University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship

Scholarship to Study Abroad r

University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship 

University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship 2026-2026 is a fully funded graduate scholarship for international students. UBD scholarship will provide monthly allowance of BND 500.00, tuition fees waiver, on-campus accommodation and allowances for field research (BND 1000.00 for Arts and Humanities, and BND 2000.00 for Science candidates).

This is a very competitive scholarship and applicants with academic talents and caliber are highly encouraged to apply. This scholarship is offered by Brunei Darussalam University to outstanding students who are interested in pursuing their PhD studies after achieving excellence in their Master’s degree.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Masters, PhD
  • Institution(s):  Brunei Darussalam University
  • Study in: Brunei Darussalam
  • Program Period: 3 years
  • Deadline: February 28, 2026 /July 31, 2026 (January 2026 intake)
  • Courses Offered:
    • Health Sciences
    • Brunei Studies
    • Arts & Social Sciences
    • Business & Economics
    • Science
    • Asian Studies
    • Integrated Technologies
    • Advance Materials and Energy Studies
    • Education
    • Islamic Studies
    • Policy Studies

    Click here to know more about the specializations of each field of study

Scholarship Coverage

University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship provide the recipient with the following benefits:

  • A subsistence allowance of BND 500.00 per month for 36 months.
  • Waived tuition fees, including registration and acceptance fees at University of Brunei Darussalam.
  • On-campus accommodation for 36 months.
  • Allowances for field research (BND 1000.00 for Arts and Humanities, and BND 2000.00 for Science candidates)
  • For candidates not residing in Brunei Darussalam, one round trip economy class air ticket will be provided from their home country upon accepting the scholarship and to their home country upon completion of their studies.

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Eligibility Criteria for University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship

To qualify for University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

  • Required Language: English
  • Eligible Countries: All world countries
  • A second class upper honors Bachelor degree and a Master degree with a good publication record from and after undertaking the Master degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Has at least a first class honors Bachelor degree with a distinction in Master degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Fit to pursue studies in the area of choice.
  • A high quality and impact research proposal.
  • For all programmes, applicants must have at least a credit 6 in English Language at GCE ‘O’ Level Examination or a grade ‘B’ in IGCSE English (as a Second Language) or an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL minimum overall score of 550.

How to Apply for University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship?

Please follow the following application instructions to win UBD Graduate Scholarship:

  • Fill the application here.
  • Upload the following documents in a PDF form:
    • Certified true copies of academic certificates [O Level, A Level, HND etc], including university transcripts (where applicable) and  English proficiency qualification [IELTS, TOEFL, BEC, etc].
    • International passport.
    • For in-service applicants working in the private sector and Government sector (excluding Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs): a letter of permission from the employer.
    • For international applicants: a security clearance letter from the country of origin.
    • Certified English translation must be submitted for document that are not in the English language.
  • Confirm the information you provided and submit your application.

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The Ultimate Guide to Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Scholarship Requirements

Are you looking to study in a world-class environment without drowning in student debt? If so, the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Scholarship should be at the very top of your list. Located in the peaceful and wealthy nation of Brunei, UBD has steadily climbed the global rankings, offering cutting-edge research facilities and an English-taught curriculum.

Navigating international admission criteria can feel like a maze. To clear up the confusion, this comprehensive guide breaks down the financial benefits, age limits, academic standards, and application steps for the UBD scholarship.

Types of UBD Scholarships

When applying to study at UBD, international and local students have access to two major funding channels:

Universiti Brunei Darussalam

  1. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS): This is the flagship fully-funded scholarship offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is open to international students from ASEAN, Commonwealth, and OIC member countries for Diploma, Undergraduate, and Master’s programs.

    Scholarship Roar

  2. UBD Graduate Research Scholarship (UGRS): A highly competitive, elite scholarship designed specifically for exceptional PhD track students who want to work in an international research-intensive ecosystem.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

1. Financial Benefits: What the Scholarship Covers

The financial packages provided are remarkably generous, removing nearly all financial barriers for selected scholars.

Benefit Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) UBD Graduate Research Scholarship (UGRS)
Tuition Fees 100% Waived (Exemption from all academic fees) 100% Waived (Includes registration and acceptance fees)
Monthly Allowance BND $500.00 personal stipend BND $2,200.00 subsistence allowance
Meals Allowance BND $150.00 monthly Included in the general stipend
Book Allowance BND $600.00 annually Research/Conference funding up to BND $3,000
Airfare Return economy class tickets from home country Return economy class tickets from home country
Accommodation Free residential college room Free on-campus housing (UBD Corp)
Medical & Travel Comprehensive health insurance inside Brunei Visa and basic medical coverage covered

2. General Eligibility & Age Limits

Before digging into transcripts, make sure you clear the fundamental age and status baselines. The scholarship enforces strict cut-off dates based on your intended level of study:

  • Diploma & Undergraduate Candidates: Must be between 18 and 25 years old on the first day of July in the year the academic session starts.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

  • Postgraduate Master’s Candidates: Must not exceed 35 years of age by the designated July deadline.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

  • PhD Candidates (UGRS): Generally must not be older than 30 years of age at the time of application, though exceptional case-by-case extensions are sometimes considered.

