Scholarships in Malaysia for Indonesian Students
A complete, updated list of scholarships available to Indonesian and other international students in Malaysia, organised by study level, with eligibility, coverage, and current deadlines.
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What you'll learn in this article
Malaysia offers a genuine range of government and university-funded scholarships for international students. This page lists what's actually available to Indonesian and other international applicants, organised by level of study, along with practical tips and honest limitations to help you apply efficiently.
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Postgraduate Scholarships in Malaysia
Postgraduate study carries the widest range of dedicated government and university funding in Malaysia; here's what's genuinely available at Master's and PhD level. Note upfront: MIS, MTCP, and MyBrain15 do not cover undergraduate study; if you're applying at bachelor's level, skip to the Undergraduate section instead.
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition + RM 1,500/month living allowance (approx. Rp 5,100,000/month)
- Eligibility: Strong academic record, research proposal (min. 1,000 words) for Master's by Research/PhD, English proficiency (TOEFL 550+ PBT or English-medium prior degree declaration), applicants must not exceed 45 years of age; open to eligible recipient countries, and Indonesia is on the current MIS recipient country list
- Current status (as of August 2026): the 2026/2027 application cycle closed on 3 April 2026, and the portal is now only open for shortlisted applicants awaiting interview results. The next cycle typically opens around March; check the official MOHE portal or ask AECC for the confirmed next window
- Note: Travel costs are not covered; applicants arrange their own travel to Malaysia
Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship
- Level: Master's degree
- Coverage: Full tuition + RM 3,500/month living allowance (approx. Rp 11,900,000/month), higher than MIS
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, minimum 2 years relevant work experience, from an MTCP recipient country; Indonesia is an MTCP recipient country
- Fields: Agriculture, engineering, science and technology, social sciences, Islamic finance
- Note: This scholarship carries genuine post-study expectations tied to contributing to your home country's development, not just a funding formality
MyBrain15
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition + monthly allowance + research grants
- Eligibility: Strong academic record; priority given to critical/strategic research fields; open to international applicants, and Indonesian applicants are eligible provided the academic and field-of-study criteria are met
- Deadlines typically in March for September intake
Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) Scholarships
- Level: Undergraduate, Master's, PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, research expenses
- Fields: Engineering, computer science, technology management
- Note: Jointly supported by Malaysian and Japanese institutions, strong mentorship component from both
ASEAN Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies
- Level: Master's (up to 2 years funded) and Doctoral (up to 3 years funded)
- Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, round-trip airfare
- Eligibility: Citizens of ASEAN member countries; Indonesia qualifies, with a completed undergraduate degree
CIMB Niaga Scholarship for Indonesian Students
- Level: Postgraduate
- Coverage: Tuition support
- Eligibility: Indonesian students specifically, at the University of Malaya or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Note: Backed by CIMB Niaga, an Indonesian bank, this is genuinely built for Indonesian applicants rather than a broader international scheme; confirm current terms directly with the university or CIMB Niaga
AUN-DPPnet Postgraduate Scholarship on Public Policy (University of Malaya)
- Level: Postgraduate
- Coverage: Varies, confirm directly with University of Malaya
- Eligibility: ASEAN nationals, with Indonesia explicitly named among eligible countries alongside Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Myanmar
Undergraduate Scholarships in Malaysia
Undergraduate funding is more limited than postgraduate funding in Malaysia, but genuine options exist, both nationally and through individual universities.
Albukhary Foundation Scholarship
- Level: Undergraduate
- Coverage: 100% tuition waiver, accommodation, meals, uniforms, insurance, monthly allowance
- Eligibility: Students from marginalised communities in developing countries; Indonesia qualifies as an eligible developing country
- Note: Verify current availability directly, as intake and terms are periodically reviewed
Malaysia-APEC Scholarship
- Level: Undergraduate
- Coverage: Tuition fees, living expenses, and other benefits
- Eligibility: Outstanding students from APEC member economies; Indonesia qualifies
YM SMILE Scholarship (Management and Science University)
- Level: Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition for the entire programme duration
- Eligibility: Combination of Grade A and B (or 90% average), minimum CGPA 3.5/4.0, minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent; open to new international applicants, including Indonesian students, provided the direct-application requirement below is met
- Important: this scholarship is only open to applicants applying directly through official MSU channels; it explicitly excludes applications submitted through third-party agents or education consultants, including AECC. If SMILE is your target, you'll need to apply to MSU yourself, though AECC can still help you prepare your broader application strategy and compare it against other options
- Not covered: accommodation, books, meals, transport, medical costs, visa fees, and existing MSU students are not eligible
University-Specific Scholarships in Malaysia
Beyond government schemes, individual universities in Malaysia run their own scholarships, often with more flexible eligibility and, in several cases, terms specifically written for Indonesian applicants.
