Albukhary International University (AIU) Scholarship - Malaysia
Fully or partially funded undergraduate scholarship at AIU Malaysia for financially disadvantaged international students. Covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly living allowance, and medical insurance. No IELTS required. Deadline July 31 annually. Selection based on financial need, personal statement, and interview.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Full / PartialDeadline
July 31 (annual)
Country
MalaysiaAbout the Albukhary International University (AIU) Scholarship - Malaysia
Albukhary International University (AIU) in Alor Setar, Malaysia, was founded with a singular and unusual mission: to provide high-quality university education exclusively to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of their country of origin. The AIU Scholarship - funded by the Albukhary Foundation, one of Malaysia's most respected philanthropic organizations - is therefore unlike most other scholarships. It is not a competition based primarily on grades. It is a social development investment designed to give access to students who have the potential and the drive but lack the financial means to pursue a university degree.
The scholarship is offered in two tiers. Fully Funded recipients receive complete tuition fees, free on-campus accommodation, a monthly living allowance, and basic medical insurance. Partially Funded recipients receive a subset of these benefits, determined by the university after reviewing each application. Applicants cannot pre-select their tier - the Foundation makes this decision based on the demonstrated level of financial need. Importantly, neither tier covers international flight tickets or visa processing fees, which students must arrange independently.
The selection process takes financial need very seriously and uses several concrete verification tools. Applicants must submit parents' identification documents, income slips, proof of employment or self-employment income, utility bills, and photographs of the family home - exterior, living room, and kitchen. These photographs are a distinctive and genuine part of the AIU process; they help the selection committee assess household circumstances in a tangible way rather than relying solely on official income certificates, which may not reflect actual financial hardship.
Available undergraduate programs cover Computer Science, Economics, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Social Development, Media and Communication, Politics and International Relations, and Data Science. No IELTS or English proficiency test is required at the time of application - students who are admitted but have limited English proficiency are first enrolled in the AIU Language Centre for structured English preparation (typically 3-12 months) before beginning their degree. The Language Centre pathway is fully funded and keeps all scholarship benefits active throughout.
International students aged 17-20 are eligible to apply from any country in the developing world. The application portal is open year-round, but all applications must be submitted before the July 31 annual deadline. Earlier submissions receive earlier interview invitations, and scholarship slots are filled progressively - so applying well before the deadline is strongly advised rather than waiting.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Specifically designed for financially disadvantaged students
financial need is a KEY selection factor alongside motivation and communication, not just academic grades
No IELTS required
accessible to students who have strong potential but have not yet taken an English proficiency test
July 31 deadline gives applicants more preparation time than most scholarships with January-March deadlines
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country with halal food universally available - welcoming and comfortable for students from Muslim-majority countries
AIU's fully residential campus environment provides a structured, fully supported living and learning experience for students living away from home for the first time
Covers multiple high-demand undergraduate programs including Computer Science and Data Science - relevant to the global job market
The AIU Language Centre means students without strong English can still be admitted and develop their proficiency before the degree begins
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Malaysia
Albukhary International University is located in Alor Setar, Kedah - a quiet, affordable city in northern Malaysia near the Thai border, very different from the busy metropolitan pace of Kuala Lumpur. AIU's fully residential campus model means students live, study, and socialize entirely on campus, creating a close-knit international community. Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country where halal food is universally available, English is widely spoken, and the cost of living is among the lowest in Southeast Asia. The country's diverse international student population and multicultural society make it a genuinely welcoming environment for students from any background.
Eligibility Requirements
7 requirements
Documents Checklist
9 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1 - Create your account at the AIU application portal: https://apply.aiu.edu.my/auth/sign-in
Step 2 - Login and select 4 program preferences from available undergraduate degrees
Step 3 - Fill in personal information, contact details, referee information (name, email, relationship e.g. teacher), and academic qualifications
Step 4 - Write the motivational letter: answer each of the 3 compulsory questions (minimum 150 words each): 'Why should the Albukhary Foundation sponsor you?', 'How will the scholarship impact your future?', 'What makes you a suitable candidate?'
