MTCP Scholarship 2026 — Fully Funded Master’s Degree in Malaysia (Open to Tanzanians and 143 Other Countries)

If you have been looking for a fully funded Master’s degree opportunity that covers everything — tuition, monthly living allowance, and a return flight ticket — the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme Scholarship 2026 is exactly what you have been waiting for. Furthermore, applications are open right now and the deadline is June 12, 2026.

This article gives you everything you need to know straight from the official MTCP Scholarship guidelines. In other words, no guessing, no third party information — just verified facts to help you apply with confidence.

What Is the MTCP Scholarship?

The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme — widely known as MTCP — is a fully funded scholarship programme sponsored by the Government of Malaysia through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moreover, the programme has been running for decades and has supported thousands of students from developing countries in pursuing postgraduate education at Malaysian universities.

The Purpose Behind the Scholarship

The goal of the scholarship is straightforward. Malaysia invests in talented graduates from partner countries so they can gain advanced knowledge and skills, return home, and contribute to the development of their nations. In other words, it is a scholarship built on the principle of South-South cooperation — developing countries helping each other grow.

For 2026, the MTCP Scholarship is open for the September and October academic intake. Additionally, it covers a full-time Master’s degree programme of 24 to 36 months depending on your chosen study track.

Is Tanzania Eligible?

Yes — Tanzania is officially listed as number 123 on the MTCP’s list of 144 eligible recipient countries. Furthermore, the following African countries are also eligible:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Other Eligible Regions

If your country is on this list you are eligible to apply. Additionally, students from Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Pacific are also covered under the full list of 144 countries.

What Does the MTCP Scholarship Cover?

This is a comprehensive fully funded scholarship. Here is exactly what you receive as a successful MTCP Scholar:

Tuition Fees

Your tuition for the entire duration of your Master’s programme is paid directly to your university. Therefore you do not handle the money yourself — the university receives it on your behalf.

Monthly Living Allowance

A monthly allowance is paid directly into your Malaysian bank account every month for the full duration of your studies. Consequently, this covers your accommodation, food, transport, and daily living expenses in Malaysia.

Return Airline Ticket

You receive one economy class flight ticket from your nearest international airport to Malaysia at the beginning of your scholarship. Upon completing your studies, you additionally receive a return ticket back to your home country.

What the Scholarship Does Not Cover

However, it is important to note what the scholarship does not cover. Specifically, visa application fees, medical check-up costs for your application, and university application fees are all your personal responsibility. These costs remain with you regardless of whether you are selected or not.

Who Can Apply — Full Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, make sure you meet every single requirement below. Missing even one will result in your application being rejected.

Age Requirement

You must be 45 years old or younger at the time of application.

Academic Qualification

You must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum classification of Second Class Upper Honours or a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or its equivalent. This is a firm requirement — consequently, applications below this threshold will not be considered.

English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following:

• IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.0
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 60
• PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online, CEQ, or CIEP-ELS
• An official letter from your previous institution confirming that English was the medium of instruction for your degree

University Admission Requirement

You must already have a valid full offer letter or conditional offer letter from one of the MTCP-supported Malaysian universities for the September or October 2026 intake. This is mandatory — in other words, you cannot apply for the scholarship without first securing university admission.

Health Requirement

You must be in good health as certified by a qualified doctor or physician. Furthermore, the medical report must be completed using the official MTCP Medical Report Form available on the scholarship website and must be dated within six months of your application.

Programme Restriction

The MTCP Scholarship does not cover Nursing, Medicine, or Clinical Pharmacy programmes under any circumstances. Therefore, applications for these fields will be automatically rejected.

Priority Areas of Study

While the MTCP Scholarship is open to a wide range of Master’s degree programmes, priority is given to applicants in the following fields:

• Information and Communication Technology
• Economy and Trade
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — STEM
• Food Security and Agriculture Technology
• Islamic Finance
• Law
• Public Administration and Policy Studies
• Sustainable and Environmental Science

If your intended programme falls within any of these eight areas, your application will consequently be given preference during the selection process. However, applications in other fields are still accepted and considered.

