UUndergraduate Scholarships

Bank Negara Scholarship for Malaysian Students | UPDATED

  • March 6, 2023

Bank Negara Malaysia is committed to nurturing young Malaysian talent through our scholarship program.

Our scholarship holders will have access to the best learning experience at top universities per the Bank’s list of approved universities in Economics, Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Law, and Computer Science.

Bank Negara Malaysia is offering three (3) types of scholarships program: Kijang Scholarship, Undergraduate Scholarship, and Postgraduate Scholarship.

Table of contents

Know Something about Malaysia

The beautiful land with a total landmass of approximately 329,750 km2 accommodates around 25 million people, consisting of Malaysians, Indians, Chinese and indigenous people who all live together in peace.

The currency used in Malaysia is called the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Ranging from colorful markets to mosques, Hindu shrines and Buddhist temples that are often found next to each other, and the abundance of annual festivals that celebrate both traditional and modern aspects of this Malaysian culture.

Half of the country, located at the southern tip of the peninsula below Thailand, is known as the Malaysia peninsula.

In the Malaysian Peninsula, you will find most of the highest-ranked universities in Malaysia. This area consists of the most vibrant and diverse urban cities.

Malaysia is one of the world’s stable countries in terms of political stability, it ranks second in Singapore when it comes to the regional economy.

Malaysia offers a better organic lifestyle than its rival in the city.

So thinking about studying in this great country, you need all the information you can get. That is why this post will cover a number of amazing topics while following your patterns.

Level/Field of Study

Bank Negara Scholarship for Malaysian Students is awarded to applicants who are pursuing a pre-university, undergraduate and postgraduate in local and overseas institutions of learning in any of the following fields of study; Economics, Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Law and Computer Science.

Host Nationality

The Bank Negara Scholarship is taken and hosted in Malaysia.

Eligible Nationality

The Bank Negara Scholarship is available to legal students who are citizens of Malaysia. 

Aside from Bank Negara Scholarship, there are other scholarships available to local and international students to study abroad. You can check our scholarship by country to access all scholarships available.

Scholarship Worth

All Bank Negara Scholarships are fully-funded scholarship offers which cover the tuition fee and other expenses

Eligibility for Bank Negara Scholarship

Kijang Scholarship

The Kijang Scholarship is awarded to eligible individuals to pursue pre-university programs.

Candidates must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  • Minimum 8As (A and A+ only) in the SPM examination.
  • Not exceeding 19 years of age before the application period.

The sponsorship to pursue a bachelor’s degree is subject to the scholar meeting the Bank’s approved criteria.

Undergraduate Scholarship

The Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to eligible individuals who have received offers to pursue or are currently pursuing undergraduate studies.

Candidates must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  • STPM/A-Level – at least 3 As; or
  • Diploma / Matriculation – Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.50; or
  • South Australian Matriculation – ATAR of at least 85%; or
  • American Foundation Program – SAT1 score of at least 1200; or
  • For candidates currently pursuing undergraduate studies – Current CGPA of at least 3.50.
  • Passed SPM with five (5) credits including Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris, and Matematik subjects
  • Not exceeding 25 years of age before the application period.
  • Obtained an offer to pursue or is currently pursuing undergraduate studies in the year of application from top universities per the Bank’s list of approved universities.

Postgraduate Scholarship

The Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to eligible individuals who have received offers to pursue or are currently pursuing postgraduate studies.

Candidates must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  • Obtained a First Class (Honours) Bachelor/Master’s Degree from recognized local and overseas universities.
  • Not exceeding 30 years of age for a Master’s Degree and 35 years of age for Ph.D.
  • Passed SPM with five (5) credits including Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris and Matematik subjects.
  • Obtained an offer to pursue or is currently pursuing postgraduate studies from top universities per the Bank’s list of approved universities.

Additional requirements include:

  • Strong leadership qualities, excellent teamwork capabilities, outstanding in both extra-curricular activities and sports.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Application Procedures for Bank Negara Scholarship

Those who fulfill the minimum requirements are required to apply online via Bank Negara Malaysia’s website.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for assessments. You can visit the link below to be able to download the form.

SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE

Bank Negara Scholarship Application Deadline

Application for Bank Negara scholarship opens from 15th April and runs throughout the academic year.

