MIS Scholarship Malaysia | FAQ

Who can apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship?

MIS is open to international students from eligible countries who want to pursue a full-time Master’s or PhD degree at a Malaysian university. Eligible countries include ASEAN nations, Commonwealth countries, and a range of other countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Malaysian citizens cannot apply. Visit the full MIS guide for the complete list of eligible countries.

What is the age limit for the MIS scholarship?

The age limits are clearly defined by study level:

Age is calculated at the time of application. If you are unsure whether you fall within the limit, check the official portal as the cutoff date may vary slightly each cycle.

Can I apply for MIS if I am already studying in Malaysia?

Yes, you can. Students currently enrolled at a Malaysian university are eligible to apply, but there is one important condition: you must have at least two semesters remaining in your program at the time of application. If you are in your final semester or approaching the end of your studies, you will not qualify under this provision.

Can I apply if I am a permanent resident of Malaysia?

MIS is designed for international students who are citizens of eligible countries. Permanent residents or those holding Malaysian citizenship are generally not eligible. The scholarship is specifically aimed at attracting foreign talent to Malaysian universities, not at supporting residents already living in the country.

Can I apply for MIS if I already have a Master’s degree and want to do another Master’s?

MIS is intended to support one level of postgraduate study. If you already hold a Master’s degree, the more appropriate path is to apply for a PhD program rather than a second Master’s. Applying for a second Master’s when you already hold one may weaken your application because it raises questions about academic progression and research direction.

What is the minimum CGPA required for MIS?

The minimum is CGPA 3.00 for both Master’s and PhD applicants. For Master’s applicants, this is equivalent to a Second Class Upper (Honours) at Bachelor’s level. For PhD applicants, this applies to your Master’s degree results.

My university uses a grading system different from CGPA. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your transcript does not show a CGPA, you are required to submit a certified explanation of your grading system alongside your academic transcripts. This allows the selection committee to assess your academic performance fairly. Make sure the explanation is official and comes from your university, not just a personal note.

Do I need to have my degree certificate to apply, or is a transcript enough?

Certified academic transcripts are the primary academic document required. If you have already graduated and hold a degree certificate, include it. If you have not yet officially graduated, your official transcript showing completed courses and grades is acceptable. Make sure all copies are certified, not just printed from a student portal.

Does MIS accept applicants with a General Pass or Third Class degree?

No. A General Pass or Third Class degree does not meet the CGPA 3.00 or Second Class Upper requirement. These results fall below the minimum academic threshold for MIS, and applications with these grades will not progress past the initial screening stage.

What English language test score do I need for MIS?

MIS accepts the following as proof of English proficiency:

Can I skip the IELTS or TOEFL if my previous degree was taught in English?

Yes, you can. If your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree was conducted entirely in English, you can submit an official declaration from your university as proof of English medium instruction in place of an IELTS or TOEFL score. The declaration must be on official university letterhead and signed by an authorised person at your institution. A casual letter or self-written statement will not be accepted.

Is TOEFL iBT accepted for MIS?

The official MIS requirement specifies the paper-based TOEFL score of 550. If you have a TOEFL iBT score, contact the official MIS portal or the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education directly to confirm whether it is accepted and what the equivalent threshold is. Requirements can be updated between cycles, so always verify with the current official guidelines.

Which universities in Malaysia are eligible for MIS?

MIS supports studies at a designated list of public and private Malaysian universities. Public universities include Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), among others. Private universities such as Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Multimedia University (MMU), and INCEIF University are also included.

The full and current list is available on the MIS scholarship guide. Always confirm your target university is on the approved list before applying.

Can I choose any degree program at an eligible university?

MIS supports studies across education, arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, ICT, engineering, agriculture, and health and welfare. There are specific exclusions: medicine, nursing, and pharmacy programs are not covered under MIS. Outside these exclusions, you have significant flexibility in choosing your program as long as it is offered at an eligible university.

Does MIS cover coursework Master’s degrees or only research-based programs?

MIS covers both coursework and research-based postgraduate programs. The key distinction is the research proposal requirement: only Master’s by Research and PhD applicants are required to submit one of at least 1,000 words. Coursework Master’s applicants are not required to submit a research proposal as part of the MIS application.

Do I need an admission letter from a Malaysian university before applying for MIS?

No, an admission letter is not mandatory. It is listed as an optional document under “if available.” That said, including a conditional or full admission letter from an eligible university genuinely strengthens your application. It shows the committee that your plans are concrete and that a university has already reviewed and accepted your credentials.

What exactly does the MIS scholarship cover financially?

MIS is a fully funded scholarship covering two main components:

Does MIS cover flight tickets or relocation costs?

The official MIS benefit package covers tuition fees and the monthly living allowance. Airfare and relocation costs are not listed as covered benefits. You should plan to fund your travel to Malaysia independently. Some Malaysian universities have their own support programs for incoming international scholars, so it is worth checking with your target university once you have received your award.

Is RM 1,500 per month enough to live on in Malaysia?

