The UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia offers an excellent opportunity for talented international students seeking to pursue a PhD at one of Malaysia’s leading public research universities. Administered by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the scholarship provides a 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver for eligible doctoral students.
Unlike fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and travel, the UPM International Graduate Scholarship is a partial tuition-fee award. Successful recipients can receive financial support for up to three years or six semesters, subject to annual academic progress reviews and the availability of funding.
The scholarship is primarily intended for international PhD students from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. UPM also gives priority to academic staff from institutions that have Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or similar agreements with the university, particularly when their proposed research aligns with priority areas relevant to UPM and Malaysia.
For the First Semester 2026/2027 intake, applications are open from 1 August to 31 August 2026. Prospective applicants should therefore begin preparing their documents and securing supervisor support well before the deadline.
The UPM International Graduate Scholarship (IGSS) is a partial tuition-fee scholarship designed to attract talented international doctoral students to Universiti Putra Malaysia.
The award supports PhD students who demonstrate strong academic potential and research ability. Eligible recipients can receive a tuition fee waiver ranging from 30% to 50% for up to three years.
The scholarship is available to new doctoral students and eligible students who are already in their first semester with “Continue” status.
UPM’s School of Graduate Studies manages the scholarship application process. Applicants must satisfy both the scholarship requirements and UPM’s general admission requirements for international postgraduate students.
Universiti Putra Malaysia is a leading public research university located in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. The institution has established a strong reputation for research, innovation, and postgraduate education.
UPM is particularly recognized for its work in areas such as agriculture, food science, forestry, veterinary medicine, engineering, biotechnology, and environmental research.
For PhD students, studying at UPM can provide access to experienced supervisors, specialized research groups, laboratories, libraries, and other academic facilities. The university’s research environment can be especially valuable for international candidates whose proposed doctoral projects align with UPM’s research priorities.
The IGSS also aims to strengthen international academic cooperation by attracting researchers and academic staff from countries and institutions that have strategic relationships with UPM.
The scholarship provides financial assistance primarily through tuition-fee support.
Successful applicants may receive:
It is important to understand that the scholarship does not provide complete financial coverage. Students remain responsible for the portion of tuition fees not covered by the award and for their living and other personal expenses.
No. The UPM International Graduate Scholarship is not fully funded.
The award provides a partial tuition-fee waiver of between 30% and 50%. It does not cover the full tuition fee, monthly living allowance, accommodation, airfare, or other general expenses.
Applicants should therefore prepare a realistic financial plan before applying. Receiving the scholarship reduces the cost of doctoral study but does not eliminate all financial responsibilities.
This distinction is important for international students searching for a “fully funded scholarship in Malaysia.” The IGSS should instead be considered a partial PhD scholarship with significant tuition support.
Applicants must meet several academic, geographical, and administrative requirements.
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree and meet UPM’s general requirements for admission as an international postgraduate student.
The applicant should also demonstrate strong academic ability and research potential.
The scholarship is intended for international applicants from:
Priority may be given to applicants from developing countries where UPM has strategic interests or established institutional partnerships.
Applicants must either be new students or students in their first semester with “Continue” status.
The scholarship is specifically for doctoral students. Master’s students are not eligible for the IGSS.
Applicants must obtain a support letter from a UPM advisor or supervisor.
This requirement makes it important to identify an appropriate supervisor early. Candidates should search for an academic whose research interests closely match their proposed doctoral project.
Applicants must not be engaged in any type of employment at the time of application.
They must also not receive another scholarship or financial assistance. A letter from the applicant’s embassy confirming the absence of other financial assistance, scholarships, or income is required.
Applicants should have at least one article published in an academic journal.
Where applicable, a strong recommendation from an academic institution may also be considered. This can demonstrate the applicant’s academic ability, research potential, and readiness for doctoral study.
Applicants who do not have a publication should carefully review the official scholarship requirements to determine whether an institutional recommendation can satisfy the relevant condition.A strong recommendation from a senior academic or university official can help demonstrate the candidate’s research potential.
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before beginning the online application.
The required documents include:
Candidates should ensure that documents are complete, accurate, and submitted according to the instructions provided by UPM.
The application process involves several important steps. Applicants should not leave the process until the final days because supervisor and faculty endorsements are also required.
First, check that you meet both the UPM PhD admission requirements and the IGSS scholarship requirements.
Make sure you hold a Master’s degree, belong to an eligible region, meet the student-status requirements, and satisfy the financial and employment conditions.
Identify a potential supervisor whose research expertise matches your proposed doctoral research.
Contact the academic and discuss your research interests, proposed project, and scholarship application. You will need the supervisor’s support letter as part of the application.
Gather your Master’s qualification, admission or enrollment evidence, supervisor support letter, embassy letter, publication evidence, recommendation, and any other required documentation.
Preparing these documents early can help prevent delays.
Complete the IGSS application through the UPM i-GIMS student portal.
Applicants should carefully follow all instructions and ensure that the information entered online corresponds with their supporting documents.
Your Advisor/Supervisor and the Dean/Director of the relevant Faculty, School, or Institute must support the application online.
These endorsements must be completed by, or no later than, 31 August 2026.
After submitting the application, review the final application status through the i-GIMS system.
Make sure all required endorsements have been completed before the deadline.
Applicants should regularly check their UPM email account and student portal for scholarship decisions or requests for additional information.
Applications for the First Semester 2026/2027 are open from 1 August to 31 August 2026.The deadline is particularly important because the online application and required institutional endorsements must be completed within the specified period.
Applicants should aim to submit their applications early. This provides additional time to resolve documentation problems, communicate with supervisors, and ensure that faculty-level endorsements are completed.
Late or incomplete applications will not be processed, and applicants should not rely on last-minute submissions.
The UPM International Graduate Scholarship is best suited to academically strong international students who are ready to undertake doctoral research in Malaysia.
It may be particularly attractive to candidates from Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East who have a strong research profile and an appropriate UPM supervisor.
Academic staff from institutions that have formal partnerships with UPM may also benefit from the priority considerations outlined in the scholarship requirements.
Candidates should have a clear research direction and be prepared to demonstrate their academic achievements and research potential.
No. It is a partial scholarship that provides a 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver. Students must cover remaining tuition fees and living expenses.
The scholarship can provide tuition support for up to three years or six semesters. Continuation is subject to an annual review of academic progress and available funding.
No. The scholarship is specifically intended for PhD students. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree.
Yes. Applicants must obtain support from a UPM advisor or supervisor and provide the required support letter.
No. Applicants must not receive another scholarship or financial assistance while receiving the IGSS.
Applicants must not be engaged in any type of employment at the time of application.
Applicants should have at least one academic journal article or meet the alternative recommendation requirement outlined by UPM.
For the First Semester 2026/2027 intake, the application period runs from 1 August to 31 August 2026.