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The University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia’s oldest and highest-ranked university, offers a comprehensive range of Scholorships and financial aid options for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. These include:
- tuition fee waivers
- living allowances
- research grants
- education loans
designed to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder academic success.
UM scholarships are offered by the university itself, government agencies, private foundations, and statutory bodies. Eligibility, coverage, and application deadlines vary by programme. Below is an updated overview of all available financial aid opportunities at Universiti Malaya for 2026.
Universiti Malaya Scholarship Scheme (UMSS)
The UMSS refers to postgraduate students (Masters or PhD) who are appointed as Graduate Research Assistants (GRA), whether or not they receive tuition fee waivers based on eligibility criteria. Appointees receive a monthly stipend and may qualify for a full tuition fee waiver.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the GRA offer criteria to qualify for the stipend, and separately meet the tuition fee waiver criteria to be considered for the fee waiver.
(A) GRA Offer Eligibility |
|
|---|---|
| Requirement | Details |
| Eligible candidates | Postgraduate students (Malaysian and non-Malaysian) pursuing coursework, mixed-mode, or full research programmes at UM with Ready for Enrolment (RE) or Active (AK) status |
| Offer letter | Applicant must have obtained the postgraduate offer letter from UM |
| Minimum duration | At least four (4) months, subject to Research Grant conditions |
| Minimum stipend | RM1,000.00 per month, subject to Funding Agency conditions |
| Funding source | Stipend must be from Grant Vot 11000 with sufficient allocation throughout appointment |
| No dual sponsorship | Applicant must not be sponsored by or receiving financial support from any federal, state, or statutory body |
| Clear standing | Applicant must be free from any debt or outstanding fees with UM |
| Semester limit (Masters) | 8th semester and below at time of application |
| Semester limit (PhD) | 12th semester and below at time of application |
(B) Tuition Fee Waiver Eligibility |
|
|---|---|
| Requirement | Details |
| Eligible candidates | Postgraduate students pursuing full research programmes at UM with RE or AK status |
| GRA requirement | Must fulfil GRA eligibility and be appointed as GRA for at least four (4) months in the current semester |
| Graduate on Time — Masters | 5th semester and below at time of application |
| Graduate on Time — PhD | 7th semester and below at time of application |
| Approval | Subject to approval by the Executive Director of IPPP |
Application Procedure
- Download the application form from the relevant programme or AUN-DPPnet website.
- Complete the application with the following enclosures:
- Copy of admission letter from the university
- Attested copies of all transcripts and testimonials
- CV or Resume
- 600-word essay describing work experience
- Letter of Recommendation from Employer or Institution (addressed to AUN-DPPnet)
- Submit to the Universiti Malaya AUN-DPPnet email address.
List of Scholarships for Postgraduate 2026
Universiti Malaya offers a variety of postgraduate scholarships and financial aid schemes. The table below lists all currently available opportunities with their application deadlines for 2026.
Postgraduate Scholarships & Financial Aid 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Scholarship / Programme | Deadline / Status |
| UM Bright Scholarship (PhD by Research) | Open All Year — Cycle 1: End of April (Oct intake) / Cycle 2: End of September (Feb intake) |
| Universiti Malaya Scholarship Scheme (UMSS) | Open All Year |
| Fee Reduction Scheme (Disabilities / Senior Citizens) | 26 July 2026 |
| UM Alumni Privilege | Open All Year |
| PTPTN Education Loan Scheme | Open All Year |
| Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation Scholarship | 06 July 2026 |
| Portal Tajaan Pendidikan Sabah (PTPS) | Open |
| PTE x Universiti Malaya Scholarship 2026 (International) | 31 December 2026 |
| Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentship Awards 2026–2027 | 31 July 2026 |
| Sustainability Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 (YTL Foundation) | 15 August 2026 |
The UM Bright Scholarship is the flagship postgraduate award, offering full funding for outstanding PhD candidates. International students are encouraged to explore the PTE x UM Scholarship, which provides £3,000 toward tuition fees. For sustainability-focused research, the YTL Foundation-sponsored scholarship covers Master’s-level studies in sustainability sciences.
List of Scholarships for Undergraduate 2026
UM undergraduate students can access numerous scholarships, grants, and loans from government bodies, private foundations, and statutory organisations. The table below reflects all currently open opportunities for 2026.
Undergraduate Scholarships & Financial Aid 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Scholarship / Programme | Deadline / Status |
| PTPTN Education Loan Scheme | Open All Year |
| PMG Scholarship for Pharmacy Students | Open All Year |
| Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation Scholarship | 06 July 2026 |
| Portal Tajaan Pendidikan Sabah (PTPS) | Open |
| TT Chiam Scholarship (Engineering) | 15 July 2026 |
| Pinjaman Pengajian Tinggi Negeri Perak | 14 July 2026 |
| Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow Legacy Scholarship FY2026 | 31 July 2026 |
| Kuok Foundation Scholarships & Study Grants 2026 | 15 July 2026 (Online) / 22 July 2026 (Printed) |
| OSK Foundation Scholarship Programme 2026 | 27 July 2026 |
| Cagamas Undergraduate Scholarship Programme 2026 | 31 July 2026 |
| Genting Malaysia Scholarship Award (GENM) | 15 August 2026 |
| Lion-Parkson Foundation Scholarship 2026 | 16 August 2026 |
| KEN Foundation Scholarship Programme 2026 | 28 August 2026 |
| iBITA (Penang State Aid) | 30 September 2026 |
| Yayasan KLK Scholarships 2026 | 30 September 2026 |
| Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Foundation Scholarship 2026 | 11 October 2026 |
| PTE x Universiti Malaya Scholarship 2026 (International) | 31 December 2026 |
Undergraduate scholarships at UM cater to a wide range of students — from engineering (TT Chiam) to pharmacy (PMG), and from state-specific aid (PTPS Sabah, Perak, Penang) to national-level awards (Kuok Foundation, Genting, OSK). International undergraduate students are eligible for the PTE x UM Scholarship worth £3,000 toward tuition fees.
How to Apply for UM Scholarships
Most UM scholarships require online application through the respective provider’s portal. Applicants should prepare the following documents in advance:
- Academic transcripts and certificates (attested copies)
- Offer or admission letter from Universiti Malaya
- Proof of identity — passport (international) or MyKad (local)
- English proficiency results — IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE (for international students)
- Personal statement or essay as required by the specific scholarship
- Letter(s) of recommendation from employer, school, or institution
For university-administered schemes such as UMSS and the Bright Scholarship, applications are submitted through UM’s internal portals. For external scholarships (Genting, Kuok, OSK, etc.), applicants apply directly through the foundation or organisation’s website linked in the tables above.