Step 5 - Upload all required documents (max 1MB per file): photo, passport, certificates, transcripts, family home photos, parents' IDs, income slips, utility bill
Step 6 - Submit the application - do not wait for the July 31 deadline; earlier submissions receive earlier interview invitations
Step 7 - If shortlisted, attend an interview (can take 1-2 weeks or 1-2 months to receive call). Results sent via email within 3-4 months
Application Timeline
Ongoing (portal accessible year-round)
Applications Open
Apply as early as possible - do not wait for July 31
July 31 (annual)
Application Deadline
Last date to submit complete applications
1-2 weeks to 1-2 months after application
Interview Call
Earlier applicants receive interview invitations sooner
Variable
Interview
Interview conducted online; can be lengthy
Approximately 3-4 months after interview
Results via Email
Offer letter and terms sent to successful candidates
Following semester intake
Enrollment
AIU has intake periods in January and July
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Apply as early as possible - applications submitted before the deadline receive earlier interview calls, and the scholarship fills up progressively
The family home photographs (outside, living room, kitchen) are taken very seriously - they help the selection committee assess financial need authentically
Your motivational letter should be sincere and personal - explain your financial situation, your educational goals, and how you will give back to your community
If parents are self-employed, get a Union Council-stamped income statement - the format template is available online
You can request changes to your application after submission by emailing ict.apps@aiu.edu
Even without IELTS, showing evidence of English ability (school results in English, English medium education) is helpful
The interview can be lengthy - prepare to discuss your background, goals, financial situation, and why you chose your specific program
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU) Admissions: Apply for MEDIU's Islamic Studies, Arabic, and management programs here. Scholarship consideration is available for eligible applicants.
MEDIU Scholarship Information: Overview of scholarship programs available at Al-Madinah International University for international students.
For Pakistani Students
Malaysian High Commission in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 224 Margalla Road, F-10/2, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-2294090
🌐 www.kln.gov.my/web/pak_islamabad →For Malaysian Student Pass application. The Student Pass is processed after arrival by the university, but you will need a single-entry visa to enter Malaysia.
Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
📍 132 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
📞 +60-3-21612666
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/malaysia/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Malaysia.
Students from Other Countries
MEDIU is open to international students worldwide with a focus on Islamic studies. Contact the Malaysian Embassy in your home country for student visa and entry requirements.
Find Malaysia Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
No. IELTS is not required at the time of application. If you are selected but lack English proficiency, you will be enrolled in the AIU Language Centre to complete an English course before beginning your degree program.
Fully funded covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly living allowance, and basic medical insurance. Partially funded covers only 1-2 of these benefits. The university decides which tier each student receives after reviewing their application - you cannot choose.
No. Neither the fully funded nor the partially funded tier covers flight tickets or visa processing fees. Students must self-fund their travel to Malaysia.
AIU targets financially disadvantaged students. Family home photos (exterior, living room, kitchen) help the selection committee verify the applicant's household financial status authentically - this is a core part of the assessment process.
The AIU motivational letter requires answers to three specific questions, each with a minimum of 150 words: (1) 'Why should the Albukhary Foundation sponsor you?' - explain your financial situation, family background, and why you cannot access education without this support; (2) 'How will the scholarship impact your future?' - describe your career goals and how this degree will change your life trajectory; (3) 'What makes you a suitable candidate?' - highlight your character, values, academic strengths, and community contributions. Write authentically and specifically - avoid generic answers. The committee reads hundreds of applications and values students who are honest and clear about their circumstances.
The AIU Language Centre is a pre-degree English program for students who are admitted but need English preparation. Duration varies from 3 to 12 months depending on your proficiency level at entry. During this period, you are fully supported by the scholarship - accommodation, living allowance, and medical insurance continue. Once you complete the Language Centre and reach the required English level, you begin your Bachelor's degree program. This pathway is genuinely valuable for students who completed their schooling in a non-English medium and have not yet developed strong English skills.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
Apply on Official Website →Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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