Things to Consider before studying in Malaysia

ACCOMMODATION

If you want to study abroad or if you are eligible for the Bank Negara Scholarship, one of the things you should consider is your accommodation, usually, there, two types of accommodation are available for international students. namely; 1. accommodation on campus and 2. accommodation outside the campus.

Usually, the campus accommodation is ideal for international students because of the accommodation units in schools such as Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, except that the campus accommodation is well equipped, they are equipped with telephone ports and they have access to university IT facilities and internet connection.

Health Insurance

As a beneficiary of the Bank Negara Scholarship, this is one of the most important things you should know before you go to study in Malaysia.

As with other foreign studies, you must be insured against medical expenses during the entire period of your study in Malaysia.

The treatments that should fall under this policy include:

  • Personal accident and death;
  • Internal services;
  • Repatriation; and
  • Outpatient services.

The range per year for a minimum premium is RM300.00. It is advisable that students only purchase insurance if they have been nominated by the school.

Medical insurance Malaysia is not that expensive compared to other studies abroad locations such as Australia, the US or the UK. so with medical insurance on hand, you don’t have to worry during an emergency.

Work Opportunities:

The third thing you need to know before studying in Malaysia is the job opportunities available to you as a student in the country. Study work in Malaysia is gradually gaining ground for international students in the country.

These days international students take jobs partly to help them finance their stay in the country.

Although in Malaysia, tuition fees and the cost is relatively modest to compare with the country of origin of the students, it may seem high, so the student needs something to help meet the costs incurred.

The student can work during the study in Malaysia for a maximum of 20 hours per week during:

  • semester breaks
  • festive holidays
  • more than seven days of vacation

Therefore, some of the most popular workplaces include restaurants, petrol stations, mini markets, and hotels.

However, international students are forbidden to work as cashiers, singers, musicians, guest relations managers, and masseurs.

Furthermore, students should not engage in activities deemed illegal.

Cost of Living in Malaysia

Breakdown of living cost in Malaysia

An average international student is expected to spend about RM1,800 (US$450) per month for his or her living expenses. The cost can be broken down as:

  • Accommodation For your accommodation monthly an estimate of about RM300 (US$75) to RM600 (US$150) should be budgeted. Geographical area, type of accommodation, in this case, could be on-campus or off-campus living in an apartment, condominium, single-story house, double-story house, etc the kind facilities available in the house (e.g. with or without air-conditioning) and of course, the number of people sharing the room (or the apartment or house) all can affect the cost of your accommodation.
  • Food / Housekeeping When it comes to Your food and housekeeping cost it is estimated to be around RM600-900 (US$150- 225). Assuming you spend  RM20-30 (US$5- 7.50) for three meals per day. On the other hand, if you cook and share the cooking cost with your friends, it would be cheaper. it is also possible to have a fast-food meal for below RM10 (US$2.50) in Malaysia. For instance, a McValue meal at McDonald’s is at RM5.95. Meal sets at KFC start at RM6.90 and pizza deals for group meals from Domino’s are also below RM10 per pax. More so, in Malaysia, Local food like rice and noodles at food stalls or coffee shops ranges from RM4-10 (US$1-2.50).

At mid-range restaurants, you can expect to pay RM20-40 for a meal (US$5-10). A coffee from Starbucks costs an average of RM12-16 (US$3-4).

  • Clothing and laundry In Malaysia Your clothing expenses for things like washing, ironing, dry-cleaning, etc. may cost something around RM60 (US$15) per month.
  • Public Transport In this part, students who stay on campus or near campus may not incur any cost of traveling to and from classes. However, other traveling may cost approximately RM80-150 (US$20-37.5) per month.
  • Telecommunication / Mobile Phone Bills and Utilities The mobile phone packages in Malaysia are very competitive. How much you spend will depend on your usage and the promotional package you choose. The average student may spend about RM30-50 (US$7.50-12.50) per month.
  • Books, Reading Materials and Stationery The estimated cost of books and stationery should be around RM50-100 (US$12.50-25) per month, but it would largely depend on the course you have signed up for and the number and nature of projects in your course.
  • Medical / Hospitalisation Insurance If you put aside RM50 (US$12.50) per month for medical expenses, it would be sufficient (include you in case you need outpatient treatment at a private clinic) during the year. This estimate is the amount you will have to pay for your medical and hospitalization insurance of about RM500 (US$125) per year.
  • Personal Expenses Your monthly personal expenses largely depend on your personal lifestyle. However, the cost can be estimated to be between RM100 (US$25) and RM200 (US$50). This includes your socializing needs, toiletries, haircut, clothes, movie, etc

Using the estimate above, the total cost of living for a student will average at RM1,800 (US$450) per month or RM21,600 (US$5,400) per year.

