defined 2026/2027 application window (04 March–03 April 2026) and a single application system.
3. Tuition + monthly allowance: MOHE states MIS is limited to tuition fees plus RM 1,500/month living allowance, which can significantly reduce your financial pressure.
4. Research-forward selection: MOHE explicitly values research proposal quality and contribution potential, giving serious applicants a fair path to stand out beyond just grades.
5. Wide priority fields: MIS supports many high-demand areas like ICT, engineering, environment, and Islamic finance, helping you align your degree with global job markets.
6. Strong university options: MOHE’s list includes many leading Malaysian universities, giving you multiple pathways to find the right supervisor, lab, or research center.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1) When is the MIS 2026 deadline?
The official MIS portal states the 2026/2027 call is open 04 March 2026 until 03 April 2026.

2) Is MIS fully funded?
MOHE states the scholarship is limited to tuition fees and a monthly living allowance (RM 1,500/month), so you should plan for other costs separately.

3) Does MIS pay for flights?
MOHE states scholars must independently arrange travel to Malaysia and that travel expenses are not provided.

4) What level is MIS for (Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD)?
MOHE’s MIS guidance targets full-time postgraduate programs (Master’s and PhD).

5) What IELTS/TOEFL score do I need for MIS?
MOHE lists IELTS minimum 6.5 or TOEFL iBT minimum 92, with possible acceptance of English-medium degrees if evidence is provided.

6) Is a research proposal required?
Yes—MOHE requires submission of a written proposal with a minimum of 1,000 words relevant to the field of study.

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