UPM Alumni Scholarship Putra Scheme 2026/2027: Complete Guide
The UPM Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme, officially called the Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme and commonly shortened to PASS, is a postgraduate tuition-support programme offered by Universiti Putra Malaysia. The scheme encourages UPM graduates and eligible children of international UPM alumni to return to the university for research-based postgraduate study.
For search purposes, many applicants use the phrase UPM alumni scholarship, although the official spelling is “alumni.” This guide uses the requested keyword while referring to the official programme as the Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme.
The UPM alumni scholarship is currently open for the First Semester 2026/2027. Applications run from August 1 to August 31, 2026. New students and eligible current students who have not progressed beyond their first semester may apply, subject to the rules for the local or international category.
What Is the UPM Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme?
The UPM alumni scholarship is a loyalty-based financial incentive managed by the School of Graduate Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia. It was created to encourage UPM alumni and, under the international route, their children to pursue postgraduate education at UPM.
The UPM alumni scholarship has two separate routes:
- PASS International
- PASS Local
The international UPM alumni scholarship is available to eligible international UPM alumni and children of international UPM alumni. The local scheme is available to eligible Malaysian UPM alumni.
These UPM alumni scholarship routes do not provide identical benefits or accept exactly the same applicants. Candidates should identify the correct category before preparing an application.
Is the UPM alumni Scholarship Open?
Yes. The UPM alumni scholarship is open for applications for the First Semester 2026/2027.
The published application period is:
Opening date: August 1, 2026
Closing date: August 31, 2026
Applicants must complete the online form and ensure that the advisor or supervisor and the Dean or Director of the relevant faculty, school, or institute provide their online endorsements by the same deadline.
The UPM alumni scholarship does not accept incomplete or late applications, and the official notices state that appeals will not be entertained. Applicants who receive no response within three months of the international closing date are considered unsuccessful.
Main Scholarship Categories
Understanding the two UPM alumni scholarship categories is essential because the funding level, degree options, and applicant relationship differ.
PASS International for UPM Alumni
This category is for international students who previously graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia and now want to return for another research degree.
Eligible international alumni may receive a 10% tuition-fee waiver.
The university plans to award up to 100 scholarships per year to international UPM alumni under the published 2026/2027 terms.
PASS International for Children of UPM Alumni
This category is for eligible children of international UPM alumni.
Children of international alumni may receive a tuition-fee waiver ranging from 30% to 50%, based on the International Graduate Student Scholarship structure.
The university lists up to 20 recipients per year for this category. The exact percentage is not guaranteed before assessment.
PASS Local for Malaysian UPM Alumni
The local UPM alumni scholarship is for Malaysian UPM graduates returning for PhD study by research.
Recipients receive a 10% tuition-fee waiver. The published local scheme offers up to 100 awards per year and supports PhD study for a maximum of three years.
UPM alumni Scholarship Benefits
The UPM alumni scholarship provides a partial tuition-fee waiver.
The UPM alumni scholarship benefit depends on the applicant category:
- International UPM alumni: 10% tuition-fee waiver
- Children of international UPM alumni: 30%–50% tuition-fee waiver
- Malaysian UPM alumni: 10% tuition-fee waiver
The UPM alumni scholarship does not advertise a monthly living stipend, full tuition coverage, airfare, accommodation, visa costs, insurance, medical expenses, or family support.
Applicants should therefore describe the scheme as a partial tuition scholarship rather than a fully funded award.
Is the UPM alumni Scholarship Fully Funded?
No. The UPM alumni scholarship is not fully funded.
Even a recipient receiving the highest published waiver for an international alumni child remains responsible for at least part of the tuition fee. The student must also plan for:
- Remaining tuition fees
- Registration charges
- Admission processing fees
- Visa and pass expenses
- Health examinations
- Medical insurance
- Accommodation
- Food
- Local transportation
- Research and personal expenses
UPM’s international registration guidance advises students to prepare a financial plan and states that the university is not responsible for securing financial support for their studies.
Scholarship Duration
The international UPM alumni scholarship can support:
- Up to two years for a Master’s degree
- Up to three years for a PhD
The local UPM alumni scholarship supports PhD study for up to three years.
The award duration is a maximum period, not a promise that support will continue regardless of progress or compliance. Recipients must remain eligible, maintain their academic status, and follow the university’s scholarship and postgraduate rules.