Malaysia is generally considered one of the more affordable study destinations in Asia. In cities like Kuala Lumpur, RM 1,500 covers basic living expenses reasonably well if you live in student accommodation or shared housing. University towns outside the capital tend to have lower costs of living, meaning the allowance stretches further. Most scholars supplement with modest savings especially during the initial settling-in period.

How long does MIS financial support last?

Financial support is provided for the duration of your degree program. For a Master’s degree, this is typically one to two years. For a PhD, it typically covers three to four years depending on your university’s program structure. Extensions beyond the standard duration require separate justification and Ministry approval, and are not guaranteed.

Who needs to submit a research proposal for MIS?

A research proposal of at least 1,000 words is required for Master’s by Research and PhD applicants. Coursework Master’s applicants are not required to submit one as part of the MIS application, though your target university may request a separate statement of purpose during their own admission process.

What should a MIS research proposal include?

A strong MIS research proposal typically covers: a clear title, an introduction to the research background, a well-defined problem statement, research objectives, research questions, a credible methodology section, and a description of expected outcomes and their significance.

The methodology section carries the most weight because it shows whether you actually know how to pursue the research. For a full section-by-section breakdown with suggested word counts, read the complete MIS research proposal guide.

Is there a maximum word limit for the MIS research proposal?

The official requirement states a minimum of 1,000 words. There is no stated maximum, but keeping your proposal between 1,000 and 1,500 words is generally considered good practice. Focus on being clear and thorough rather than long.

Does my research proposal topic need to be related to Malaysia?

Your topic does not have to be exclusively about Malaysia, but it helps significantly if there is a genuine connection. MIS is funded to advance research that benefits Malaysia and the broader world. A proposal that clearly addresses a problem relevant to Malaysia will naturally score higher on the relevance criterion than a generic proposal that could have been submitted to any scholarship anywhere.

Do I need a confirmed supervisor before I can submit my research proposal?

You do not need a confirmed supervisor to submit your application. However, contacting a potential supervisor at your target Malaysian university before applying is strongly recommended. A proposal developed in dialogue with a supervisor tends to be more grounded and credible, and having one who is expecting you gives the committee more confidence that your research plan is realistic.

Where do I apply for MIS?

All MIS applications must be submitted through the official online portal managed by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education at biasiswa.mohe.gov.my. Do not apply through any third-party website or agent. Only applications submitted through the official portal are considered valid.

What documents do I need to apply for MIS?

The required documents are:

Is there an application fee for MIS?

No. The MIS application is completely free of charge. You should not be paying anyone to process or submit your application. If you encounter a website or agent charging fees for MIS application assistance, apply directly through the official portal yourself.

Can I apply for MIS and other scholarships at the same time?

You can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously as long as you do not accept more than one award. Most scholarship agreements, including MIS, prohibit holding two government-funded scholarships at the same time. If you receive multiple offers, you will need to choose one and decline the others before enrollment.

How will I know if my application is successful?

Shortlisted candidates are typically contacted by the Ministry of Higher Education through the contact details provided in the application. This may include an invitation for an interview. Final offer letters are sent to successful candidates after the full selection process is complete. The timeline varies between cycles, so check the official portal for announcements before assuming a negative outcome.

Can I reapply for MIS if I was rejected before?

Yes, you can reapply in a future cycle if your application was unsuccessful. MIS does not permanently disqualify applicants who were rejected previously, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements at the time of the new application. A reapplication is treated as a fresh submission and evaluated on its own merits.

If I reapply, should I submit the same research proposal?

Resubmitting an identical proposal from a previous unsuccessful application is rarely a good strategy. Use the gap between cycles to genuinely strengthen it: sharpen your problem statement, improve your methodology, make a clearer connection to Malaysian research priorities, and if possible get feedback from a potential supervisor. A meaningfully revised proposal stands a much better chance than a recycled one.

Will MIS tell me why my application was rejected?

The Ministry of Higher Education does not typically provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications. This is common practice for large-scale government scholarship programs where thousands of applications are processed per cycle. The most useful thing you can do is evaluate your own submission critically against the five selection criteria and compare it honestly to what a competitive application looks like.

Do I have to return to my home country after completing MIS?

MIS scholars are generally expected to return to their home countries after completing their studies and contribute to development there. This expectation is built into the spirit of the scholarship, which is designed to build human capital in recipient countries. If you intend to stay in Malaysia after graduation, you would need to explore independent visa and immigration pathways unrelated to the scholarship.

What happens if I fail to complete my degree while on MIS?

Failing to complete your program without valid justification could result in a requirement to repay some or all of the scholarship funds received. The specific conditions are outlined in your scholarship agreement with the Ministry. If you are facing genuine difficulties, communicate with the Ministry and your university early rather than waiting until the situation becomes unmanageable.

Can I extend my scholarship if my research takes longer than expected?

Extensions are possible but not guaranteed. They require a formal application to the Ministry and approval based on the merits of your case, typically supported by a progress report and a recommendation from your supervisor. Extensions are generally granted for research delays that are genuinely unavoidable and well-documented, not for cases where progress has been slow without clear justification.