| Scholarship | University | Coverage | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monash International Merit Scholarship | Monash University Malaysia | Approx. $10,000/year for the duration of your degree | Minimum weighted average mark of 85 |
| High Achievers Scholarship (Undergraduate) | Heriot-Watt University Malaysia | Up to RM 12,000/year (approx. Rp 40,800,000/year) | Strong academic qualifications |
| International Scholarship and Merit Awards | Asia Pacific University (APU) | Renewable annually | Open to all nationalities; minimum CGPA 3.0 maintained yearly |
| PVC Academic Excellence Scholarship | Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak | Up to RM 12,000 (approx. Rp 40,800,000) | Indonesian students specifically; minimum SMA 3 with 74% entry requirement |
| Pro Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship | Curtin University Malaysia | 50% tuition fee waiver, full programme duration | Indonesian students specifically; minimum CWA 80% |
| High Achievers, Dean's Excellence, Sibling, and Alumni Scholarships | University of Nottingham Malaysia | Varies by scholarship | Minimum GPA requirements, varies by award |
| INTI University International Scholarship | INTI International University | 45% tuition fee waiver | Open to all new international students |
| Undergraduate and Postgraduate Merit/Academic Scholarships | University of Southampton Malaysia | Varies by scholarship | Minimum GPA requirements |
| YM SMILE Scholarship | Management and Science University (MSU) | Full tuition waiver | Direct application only, not available through agents or consultants |
| CIMB Niaga Scholarship | University of Malaya / Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Tuition support | Indonesian students specifically |
Figures converted at approximately 1 MYR = Rp 3,400 (August 2026).
Short Course Scholarships in MalaysiaUnlike Master's, PhD, and undergraduate study, Malaysia doesn't have a widely publicised, dedicated scholarship scheme specifically for short courses. If a short course is your specific goal, this page isn't going to point you to a standalone award; that category genuinely doesn't exist in a well-publicised form. Short-term and non-degree study is more commonly self-funded or occasionally bundled into broader technical cooperation programmes like MTCP, which includes some vocational and technical training components alongside its Master's-level funding. Check directly with your target institution for any bundled funding options rather than expecting a dedicated scholarship. |
How to Apply for Scholarships in Malaysia
The process is broadly similar across government and university scholarships, though timing and documentation requirements vary by scheme. One thing to confirm before you start: almost every scholarship on this page assumes you're already pursuing, or have secured, a place at a Malaysian institution; a scholarship application without an admission offer generally won't progress.
- Shortlist scholarships matching your study level, field, and nationality eligibility.
- Confirm exact deadlines directly with the provider; government scholarships (MIS, MTCP) open and close within narrow windows each year.
- Prepare documents: academic transcripts, English proficiency proof, personal statement, recommendation letters, and a research proposal if applying for a research-based Master's or PhD.
- Submit your application through the scholarship's official online portal.
- Respond promptly if shortlisted for an interview or asked for additional documents.
- Review the terms carefully before accepting; some scholarships (like MTCP) may carry work-experience or field-of-study conditions attached.
Tips to Apply for Scholarships in Malaysia
Beyond the basic steps, a few practical details genuinely improve your odds and save you wasted effort.
- Get your English proficiency test done early. TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE results take time to arrive and are required documentation for most schemes; don't leave this until the application window opens.
- Align your research proposal with Malaysia's priority fields if you're going for MIS. MIS explicitly gives preference to research with relevance to Malaysia; a generic proposal is less competitive than one that shows genuine engagement with local priorities.
- Don't assume scholarships can be combined. Government scholarships like MIS are generally not stackable with university-specific tuition waivers; check the specific terms rather than assuming you can layer multiple sources of funding.
- Budget for what isn't covered. Even "full tuition" scholarships rarely cover books, personal expenses, or health insurance; plan your finances around the gaps, not just the headline coverage.
- Check whether a work-back requirement is attached. Some postgraduate scholarships, particularly research-based awards, require you to contribute teaching or research support hours (sometimes up to 240 hours per year) in exchange for funding. Ask directly before assuming a "fully funded" award comes with no obligations.
- Check whether the scholarship allows consultant support at all. A small number of scholarships, like MSU's SMILE Scholarship, explicitly require direct applications and exclude third-party agents or consultants. AECC will always tell you upfront if a scholarship falls into this category rather than claim we can help where we genuinely can't.
- Apply as soon as the window opens, not near the deadline. Government scholarship windows are genuinely narrow (MIS's 2026/2027 cycle ran barely a month), and technical issues or missing documents discovered late can cost you the cycle entirely.
Scholarship Eligibility in Malaysia at a Glance
Beyond the scholarship-specific criteria above, a few eligibility factors show up consistently across most Malaysian scholarships, and it's worth an honest gut-check here: most schemes expect a GPA or CGPA of 3.0 or higher; applying well below this threshold is unlikely to succeed regardless of other strengths.