Universities Supported by the MTCP Scholarship

Your Master’s degree must be pursued at one of the universities officially supported by the MTCP Scholarship. Therefore you must secure admission from one of these institutions before applying for the scholarship.

Public Universities

Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, and Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Government-Linked Universities

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Multimedia University, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur.

Documents You Must Prepare

Before starting your application, gather all of the following documents. Having them ready before you begin will consequently make the process much faster and reduce the risk of missing the deadline.

Required Documents Checklist

1. Copy of your passport information page — must be valid for at least 12 months
2. Academic transcripts from your undergraduate studies — must show all courses taken and the university’s official grade system
3. Proof of English language proficiency — IELTS, TOEFL, or official letter from your institution
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Medical Report — completed using the official MTCP Medical Report Form downloaded from the scholarship website
6. Two Letters of Recommendation — from lecturers, academic supervisors, or immediate professional superiors using the MTCP Recommendation Letter template. Family members, relatives, and close friends are strictly prohibited as referees. Furthermore, each letter must include an official institutional stamp.
7. Valid Full Offer Letter or Conditional Offer Letter from a supported Malaysian university for September or October 2026 intake

All documents must be scanned and saved in PDF format before uploading.

How to Apply — Step by Step

The application process is entirely online. Therefore follow these steps carefully to avoid mistakes.

Step 1 — Confirm Your Eligibility

Visit the official MTCP Scholarship website at mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship and confirm that your country is on the list of eligible recipient countries.

Step 2 — Choose Your University and Programme

Browse the list of MTCP-supported Malaysian universities and identify which ones offer your intended Master’s programme for the September or October 2026 intake.

Step 3 — Apply to Your Chosen University

Contact your chosen university and submit an application for admission. You need either a Full Offer Letter or a Conditional Offer Letter before you can submit your scholarship application. Consequently, this step must be completed first.

Step 4 — Download Official Forms

Download the Medical Report Form and Recommendation Letter template from the official MTCP website. Additionally, complete both documents with the required signatures and official stamps.

Step 5 — Complete Your Medical Check-Up

Visit a qualified doctor and complete your medical examination using the official MTCP Medical Report Form. Remember — the report must be dated within six months of your scholarship application date.

Step 6 — Prepare All Your Documents

Scan all required documents and save them in PDF format. Furthermore, double check every document before uploading to avoid rejection.

Step 7 — Register on the Application Portal

Visit the official MTCP application system at mtcp.kln.gov.my/register_scholarship and create your account using a valid email address.

Step 8 — Complete and Submit Your Application

Log in to your account, fill in all sections of the application form accurately, upload all required documents, review everything carefully, and submit before June 12, 2026.

Step 9 — Wait for Results

After submission, the MTCP Secretariat will process all applications. Only shortlisted applicants will consequently be invited for an online interview session. Interview notifications will be sent by email by July 6, 2026. If you do not receive an interview invitation by July 6, your application was not successful in that round.

Important Things to Know Before You Apply

Get University Admission First

This is the most common mistake applicants make. Many people apply for the scholarship before securing a university place. However, the MTCP requires a valid offer letter from a supported university as part of the application. Therefore, start your university application immediately — before the scholarship deadline.

Apply Early

The deadline is June 12, 2026, but do not wait until the last day. University applications take time to process and you need the offer letter before applying for the scholarship. As a result, starting today gives you the best chance of getting everything in order before the deadline.

No Late Submissions Allowed

Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered under any circumstances. Additionally, extra documents cannot be submitted after the deadline either.

First Master’s Degree Priority

The MTCP Scholarship prioritises applicants who have not yet completed a Master’s degree. Therefore, if you already hold a Master’s qualification your chances of selection are significantly lower.

