Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Scholarships 2025–2026: Types, Funding, Eligibility, and Application Steps

University: Universiti Sains Malaysia – USM (Penang, Malaysia)
Levels Covered: Primarily postgraduate (Master’s/PhD), with limited undergraduate programs/initiatives via external providers.
Quick Note: The strongest current opportunity for international students is the Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) available at Malaysian universities—including USM—for Master’s and PhD study.

1) What scholarship/support types are available at USM?

1) Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) (for international students – Master’s/PhD)

A scholarship funded by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education to attract excellent postgraduate students to Malaysian universities (including USM). It is announced annually (e.g., the 2025 round ran until 30 June 2025). Funding includes tuition fees and a monthly living allowance according to the MIS guidelines. Applications are submitted via the Ministry’s portal, not directly through the university.

2) Internal USM programs and scholarships (managed by the Institute of Postgraduate Studies – IPS)

USM lists several schemes on its admissions/financial-aid pages, such as: USM Global Fellowship, USM Fellowship, Vice-Chancellor Award, Graduate Assistance/Assistantship Scheme (GAS), and TWAS-USM Postgraduate Fellowship. Eligibility and funding vary by scheme and school. Check the “Financial Assistance – Postgraduate” page and the IPS handbook for the latest updates.

3) USMCARE Scholarship (internal)

A scholarship announced via IPS (e.g., the 2025 cycle with a deadline of 30 September 2025). Exact details and eligibility requirements are updated on the IPS page.

What do these scholarships cover?

• MIS: Tuition fees plus a monthly living allowance (as per the Ministry’s MIS guidelines). Application is centralized via the Ministry’s portal.

• USM Fellowships / Global Fellowship / VC Award: Tuition support and, in some cases, research/allowance components, depending on the scheme and school; specifics are outlined in IPS announcements and the official handbook.

• Graduate Assistantship/Assistance Scheme (GAS): Support tied to research/teaching duties within the school; the nature and amount are set by the school/IPS. Refer to IPS and postgraduate admissions pages.

Eligibility (Quick Summary)

• MIS (Ministry of Higher Education): Strong academic record per Ministry criteria; full-time Master’s or PhD; research/study conducted in Malaysia at a recognized university such as USM. Apply via the Ministry portal.

• USM Fellowships / IPS Scholarships: Vary by scheme; typically require admission/nomination to a USM postgraduate program and a strong academic profile, with school-specific requirements in some cases. See IPS and school pages.

• USMCARE 2025: Announced via IPS with a 30 September 2025 deadline; check the IPS announcement for detailed criteria.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Scholarships  : Key Dates (2025–2026)

• MIS 2025: The application window for the 2025 cycle ran until 30 June 2025 (closed). The next cycle typically opens May–June; monitor the official MIS portal.

• USMCARE 2025: Deadline 30 September 2025. Confirm any subsequent updates on IPS.

• Other USM schemes: Dates are posted on the Financial Assistance – Postgraduate page and in the IPS handbook as they are released.

Practical Tip: Set a reminder before May to track the opening of MIS, and keep an eye on the USM IPS announcements year-round. (Portal: biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER)

Fields of Study

USM is a comprehensive research university (Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts, etc.). Scholarship eligibility requires admission to an actual program within a USM school/faculty, with your study topic aligning with a supervisor/department. Check the program pages for each school (e.g., the School of Medical Sciences for research/coursework pathways).

Required Documents

• Valid passport, ID photos

• Certified certificates and transcripts (Bachelor’s/Master’s, as applicable)

• Motivation/Research statement, and a research proposal for research-track applicants

• Language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) per program requirements

• Academic letters of recommendation

• USM admission/nomination or preliminary supervisor endorsement (for some research programs)

• Any scholarship-specific forms (e.g., MIS form via the Ministry portal)

Application Steps (by scholarship type)

Path A — MIS (Ministry of Higher Education)

1. Choose your USM program and contact a potential supervisor if required.

2. Submit your USM admission application via the official portal.

3. Apply for MIS through the Ministry portal during the official window: biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER.

4. Upload all documents and meet all timelines; then monitor your email for shortlisting/offer updates.

Path B — USM internal scholarships/fellowships (IPS)

1. Review the Financial Assistance – Postgraduate list on USM’s site to see which schemes are open.

2. Read the scheme’s handbook/guidelines (Global Fellowship, Fellowship, VC Award, GAS, etc.).

3. Prepare files and apply via the links/forms indicated in the IPS announcement or your school’s page.

FAQs

Are there direct undergraduate scholarships for international students at USM?
Direct USM undergrad scholarships for international students are very limited. Stronger options are typically external sponsors or national Malaysian schemes, which often do not include international undergraduates. Monitor the school pages for any specific calls.

Does MIS cover all costs?
MIS covers tuition and provides a monthly allowance per the Ministry’s published MIS guidelines. Refer to the official guide when the cycle opens.

Do I need USM admission before applying to MIS?
It is strongly recommended to secure admission/nomination or formal program eligibility at USM when applying, and to follow all MIS timelines and documentation rules. Final requirements follow the annual MIS guide.

Official Links

• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) – Ministry of Higher Education: https://biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/INTER/index.php 

• USM – Financial Assistance (Postgraduate) / IPS: https://admission.usm.my/index.php/postgraduate/financial-assistance

• IPS USM – Financial Assistances page: https://ips.usm.my/index.php/financial-assistances-v2

• Main IPS (Institute of Postgraduate Studies) homepage: https://ips.usm.my/ 

Final Advice for Arab Students

• Prepare your file early (before May) for the next MIS cycle.

• Apply in parallel to USM internal fellowships via IPS, and contact potential supervisors to strengthen your case.

• Tailor your motivation letter to your research plan and the department/supervisor’s interests.