- Academic record: most scholarships require a minimum GPA or CGPA (commonly 3.0 to 3.5)
- English proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores, or an official declaration of prior English-medium education
- Study level: postgraduate scholarships (MIS, MTCP, MyBrain15) do not cover undergraduate study; check level-specific eligibility before applying
- Nationality: Indonesia qualifies by name for MTCP, ASEAN Scholarships, Malaysia-APEC, CIMB Niaga, and AUN-DPPnet specifically, in addition to open-to-all schemes like MIS, Albukhary, and SMILE
Matching your specific profile against the right scholarship, and getting your application in during the right window, is where most students actually lose time or miss out, not because they weren't eligible, but because they didn't know a specific scheme existed or missed a narrow deadline. AECC's counsellors track these deadlines and eligibility changes directly and can help you build a shortlist and a genuinely competitive application, all at no cost to you.
Scholarships in Malaysia for Indonesian Students FAQs
Here are the questions Indonesian students ask us most often about Malaysian scholarships.
Yes, and genuinely so. Beyond broader schemes like MIS, several are named specifically for Indonesian applicants, including the CIMB Niaga Scholarship, Swinburne's PVC Academic Excellence Scholarship, and Curtin's Pro Vice-Chancellor Scholarship, alongside nationality-based eligibility for MTCP, ASEAN Scholarships, Malaysia-APEC, and AUN-DPPnet.
Not necessarily, and this trips up a lot of applicants. The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), formerly the Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, is the correct government scholarship for international students studying in Malaysia. The Ministry of Higher Education's general "International Scholarship" portal, by contrast, mostly lists funding for Malaysian citizens studying abroad, not for foreign students coming into Malaysia. If you're searching "Malaysian Government Scholarship" hoping to fund study in Malaysia, MIS is the one you actually want.
Yes. The Albukhary Foundation Scholarship and MSU's YM SMILE Scholarship both cover 100% tuition for eligible students, and MIS, MTCP, and MyBrain15 all cover full tuition at the postgraduate level.
Eligibility varies by scholarship but generally includes a minimum GPA (commonly 3.0-3.5), English proficiency proof, and sometimes prior work experience (for MTCP) or a research proposal (for research-based Master's and PhD applications).
Shortlist scholarships matching your level and field, confirm exact deadlines directly with the provider, prepare your documents, and apply through the scholarship's official online portal, government scholarships in particular open and close within narrow annual windows.
There's no genuinely "easy" scholarship, all require a strong academic record, but university-specific merit scholarships (like APU's International Scholarship and Merit Awards) tend to have broader eligibility than competitive government schemes like MIS.
Yes, MIS, MyBrain15, MJIIT, and MSU's SMILE Scholarship all offer PhD-level funding, typically covering full tuition plus, in some cases, a monthly stipend, though a research proposal and strong academic record are usually required. MTCP is Master's-level only.
Not as a widely publicised, standalone category, short courses are more commonly self-funded, though some technical cooperation programmes include vocational components, check directly with your target institution.
Most cover tuition fully or partially, plus a monthly living allowance, some (like MTCP) also include airfare, while others (like MIS and SMILE) explicitly exclude travel and personal costs, always check what's included before assuming full coverage.
This changes throughout the year, government scholarships like MIS run narrow annual windows (the 2026/2027 MIS cycle, for example, closed in April 2026), while university-specific scholarships like SMILE, CIMB Niaga, or Monash's Merit Scholarship tend to align with each institution's own intake calendar and may be open more often. Rather than relying on a static list, confirm current open cycles directly with AECC or the specific scholarship provider before applying.
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About the Author
Published and reviewed by AECC counsellors who guide students through every step of their study-abroad journey.
Published by Payal Chandra Roy
IELTS, Courses and Application Expert | 15 Years Advising Students from India
Payal Chandra Roy has 15 years of experience in international education, writing on three areas that students from India navigate regardless of which destination they are heading to: English proficiency tests, course selection and application documents. She covers IELTS and the Duolingo English Test, writes on standalone course guides across disciplines, and covers the application documents that accompany university applications including Letters of Recommendation, Statements of Purpose, academic essays and CVs.
Her background is practical in a specific way. She began as a student counsellor advising students from India directly, then moved into training and developing counsellors across AECC's network. That progression means she understands not just what Indian students need to know, but where the advice they typically receive falls short. Her articles address the specific challenges students from India face: IELTS band requirements for different destinations, how to approach course selection when the same discipline is available across multiple countries, and how to write an SOP that works for an Indian applicant at an international institution.
With over 1,000 students helped and more than 464,000 article views across the AECC platform, Payal's content covers the questions Indian students ask most consistently when preparing for English proficiency tests, choosing a course and putting together their application documents. She holds an MBA in Marketing and is based at AECC's offices.
