Every year, the Government of Brunei Darussalam offers fully funded scholarships to international students to study at universities in Brunei, including Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the country's top university.
Status: the 2026/27 call closed on 15 February 2026. The 2027/28 call is expected to open around December 2026 or January 2027, with a deadline around mid-February 2027. Prepare now.
What the scholarship covers
- Free tuition, including acceptance, registration, examination and orientation fees
- Return economy flights to and from Brunei
- Free accommodation in the university's residential college
- Personal allowance: BND 500 per month
- Meals allowance: BND 150 per month
- Book allowance: BND 600 per year
- Medical insurance
- Baggage allowance when you finish: BND 500 if you live outside ASEAN
These amounts are from the last call and may change.
Universities
- Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
- Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB)
- Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA)
- Politeknik Brunei
Who can apply
- Citizens of ASEAN, Commonwealth and OIC member countries, among others. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Cameroon and many other countries qualify.
- Bachelor's and diploma: aged 18 to 25
- Master's: aged 35 or younger
- Able to study in English, Malay or Arabic
- Brunei permanent residents are not eligible
Documents
- Certified copies of your passport and birth certificate or national ID
- Academic certificates and transcripts, with certified English translations if needed
- English proficiency proof
- Reference letters
- Proof of employment (if working)
- A research proposal (for research master's)
Files are uploaded online: Word, PDF or JPG, 10 MB maximum.
How to apply
- When the call opens, fill in the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship online application, linked from the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship page.
- Also apply for admission to your chosen university (UBD, UTB, UNISSA or Politeknik Brunei) through its own website.
- Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed or tested.
UBD scholarship information: https://ubd.edu.bn/admission/scholarship/
For PhD applicants: UBD Graduate Research Scholarship (UGRS)
The government scholarship covers bachelor's and master's only. PhD applicants can apply for UBD's own UGRS:
- Tuition waived
- BND 1,200 per month for 36 months
- Free on-campus accommodation
- One return flight, plus up to BND 3,000 for research and conferences
- Requires a master's with at least an Upper Second, age 30 or under, and a strong research proposal
Details: https://ubd.edu.bn/admission/graduate/graduate-fees-funding/ugrs
Tips
- Prepare your transcripts, certified copies and references before the call opens. The window is short.
- Choose your course on UBD's website early and check its entry requirements.
- Never pay an agent. Applying is free.