Universities in Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam is a small sultanate on the island of Borneo with a compact higher education system. The Ministry of Education lists four higher education institutions: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and Politeknik Brunei. English and Brunei Malay are the main languages spoken in the country, and English is the main language of instruction at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, which makes the country accessible to international students.

Our directory lists one university in Brunei: Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

How universities in Brunei work

Universities in Brunei offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and the system follows British models in many respects; UBD, for example, scores A-level results with a points scheme based on the one used by UCAS in the United Kingdom. Each university has its own profile. Universiti Brunei Darussalam, established in 1985, is the country's oldest higher education institution. Its main campus is near the coast at Tungku Link, in the Brunei-Muara district, and its research areas include biodiversity and environmental research, energy transition and health and bio-innovation. Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), first established in 1986 as Institut Teknologi Brunei, specialises in engineering, business, computing, applied sciences and mathematics, and design.

At UBD, undergraduate degrees follow the new GenBESTARI curriculum introduced from 2026. A distinctive feature is the Discovery Year, introduced in 2011, in which students may spend up to six months on study abroad, internships, incubation projects or community outreach. UBD's programmes include arts and social sciences, business and economics, science, engineering, computer science and a Bachelor of Health Science with majors such as medicine, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry.

Admission for international students

UBD first welcomed mainly students from ASEAN countries; today international students also come from East Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Applicants must meet both the general entry requirements and the specific requirements of each programme, and admission is competitive and limited by the number of places. Only qualifications recognised by the University Senate are considered.

For English, all UBD programmes require, for example, an IELTS score of 6.0, a TOEFL score of 550 or band B2 in the UBD English Proficiency Test. