Study in Brunei

The Brunei Darussalam Qualifications Framework (BDQF) has eight levels. Level 4 covers Diplomas, Level 5 Foundation or Advanced Diplomas, Level 6 a First Degree or Bachelor’s degree, Level 7 a Master’s degree or postgraduate certificate or diploma, and Level 8 doctoral qualifications. The framework indicates at least 60 credit points at Level 5, 120 at Level 6 and 30 to 45 at Level 7; doctoral study has no single fixed credit value. GCE O Level, GCE A Level, the Sixth Form Programme of Brunei (STPUB), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and TVET qualifications usually appear as entry or transition credentials rather than as university degrees. Brunei’s public higher-education institutions include Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), Politeknik Brunei (PB) and Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB). UBD offers programmes across arts and social sciences, engineering, science, health sciences, computer science and business, with English as its main teaching language. UNISSA focuses on areas such as Islamic studies, Shariah, law, Arabic, Islamic finance, business, halal studies and agriculture. UTB covers business, computing, engineering, design, applied sciences, mathematics and communication. PB mainly offers Level 5 Diplomas in business, information and communication technology, health sciences, engineering, petrochemical studies and design. Private options include International Graduate Studies College, Laksamana College of Business, Micronet International College, Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology, Kemuda Institute, BICPA Academy or BICPA-FTMS, HADtech College and JPMC College of Health Sciences. HECAS is the central application system used for relevant programmes by eligible applicants with a yellow, purple or green Brunei identity card. It does not normally cover foreign applicants without a Brunei identity card or government employees applying through an in-service process. Local applicants can usually select at least one and no more than four programmes, with no more than two choices at one institution. The selection order is binding. HECAS applications cost BND 5 for one choice, BND 10 for two, BND 15 for three and BND 20 for four to six choices, and the payment is not refundable. The programmes shown in HECAS should correspond with the relevant institutional systems, such as UBD QASys, UTB Apply@UTB and PBAS. Predicted results may be accepted in some cases, followed by a conditional offer. HECAS commonly has two application rounds each year around February and August. For January 2027 entry at UNISSA and PB, the published window runs from 18 August 2026 at 09:00 to 9 September 2026 at 15:00; the July or August 2026 round closed on 28 February 2026 at 10:00. Each institution can impose additional deadlines or document requirements. UBD applications use QASys and commonly require a certified identity card or passport, academic certificates and transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. UBD’s UniBridge is a one-semester bridging programme for applicants who do not meet direct degree admission requirements; the local or permanent-resident fee is BND 500 per module. UNISSA applies programme-specific language rules. Examples include at least C6 in GCE O-Level Malay for Malay-medium study, an Arabic requirement such as IALTS 6.0 or APT for Arabic-medium study, and English evidence such as GCE O-Level English C6, IGCSE English C, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 for English-medium study. A-Level, STPUB or equivalent results commonly have a maximum of three sittings and the last examination may need to be within three years. Some mature applicants can qualify through relevant work experience. Bachelor’s programmes commonly take three to five years and may start in January or August. Local UTB applicants generally submit HECAS information and certified hard copies to UTB. Foreign residents with a green identity card may be included under the applicable local process, while employed or in-service applicants can use Apply@UTB with a Head of Department or employer certification and a confidential report. UTB may require an entrance test or interview. International applicants generally apply directly to UTB. PB uses HECAS together with PBAS, considers O-Level or equivalent results, TVET qualifications, mature applicants and in-service applicants, and applies programme-specific subject-credit requirements. PB ranks applicants by academic results, but meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer; applicants can normally select no more than two PB programmes, which commonly take 2.5 to 3 years. There is no single national tuition fee for all higher-education institutions. At UBD for 2026/27, annual Bachelor’s fees for local students or permanent residents are BND 12,000 for non-laboratory programmes and BND 14,000 for laboratory programmes; international fees are BND 16,500 and BND 18,500. Medicine costs BND 30,000 locally or BND 54,000 internationally, Dentistry BND 45,000 or BND 60,000, and Pharmacy or Engineering BND 36,000 or BND 42,000. UBD also lists a BND 100 acceptance fee, BND 100 registration fee, a refundable BND 250 deposit and a BND 60 annual student-association fee. Discovery-Year insurance applies where required. UTB estimates about BND 16,000 for a local full programme, about BND 18,000 part-time, and about BND 24,000 to BND 40,000 for international study depending on the programme; acceptance can require advance payment of 50% of one academic year’s fee. UNISSA lists a BND 100 admission fee, BND 20 registration fee, student pack of about BND 70, BND 35 alumni fee and BND 60 annual association fee; fee-paying Bachelor’s study is listed at BND 3,000 per year or BND 9,000 to BND 15,000 in total. PB fee-paying study is listed at BND 9,000 or BND 10,800 for local non-laboratory programmes lasting 2.5 or 3 years, BND 10,250 or BND 12,300 for laboratory programmes, and about BND 12,500 to BND 18,000 for international applicants. Accommodation, transport, insurance, materials and other living costs require a separate budget. Funding can come from the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign applicants, the Student Loan Assistance Scheme (SBPP), or the Overseas Scholarship. Local BDGS applications use HECAS or the institution, while foreign BDGS conditions depend on the programme, institution and award year. Scholarship packages may include tuition, accommodation, books, food, personal allowances, medical care and travel according to the current award terms. SBPP is an education loan with repayment obligations. The Overseas Scholarship is limited to applicants with a yellow identity card and includes selection requirements and possible service obligations. Scholarship holders may need to submit reports, vacation forms and graduation forms to the Department of Scholarship Management. International applicants generally apply directly to UBD, UNISSA, UTB or PB rather than through HECAS. After admission, they apply for a Student’s Pass through the Department of Immigration and National Registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The pass is tied to admission and continued student status; there is no established automatic work permission based only on studying in Brunei. Anyone who finishes or leaves a programme should check the immigration consequences before the student status ends. During study, students follow the institution’s rules on enrolment, fee payment, assessment, attendance and academic progress. Student Affairs offices and, where applicable, international-student services handle support and complaints at institutions such as UBD, UTB and PB. After completion, students receive the qualification and official transcript issued by the institution. The Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council (BDNAC) is identified as the national body for accreditation and recognition of local and foreign qualifications, but its operation was recorded as having ceased on 6 July 2025; applicants should verify the current responsible arrangement with the Ministry of Education or BDNAC before paying a provider or relying on recognition. Regulated professions may require an additional professional body’s approval. A Diploma or HND may lead to a Bachelor’s degree where the institution accepts the transition, while Bachelor’s and Master’s qualifications can lead to the next academic level; employment outcomes are not guaranteed. Private providers and individual courses should be checked for current recognition before payment, and published fees and admission rules should be rechecked because they can change.