Government of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship for Foreign Students (BDGS)

Who can apply

Not older than 25 for diploma and undergraduate programmes, or 35 for postgraduate master's programmes, on 1 July of the year the programme starts
English at Credit 6 in GCE O Level, Grade C in IGCSE English as a second language, IELTS 6.0, or TOEFL 550 minimum
Intended primarily for international students studying in Brunei for the first time; Bruneians, Brunei permanent residents, and international students studying or who have studied at Brunei tertiary institutions are not eligible
Studying at one of five institutions: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan or Politeknik Brunei

What it pays

The ministry’s terms and conditions list the benefits in figures, which is unusual for a government scholarship. Tuition and the associated fees are waived for the whole programme, and you receive an economy class air ticket to Brunei before you start and another home when you finish. On top of that come BND 500 a month as a personal allowance, BND 150 a month for meals, BND 600 a year for books, accommodation at the residential college of your university or polytechnic, and comprehensive insurance. A baggage allowance of BND 250 to an ASEAN country or BND 500 elsewhere covers shipping your belongings home at the end.

The ministry advises recipients to buy additional insurance for their own travel and stay at their own expense, so treat the included cover as a base, not a complete plan.

Who it is for, and who it excludes

The scholarship is open to international students at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate master’s level, at five named institutions in Brunei. The ministry states it is intended primarily for international students studying in Brunei for the first time, and it rules out Bruneians, Brunei permanent residents, and anyone who is studying or has studied at a Brunei tertiary institution.

Age limits differ by level: not older than 25 for diploma and undergraduate programmes, and not older than 35 for a master’s, measured on 1 July of the year the programme starts. Applicants also need a listed English qualification, such as IELTS 6.0 or a TOEFL score of at least 550.

How the application worked

Applicants filled in the ministry’s online BDGS form and uploaded identification, certified copies of academic qualifications, certified English translations where needed, certified copies of their birth certificate and passport, and references from two referees. Those applying to Universiti Brunei Darussalam or Universiti Teknologi Brunei also had to complete a separate online application with that university. Applicants could be required to attend an interview and sit a written examination in English, Malay or Arabic where relevant.

Conditions while you hold it

The full terms are only given to successful applicants, who sign a declaration accepting them. The general terms say the scholarship cannot be held together with another scholarship, fellowship, grant or loan without the ministry’s prior approval, and that recipients are not permitted to undertake paid employment. Family members are not encouraged to come: no marriage or child allowance is paid, and no accommodation is provided for an accompanying spouse or children.