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Scholarships in Malaysia for Indian Students 2027: MIS, Merit Awards and Deadlines
Scholarships in Malaysia for Indian students are mostly partial tuition discounts of 10 to 30%, assessed automatically alongside your university application, plus the government-funded Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) for master’s and PhD study. Because Malaysian tuition is already relatively low, even a partial award can save you ₹1 to 2 lakh a year.
Key Malaysia Scholarships for Indian Students at a Glance
| Scholarship | Who it’s for | Value | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) | Master’s and PhD applicants from eligible countries, including India | Full tuition plus RM1,500 a month | Annual call; 2026 round ran March to April |
| Nottingham Malaysia High Achiever’s Scholarship | New undergraduates with strong results | 15%, 20% or 25% off first-year tuition | Automatic with your application |
| APU Merit Awards | New international students, all nationalities | 10% to 30% off tuition | First come, first served |
| Early-application discounts | Students applying early for an intake | Fixed fee reduction | Set by each university |
INR conversions are approximate, at MYR 1 = ₹23.5 (October 2026).
What Types of Scholarships Can Indian Students Get in Malaysia?
Most funding falls into four categories, and most Indian students qualify for at least one.
- Merit scholarships: The most common type, based on your Class 12 or degree results and usually assessed automatically
- Early-application discounts: Fixed reductions for applying well ahead of an intake, regardless of grades
- Government scholarships: Mainly the MIS, which is for postgraduate study only
- Sports and arts awards: Offered by some universities for students with national or international achievement
Full scholarships are rare. Plan your budget around a partial award, and treat anything larger as a bonus.
Can Indian Students Apply for the Malaysia International Scholarship?
Yes. India is eligible as a Commonwealth country, but the MIS only covers full-time master’s and PhD study.
- Value: Full tuition fees plus a living allowance of RM1,500 a month (about ₹35,250)
- Academic requirement: Master’s applicants need a CGPA of 3.00 or a second class upper (or equivalent) bachelor’s degree
- English requirement: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
- Where you can study: Malaysian public universities and a small number of selected private institutions
- Timing: The 2026/27 call ran from 4th March to 3rd April 2026, so expect the next round around March 2027
Check the latest guidelines on the official MIS portal before the next call opens. Competition is strong, so it’s worth applying for university scholarships in parallel.
Which StudyIn Partner Universities Offer Scholarships?
Most of the universities StudyIn works with in Malaysia offer merit awards to international students, though values and criteria vary.
- University of Nottingham Malaysia: The High Achiever’s Scholarship gives 15%, 20% or 25% off first-year undergraduate tuition, based on your results, with no separate application.
- Asia Pacific University: Merit awards of 10% to 30% off tuition for new international students, awarded first come, first served, so apply early.
- UK and Australian branch campuses: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, University of Southampton Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia and Curtin University Malaysia run their own campus scholarships, separate from their parent universities’ schemes.
- Private universities: UTAR, SEGi University and Colleges and University of Cyberjaya offer merit awards and seasonal discounts for international students.
- Medical schools: Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia and Manipal University College Malaysia have more limited funding, so don’t rely on a scholarship to offset MBBS fees.
Expert View
“Many merit awards in Malaysia are first come, first served, so a strong student who applies late can miss out to a weaker one who applied early. Send your application with Class 11 or predicted marks, then upload your final Class 12 results so you’re assessed while funding is still available.” – Rahul Chauhan, Counsellor, StudyIn.
When Should You Apply for Scholarships in Malaysia?
Apply as early as you can for your chosen intake. Most university scholarships are assessed with your admission application, so there’s rarely a separate deadline later on.
Because most intakes in Malaysia run in February, July and September, aim to apply three to four months before your start date. That gives you time for scholarship assessment as well as EMGS visa processing.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
- Academic results: Class 10 and 12 marksheets from CBSE, ISC or your state board, or degree transcripts for postgraduate study
- English test scores: IELTS, TOEFL or PTE; a higher score can strengthen a merit application
- Personal statement: Where the university or scholarship asks for one
- Portfolio or achievements: For creative courses, or evidence for sports and arts awards
If your English score is close to a scholarship threshold, focused IELTS preparation can be worth more than the test fee. Keep copies of everything, as the same documents support your Malaysia student visa application.
How Much Can a Scholarship Save You?
Here’s what common awards are worth on typical Malaysian fees.
| Example | Annual tuition | Scholarship | First-year saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branch campus degree | MYR 40,000 | 20% merit award | MYR 8,000 (₹1.9 lakh) |
| Private university degree | MYR 30,000 | 30% merit award | MYR 9,000 (₹2.1 lakh) |
| Private university degree | MYR 30,000 | 10% merit award | MYR 3,000 (₹70,500) |
| Master’s at a public university | Varies | MIS | Full tuition plus RM18,000 a year (₹4.2 lakh) |
Illustrative examples only; actual fees and award values vary by university and course.
Set any award against the full cost of studying in Malaysia, including living costs and visa fees, to see your real budget.
What Should You Check Before Accepting a Scholarship?
- Duration: Some awards, such as Nottingham Malaysia’s High Achiever’s Scholarship, apply to the first year only
- Renewal conditions: Multi-year awards usually need you to keep a minimum grade average
- Combining awards: Most universities don’t let you hold two of their scholarships at once
- What’s covered: Most university awards reduce tuition only, not accommodation or living costs
Find the Right Scholarship With StudyIn
The right scholarship depends on your results, course and intake, and timing often decides whether you get one at all.
StudyIn, formerly SI-UK, has over 20 years of experience across multiple study destinations. Our counsellors match your profile to the awards worth pursuing, shortlist universities, manage your applications and EMGS visa, and help you prepare for departure. Still weighing up whether to study in Malaysia, or comparing it with other options for studying in Asia? We can weigh them up with you.
FAQs
Are there scholarships for Indian students in Malaysia?
Yes. Most Malaysian university scholarships are open to all international students, including Indian students, and Indian citizens are eligible for the government-funded Malaysia International Scholarship for master’s and PhD study.
Is the Malaysia International Scholarship open to Indian students?
Yes. India is eligible as a Commonwealth country. The MIS covers full tuition and RM1,500 a month for full-time master’s and PhD study, and the 2026/27 call ran from 4th March to 3rd April 2026.
How much can a scholarship reduce my fees in Malaysia?
Most university scholarships cut tuition by 10 to 30%, often saving ₹1 to 2 lakh a year. Full scholarships are rare outside the MIS.
Do I need to apply separately for scholarships in Malaysia?
Usually not. Most university merit scholarships are assessed automatically with your admission application, though some, such as APU’s merit awards, need a short form and are first come, first served.
When should I apply for a Malaysian scholarship?
Apply three to four months before your chosen intake. Many awards are limited or first come, first served, so late applicants can miss out even if they’re admitted.
Can I get a scholarship for MBBS in Malaysia?
Scholarships for medicine are limited, so plan to fund MBBS fees yourself and treat any award as a bonus.