    Universiti Brunei Darussalam

  • Exclusions: Permanent Residents of Brunei and foreign students who have already completed a degree at a tertiary institution in Brunei are not eligible for the international BDGS scheme.

    IBA’s Office of Student Affairs (OSA) – IBA Karachi

If you need a general overview of navigating study abroad age and document baselines, feel free to check out the broader guides on StudentArrive.

3. Language & Academic Requirements

Because English is the primary medium of instruction across all major faculties at UBD, proving your language proficiency is mandatory.

Scholarships Corner

English Language Criteria

You must satisfy at least one of the following metrics:

  • A minimum IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.0.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (for paper-based tests).

    Scholarships Corner

  • A minimum grade of “C” in IGCSE English (as a second language).

    Universiti Brunei Darussalam

  • A Credit 6 at GCE “O” Level English Language.

    Scholarships Corner

Specific Level Academic Criteria

For Bachelor’s Degrees (Undergraduate)

Admission points are based on a tariff conversion of your advanced secondary education:

Times Higher Education (THE)

  • GCE ‘A’ Levels / Equivalent: A minimum of 160 points for two passes, or 200 points for three passes in relevant subjects.

    Times Higher Education (THE)

  • International Baccalaureate (IB): A minimum score of 24 to 28 points (higher-tier majors like Biomedical Sciences require at least 32 points).

  • Higher National Diploma (HND): 5 merits in a relevant field recognized by the University Senate.

For Master’s Degrees

  • An undergraduate degree with at least Second-Class Honours (Lower Division) or equivalent from a recognized university.

  • A solid background in the field you are applying to (e.g., a background in economics for the Master of Economics).

For Doctor of Philosophy (PhD via UGRS)

  • A Master’s degree alongside an Upper Second-Class Bachelor’s degree, or a First-Class Honours Bachelor’s degree directly from a top international institution.

    Universiti Brunei Darussalam

  • Submission of a high-quality, impactful Research Proposal matching UBD’s priority focus fields (Energy, Climate Change, Material Science, Data Analytics, or Islamic Studies).

    Universiti Brunei Darussalam

4. Required Documents Checklist

Missing even a single document can result in your application being rejected instantly. Prepare clear, readable PDF scans of the following:

Scholarship Roar

  1. Valid International Passport and Birth Certificate.

    IBA’s Office of Student Affairs (OSA) – IBA Karachi

  2. Certified True Copies of all academic transcripts, certificates, and graduation testimonials.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

  3. Official English Translations for any document not originally issued in English.

    Scholarship Roar

  4. Proof of Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL scorecard).

    Scholarships Corner

  5. Two Reference/Recommendation Letters completed by academic or professional referees.

    Beasiswa Indonesia

  6. Security Vetting Clearance: A formal police report/clearance statement from your home country certifying you have no criminal record.

  7. Statement of Purpose & Research Proposal (Proposal is required for PhD/Research tracks only).

    Scholarships Corner

5. Step-by-Step Application Guide

Applying for this award requires a dual-track process. You must submit your data to the government portal and to the university system separately.

                  ┌──────────────────────────────┐
                  │ Decide Program & Check Slots │
                  └──────────────┬───────────────┘
                                 │
                                 ▼
         ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
         │ Gather Documents (Certified Copies & Vetting)│
         └──────────────┬───────────────────────┬───────┘
                        │                       │
                        ▼                       ▼
           ┌─────────────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────────────┐
           │ Complete the Online     │     │ Submit Separate Form via│
           │ BDGS Ministry Portal    │     │ UBD OASys Portal        │
           └─────────────────────────┘     └─────────────────────────┘
                        │                       │
                        └───────────┬───────────┘
                                    │
                                    ▼
                       ┌─────────────────────────┐
                       │ Secure Ministry / Focal │
                       │ Point Endorsement       │
                       └────────────┬────────────┘
                                    │
                                    ▼
                       ┌─────────────────────────┐
                       │ Pass Interview / MMI    │
                       │ (If Shortlisted)        │
                       └─────────────────────────┘

Step 1: Submit via the University Portal

Go to the UBD Online Admissions System (OASys) via apply.ubd.edu.bn. Complete the academic application, pick your program preferences, upload your transcripts, and note your application submission number.

Step 2: Submit via the Ministry Portal

Fill out the separate online Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) application form via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official link. Make sure to accurately input your UBD application track details.

Scholarship Roar

Step 3: Secure Your National Endorsement

This is a critical step that many students miss. Your application form must be endorsed by your home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, or designated national scholarship focal point. Applications lacking an official governmental stamp or endorsement letter will not be vetted.

Step 4: The Interview Stage

If your application passes initial sorting, you will be invited to an online screening or a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) via digital channels to assess your communication skills and academic readiness.

Essential Tips for Success

  • Apply Early: The deadline is strictly set around February 15 annually for the August intake. Gathering a security clearance and a governmental endorsement takes weeks, so begin your application process by December.

    HEC

  • Format Matters: Ensure all scanned copies are sharp and highly legible. Illegible phone photographs often trigger automated rejections.

    Scholarships Corner

  • Match Research Profiles: For graduate routes, review the profiles of working professors on the UBD faculty page. Tailor your statement of purpose to show how your research goals align with the university’s ongoing projects.

For additional strategies on securing fully funded international opportunities, tracking visa steps, and preparing application essays, explore the resource catalogs available on StudentArrive.

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