Studying abroad often comes down to one obstacle: money. The Taylor’s University Scholarship removes that obstacle for postgraduate students who want to study in Malaysia at one of the country’s most respected private universities. Formally called the Taylor’s Research Excellence Scholarship, this award is built for students who are heading into a master’s by research or a PhD and need real financial backing to get there not just a partial fee discount.

What makes the Taylor’s University Scholarship stand out from many other Malaysian awards is that it doesn’t stop at tuition. Depending on which funding tier a candidate is placed into, it can also deliver a monthly living stipend, a travel allowance for academic conferences, and coverage of extra university charges that international students would otherwise pay out of pocket. Selection isn’t based on paperwork alone Taylor’s wants to see a strong academic record, a well-built research proposal, and a candidate who can defend that proposal confidently in an interview. This guide walks through the entire scholarship in plain terms: what it covers, who qualifies, what documents you’ll need, and exactly how to apply before the 2027 deadlines close.

Taylor’s University Scholarship Summary

• Award Name: Taylor’s Research Excellence Scholarship
• Level of Study: Master’s by Research and PhD
• Host Institution: Taylor’s University, Malaysia
• Open To: Malaysian and international students
• Funding Type: Fully funded (tuition waiver plus monthly stipend, depending on scheme)
• Study Duration Covered: Up to 24 months for master’s by research; up to 36 months for PhD
• Fields Available: Research programs across science, engineering, computer science, medical and pharmaceutical science, business, architecture, law, education, hospitality and tourism, and social sciences

The scholarship runs on three main funding tiers Scheme A Plus, Scheme A, and Scheme B each with its own eligibility bar and payout. Scheme A Plus and Scheme A are reserved for PhD candidates, while Scheme B is open to both PhD and master’s by research applicants. A fourth tier, Scheme C, exists too, but since it only waives tuition without offering a living stipend, it falls outside the “fully funded” scope this guide focuses on.

Eligibility for Taylor’s University Scholarship

General Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, make sure you meet these baseline conditions:

• Both Malaysian nationals and international applicants can apply.
• You must be enrolling in a full-time postgraduate research program (master’s by research or PhD) at Taylor’s University.
• You need to satisfy the academic and English language entry requirements set for your specific program, since these can vary by department.
• A clear, well-developed research proposal is required as part of your application.
• You must hold, or be in the process of securing, an offer of admission from Taylor’s University — the scholarship itself is only processed once admission is confirmed.
• If shortlisted, you’ll be expected to attend an interview and present your research plan to a review panel.
• Only one Taylor’s scholarship or financial award can be held per student at a time, even if you qualify for more than one.

Age and Academic Requirements

Taylor’s doesn’t publish a strict age cutoff for this award eligibility is judged mainly on academic qualifications rather than age. That said, your academic background needs to match the tier you’re applying for:

• Scheme A Plus (PhD): A bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of at least 3.50, plus a master’s degree (coursework, mixed-mode, or research) with a CGPA of at least 3.50 from a recognized institution. This tier is limited to PhD candidates in science, medical science, pharmaceutical science, engineering, or computer science, and having a published paper in an indexed journal strengthens your application.
• Scheme A (PhD): A bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.33, along with a qualifying master’s degree as described above.
• Scheme B (PhD): A qualifying master’s degree by coursework, mixed-mode, or research from a recognized institution.
• Scheme B (Master’s by Research): A bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.00.

Keep in mind that recipients across all tiers are also expected to meet publication targets before graduating — for example, Scheme A Plus scholars need two accepted papers in Scopus- or Clarivate-indexed journals, while Scheme B scholars need one. These are graduation conditions, not requirements you must already meet when you first apply.

Benefits of Taylor’s University Scholarship

Financial Benefits

This is where the Taylor’s University Scholarship really delivers for students who can’t self-fund a research degree abroad:

• Scheme A Plus: Full tuition waiver for up to 36 months, a monthly stipend of RM3,200, and a conference allowance of up to RM3,000.
• Scheme A: Full tuition waiver for up to 36 months and a monthly stipend of RM2,300, plus the same conference allowance of up to RM3,000.
• Scheme B (PhD): Full tuition waiver for up to 36 months with a monthly stipend of RM1,900.
• Scheme B (Master’s by Research): Full tuition waiver for up to 24 months with a monthly stipend of RM1,500.