Eligible Study Level
The international UPM alumni scholarship may support:
- Master’s degree by research
- PhD by research
The local category supports:
- PhD by research only
A coursework Master’s degree, mixed-mode programme, undergraduate degree, postgraduate diploma, or professional short course is not included in the published PASS eligibility conditions.
Applicants should verify the programme structure before applying because the UPM alumni scholarship specifically requires enrolment in a programme by research.
Who Can Apply?
The UPM alumni scholarship is not a general award for every UPM postgraduate applicant.
An eligible applicant must belong to one of these groups:
- An international graduate of Universiti Putra Malaysia
- A child of an international UPM graduate
- A Malaysian UPM graduate applying under PASS Local
The applicant must also satisfy the academic, programme, funding, employment, research, supervisor, and application-status conditions for the relevant category.
A student who has never studied at UPM and is not the child of an eligible international alumnus or alumna should consider another scholarship, such as the International Graduate Student Scholarship, rather than the UPM alumni scholarship.
New and Current Student Eligibility
The UPM alumni scholarship is open to:
- New students registering in the First Semester 2026/2027
- Existing UPM students who have not exceeded their first semester
- Eligible first-semester students with “Continue” status
Students who have moved beyond the first semester are not included in the published applicant category.
A new applicant should complete the postgraduate admission process early enough to receive the necessary access, identify a supervisor, obtain research approval, and collect online endorsements before the scholarship deadline.
Academic Requirements for International Applicants
The international UPM alumni scholarship requires the applicant to hold:
- A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.50, or
- A Master’s degree
How this condition applies depends on the proposed degree.
A candidate entering a research Master’s programme would ordinarily rely on the Bachelor’s qualification. A PhD applicant would need to satisfy UPM’s doctoral admission requirements and normally provide the relevant Master’s qualification.
The scholarship notice gives the minimum headline requirement, but individual faculties and programmes may impose higher or more specific admission standards.
Academic Requirements for Local Applicants
The local UPM alumni scholarship is for Malaysian UPM alumni pursuing a PhD.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree and obtain approval for the proposed research from the advisor or supervisor.
The local notice does not publish a separate minimum Master’s CGPA for PASS. However, candidates must still satisfy UPM’s PhD admission rules and the requirements of the relevant faculty, school, or institute.
Graduate on Time Requirement
International UPM alumni applying for the UPM alumni scholarship must have graduated on time from their previous UPM programme.
UPM uses Graduate on Time, commonly shortened to GOT, to refer to completion within the expected postgraduate period. Historical UPM guidance describes GOT as four semesters for Master’s students and seven or eight semesters for PhD students, although applicants should obtain current confirmation for their programme and cohort.
The GOT condition is specifically stated for international UPM alumni. Children of alumni should provide proof of the parent’s UPM graduate relationship, but the published notice does not expressly state that the parent must satisfy the same GOT rule.
Applicants should not assume that an unusually extended previous candidature automatically meets the UPM alumni scholarship requirement.
Research Programme Requirement
Every UPM alumni scholarship applicant must enrol in a programme by research.
Research-mode study normally involves:
- A defined research problem
- An approved proposal
- An appointed advisor or supervisory committee
- Research-method training
- Progress monitoring
- A thesis
- Examination or viva voce
- Compliance with publication or faculty requirements
The proposed topic should align with available expertise and resources at UPM.
Before submitting the UPM alumni scholarship application, confirm that the programme is officially classified as research mode rather than assuming that a thesis component in a coursework programme is sufficient.
Supervisor Support Letter
International applicants need a support letter from an advisor or supervisor.
The UPM alumni scholarship also requires the supervisor to support the application online. These are related requirements, but applicants should not assume that an informal email replaces a formal support letter or portal endorsement.
Before requesting support:
- Read the academic’s profile
- Review recent publications
- Prepare a focused research idea
- Explain your previous UPM connection
- Provide academic records
- Attach a concise research CV
- Mention the application deadline
- Ask about availability for supervision
A suitable supervisor should understand the proposed topic and be prepared to confirm support through the university system.
Approved Research Proposal
International UPM alumni scholarship applicants need a copy of the research proposal approved by the advisor or supervisor.
Local applicants must also have obtained supervisor approval for the proposal.
The research proposal should normally explain:
- Proposed title
- Background
- Research problem
- Research gap
- Objectives
- Questions or hypotheses
- Methodology
- Expected findings
- Academic or practical contribution
- Work plan
The UPM alumni scholarship notice does not publish a standard proposal length. Applicants should follow the instructions of the relevant programme and supervisor.
