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Summary

• Host Institution: Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia
• Study Level: PhD by Research
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Funding: Full tuition fee waiver + monthly stipend
• Stipend: RM3,500 per month for up to 42 months
• Tuition: Fee waiver for 7 semesters
• Eligibility: Local and international candidates
• Age Limit: Applicants must not exceed 30 years in the year of application
• Application: Applications operate in cycles throughout the year

About the Scholarship/Programme

The Universiti Malaya (UM) Bright Scholarship is a scholarship programme established by Universiti Malaya to attract outstanding local and international candidates to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Research at the university.

According to the official UM information, the scholarship is available for full-time PhD research and is focused on research areas aligned with the university’s designated strategic thrust areas. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic and research performance as part of the selection process.

The programme is therefore particularly relevant to candidates who already have a strong academic background and are prepared to undertake advanced research at doctoral level.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful candidates receive the following support under the official UM Bright Scholarship package:

• RM3,500 monthly stipend for a period of up to 42 months.
• Full tuition fee waiver throughout 7 semesters.
• The scholarship is specifically structured for full-time PhD research studies.

Applicants should note that the official scholarship document states that expenses relating to passport preparation, insurance, visa, flight tickets, medical examinations and accommodation are not borne by Universiti Malaya under this scholarship package.

Who Can Apply?

The official UM Bright Scholarship criteria specify that applicants must satisfy the academic and other requirements of the programme.

Key requirements include:

• Applicants must not exceed 30 years of age in the year of application.
• A Bachelor’s degree with a CGPA above 3.70, or a recognised equivalent qualification, is required.
• Applicants must have a Master’s degree by research, or a Master’s degree through mixed mode involving coursework and dissertation, with a CGPA of at least 3.70/4.00.
• International/non-citizen applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the accepted qualifications: IELTS Academic 6.5 or above, TOEFL 73–93, or CEFR B2.
• The English-language qualification must be valid within the period specified by UM.

The official application form also asks candidates to provide evidence of research performance, including publications and conference participation where applicable. Applicants are also required to indicate their proposed PhD research area and preferred supervisor.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Review the age, academic qualification and English-language requirements before preparing an application.

Step 2: Identify your research area

Your proposed PhD research must fall within one of the research areas covered by the UM Bright Scholarship. The official application material identifies areas including nuclear energy and energy transition, food sustainability and security, semiconductors and chips, nanotechnology and quantum exploration, artificial intelligence and digital robotics, space science and engineering, defence and security innovation, rare earths and critical minerals, medical and health research, and social sciences.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

The official application instructions require documents including:

• Passport-sized photograph
• Completed UM Bright Scholarship application form
• Proof of publication, where applicable
• Copy of identification document
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcript
• Master’s degree certificate and academic transcript
• Valid IELTS, TOEFL or CEFR certificate for applicable international applicants

Step 4: Complete the application form

Applicants should provide their academic history, research performance, proposed PhD research title, research summary and preferred supervisor information.

The official form requires a research proposal executive summary of not more than 300 words.

Step 5: Convert the application to PDF

UM instructs applicants to save the completed application form and supporting documents in PDF format and label the file according to the format specified by the university.

Step 6: Submit the application

The official application instructions direct applicants to submit the completed softcopy and supporting documents by email to brightscholar@um.edu.my.

Incomplete applications may not be considered, while applications received after a submission deadline may be processed in the next assessment cycle.

Important Deadline

The official Universiti Malaya Academic Services Department currently states that the UM Bright Scholarship accepts applications through cycles during the year:

• First Cycle: Deadline at the end of April for the October intake.
• Second Cycle: Deadline at the end of September for the February intake.

For applicants targeting a 2027 intake, check the official UM page and application instructions for the applicable cycle before submitting.

Related Opportunities

• EUI Jean Monnet Fellowships in Italy 2027
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 in the UK
• Maastricht University Scholarships 2027 in the Netherlands

Official Application Link

The official UM application information provides the scholarship details, requirements and application instructions.

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The UM Bright Scholarship is designed for applicants seeking a full-time research-based PhD and has specific academic, age and research requirements. Before applying, carefully review the official requirements, prepare the required supporting documents and ensure that your application is submitted within the relevant UM application cycle.

For more verified international scholarship, study and opportunity updates, visit:

http://www.aktravelsltd.com