As an international student, receiving a scholarship from the country you wish to study in is like the perfect starting point for your professional education. Malaysia provides a variety of scholarships for students, allowing them to pursue higher education in this lively and culturally diverse country. Furthermore, the Malaysian government actively promotes foreign study by providing a variety of scholarships for worthy students from throughout the world.

In this article, I will discuss three government scholarships that are available for international students in the period of 2024-2025.

Malaysia International Scholarships (MIS)

Source: www.nottingham.edu.my/

A scholarship by the Malaysian government that aims to attract, motivate, and retain talented international students, aligning with their goals to become a global center of academic excellence. This scholarship fully covers tuition fees for the entire study period. Additionally, it provides a monthly living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation, meals, and other expenses. Health insurance, a thesis allowance (for research programs), and round-trip airfare (for international students) are also included. However, the MIS program is only available for Master's, PhD, or postdoctoral studies in specific fields, such as science, engineering, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Learn more about the detailed MIS application here.

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) 

The MTCP Scholarship is a program offered by the Malaysian government to provide financial assistance for international students from developing countries to pursue higher education in Malaysia. This program aims to promote technical cooperation and human resource development among developing countries. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and round-trip airfare to Malaysia. The MTCP Scholarship covers a wide range of academic subjects for students pursuing a Master's degree program, including agriculture, engineering, science and technology, social sciences, and Islamic finance. Scholarship duration varies depending on the level of study, up to five years for PhD programs. 

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

As its name suggests, this scholarship is open to international students from Commonwealth countries seeking to pursue graduate studies at Malaysian universities.  The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) provides funding for Master's and PhD programs, with the duration ranging from 12 to 24 months depending on your course. It can even support studies up to the PhD level with a duration ranging to 3 years. The scholarship provides round-trip airfare, approved tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, an annual grant for books and domestic travel, medical/health insurance, installation and termination grants, a thesis allowance (for research programs), and visa assistance.

The program offers enrollment in a wide range of fields like Science and Engineering, Agriculture and Fisheries, Economics and Islamic Finance, Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, Biosecurity and Food Safety, Infrastructure and Utility, Environmental Studies, and Health(excluding nursing, medicine, and clinical pharmacy).

Guide to Enroll MIS, MTCP & Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

1. Visit the official website

• Malaysia International Scholarships (MIS) - click here

• Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) -  click here

• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan - click here

2. Check the application dates

• The application dates may vary depending on the scholarship program.

• Check their official websites regularly to confirm their deadlines

3. Gather all the documents requested to be provided, typically includes,

• Academic Transcripts

• English Proficiency Test (TOEFL or IELTS)

• Letters of recommendation (from professors, employers)

• Motivational Letter

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume 

• Passport photocopy 

• Medical examination report (if required) 

• Additional documents specific to the program like research proposal

4. Submit your application

• Always remember to double check the documents that you provided

• Submit your application within the specified application period.

Remember to stick to guidelines and give accurate information during the application process. With your strong academic merits, you will boost your chances of receiving a Malaysian government scholarship and following your educational goals in Malaysia. Good Luck!