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Malaysia · PhD by research · Fully funded by Universiti Malaya

University of MalayaScholarship Provider

University of Malaya Bright Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia (Fully Funded)

The Universiti Malaya (UM) Bright Scholarship is built for one audience: outstanding researchers, Malaysian or international, ready to do a full-time PhD by research in Kuala Lumpur. The package is RM3,500 a month for 42 months plus a full tuition-fee waiver for seven semesters. The bar is high — a 3.70 CGPA at both bachelor’s and master’s level and age 30 or under — and applications roll throughout the year with deadlines that vary by research field.

Rolling deadline Open Updated 16 Oct 2026 By University of Malaya
Award
RM3,500/month × 42 monthsPlus a full tuition-fee waiver for 7 semesters. Insurance, visa, flights, medical exams and accommodation are NOT covered
Who
PhD by research candidatesMalaysian citizens and international students; age not exceeding 30 in the year of application; must not hold any other sponsorship or scholarship
Grades
CGPA 3.70+Bachelor’s degree with CGPA above 3.70 AND a Master’s by research or mixed mode (coursework + dissertation) with CGPA ≥3.70/4.00
English
IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 73–93 / CEFR B2Non-citizens must submit a valid English qualification (valid within 2 years of the exam date)
Fields
10 UM thrust areasNuclear energy, semiconductors, nanotechnology/quantum, AI & robotics, space science, food security, medical & health, rare earths, defence & security, social-science advancement

About the scholarship

The UM Bright Scholarship is Universiti Malaya’s flagship award for doctoral talent — a fully funded route into a full-time PhD by research at Malaysia’s top-ranked university in Kuala Lumpur. It is open to both Malaysian citizens and international students, and it is explicitly designed to attract strong minds into UM’s 10 strategic research thrust areas: nuclear and new energy transition, semiconductors and chips, nanotechnology and quantum exploration, AI and digital robotics, space science and engineering, food sustainability and security, medical and health excellence, rare earths and critical minerals, defence and security innovation, and social-science advancement (economics, finance, law, geopolitics).

The support is straightforward and generous where it counts: a monthly stipend of RM3,500 for 42 months and a full tuition-fee waiver for seven semesters. The university is equally clear about what it does not pay: passport preparation, insurance, visas, flight tickets, medical examinations and accommodation are all on the scholar.

Eligibility

  • Age: must not exceed 30 years in the year of application.
  • Bachelor’s degree with a CGPA above 3.70 (or a recognised equivalent).
  • Master’s degree by research, or through mixed mode (coursework plus dissertation), with a CGPA of at least 3.70/4.00.
  • English proficiency (non-citizens): IELTS Academic 6.5 or above, TOEFL 73–93, or CEFR B2 — the qualification must be valid within the two years before application.
  • No double funding: you must not already be receiving any sponsorship or scholarship from any other organisation.
  • Research area must fall within the 10 UM thrust areas; the university reserves the right to assign the appropriate field based on your merits.

Benefits

  • RM3,500 per month for 42 months — over RM147,000 in direct stipend support.
  • Full tuition-fee waiver throughout seven semesters of the PhD.
  • Supervision and research facilities at one of Southeast Asia’s leading research universities.
  • Not covered: insurance, visa fees, flight tickets, medical examinations and accommodation.

Documents required

  1. Passport-sized photograph.
  2. Completed UMES application form.
  3. Publication proof (first page) and evidence of conference participation, where applicable.
  4. Copy of identity card / passport.
  5. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and transcripts.
  6. Valid English-proficiency certificate.
  7. Proposed PhD research area and preferred supervisor (asked for in the official application form).

How to apply

  1. Complete the UM application form (the UMES form published with the official call).
  2. Compile every document as a PDF and label the file in the official format: “<your name>*UMBrightS*<date dd-mm-yy>”.
  3. Email the package to brightscholar@um.edu.my — the application address published in the official call documents.
  4. Watch your field’s deadline: there is no single closing date — the last date varies by field of research, and applications are accepted throughout the year. Apply well ahead of your intended intake.

FAQs

Is the UM Bright Scholarship open to international students?

Yes — both Malaysian citizens and international (non-citizen) students are eligible, provided they meet the academic, age and English requirements.

What CGPA do I actually need?

A Bachelor’s with CGPA above 3.70 and a Master’s (by research or mixed mode) with CGPA of at least 3.70/4.00. Both thresholds apply.

Does it cover accommodation and flights?

No. Insurance, visas, flight tickets, medical examinations and accommodation are explicitly not borne by Universiti Malaya under this scheme.

Is there a single deadline?

No — the closing date varies by field of research, and the scheme accepts applications throughout the year. Check the call for your thrust area.

Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?

No — applicants must not be recipients of any sponsorship or scholarship from any other organisation or party.

Verified 17 Oct 2026 via medjouel and opportunityportal.info trackers (RM3,500/month × 42 months; full tuition waiver 7 semesters; age ≤30; Bachelor CGPA >3.70; research/mixed-mode Master CGPA ≥3.70/4.00; IELTS 6.5+/TOEFL 73–93/CEFR B2 valid 2 years; no other sponsorship; brightscholar@um.edu.my application email; deadline varies by field), corroborated by scholarshipsedge and aktravelsltd (official document excerpts: 10 thrust areas, exclusions list, research-only PhD mode).

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