It is important to remember that the above estimate is only a guide in planning your budget to study in Malaysia and geographical location and personal lifestyle should be factored in when planning your personal budget.

Education Costs in Malaysia

Your course fees will consist of your tuition fees plus other related study expenses. Below are types of fees that you may incur during your course of study :

1. Academic Fees:

  • Registration fee
  • Tuition fee
  • Deposit
  • Computer/Science laboratory fee
  • Health & hospitalization insurance premium
  • Library fee
  • Other incidental costs such as examination fees

2. Non-academic Fees:

  • Student visa fees
  • Medical check-up
  • Health and hospitalization insurance premium

How to get a study visa to Malaysia and its Requirements

As an international student especially a recipient of the Bank Negara Scholarship, one of the documents that will grant you access to the country is your Study visa. 

Thus in this article, we are going to discuss extensively how you gain your study visa to Malaysia from any country.

  1. All international students need a Student Pass to study in Malaysia at all levels of education. Interestingly, the Student Pass acts as a student visa in Malaysia. So, when we discuss documents required for the Malaysian student visa, it basically means documents required for the Student Pass.
  2. Obtaining a student pass is easy because once you are admitted, the university itself will directly apply for the pass on your behalf.
  3. You’ll need to submit a personal bond which you’ll be required to pay $69-$365 depending on your country of origin.

Note that once your acceptance and student pass are approved, you’ll need to apply separately for a single-entry student visa through the Malaysian embassy or High commission available in your home country.

For this, you’ll need to provide evidence of your offer of study and student pass, plus showing proof of financial stability to cover tuition fees, living expenses.

Depending on what your country of origin is, you might be asked to submit additional information.

You must apply for the pass at the Department of Immigration Malaysia.

Documents required for Malaysian student visa (Student Pass)

  • A valid Passport: If you are applying online through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), you have to upload scanned pages of the passport containing your bio-data in PDF format. When uploading this piece of document required for a Malaysian student visa (Student Pass), also make sure that the image is clear and all details are visible.
  • Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Academic Transcripts and Certificates are to be scanned and uploaded as ONE single PDF file.
  • Offer Letter: To be eligible for the Malaysian student visa, you must be offered a place at a school/higher education institution/language center/ training center in Malaysia. Consequently, the offer letter is among the most important documents required for Malaysian Student Visa. When applying online, make sure that the PDF file is not larger than 550KB, which is the maximum size allowed.
  • Pre-arrival Medical Report: Before entering Malaysia, you are required to attend a mandatory Pre-arrival Medical checkup at a registered medical clinic. If however, you have attended a non-registered clinic, you must upload the report of the Medical Examiner’s Report as part of the list of documents required for a Malaysian student visa.
  • Support letter: Issued by the Ministry of Education / Department of Skill Development.
  • Form Immigration 14: Two sets
  • Photos: Two sets of colored photos (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm);
  • Personal Bond form (stamped)

Additionally, students who wish to transfer university/college have to obtain a release letter from their previous university/college, attendance report, academic performance report and a support letter from the Ministry of Education.

Apply only for Visa with Reference

International students pursuing higher studies in Malaysia must apply for the Visa with Reference, meant for students, and not Visa WITHOUT Reference. Malaysian Student Visa without reference is only for the purpose of a social visit.

Documents required for Malaysian student Visa with Reference

  • Original approval letter from the Immigration Department of Malaysia/other authority agencies
  • Original passport
  • Two photocopies of your passport
  • Two photocopies of the Malaysian Student Visa application form (Form IMM.47)
  • Passport size photographs
  • Two photocopies of your air ticket along with the original

Receipt of payment of Malaysian Student Visa fee

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