Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country that is an up-and-coming study destination on the continent. From waterfalls to mountains, the country is packed with natural beauty and has been a tourist attraction for years. Its infrastructure is also very innovative and modern, providing a conducive environment for living, studying, and working.
According to UNESCO, Malaysia ranks as one of the most popular study destinations in the world, and for good reason. The country’s higher education is growing in reputation, attracting international attention. It welcomes international students and offers multiple scholarship programs to facilitate them. In this article, we’ll outline important information about the top scholarships for international students in Malaysia.
What Are the Advantages of Studying Higher Education in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s rise to the elite of education providers in the world didn’t happen until about ten years ago. However, with the government’s recent focus on the education system, it has become a hub for education in Asia. Not only is education internationally recognized, but English-taught programs in the country are relatively cheaper than other options like the UK, USA, and Canada.
The country’s beautiful tourist attractions are worth visiting, and with a little bit of an extra budget, you could explore the country at your leisure. Despite its high living standards, safety, and stability, Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital city, is known for being a very affordable place to live. Culturally, the population in the country is diverse and accepting, with most of them having a decent command of the English language.
Are There Scholarships Available for International Students in Malaysia?
Yes, for international students studying in Malaysia, several scholarships are offered by the government, respective universities, and other external organizations. International students pursuing programs higher education in the country can benefit from these scholarships if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Top Scholarships in Malaysia for International Students
Below, we list some popular scholarship programs and grants for international students studying in Malaysia. The scholarships below may be helpful for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students.
1. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition + monthly living allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
In an effort to transform Malaysia into an internationally recognized educational hub, the government has taken many measures. One of them is funding high-performing international students for their education in the country. The MIS is one such scholarship that international students could apply for.
High-performing students from a select set of recipient countries who meet all the eligibility criteria would be offered full tuition for the sponsorship period and a monthly allowance of RM 1,500. The scholarship is only offered to students studying full-time postgraduate programs in a few study areas at one of the public universities in the country or at four selected private universities.
2. The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition + monthly allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Initiated in 1980, the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program was intended to support students from other developing countries. Sponsored entirely by the Malaysian government, this scholarship is awarded to international students who are planning to follow a 24 to 36-month master’s program there.
Students with a Second Class Upper (Honors) Bachelor’s degree could apply for this program for their master’s degrees. The scholarship covers tuition fees, one-off return economy-class airfare, and an allowance of RM 3,500 per month.
3. Asia Pacific University Scholarships and Merit Awards
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Partial funding
- Eligible Degree/s: Diplomas, Bachelor’s, Master’s
Not only is Asia Pacific University in Malaysia one of the award-winning universities in the world, but it also focuses on providing better opportunities for deserving students. International students can benefit from the university’s scholarship program or merit awards based on their qualifications.
Based on your previous qualifications and scores, the university’s merit awards offer up to a 30% discount on course fees. Since all awards and scholarships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to high-performing students, you must apply as soon as the university starts accepting them.
4. The University of Malaya Scholarship
- Scholarships Page
- Scholarship Amount: Partial funding
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
The University of Malaya Scholarship scheme funds students who are appointed as Graduate Research Assistants for their postgraduate studies. Applications are open to both local and international students pursuing full research programs at the university.
Stipend amounts paid by the grant could vary from RM 1,000 to RM 4,500 and above, and eligible students could benefit from a 100% fee waiver. This scholarship doesn’t cover other expenses like admission, examination, and non-academic expenses.
5. ASEAN-Maybank Scholarship Program
- Scholarships Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full scholarship + allowances
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Offered in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN-Maybank Scholarship Program from the Maybank Foundation is a popular scholarship program that funds students for ASEAN countries. This scholarship is not exclusively for Malaysian universities; students at most public universities in the country may benefit from it.
The program is offered to undergraduate students and covers tuition, accommodation, transport, university admission fees, insurance, and air tickets. This generously offered scholarship requires benefactors to serve either Maybank, the ASEAN Secretariat, or the ASEAN Foundation for three years after graduation.
6. Heriot-Watt University (Malaysia) Scholarships
- Scholarships Page
- Scholarship Amount: Partial scholarship
- Eligible Degree/s: Foundation, Bachelor’s
Heriot-Watt University is a world-renowned university with branches across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia. Distinguished for its programs in STEM fields, the university has a good standing with pioneers in the industry. Heriot-Watt Malaysia also carries the namesake of the parent university and is a popular study destination for international students.
There are many scholarships offered at Heriot-Watt Malaysia. Most of these scholarships are awarded on a merit basis for high-performing students. The university’s “High Achiever’s Scholarship for Undergraduate Programme” is one such scholarship that is available for international students.
7. GlobalScholarships.com $1,000 Scholarship (H3 heading)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: $1,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Diploma, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
At GlobalScholarships.com, we provide up-to-date and relevant information about international students’ scholarship opportunities and also offer our own scholarships. In line with our mission of making scholarships accessible for current and prospective international students, we offer a $1,000 award to three qualifying international students for the first time.
Students planning to start studies in the fall of 2024 can apply for this scholarship regardless of their education program. All postsecondary degree programs, including diplomas, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, are considered. Apply for the scholarship here and stand a chance to win an external scholarship as an international student.
Scholarships can be a great way to offset the costs of living abroad. We hope the information in this article will help you pick the best scholarship for studying in Malaysia.