Study in Malaysia Without IELTS 2026 | Malaysian scholarships

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Malaysia has quickly become one of the most popular and affordable study destinations in Asia, especially for students from developing countries. International students can Study in Malaysia Without IELTS and It combines high-quality universities (many ranked in the global top 500), very low tuition and living costs, a safe multicultural environment, and crucially many institutions that do not require IELTS/TOEFL if you provide a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate (a simple letter from your previous school/university stating your degree was taught and assessed in English).

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For the 2026 intake, international students can access numerous fully funded, partially funded, and tuition-waiver scholarships at public and private universities without needing an IELTS score in most cases. This makes Malaysia one of the easiest and most realistic places to study abroad without a language test. Also apply for University at Buffalo Scholarships 2026 in USA

Why Study in Malaysia Without IELTS?

  • Many universities accept MOI certificates instead of IELTS/TOEFL
  • Tuition fees are very low compared to the UK, Australia, Canada, or USA (often USD 3,000–8,000/year even without scholarship)
  • Living costs are extremely affordable (≈ USD 400–800/month)
  • Safe, multicultural society with English widely spoken
  • Post-study work visa options (Professional Visit Pass or Employment Pass pathways)
  • Over 100,000 international students from 150+ countries already studying there
  • Tropical climate, beautiful beaches, modern cities (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru)

Top Universities in Malaysia Without IELTS (MOI Accepted)

These institutions commonly accept an English Proficiency Certificate / Medium of Instruction letter instead of IELTS/TOEFL:

  1. Universiti Malaya (UM) – top-ranked public university
  2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  3. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  4. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  5. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
  6. Asia Pacific University (APU) – private, very international
  7. Taylor’s University – private, strong business & hospitality
  8. INTI International University & Colleges
  9. Management and Science University (MSU)
  10. SEGi University
  11. HELP University
  12. City University Malaysia
  13. Manipal International University
  14. Curtin University Malaysia
  15. Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

Always confirm with the specific program, some competitive courses (medicine, dentistry, law) may still require IELTS.

Major Scholarships Without IELTS 2026

  1. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) – Government of Malaysia
    • Fully funded (tuition + monthly stipend + airfare + insurance + book allowance)
    • For Master’s & PhD
    • Open to all nationalities (priority developing countries)
    • MOI accepted instead of IELTS in many cases
    • Deadline: usually June–July 2026
    • Check details here
  2. MTCP Scholarship (Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme)
    • Fully funded Master’s programs
    • Covers tuition, living allowance, airfare, insurance
    • MOI accepted
    • Focus on public policy, governance, development fields
  3. UKM Malaysia Scholarships
    • Full/partial tuition + stipend for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
    • MOI widely accepted
    • Strong in science, health, social sciences
  4. Asia Pacific University (APU) Scholarships
    • Up to 100% tuition waiver (merit-based)
    • MOI accepted
    • Very international-friendly private university
  5. Taylor’s University Merit & Need-Based Scholarships
    • Up to 100% tuition reduction
    • MOI accepted
    • Strong in business, hospitality, design
  6. University-Specific Waivers (INTI, SEGi, HELP, MSU, City University, Manipal, Curtin Malaysia, Swinburne Sarawak)
    • 20–100% tuition waivers
    • MOI certificates accepted
    • Automatic or simple application

Also check:

How to Study in Malaysia Without IELTS

  1. Request a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous school/university (letter stating your degree was taught and assessed entirely in English)
  2. Choose a university/program that explicitly accepts MOI (most private universities and many public ones do)
  3. Apply online via the university portal
  4. Submit MOI certificate instead of IELTS/TOEFL
  5. Receive conditional offer → apply for student visa (easy process)

Tip: Email the admissions office to confirm MOI acceptance before applying most reply quickly.

How to Apply?

  1. Choose 1–3 programs/universities
  2. Visit the university website → international admissions section
  3. Create account and fill online application
  4. Upload documents (transcripts, passport, MOI certificate, CV, motivation letter)
  5. Pay application fee (usually USD 20–100, some waive it)
  6. Submit by program deadline (varies – most intakes Feb–July 2026)
  7. Scholarship consideration is often automatic (merit-based) or via separate form

Deadlines vary by university and intake (most 2026 intakes: March–July 2026).

Living Costs in Malaysia

Single USD 400–800/month (Numbeo Jan 2026) Kuala Lumpur: USD 500–900 Penang / Johor Bahru: USD 400–700 Shared rent: USD 150–350 Food: USD 120–250 Transport: USD 30–80

Scholarships (especially MIS/MTCP) cover tuition + living costs very well.

Application Checklist

  • Request MOI certificate early
  • Choose universities/programs that accept MOI
  • Prepare transcripts & passport
  • Write strong motivation letter
  • Apply online early
  • Track application status
  • Prepare student visa documents if accepted

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not confirming MOI acceptance with the university. Applying to programs that strictly require IELTS. Late application. Weak motivation letter. Incomplete document upload.

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