UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia

PhD

Selected courses offered by the university

Last Date 31 August 2026

UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia

The UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 is an excellent opportunity for international students who want to pursue a PhD at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The scholarship is offered through UPM’s School of Graduate Studies and is designed to attract academically strong international doctoral candidates from selected regions.

For the First Semester 2026/2027, applications for the International Graduate Student Scholarship (IGSS) are open from August 1 to August 31, 2026. The scholarship provides a 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver for eligible PhD students and can continue for up to three years or six semesters, subject to the required conditions and annual academic review.

Importantly, this is a partially funded scholarship, not a fully funded award. It reduces tuition costs but does not provide a monthly living stipend or automatically cover accommodation, airfare, or all other study expenses.

UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 Overview

What Is the UPM International Graduate Scholarship?

The International Graduate Student Scholarship (IGSS) is a financial assistance scheme administered by the School of Graduate Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia. It is intended for international PhD candidates with strong academic backgrounds who plan to conduct research in priority areas relevant to UPM or Malaysia.

The scholarship gives preference to applicants from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Additional priority may be given to academic staff members of institutions that have Memoranda of Understanding with UPM and candidates whose proposed research aligns with priority research areas.

UPM is a major Malaysian public research university with research strengths across areas such as agriculture, food science, forestry, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, engineering, and environmental sciences.

Benefits of the UPM International Graduate Scholarship

The primary benefit of the IGSS is a 30% to 50% waiver of tuition fees for eligible PhD students. According to UPM’s current 2026/2027 information, the award can cover up to six semesters, equivalent to three years of doctoral study. Continuation depends on academic progress and the applicable scholarship conditions.

The scholarship can significantly reduce the cost of completing a PhD at UPM. Students also become part of UPM’s research environment, giving them access to academic supervisors, research facilities, laboratories, and university resources.

However, applicants should plan their finances carefully because the IGSS does not provide a monthly living allowance and is not a full-cost scholarship. Remaining tuition fees and living expenses must be covered by the student.

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarship is available to international PhD candidates who satisfy UPM’s general admission requirements. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree and must belong to one of the eligible geographical regions: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, or Africa.

Applicants should have a strong academic record and must not be receiving another scholarship, financial assistance, or other forms of financial support. The current scholarship information also states that applicants must not be employed at the time of application.

A suitable UPM advisor or supervisor must support the application. Applicants are also expected to have published at least one academic journal article or have a strong recommendation from an academic institution, where applicable. Priority may be given to applicants from institutions that have an MoU or MoA with UPM and whose research is relevant to UPM or Malaysia.

Fields of Study

The IGSS is intended for PhD research across UPM’s eligible graduate programs, particularly research areas that are relevant to UPM and Malaysia.

Potential research areas can include agriculture, biotechnology, food science, forestry, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, information technology, computer science, social sciences, economics, and other disciplines offered through UPM’s graduate programs.

Applicants should select a doctoral research area that matches their academic background and identify a suitable UPM supervisor before completing the scholarship application.

Required Documents

Applicants need to prepare the documents required for both UPM admission and the scholarship application. These generally include a Master’s degree qualification, evidence of admission or enrollment, a supervisor or advisor support letter, and relevant academic evidence.

Applicants may also need to provide evidence of an academic publication or a strong institutional recommendation. The current application information further requires an embassy letter confirming that the applicant does not have other financial assistance, scholarship, or income. Additional documents may be requested through the UPM student portal.

Because document requirements can vary according to the applicant and program, candidates should carefully review the latest instructions in the UPM application system before submitting their application.

How to Apply

Applicants should first confirm that they meet the UPM PhD admission and IGSS eligibility requirements. The next important step is to identify an appropriate research supervisor at Universiti Putra Malaysia and obtain their support.

After preparing the required documents, applicants complete the scholarship application through UPM’s i-GIMS student portal. The applicant’s advisor or supervisor and the relevant faculty/school/institute authorities must provide the required online support or endorsement before the deadline.

Applicants should also monitor their UPM email and student portal after submission for updates, requests for clarification, or information about the scholarship decision.

Application Deadline

The application period for the UPM International Graduate Student Scholarship for First Semester 2026/2027 is from August 1 to August 31, 2026. Therefore, the final application deadline is August 31, 2026.

Applicants should complete the supervisor approval and other required endorsements before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

Why Apply for the UPM International Graduate Scholarship?

The UPM International Graduate Scholarship is a valuable option for international students seeking doctoral education in Malaysia at a research-focused public university.

The 30%–50% tuition fee waiver can substantially reduce the financial cost of a PhD. The opportunity is particularly relevant for students from South Asia, including eligible applicants from Pakistan, who have strong academic backgrounds and research interests connected with UPM’s priority areas.

Another advantage is the research environment at UPM. PhD students can work with academic supervisors and access university research facilities while developing their doctoral research.

Final Thoughts

The UPM International Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia provides international PhD students with an opportunity to reduce their tuition costs while pursuing doctoral research at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The scholarship offers a 30% to 50% tuition fee waiver for up to three years or six semesters, subject to the applicable conditions and academic progress review.

Students should remember that the IGSS is partially funded, so it does not cover all study and living expenses. Candidates should therefore arrange additional financial resources for remaining tuition fees and living costs.

Eligible applicants should secure supervisor support, prepare their documents, and complete the online application before the August 31, 2026 deadline. Apply Now