Top Malaysian Scholarships for SPM Leavers — Quick Reference (with processes & timing)

Finding the right scholarship can change your life — but knowing where to start is often the hardest part. To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled a list of major Malaysian scholarships available to SPM leavers, including key details such as whether they fund overseas or local studies, bond requirements, and what the typical application process looks like.

1. JPA (Public Service Department) Scholarship

Description:
One of Malaysia’s most prestigious government scholarships, JPA sponsors high-performing students to pursue pre-university and undergraduate studies locally or abroad in critical fields.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 4–10 years depending on country and program
Typical Process: Online application → online test → interview and group assessment → placement offer
Application Period: Usually opens in March–April after SPM results

2. MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) Scholarship

Description:
MARA supports Bumiputera students pursuing tertiary education in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: Contractual obligation (converted to loan/partial repayment depending on results)
Typical Process: Online form → psychometric test → interview and assessment center → placement confirmation
Application Period: April–May

3. PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP)

Description:
A corporate scholarship by PETRONAS focusing on engineering, geosciences, and business disciplines. Scholars are typically placed in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) or top global universities.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 5–7 years
Typical Process: Online application → online assessments → interview → offer
Application Period: March–April

4. Khazanah Global and Khazanah Watan Scholarship

Description:
Offered by Yayasan Khazanah, these scholarships fund high-achieving students for undergraduate and postgraduate study locally (Watan) or overseas (Global).

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 5–7 years
Typical Process: Online application → aptitude test → two rounds of interviews → leadership and values assessment → offer
Application Period: March–May

5. Yayasan UEM Scholarship

Description:
A private foundation under the UEM Group that supports students with strong academic records and leadership potential for local or overseas study.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 3–5 years (varies by country)
Typical Process: Application → assessment and interview → scholarship offer → pre-university placement
Application Period: April–May

6. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Scholarship

Description:
A highly competitive scholarship from Malaysia’s central bank for economics, finance, accounting, and related fields.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 5–8 years
Typical Process: Online application → cognitive and psychometric tests → interview and assessment → final offer
Application Period: March–April

7. Sime Darby Foundation Scholarship

Description:
Supports high-potential students for local or overseas study in selected universities. Fields include business, agriculture, and sciences.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 3–6 years
Typical Process: Application → essay submission → interview → psychometric test → final offer
Application Period: March–May

8. Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN) Scholarship

Description:
Offered by TNB to fund students in engineering and technical programs at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) or partner institutions.

Overseas or Local: Mostly local
Bond Length: 4 years
Typical Process: Online application → written assessment → interview → offer
Application Period: April–May

9. Yayasan Telekom Malaysia (YTM) Scholarship

Description:
Focuses on ICT, multimedia, and engineering programs for study at Multimedia University (MMU) or other partner universities.

Overseas or Local: Local
Bond Length: 3–5 years
Typical Process: Application → online test → interview → offer
Application Period: March–May

10. Shell Malaysia Scholarship

Description:
For students interested in engineering, geosciences, or commercial studies. Scholars may study at top Malaysian or global universities.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 5 years
Typical Process: Application → online assessment → video interview → final interview
Application Period: March–April

11. Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera

Description:
Focuses on supporting Bumiputera students pursuing professional certifications (ACCA, CFA, etc.) or tertiary studies.

Overseas or Local: Mostly local
Bond Length: 3 years
Typical Process: Application → online test → interview → placement
Application Period: Varies by program, usually March–June

12. Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman (YTAR) Scholarship

Description:
Recognizes academically strong and socially active students with leadership potential.

Overseas or Local: Local
Bond Length: No bond
Typical Process: Application → leadership essays → interview → mentorship and selection
Application Period: May–June

13. Astro Scholarship

Description:
Offered by Astro Malaysia Holdings, focusing on media, communications, and technology studies.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 3 years
Typical Process: Application → test → interview → offer
Application Period: May–June

14. Gamuda Scholarship

Description:
Funds students in engineering, architecture, construction management, and related fields.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 3 years
Typical Process: Online application → assessment → interview → offer
Application Period: April–May

15. Maybank Foundation Scholarship

Description:
Supports academically excellent students in business, finance, or data analytics.

Overseas or Local: Both
Bond Length: 3–5 years
Typical Process: Application → online assessment → interview → offer
Application Period: April–May

Final Thoughts

Every scholarship is unique — from its mission to its selection process — but they all share one goal: to help talented young Malaysians access quality education and build a better future. Remember, it’s never too early to start preparing your application, strengthening your extracurriculars, and reaching out for mentorship.