International students on Scheme B also get the International Student Charge and International Student Annual Fee waived for their first year. A few costs still fall on the student regardless of scheme things like the international enrolment fee, EMGS visa application and renewal fees, E-Val, and any advance tuition deposit or personal bond.

Academic and Personal Benefits

Beyond the money, the scholarship gives students access to Taylor’s research infrastructure, experienced academic supervisors, and a structured path toward publishing in indexed journals a real advantage for anyone planning an academic career. The conference allowance built into Schemes A and A Plus also means PhD scholars can present their work internationally without funding it themselves, which helps build a stronger research profile and professional network well before graduation.

Documents Required for Taylor’s University Scholarship

Have these ready before you start your application:

1. Completed postgraduate admission application
2. Completed Higher Degrees by Research Financial Aid Application Form
3. Research proposal, written using Taylor’s official template
4. Bachelor’s degree certificate and full academic transcripts
5. Master’s degree certificate and transcripts (required for PhD applicants)
6. An academic CV or résumé
7. Proof of English-language proficiency, if applicable
8. Academic reference letters
9. Evidence of any academic awards or achievements
10. Proof of relevant research or professional experience
11. Evidence of teaching experience, if relevant
12. First page of every publication you list in your application
13. A copy of your passport (international applicants)
14. Any additional documents your specific program requests

How to Apply for Taylor’s University Scholarship

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Pick your program. Browse Taylor’s postgraduate research offerings and choose a master’s by research or PhD program that fits your background and research interests. If you’re aiming for Scheme A Plus, double-check that your chosen field is science, medical science, pharmaceutical science, engineering, or computer science.
2. Draft your research proposal early. Taylor’s expects a proposal that covers your intended field, the problem you want to research, your objectives, a short literature review, and your planned methodology. Build your academic CV alongside it, highlighting education, research work, publications, and any teaching experience.
3. Submit your admission application. Follow Taylor’s official postgraduate admission process. Research applicants typically need to have their proposal reviewed and a supervisor confirmed before the full application is complete.
4. Fill out the scholarship form. Complete the Higher Degrees by Research Financial Aid Application Form along with the attached research proposal template.
5. Send everything in. Email your completed financial aid form, proposal, and all supporting documents to postgraduate@taylors.edu.my. Don’t forget to attach the first page of every publication you’re claiming credit for.
6. Prepare for the interview. Shortlisted candidates present their research proposal in a 15-minute session, followed by a Q&A with the evaluation panel. They’ll be assessing your academic record, the strength of your proposal, how well you communicate, and your leadership potential.
7. Wait for the decision. Taylor’s notifies applicants by email. If you’re offered the scholarship, you’ll need to sign and return your acceptance within five days decisions are final and can’t be appealed.

Application Tips

• Apply for admission and the scholarship together, but understand the scholarship only gets processed once your admission is confirmed.
• Match your research proposal tightly to your intended department vague or overly broad proposals rarely get shortlisted.
• If you have any publications, list them and attach the first page even one paper can meaningfully strengthen a Scheme A or Scheme A Plus application.
• Rehearse your presentation before the interview, but keep your answers consistent with what you wrote in your proposal and CV.
• Give yourself 8 to 12 weeks of buffer time for student visa processing if you’re applying from outside Malaysia.

Deadline for the Taylor’s University Scholarship

Taylor’s accepts postgraduate research scholarship applications year-round, but you still need to hit the submission window tied to your intended intake. Recommended application timelines for international applicants in 2027 are:

• February 2027 intake: Apply by December 2026
• April 2027 intake: Apply by February 2027
• June 2027 intake: Apply by April 2027
• September 2027 intake: Apply by July 2027

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)