Read the complete guide on how to write a strong research proposal.
Publication or Institutional Recommendation
The international UPM alumni scholarship requires the applicant to have at least one academic journal article and/or strong recommendations from an academic institution.
This wording allows:
- A journal publication
- A strong institutional recommendation
- Both forms of evidence
A publication should be represented honestly. Clearly distinguish between published, accepted, in press, under review, and submitted work.
An institutional recommendation may come from a senior academic authority such as a Vice Chancellor, Dean, or Director. It should provide specific evidence of academic ability, research potential, integrity, and expected contribution rather than relying only on the recommender’s title.
Embassy No-Funding Letter
International applicants must provide a letter from their embassy confirming that they do not receive financial assistance, a scholarship, or income from an agency or government.
This UPM alumni scholarship document can take time to obtain.
The embassy letter should ideally include:
- Applicant’s full name
- Passport number
- Citizenship
- Official letterhead
- Confirmation of no government or agency funding
- Date
- Authorised signature
- Officer’s designation and contact details
When an embassy does not issue this type of confirmation, contact the UPM School of Graduate Studies Financial Aid Unit for an accepted alternative. Do not replace it with a personal statement unless UPM authorises that approach.
Employment and Other Funding
International UPM alumni scholarship applicants must not receive another scholarship or financial assistance and should not be engaged in employment at the time of application.
Local applicants must also not receive another form of financial assistance.
Applicants should disclose:
- Employer sponsorship
- Government awards
- University scholarships
- Research assistantships
- Fellowships
- Tuition discounts
- Paid study leave
- Other income connected with sponsorship
The UPM alumni scholarship is a partial tuition waiver, but that does not mean applicants can automatically combine it with any other funding source. Obtain written confirmation from UPM when a potential overlap is unclear.
Priority for Developing Countries
For the international UPM alumni scholarship, priority is given to applicants from developing countries in which UPM has strategic importance.
The official call does not provide a complete country list or a public scoring formula.
An eligible applicant should not claim guaranteed priority solely because their country is commonly described as developing. Selection can also depend on academic preparation, research quality, strategic relevance, supervisor support, funding availability, and competition.
English Language Requirements
International applicants must satisfy UPM’s general English-language requirements.
UPM currently accepts several recognised tests and pathways. The exact score can vary by programme and offer category. The university states that IELTS Indicator, APTIS, Duolingo, TOEFL ITP, and a Medium of Instruction letter are not accepted for the general postgraduate English requirement. Test results normally must not be more than two years old.
The UPM alumni scholarship page does not create a separate lower English requirement. Applicants should follow the current admission condition shown by UPM and the relevant faculty.
A provisional admission offer based on missing English evidence may create additional study time and expense, so applicants should resolve the condition as early as possible.
Documents to Prepare
The exact portal fields may vary, but an UPM alumni scholarship applicant should prepare evidence relevant to the published conditions.
International applicants may need:
- Passport
- Proof of UPM alumni status or parent’s alumni status
- Birth certificate or other proof of parent-child relationship
- Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates
- Academic transcripts
- UPM offer or student-status evidence
- Supervisor support letter
- Approved research proposal
- Publication evidence and/or institutional recommendation
- Embassy no-funding letter
- Proof of Graduate on Time where applicable
- English-language evidence
- Other documents requested in the portal
Local applicants may need:
- Malaysian identity document
- Proof of UPM alumni status
- Master’s degree evidence
- PhD admission or registration details
- Approved research proposal
- Supervisor endorsement
- Confirmation that no other financial assistance is received
All UPM alumni scholarship documents should be accurate, readable, current, and consistent.
How to Apply
Identify the Correct Category
Determine whether you are applying as an international UPM alumnus, a child of an international UPM alumnus, or a Malaysian UPM alumnus.
Confirm Programme Eligibility
Choose a research-mode Master’s or PhD that fits the category rules.
Complete UPM Admission Requirements
Submit the separate postgraduate admission application and meet academic and English conditions.
Identify a Supervisor
Contact an appropriate UPM researcher and discuss the proposed project.
Obtain Proposal Approval
Prepare the research proposal and receive advisor or supervisor approval.
Collect Supporting Documents
Arrange alumni proof, academic records, publication or recommendation evidence, and the embassy letter where required.
Complete the Online Form
Submit the UPM alumni scholarship application through the UPM student portal.
