Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS)
Fully funded scholarship from the Government of Brunei Darussalam covering tuition, monthly allowances, accommodation, annual book allowance, baggage, insurance, and return airfare. Open for Diploma, Bachelor's, and Master's programs at five Brunei universities.
Quick Facts
Status
Opening SoonFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
February 15 (annual)
Country
Brunei DarussalamAbout the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship
The Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) is offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam to international students worldwide, including Pakistani nationals. The scholarship supports studies at five participating higher education institutions across Brunei: Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), and Politeknik Brunei (PB).
The financial package is genuinely comprehensive. Beyond full tuition exemption, recipients receive a monthly personal allowance of BND$500 plus a separate meals allowance of BND$150, university accommodation, an annual book allowance of BND$600, return economy-class airfare, a baggage allowance (BND$500 for non-ASEAN students), and comprehensive health insurance throughout the program. The combined monthly allowance of BND$650 (approximately USD 480) covers living expenses comfortably in a country where university accommodation is provided separately at no cost.
Applicants can select up to two universities and two programs in a single application cycle. The annual deadline is February 15. A unique feature of BDGS is its two-step application process: students must apply on the central government portal AND separately complete the chosen university's own online application - both are required for an application to be considered. Missing either step results in automatic ineligibility.
Brunei Darussalam is a small, peaceful, and highly prosperous nation in Southeast Asia. It maintains one of the highest standards of living in the region, with no income tax, heavily subsidized fuel and utilities, and one of Asia's lowest crime rates. As an Islamic Sultanate, halal food is universally available, Islamic observance is integrated into daily national life, and the cultural environment is welcoming to students from Muslim-majority backgrounds worldwide.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Brunei is an Islamic Sultanate with halal food universally available and Islamic culture deeply embedded in daily life - one of the most culturally accommodating destinations for students from Muslim-majority backgrounds
Complete financial coverage with no hidden costs: tuition + accommodation + meals allowance + personal allowance + book allowance + airfare + insurance
One of Southeast Asia's safest and most stable countries
very low crime rate and a peaceful social environment
Five specialized universities to choose from, each with distinct strengths: UTB for engineering, UBD for sciences and research, UNISSA for Islamic studies
Less competitive than major global scholarship programs
well-prepared applicants from any country have a genuine chance of selection
Combined monthly allowance of BND$650 (~USD 480) provides comfortable living in a country with university accommodation already covered separately
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam is a small Islamic Sultanate on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It has one of the highest standards of living in Asia, no income tax, heavily subsidized fuel and housing, and a very safe, low-crime environment. For Muslim international students in particular, the deeply Islamic culture, universally available halal food, and peaceful national character make Brunei one of the most naturally comfortable study destinations in all of Southeast Asia.
Eligibility Requirements
5 requirements
Documents Checklist
7 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1 - Apply on the central BDGS government portal: https://apps.katalyst.gov.bn/mfa/BDGS-V3/loginApplicant (no account needed - enter your email and they send an OTP for login)
Select up to 2 universities and 2 programs in order of preference
Fill in personal information, contact details, motivational letter, references, education details, and work background
Upload all required documents including transcripts, certificates, and photo
Step 2 - ALSO complete the individual university's own online application portal (each of the 5 universities has a separate system - both portals are required)
UBD: https://apply.ubd.edu.bn | UNISSA: https://unissa.edu.bn/application/apply | UTB: https://apply.utb.edu.bn | KUPU SB: https://www.kupu-sb.edu.bn | PB: https://pbas.pb.edu.bn
Submit both applications before the February 15 deadline
Application Timeline
December (annual)
Applications Open
BDGS portal opens for new applications
February 15 (annual)
Application Deadline
Both central portal and university portal must be submitted
March - May
Review & Shortlisting
Government and universities review applications
May - June
Notifications
Shortlisted candidates notified
July - August
Enrollment & Visa
Admission offer, visa, and travel arrangements
August - September
Academic Year Begins
Orientation and commencement of studies
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Complete BOTH the central BDGS portal AND your chosen university's separate portal - missing either one disqualifies your application
Upload an English proficiency certificate even if it's not mandatory - it significantly strengthens your profile
Add achievement certificates, competition awards, and volunteer experience - the profile is holistic, not just grades
Add at least 2 strong references with valid institutional email addresses and contact numbers
Write a genuine, specific motivational letter in the portal - explain why you chose Brunei and your chosen field
Apply to your two preferred universities thoughtfully - UTB is strong for engineering, UBD for research and sciences, UNISSA for Islamic studies
The February 15 deadline is annual and firm - prepare documents well before January
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
Brunei BDGS Application Portal: Primary application portal for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship. Create an account and submit all documents through this portal.
Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs - BDGS: Official Brunei MFA scholarship page with program details, eligible countries, and annual announcement schedule.
For Pakistani Students
Brunei High Commission in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 House 6, Street 19, F-6/2, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-2877462
🌐 www.mfa.gov.bn/Pages/Pakistan.aspx →Primary contact for BDGS nominations for Pakistani applicants and student visa (student pass) queries. Applications routed through the High Commission.
Pakistan High Commission in Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan)
📍 No. 2, Simpang 137, Kg. Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1518, Brunei
📞 +673-2222256
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/brunei/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Brunei - document attestation, passport renewal, emergency assistance.
Students from Other Countries
The BDGS is available to eligible nationalities from Commonwealth and ASEAN partner countries. Contact the Brunei High Commission or Embassy in your home country for your country's quota and nomination procedures.
Find Brunei Darussalam Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
An English proficiency certificate is preferred but not mandatory for all programs. Uploading IELTS or TOEFL results is strongly recommended as it strengthens your profile - even if the specific program does not require it.
You can select up to 2 universities and up to 2 programs per application cycle. You must also complete each chosen university's own application portal separately.
Yes. Brunei is an Islamic Sultanate with halal food universally available, Friday prayers observed nationally as a significant cultural and religious occasion, and a deeply Islamic social environment. It is one of the most comfortable and welcoming destinations in Southeast Asia for students from Muslim-majority backgrounds.
Medicine availability depends on the participating universities' offered programs. Check the UBD and UTB program lists at the time of application as program offerings can vary by year.
The primary language of instruction at most Brunei universities is English. UBD (Universiti Brunei Darussalam) and UTB (Universiti Teknologi Brunei) conduct nearly all programs in English. UNISSA (Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali) offers some programs in Malay and English. For most international students applying to English-medium programs, no additional language preparation is required.
Yes. The combined monthly allowance of BND$650 (BND$500 personal + BND$150 meals) is approximately USD 480/month. Combined with free university accommodation, this is sufficient for comfortable living in Brunei. The country has no income tax, heavily subsidized fuel, and very low personal expenditure costs. Most scholarship students report being able to cover all their daily needs and save a portion of their allowance each month.
Ready to Apply?
Applications open December - get your documents ready now.
Apply on Official Website →Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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