Scholarships in Malaysia for Bangladeshi Students
A complete guide for Bangladeshi students aiming to study in Malaysia with affordable tuition and scholarship support. Learn about government-funded programs, university-specific awards, and how to apply effectively for Malaysian scholarships.
Why Apply for Scholarships in Malaysia?
High-Quality Education with Affordable Costs
Malaysia is emerging as a top destination for international education in Asia, offering globally recognized programs at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries. International students, including those from Bangladesh, can access excellent degrees in engineering, medicine, business, and information technology. Scholarships help offset tuition and living expenses, making quality education accessible and affordable.
Variety of Scholarship Opportunities
Malaysia provides a wide range of scholarships through government initiatives, universities, and private foundations. Key programs include the Malaysian Government Scholarship, Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), and university-specific awards. These scholarships often cover full or partial tuition, monthly stipends (averaging MYR 1,200–2,000), accommodation, and travel support.
Career Growth and Networking
Scholarship recipients benefit from networking with local and international students, faculty, and industry professionals. Malaysia’s strategic location and rapidly growing economy provide opportunities for internships, collaborative projects, and career development, preparing graduates for regional and global job markets.
Research and Innovation Opportunities
Malaysian universities are increasingly recognized for research in fields like renewable energy, biotechnology, AI, and social sciences. Scholarships often provide access to labs, research funding, and mentorship, allowing students to gain practical experience and contribute to innovative projects that enhance both academic and professional portfolios.
- Financial relief covering tuition, accommodation, and living costs
- Access to top Malaysian universities and global academic networks
- Opportunities for internships and regional career exposure
- Participation in research, innovation, and collaborative projects
- Special scholarships for students from South Asia, including Bangladesh
Types of Scholarships Available
Bangladeshi students can access a variety of Malaysian scholarships, ranging from government-funded programs to university-specific and private awards. These are designed for different study levels, disciplines, and merit/need criteria.
1. Government Scholarships
- Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Degree Level: Postgraduate (Master’s, PhD)
Coverage: Full tuition fee, RM 1,500 monthly allowance, travel/books support
Eligibility: CGPA ≥3.5, age <40 (Master’s) or <45 (PhD), IELTS/TOEFL required
Participating Universities: 20+ public and 4 select private
Deadline: June 30, 2025 - Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship
Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
Coverage: Tuition, RM 3,500/month stipend, return airfare, other benefits
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with good grades, under 45 years, 2+ years work experience, English proficiency
Deadline: Rolling annual cycle - Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship
For postgraduate students from Commonwealth countries
Coverage: Tuition and living expenses
Eligibility: Academic excellence in relevant discipline - ASEAN and Malaysia-APEC Scholarships
For postgraduate students from ASEAN and APEC countries
Coverage: Tuition, living, and airfare
Eligibility: Strong academic profile for Master’s and PhD programs
2. University-Specific Scholarships
- APU (Asia Pacific University) Scholarships
Levels: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Benefit: 10%–30% tuition waiver, renewable with satisfactory academic progress
Eligibility: Based on O-Level, A-Level, IB, or Bachelor’s results; new international students - Taylor’s University Scholarships
Levels: Pre-University, Bachelor’s, Master’s
Merit Scholarship: Up to 100% tuition waiver for high scores
Excellence Award: RM 4,000–RM 15,000 waiver by program/results
Pharmacy/Health Science: Up to RM 13,000/year - UCSI University Trust Scholarships & Education Grants
Levels: Foundation, Diploma, Degree, A-Level, AUSMAT
Coverage: Partial tuition waiver, RM 2,500–15,000 for Pre-U; merit/leadership basis - INTI International Education Scholarship & Promotions
Up to 25% tuition waiver (Year 1), free Foundation, free English program
100% MBA tuition for postgraduates publishing 2 Scopus journals
Free accommodation for eligible students - SEGi University Scholarships
Foundation & Arts/Science Degrees: Specific waivers (e.g., RM 14,340)
Health Sciences: 20% waiver first-year degree (min. CGPA 3.7)
Sports: 50–100% tuition for state/national-level athletes
Postgraduate: 15% off Masters, 25% PhD/MBA tuition rebate with publication
Family/Sibling Discount: 10% tuition reduction - Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak
Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Award: Open to all countries, CGPA ≥3.75, for Foundation, SPM, O-Level, and degree programs - Monash University Malaysia & Universiti Malaya (UM), UPM, IIUM
Full scholarships for outstanding international students
Undergraduate scholarships for excellent Bangladeshi students; tuition, stipends, sometimes housing
3. Private, Foundation, and Special Scholarships
- Khazanah Global Scholarship: Fully funded postgraduate program focusing on merit and leadership
- Albukhary Foundation Scholarship: Full tuition, housing, and additional privileges for undergraduates from developing countries
- Shell Malaysia Scholarship: For engineering and business students; covers tuition and living expenses
- Other awards: MSC, Hope Bursary, Sports Scholarships, Graduate Research Funding, Family discounts (conditions vary by university)
4. Entrance Scholarships, Promotions, and Discounts
- Automatic Award: Scholarships awarded automatically based on strong admission results
- Free accommodation or access to English programs provided at select entry times
- Tuition reduction for siblings/family: Up to 10% discount for qualifying relatives
Major Scholarships Available for Bangladeshi Students in Malaysia
Bangladeshi students can access a wide range of scholarships in Malaysia, offered by the government, universities, and private foundations. These programs support undergraduate, postgraduate, and research-level study across diverse disciplines.
