Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS)

Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS)

Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) is a prestigious  initiative by the Malaysian Government to attract top talents from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies (Master’s or PhD) at selected public and private universities in Malaysia. It is also known as Malaysian Govt Scholarship. Interested and talented individuals with outstanding academic and co-curricular backgrounds from all around the world are welcomed to apply for  this scholarship in leading universities  and higher education institutions in Malaysia. Let's know details about the scholarship!

1. Scholarship Circular Timeline:
◾Application Opening: Typically announced in  March or April each year. 

2.  Degree and Duration:
◾Master’s Degree: Maximum of 24 months (2 years)
◾ PhD Degree: Maximum of 36 months (3 years)

3.  Eligibility:
◾Nationality : Open to international students from all countries (excluding Malaysian citizens).
◾Age Limit :  
~ For Master’s: Not more than 40 years old at the time of application.
~ For PhD: Not more than 45 years old at the time of application.
◾Academic Excellence: 
~ Master’s Applicants : A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 / 4.00 or equivalent (e.g., First Class Honors).
~PhD Applicants : A Master’s degree with minimum CGPA of 3.00 / 4.00 or equivalent. 
◾ English Language Proficiency:  Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 92  is mandatory (unless previous degree was taught in English – evidence required).
◾Admission Letter: Must have secured a valid Admission Offer Letter  from a Malaysian public university before the MIS application deadline. 

4.  Required Documents: (Scanned copies in PDF format, often colour scans)
- Completed Online MIS Application Form.
- Passport-sized photograph (white background).
- Certified copy of Passport (relevant pages).
- Letter of motivation 
- Academic Transcripts and Certificates 
- Admission Offer Letter from a Malaysian Public University
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research Proposal: (Mandatory for PhD, often required for research Master’s). Clearly defined topic, objectives, methodology, significance
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from referees (academic/professional) on official letterhead
- English Language Proficiency Test Result (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Endorsement Form (downloadable from MIS portal)

5. Fund Amount (Full Coverage Includes):
◾Tuition Fees: Full coverage 
◾Living Allowance: Monthly stipend RM 1,500.00 per month for Master’s and RM 2,000.00 per month for PhD).
◾Thesis Allowance: One-time grant to assist with thesis preparation costs (e.g., RM 1000 for Master’s, RM 2000 for PhD – subject to change).
◾Travel Grant:  One-off economy class return air ticket from recipient’s home country to Malaysia (approved route).
◾Medical / Health Insurance: Coverage as required by the university/Malaysian regulations.
◾Book Allowance : Annual grant for academic books RM 300-400/year
◾Conference Travel Grant:  Subject to approval, may support presenting research at international conferences.
◾Visa Fees: Coverage of student visa application fees in Malaysia.

6.  Areas of Study List (Priority Fields):
    *   Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
    *   Economics, Finance & Islamic Finance
    *   Agriculture & Fisheries
    *   Information & Communication Technology
    *   Biotechnology
    *   Biosecurity & Food Safety
    *   Infrastructure & Utility
    *   Environmental Studies
    *   Health (excluding nursing, medicine, clinical pharmacy)
    *   Arts & Humanities (limited slots, often with strong national relevance focus)

7.  University List:
◾Public Universities : 
- Universiti Malaya (UM)
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
- International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM/IIUM)
- Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
- Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
- Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
- Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
- Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
- Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM)
◾Private universities: 
- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 
- Multimedia university (MMU)
- INCEIF university (INCEIF)

8. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): 
Q: Can I apply without an admission offer? 
Answer : No. A valid Admission Offer Letter from a Malaysian public university is a mandatory requirement before submitting your MIS application.
Q: Is IELTS/TOEFL mandatory if my previous degree was in English?
Answer : Usually, yes, unless your university provides official proof that the entire degree was taught and assessed solely in English.
Q : Should you apply to the university first or the scholarship first?
Answer : It is advisable to apply to the scholarship first  to avoid the expense of applying to the universities.
Q: Can I work part-time while studying?
 Answer : International students in Malaysia generally require specific permission for part-time work, which is often restricted. The scholarship terms usually expect full-time dedication to studies.
Q: How competitive is the MIS?
Answer :  Extremely competitive due to its full funding and prestige. Strong academic records, relevant research proposals, and meeting all requirements precisely are essential.
Q: Do I need to do a medical check-up before applying?
Answer  : No, a medical check-up is typically required after you are selected for the scholarship, following MOHE’s instructions.

Writer and Resources Collector: 
Tamanna Hasan Eva, Lead, CoLab Scholarship Team 

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