The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship is one of Southeast Asia’s most generous government-funded opportunities for international students from developing countries. Sponsored by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it covers your full tuition fees, a substantial monthly living allowance of RM3,500, and a return economy-class airline ticket. In a region where the cost of living is relatively affordable, this package goes a long way. The scholarship has been running since 1980, making it a well-established and trustworthy programme with a long track record of supporting scholars who return home to contribute meaningfully to their countries.
This scholarship is open to citizens of 144 eligible developing nations who wish to pursue a full-time Master’s degree at a recognised Malaysian public or approved private university. There are no gender, race, or nationality-based restrictions beyond country eligibility. The programme runs for 24 to 36 months, covering coursework, mixed-mode, and research-based Master’s programmes. It is particularly well suited to professionals and graduates who want to gain internationally relevant postgraduate qualifications while building lasting ties with Malaysia and the wider global community.
This post covers everything you need to know to apply successfully, including full eligibility criteria, the complete list of 144 eligible countries, benefits breakdown, required documents, step-by-step application guidance, key dates, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Malaysia |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree (24 to 36 months) |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | 12 June 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Citizens of 144 MTCP recipient developing countries |
| Benefits Summary | Full tuition fees + RM3,500/month allowance + return economy airfare |
ELIGIBILITY
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of one of the 144 MTCP recipient countries. Malaysian citizens are not eligible.
- Academic qualifications: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Upper (Honours) or a minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 at the undergraduate level. You must not have already started or completed a postgraduate programme (or have registered for no more than one semester of a Master’s degree).
- Age: You must not be older than 45 years at the time of submitting your application.
- University admission: You must have already received a valid admission offer letter or conditional offer letter from one of the MTCP-supported universities in Malaysia before applying for the scholarship. The admission must be for the September or October 2026 intake.
- Health: You must be in good health, confirmed by a certified medical doctor using the official MTCP Medical Report Form. The report must be valid within six months of your application date. The cost of the medical examination is your responsibility.
- Language requirements: You must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following: an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or above; a TOEFL iBT total score of 60 or above; or an official letter from your previous university confirming that English was the medium of instruction throughout your degree programme.
- Programmes not eligible: Nursing, Medicine, and Clinical Pharmacy programmes cannot be funded under this scholarship.
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
The MTCP Scholarship is open to citizens of 144 developing nations. Below is the full list:
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia (Southeast Asia and East Asia): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Middle East and North Africa: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Europe (Eastern and South-Eastern): Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine
Americas (South America): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands
Pacific Islands: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Note: Turkey (Turkiye) is also listed as an eligible country. For a current, authoritative version of the list, download the official PDF directly from the MTCP scholarship page at mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship.
ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY
The MTCP Scholarship is broadly open to most fields of study at Master’s level. However, the following areas are identified as priority fields for the 2026 cycle:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Transformation
- Economics
- Engineering, Mathematics, Science, and Technology (STEM)
- Food Security
- Islamic Finance
- Law
- Public Administration and Policy
- Sustainability and Environmental Science
Applications from other fields are still considered, but these priority areas are given preference during selection. Nursing, Medicine, and Clinical Pharmacy programmes are not eligible under any circumstances.
BENEFITS
The MTCP Scholarship is fully funded and covers the following:
- Tuition fees: Full tuition fees for the entire duration of your Master’s programme, paid directly to your university. You will not receive a tuition fee cheque; the university receives it on your behalf.
- Monthly living allowance: RM3,500 (Malaysian Ringgit) per month. This inclusive allowance covers accommodation, food, books, local transport, thesis expenses, practical training costs, and medical and insurance needs throughout your studies. Payment is made directly into your individual Malaysian bank account.
- Return economy airfare: A one-off return economy-class airline ticket from the international airport nearest your home to Malaysia at the start of your studies, and back to your home country at the end. Personal or holiday travel outside Malaysia is not covered.
- Health and medical coverage: The monthly allowance includes a component for medical and insurance costs during your stay. Separate dedicated health insurance details should be verified on the official MTCP page, as the RM3,500 is described as inclusive of these expenses.
- No application fee: Applying for the MTCP Scholarship is completely free of charge. Be cautious of any third party asking for payment to assist with your application.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
All documents must be scanned and uploaded in PDF format through the official online application portal. The following are compulsory:
- Copy of your Passport Information Page (must be valid for at least 12 months from the date of application)
- Copies of all Academic Transcripts from your undergraduate degree, including an official document explaining the grading system used by your university
- Copy of your Undergraduate Degree Certificate
- Proof of English Language Proficiency: a certified copy of your IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, CAE, CPE, or MUET result, OR an official letter from your previous institution confirming English as the medium of instruction
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume (detailed)
- Latest Admission Offer Letter or Conditional Offer Letter from a Malaysian university for September or October 2026 intake
- Two Letters of Recommendation using the official MTCP Recommendation Letter template (available for download on the MTCP website)
- Medical Examination Report using the official MTCP Medical Report Form, certified by a licensed doctor and issued within six months of the application date (the medical form is downloadable from the MTCP website)
- Statement of Purpose (if required by your chosen university or field of study)
HOW TO APPLY
Step 1: Confirm that your country is on the list of 144 MTCP recipient countries by checking the official list available on the MTCP website at mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship.
Step 2: Research and shortlist Malaysian universities on the MTCP-supported list that offer your intended programme. You may apply to multiple universities but will need one offer letter for the scholarship application.
Step 3: Apply early to your chosen Malaysian university or universities for the September or October 2026 intake and request an official Admission Offer Letter or Conditional Offer Letter. This step must be completed before you can submit your MTCP scholarship application.