| Scholarship Name | Provider / Level | Coverage & Benefits | Eligibility / Notes | Apply Within |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) | Government / Master’s & PhD | Full tuition fees, RM 1,500 monthly allowance, travel, research/books support | CGPA ≥3.5, age ≤40 for Master’s, ≤45 for PhD, IELTS/TOEFL required | June 30, 2025 |
| Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) | Government / Master’s | Includes tuition fees, RM 3,500 monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and medical insurance | Bachelor’s degree, 2+ years work experience, under 45, English proficiency | Rolling applications |
| ASEAN & Malaysia-APEC Scholarships | Government / Postgraduate | Tuition, living allowance, airfare | Master’s/PhD with strong academic profile; regional collaboration focus | Varies by program |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) Scholarships | University / UG & PG | 10–30% tuition waiver, renewable annually | Academic performance required | Varies by intake |
| Taylor’s University Scholarships | University / UG & PG | Merit scholarships up to 100% tuition, program-specific awards RM4,000–RM15,000, health sciences scholarships RM13,000/year | High O/A-Level/UEC scores or academic excellence | Varies |
| UCSI University Trust Scholarships & Education Grants | University / Foundation, Diploma, Degree, Pre-U | Partial tuition waiver RM2,500–RM15,000 for merit/leadership | Academic or leadership merit | Varies |
| Khazanah Global Scholarship | Private/Foundation / Postgraduate | Fully funded tuition, monthly stipend, leadership development | Merit and leadership focus | Annually |
| Albukhary Foundation Scholarship | Private/Foundation / UG | Full tuition and housing for eligible international students | Developing country students | Varies |
University-Specific Scholarships (Sky2Edu Partners)
Sky2Edu partner universities in Malaysia offer exclusive benefits and scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
- Merit-based tuition waivers for high-achieving students
- 30% – 100% scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate programs
- Accommodation discounts for international students
- Vice-Chancellor, Dean’s, and Excellence Awards
- Special scholarships for STEM, Business, and IT programs
| University | Scholarship Name | Level | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | UM Excellence Scholarship | UG | 50% Tuition |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | UM Postgraduate Research Scholarship | PG/PhD | Full Tuition + Monthly Stipend |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | UKM Vice-Chancellor Scholarship | UG/PG | 100% Tuition + Accommodation |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | UKM Outstanding Student Award | UG | 50% Tuition |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | UTM International Student Scholarship | PG | Full Tuition |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | UTM Engineering Excellence Award | UG | 25–50% Tuition |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | USM Global Scholarship | UG | Partial Tuition |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | USM Graduate Research Assistantship | PG/PhD | Full Tuition + Allowance |
| Taylor’s University | Taylor's Talent Scholarship | UG | 50–100% Tuition |
| Taylor’s University | Taylor’s Postgraduate Merit Award | PG | 50% Tuition |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | APU Merit Scholarship | UG | 20–50% Tuition |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | APU Postgraduate Scholarship | PG | 30% Tuition |
| INTI International University | INTI Global Award | UG | 30–45% Tuition |
| INTI International University | INTI High Achiever Scholarship | UG | Up to 100% Tuition |
| Sunway University | Sunway Excellence Scholarship | UG | 50–100% Tuition |
| Sunway University | Sunway Postgraduate Research Scholarship | PG/PhD | Full Tuition + Monthly Allowance |
| University of Cyberjaya | UoC Healthcare Excellence Award | UG | 25–50% Tuition |
| University of Cyberjaya | UoC Postgraduate Research Grant | PG/PhD | Full Tuition |
| Multimedia University (MMU) | MMU High Achievers Scholarship | UG | 30–50% Tuition |
| Multimedia University (MMU) | MMU Postgraduate Excellence Award | PG | 50–100% Tuition |
Sky2Edu Partnership Benefits
Sky2Edu provides students with unmatched support, giving them priority access to top universities, exclusive scholarships, and guidance through every step of the study abroad process.
- Exclusive scholarship options available only through Sky2Edu partner universities
- Accelerated application processing to secure faster admission offers
- Waivers or reductions on application fees for selected institutions
- Customized scholarship recommendations based on individual academic profiles
- Professional guidance in crafting SOPs, essays, and other essential documents
- Step-by-step mentorship throughout the entire application journey
- Comprehensive evaluation of academic credentials to increase acceptance chances
- Personalized university and program suggestions tailored to career ambitions
- Direct liaison with university admissions staff for smooth communication
- Assistance with securing on-campus or off-campus accommodation
- Support in preparing visa applications and understanding immigration requirements
- Clear guidance on tuition fees, living costs, and overall financial planning
- Regular notifications about scholarship openings, deadlines, and program updates
- Ongoing support until students arrive and settle successfully at their destination
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships in Malaysia
Step 1 — Explore Scholarship Options and Choose the Right Institutions
Start by finding Malaysian universities and programs that align with your academic interests and long-term goals. Review major scholarship opportunities such as the Malaysian Government’s MIS and MTCP Scholarships, university-specific awards, and foundation or industry-supported funding. Be sure to check eligibility requirements, preferred fields of study, and whether the scholarship supports undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs. PFEC Bangladesh can help match you with suitable scholarships based on your qualifications.
Step 2 — Prepare Academic, Language, and Supporting Documents
Gather your academic transcripts, certificates, and letters of recommendation early. For international students, English proficiency scores are often required—IELTS (usually 5.5–6.5), PTE, or TOEFL, depending on the university. Prepare a clear personal statement outlining your goals and reasons for studying in Malaysia. Research applicants may need a research proposal, while applicants to creative programs might be asked to submit portfolios or project samples.
Step 3 — Apply for University Admission and Scholarships
Many Malaysian scholarships require applicants to secure an offer from a Malaysian university before applying, so start with your university application. Check scholarship deadlines carefully—government scholarships and certain university-funded awards often close early for each intake. Some institutions automatically consider international students for merit scholarships, while others require a dedicated application through the university portal. Applying to more than one scholarship increases your chances of receiving financial support.
Step 4 — Follow Up, Confirm Results & Prepare for Arrival
Monitor your email and university platform for updates, interview invitations, or requests for additional documents. Once awarded a scholarship, begin your EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) visa application, arrange accommodation near your campus, and learn about living costs in Malaysia. Preparing early for travel, health insurance, and settlement arrangements will help you begin your academic journey smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions – Scholarships in Malaysia
Yes. Scholarships like the Malaysian Government Scholarships and specific university-funded awards offer full tuition, living allowances, and sometimes travel support for eligible international students.
Applicants usually need excellent academic records. Undergraduate scholarships often require strong high school results, while postgraduate scholarships require a bachelor’s or master’s degree with high GPA.
Yes, most scholarships require proof of English proficiency through tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, especially for programs taught in English. Minimum scores vary by program.
Yes, but check each scholarship’s guidelines carefully. Some scholarships may have restrictions on concurrent applications or awards.
Generally, a study gap of 1–2 years is acceptable. Longer gaps may require an explanation or proof of activities undertaken during the gap period.
Many fully funded scholarships include a living stipend and sometimes accommodation support, but the exact benefits vary. Always check the scholarship details before applying.
It is advisable to start 6–9 months before the program start date to gather academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and language test scores.
Part-time work may be allowed according to Malaysian visa regulations. Most scholarships encourage full-time study but allow campus-based work or internships in some cases.
Our experts can guide you through securing a fully funded scholarship in Malaysia and completing a strong application.