Request Supervisor Endorsement
Confirm that the advisor or supervisor supports the application online.
Request Dean or Director Endorsement
The relevant Dean or Director must also complete the online support process.
Verify Completion
Check every section and attachment before August 31, 2026.
Monitor the Outcome
Review portal and email messages. International applicants who receive no response within three months of the deadline are considered unsuccessful under the current notice.
Selection Process
UPM does not publish a detailed points table for the UPM alumni scholarship.
A reasonable assessment may consider:
- Correct alumni relationship
- Academic record
- Research-mode admission
- Quality of the proposal
- Supervisor support
- Publication evidence
- Institutional recommendation
- Graduate on Time status
- Compliance with funding and employment rules
- Strategic relevance
- Complete documentation
- Available award numbers
These points are practical preparation areas inferred from the published requirements, not an official scoring formula.
Application and Admission Fees
The UPM alumni scholarship application notice does not advertise a separate PASS application fee.
Postgraduate admission is a different process and carries a processing fee.
Effective March 23, 2026, UPM lists the international postgraduate admission processing fee as:
- USD100 when paid from outside Malaysia
- RM400 when paid from inside Malaysia
Payment must use the official methods identified by UPM. The processing fee is separate from semester tuition and from the UPM alumni scholarship tuition waiver.
How to Get an Application Fee Waiver
The current UPM alumni scholarship call does not announce a general postgraduate admission-fee waiver.
UPM may occasionally offer a promotional waiver during an official postgraduate event or recruitment campaign, but applicants should not assume that a previous campaign remains active.
A practical approach is to:
- Monitor official UPM admission announcements
- Check postgraduate open-day promotions
- Ask the Admissions Unit whether an active waiver campaign exists
- Follow only written official instructions
- Pay the processing fee when no current waiver is confirmed
Do not use unofficial discount codes or allow an agent to promise a guaranteed waiver.
Read the full guide on how to request a university application fee waiver.
CV or Academic Resume
A concise academic CV can help the supervisor and faculty evaluate research preparation.
Focus on qualifications, thesis work, publications, research methods, conferences, awards, and relevant employment. Avoid lengthy descriptions of unrelated responsibilities.
Read the complete guide on how to prepare a scholarship CV or academic resume.
Recommendation Letter
International applicants may use a strong institutional recommendation to satisfy part of the publication-and/or-recommendation requirement.
The letter should present specific evidence of academic performance, research potential, and future contribution.
Learn how to request a strong academic recommendation letter.
Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose
The current UPM alumni scholarship notice does not list a general motivation letter as a universal attachment.
A separate admission programme or supervisor may still request one. Keep it focused on academic preparation, research direction, UPM fit, and realistic career goals.
Read the full guide on how to write a strong Statement of Purpose.
How to Improve Your Chances
Confirm the Alumni Relationship
Prepare official evidence showing that you or your parent graduated from UPM.
Choose the Correct Research Programme
Do not apply using a coursework or mixed-mode programme when the published requirement is research mode.
Contact the Supervisor Early
Proposal approval and online endorsement cannot be completed effectively at the last minute.
Demonstrate Research Readiness
Use thesis work, publications, methods, projects, and recommendations as evidence.
Explain Why Returning to UPM Makes Sense
The UPM alumni scholarship is a loyalty scheme. Show how previous familiarity with UPM, a relevant research group, or an academic connection supports the proposed study.
Complete Every Endorsement
The applicant form alone is not enough. Supervisor and Dean or Director actions must be completed by the deadline.
Prepare a Financial Plan
The UPM alumni scholarship is a partial tuition waiver. Applicants must fund the remaining tuition and living costs.
Common Mistakes
Applicants should avoid:
- Misspelling the official scholarship name in formal documents
- Applying without a UPM alumni connection
- Failing to prove the parent-child relationship
- Choosing a coursework programme
- Applying after the first semester
- Ignoring the Graduate on Time rule
- Submitting without proposal approval
- Forgetting the supervisor endorsement
- Forgetting the Dean or Director endorsement
- Missing the embassy letter
- Hiding employment or another scholarship
- Describing the award as fully funded
- Assuming every alumni child receives 50%
- Missing the August 31 deadline
- Expecting an appeal after a late or incomplete application
A careful UPM alumni scholarship application should be complete, honest, and supported by verifiable documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PASS?
PASS stands for Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme.
Is “UPM alumni scholarship” the official spelling?
No. The official word is “alumni.” The phrase UPM alumni scholarship is a common search spelling, while the official programme is the Putra Alumni Scholarship Scheme.
Is the UPM alumni scholarship open now?
Yes. The First Semester 2026/2027 application period runs from August 1 to August 31, 2026.
Who can apply?
Eligible international UPM alumni, children of international UPM alumni, and Malaysian UPM alumni can apply under their respective categories.
Can a person with no UPM alumni connection apply?
No. That person should consider another UPM financial-assistance scheme.
Does the scholarship support Master’s study?
The international UPM alumni scholarship can support a research Master’s for eligible applicants.
Does it support PhD study?
Yes. Both the international and local categories can support eligible PhD candidates.
Can coursework students apply?
No. The current scheme requires a programme by research.
What waiver do international UPM alumni receive?
Eligible recipients receive a 10% tuition-fee waiver.
What waiver do children of international alumni receive?
Eligible recipients receive a 30%–50% tuition-fee waiver.
What waiver do Malaysian UPM alumni receive?
Eligible local recipients receive a 10% tuition-fee waiver.
Is the UPM alumni scholarship fully funded?
No. It is a partial tuition-fee waiver.
Does it provide a monthly stipend?
The current UPM alumni scholarship notices do not advertise a monthly stipend.
How many awards are available?
The international UPM alumni scholarship notice lists 100 awards per year for UPM alumni and 20 for alumni children. The local notice lists 100 recipients per year.
How long does the scholarship last?
The international route covers up to two years for a Master’s and three years for a PhD. The local route covers a PhD for up to three years.
Do I need a supervisor?
Yes. Supervisor support and online endorsement are required.
Do I need a research proposal?
Yes. International applicants need a supervisor-approved proposal, and local applicants must also obtain proposal approval.
Do I need a publication?
International applicants need at least one academic journal article and/or a strong institutional recommendation.
Do I need an embassy letter?
International applicants need an embassy letter confirming that they receive no financial assistance, scholarship, or agency or government income.
Can employed applicants apply?
The international eligibility rules state that the applicant should not be employed at the time of application.
Can I hold another scholarship?
No other scholarship or financial assistance is allowed under the published conditions.
What does Graduate on Time mean?
It refers to completing the previous UPM programme within the university’s expected period. International alumni must satisfy the GOT condition.
Where do I apply?
Applications for the UPM alumni scholarship are completed through the UPM student portal.
Is supervisor endorsement enough?
No. The relevant Dean or Director must also support the application online.
Is there a scholarship application fee?
The UPM alumni scholarship call does not list a separate scholarship-form fee. Postgraduate admission has its own processing charge.
What happens after the deadline?
Late and incomplete applications are not processed. International applicants receiving no response within three months are considered unsuccessful.
Final Checklist
Before submitting the UPM alumni scholarship application, confirm that:
- You selected the correct local or international category.
- You or your parent is an eligible UPM alumnus or alumna.
- You can prove the alumni relationship.
- You are a new or eligible first-semester student.
- Your status is “Continue” where applicable.
- You selected a programme by research.
- You meet the academic requirements.
- You meet UPM’s English requirement where applicable.
- You identified an appropriate supervisor.
- Your supervisor supports the application.
- Your research proposal is approved.
- You prepared publication or recommendation evidence.
- You obtained the embassy no-funding letter where required.
- You are not receiving prohibited financial assistance.
- You satisfy the employment condition.
- You satisfy the Graduate on Time rule where applicable.
- You understand the waiver percentage for your category.
- You have funds for remaining tuition and living costs.
- Your supervisor completed online endorsement.
- Your Dean or Director completed online endorsement.
- Your application is complete before August 31, 2026.
- Every statement and document is accurate.
Final Thoughts
The UPM alumni scholarship is a useful tuition-support opportunity for graduates who want to continue their academic relationship with Universiti Putra Malaysia and for eligible children of international UPM alumni.
Its main advantage is a 10%–50% tuition-fee waiver for research-based postgraduate study. Its main limitations are that it is not fully funded, requires a direct alumni connection, is restricted to new or first-semester students, and requires several approvals and supporting documents.
A strong UPM alumni scholarship application should clearly establish the alumni relationship, present a suitable research programme, obtain supervisor approval, satisfy the funding and employment rules, and complete every online endorsement before the deadline.
Because UPM alumni scholarship terms can change, applicants should verify the latest PASS notice, admission requirements, fees, and portal instructions directly with the UPM School of Graduate Studies before applying.