You Must Study in Person

Remote or online study is not permitted. You must be physically present in Malaysia for the entire duration of your Master’s programme.

No Paid Employment Without Permission

Taking paid employment during your scholarship without written approval from both your host university and the MTCP Secretariat is strictly not allowed.

Why Study in Malaysia?

Malaysia offers a unique combination of advantages that make it one of the most attractive study destinations for African students in 2026.

English Language Programmes

All programmes at MTCP-supported universities are available in English. Therefore, you can complete your entire Master’s degree without needing to learn a new language.

Affordable Living Costs

Malaysia is significantly more affordable than study destinations in Europe, North America, or Australia. Consequently, your monthly allowance will cover your living expenses comfortably.

Strong Research Culture

Malaysian universities are internationally recognised and have strong research programmes, particularly in STEM, Islamic finance, agriculture, and environmental science. Furthermore, Malaysia’s multicultural society — with strong representation from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international communities — makes it a welcoming and inclusive environment for African students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MTCP the same as the Malaysian International Scholarship?

No. The MTCP Scholarship is under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. The MIS Scholarship, on the other hand, is a different programme under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. However, you may apply for both.

Can I apply for a PhD or Undergraduate degree?

No. The MTCP Scholarship is open for Master’s degree studies only. Therefore, PhD and undergraduate applications will not be accepted.

What happens after I submit my application?

The MTCP Secretariat will process your application. Subsequently, only shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview via email by July 6, 2026. If you do not receive an invitation by that date, your application was unfortunately not successful.

Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?

The MTCP Scholarship prioritises first-time Master’s degree applicants. Therefore, if you already hold a Master’s qualification, your chances of selection are considerably lower.

Can I study remotely from my home country?

No. You must be physically present in Malaysia for the entire duration of your studies. Remote study is not permitted under any circumstances.

Can I change my programme after being awarded the scholarship?

No. Once your application is submitted, a change of programme or university is not allowed without written permission from both the university and the MTCP Secretariat.

Does the scholarship cover visa fees?

No. Visa application fees and related expenses are entirely your personal responsibility.

What if I finish my studies early?

It is permissible to complete your studies before the end of the sponsorship period. However, you must inform the MTCP Secretariat at least three months before your expected completion date.

Contact the MTCP Secretariat

For any questions about the scholarship, contact the official MTCP Secretariat directly:

Address: MTCP Secretariat International Cooperation and Development Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia Level 2, WP1, No.1 Jalan Wisma Putra, Precinct 2 62602 Putrajaya, Malaysia

Phone: +603-8887 4658 / +603-8887 4563 / +603-8887 4424 Available Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Malaysia time

Email: [email protected]

Final Word

The MTCP Scholarship 2026 is one of the most accessible and comprehensive fully funded Master’s scholarships available to Tanzanians and Africans right now. Full tuition, monthly allowance, and a return flight ticket — all covered by the Malaysian Government for up to 36 months.

The application window is open from May 4 to June 12, 2026. Therefore, do not wait any longer.

Start by securing your university admission today, prepare your documents, and submit your application before the deadline at the official portal: mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship

This could be your opportunity to earn a world-class Master’s degree — fully funded — and return home with the skills to make a real difference.

Official scholarship website: mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship

Official application portal: mtcp.kln.gov.my/register_scholarship

Official email: [email protected]

Application deadline: June 12, 2026

Disclaimer

The information in this article is based entirely on the official MTCP Scholarship 2026 guidelines document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. SasaApply is an independent job and scholarship information platform and is not affiliated with the Malaysian Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, or the MTCP Secretariat. Furthermore, we publish this information as a free public service to help students from Tanzania and across Africa access legitimate scholarship opportunities. Candidates are therefore strongly advised to verify all details directly on the official MTCP Scholarship website at mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship before applying. SasaApply does not take responsibility for any changes made to the scholarship requirements or deadlines after the time of publication.