Step 4: Download the official MTCP documents from the website: the Application Guidelines, Medical Report Form, and Recommendation Letter template.
Step 5: Complete your medical examination with a certified doctor using the official MTCP Medical Report Form. Make sure this is done within six months of your intended application date.
Step 6: Ask two qualified referees (lecturers, academic supervisors, or workplace superiors) to complete the official MTCP Recommendation Letter using the template. Family members are not eligible to be referees.
Step 7: Gather and scan all required documents in PDF format, ensuring each file is clear, legible, and meets any technical specifications listed on the portal.
Step 8: Visit the MTCP online application portal at mtcp.kln.gov.my/register_scholarship and create your account.
Step 9: Complete the online scholarship application form, filling in all personal and academic details accurately.
Step 10: Upload all required documents through the portal, review your application carefully, and submit before 12 June 2026. Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for your records.
KEY DATES AND TIMELINE
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens | 4 May 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 12 June 2026 |
| Shortlisting and Review | June to July 2026 |
| Online Interviews (shortlisted only) | July 2026 |
| Final Results | By 31 August 2026 |
| Programme Begins | September or October 2026 |
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application deadline is 12 June 2026. The portal closes on this date.
Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted.
If you do not receive any communication from the MTCP Secretariat by 31 August 2026, your application should be considered unsuccessful for this cycle. You are encouraged to log in to the portal regularly to check your status.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The MTCP Scholarship committee evaluates applicants on several factors beyond basic eligibility:
- Academic excellence: A strong undergraduate academic record is central to the assessment. The minimum CGPA requirement is 3.00, but competitive applicants typically have results that exceed this threshold.
- Relevance of proposed field: Applications in the priority subject areas are given preference, particularly disciplines tied to national development, technology, sustainability, and capacity building.
- English proficiency: Clear, fluent written expression in your supporting documents is taken as a direct indicator of your ability to succeed in an English-medium academic environment.
- Quality of recommendation letters: Referees who speak specifically to your academic or professional ability, your character, and your potential to contribute to your home country will strengthen your application.
- Health and readiness: The scholarship requires confirmed good health before the award is granted. A missing or incomplete medical report can disqualify an otherwise strong application.
- Clarity of purpose: A well-written and specific statement of purpose (where required) that explains why you are pursuing your chosen programme and how it connects to your home country’s development needs will stand out.
IMPORTANT TIPS
- Apply to your Malaysian university first, and apply early. The university offer letter is a mandatory prerequisite for the scholarship application. Many universities take weeks to process admission requests, so do not leave this step until the last minute.
- Download and read the official MTCP Application Guidelines 2026 from the scholarship page before you begin. These guidelines contain specific instructions that may differ from guidance on third-party websites.
- Use the official MTCP templates. Both the Recommendation Letter and the Medical Report Form must be completed using the templates available on the MTCP website. Documents using non-official formats may be rejected.
- Ask your referees well in advance. Your recommendation letters need to be completed by people who know your academic or professional work. Give them enough time to write a thoughtful, specific letter on your behalf.
- Make sure all scanned documents are legible. Blurry or incomplete scans are one of the most common reasons applications are flagged or disqualified. Scan at a resolution that makes all text clearly readable.
- You can apply to multiple universities but submit only one offer letter. If you have received offers from more than one MTCP-supported university, choose the one that best fits your academic goals to attach to your scholarship application.
- Apply in a priority field if possible. If your background allows you to pursue a programme in AI, Cybersecurity, STEM, Sustainability, Public Administration, or a similar priority area, doing so increases your chances of selection.
- Check your email and spam folders regularly after submission. Interview invitations and status updates are sent by email to shortlisted candidates. Missing these communications can cost you the opportunity.
- Do not pay anyone to process your application. The MTCP Scholarship application is entirely free. There is no processing fee at any stage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I apply if I was rejected for the MTCP Scholarship in the previous year?
Yes. Previous rejection does not disqualify you from applying again. Each application cycle is treated as a fresh process, and your previous year’s application has no bearing on the current review. As long as you meet all eligibility requirements, you are welcome to reapply.
Do I need IELTS to apply for the MTCP Scholarship?
Not necessarily. If your previous Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification was taught entirely in English, you can submit an official letter from that institution confirming English as the medium of instruction. This letter serves as your language proficiency evidence. If that is not the case, you will need to provide an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, a TOEFL iBT score of 60 or above, or an accepted equivalent test result.
Can I apply without a university admission offer?
No. Securing a valid admission or conditional offer letter from an MTCP-supported Malaysian university is a mandatory prerequisite for submitting your scholarship application. You cannot apply to the MTCP Scholarship without this letter.
How many universities can I apply to for admission?
You may approach multiple MTCP-supported universities for admission. However, when you submit your scholarship application, you must attach only one offer letter from one of those universities.
Will my dependents (spouse or children) receive any financial support?
No. The MTCP Scholarship does not provide any financial allowance or visa assistance for spouses, children, or other dependents. Any costs associated with bringing family members to Malaysia are entirely your own responsibility.
When will I know if I have been selected for an interview?
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email in July 2026 with an invitation to attend an online interview. If you have not received any communication by 31 August 2026, your application should be considered unsuccessful for this cycle.
Are PhD and undergraduate programmes covered by this scholarship?
No. The MTCP Scholarship is exclusively for Master’s degree programmes. PhD and undergraduate programmes are not covered.
Is there a quota per country for MTCP Scholarship awards?
Check the official MTCP Application Guidelines 2026 or contact mtcp_scholarship@kln.gov.my for confirmation.
OFFICIAL LINK
Apply and access all official documents at the MTCP Scholarship portal: https://mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship
