Macau is a small place with a short list of scholarships, and that makes it easy to survey. There are three options in our data: one automatic merit award at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) for undergraduates, one fee waiver at the University of Macau (UM) for international Bachelor's and Master's applicants, and one stipend at UM for PhD students. All three currently show as open for applications. Pakistani students are covered by the international wording in each, so the real question is which level you are applying at.
If you want an undergraduate degree, look at MUST and UM. If you want a Master's, UM's international award is the match. If you are aiming at doctoral research, the UM PhD Scholarship is the only fully funded route here, and it is the strongest offer on the page.
All three Macau scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| MUST Admission Scholarship for Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and International Students | Full / Partial | Follows MUST's undergraduate admission cycle; check with MUST admissions |
| UM PhD Scholarship (UMPS) | Fully Funded | Follows UM PhD application rounds; check GRS |
| University of Macau International Student Scholarship | Full / Partial | Varies by round; check the GAO admission timeline |
The fully funded option: UM PhD stipend
The UM PhD Scholarship (UMPS) pays a monthly stipend of MOP 20,000 for up to four years, plus an annual research travel allowance. The University of Macau gives it to outstanding full-time PhD applicants of any nationality, and it is competitive. If you hold a strong Master's and a clear research plan, this is the one to build your application around. Read the full details before you shortlist supervisors.
Timing matters. The first batch typically falls around October, and applicants are told to check GRS for the current cycle. Since that window may already be near or past, confirm the next round early rather than assuming.
Undergraduate and Master's awards with full or partial cover
Two scholarships sit in the "Full / Partial" group, and both depend on what the university decides after reviewing your admission file.
MUST admission scholarship
The MUST Admission Scholarship is automatic and merit-based. It has Distinguished, Full and Half tiers covering tuition and living costs, and it goes to outstanding undergraduate applicants from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and elsewhere internationally. No separate application is required. Your admission application is your scholarship application, so the quality of your results and documents does the work. The cycle typically opens around February or March for a September intake, but MUST's admissions office has the current dates. See the full details page too.
University of Macau international student scholarship
The University of Macau International Student Scholarship is a competitive waiver of tuition and accommodation fees. It is open to international Bachelor's and Master's applicants with a valid foreign passport, and no separate form is needed beyond the admission application. Deadlines vary by round, so check the GAO admission timeline each year. More in the full details page.
Choosing between them
Start with your level, because that settles most of it. A Pakistani student finishing intermediate has two undergraduate paths, MUST and UM. They share a feature worth using: neither asks for a second application. That lowers the paperwork, but it also means you cannot rescue a weak admission file with a good scholarship essay. Apply to both universities if your budget for fees allows it, and compare which tier or waiver you are offered.
For Master's study, UM is the only Macau option in this set. For a PhD, UM again, and here the funding is the most generous in the data. Because the stipend is stated in MOP, convert it yourself at the current rate and compare it against your expected living costs.
On documents, prepare early. Your passport must be valid, since the UM international award asks for a valid foreign passport. Gather transcripts, degree certificates and any research proposal well before the round opens. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers attestation and translations, and the general scholarships guide for Pakistani students explains how to compare offers across countries.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fill in a separate scholarship form for MUST?
No. The MUST scholarship is automatic and merit-based, so your admission application is what gets assessed.
Can Pakistani students apply for the UM PhD Scholarship?
The scholarship goes to outstanding full-time PhD applicants of any nationality, so nationality is not a barrier. It is competitive, though.
How long does the UM PhD stipend last?
Up to four years, at MOP 20,000 a month, with an annual research travel allowance added.
When should I apply?
It depends on the scholarship. MUST typically opens around February or March for a September intake. The UM PhD first batch is typically around October. UM's international rounds vary, so check the admission timeline each year.
Is the UM international scholarship fully funded?
It is listed as Full / Partial. It waives tuition and accommodation fees, and the amount depends on the award you receive.
Where to go next
Open the individual guides for MUST, UM international and the UM PhD scholarship to read the eligibility details, then confirm dates and requirements on each university's official website before you apply.