Malaysia International Scholarship FAQ: Seventeen Straight Answers
Short answers to the questions applicants ask most, taken from the MIS 2026 guidelines, the MOHE portal and, for comparisons, the MTCP 2026 documents. If MOHE’s current PDF says something different, follow MOHE.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Every answer is based on the MIS 2026 guidelines and the MIS portal, checked on 6 October 2026. Where we give an estimate, we say so.
Status, eligibility and applying
No. The 2026/2027 call ran from 4 March to 3 April 2026 and is closed. On 6 October 2026, MOHE had not announced the 2027/2028 call. Watch the MIS portal.
MOHE has not said. The 2025 window was 10–30 June and the 2026 window was 4 March – 3 April. Our estimate is a short window in the first half of 2027. That is an estimate, not an announcement.
The Scholarship Division of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia, in Putrajaya. MTCP is a different scholarship, run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Citizens of ASEAN countries (except Malaysia), Commonwealth countries, and 39 named countries and territories such as China, Egypt, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. See the full list.
Yes, if you are a full-time postgraduate student at one of the 24 supported institutions and have at least two semesters left before your study period ends.
Not more than 40 at the time of application for a Master’s, and not more than 45 for a PhD.
For a Master’s: a bachelor’s CGPA of 3.00, or Second Class Upper (Honours) or higher. For a PhD: a CGPA of 3.00, or excellent results, in a related master’s.
IELTS 6.0 or higher, TOEFL PBT 550 or higher (or an equivalent score in another TOEFL test), or an official declaration from your university that your degree was taught in English.
The 2026 guidelines ask for an admission letter only if you are already studying or already admitted. But you are responsible for confirming your admission, so it is wise to apply to the university in parallel.
Money, rules and next steps
Your tuition fees for the whole sponsorship period, paid directly to the university, plus RM 1,500 a month. The allowance is paid every four months (RM 6,000) once you send in your progress report.
The 2026 guidelines do not list either. Medical insurance is compulsory for international students in Malaysia. EMGS’s 2026 packages cost about RM 498–RM 644 a year. Budget for flights yourself.
Medicine, nursing and pharmacy are left out of the priority Health and Welfare area. The guidelines do not say they are banned outright, so ask MOHE before you apply. MTCP says plainly that it does not cover them.
The MIS 2026 guidelines do not mention one. The portal describes the separate CSFP award as a government-to-government scheme with no bond imposed by Malaysia.
Not in paid employment, unless your host university gives written approval.
The MTCP FAQ says yes, you may apply for both, with no guarantee of selection. MTCP scholars may not have more than one sponsor.
Log in to the MIS portal during the shortlist-check period. It ran 7–22 July 2026 and 4–12 September 2025.
MOHE Scholarship Division: international@mohe.gov.my, +603-8870 6346 or +603-8870 6375, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm Malaysia time, Monday to Friday.
Still unsure? Email international@mohe.gov.my. Questions about the student pass go to EMGS.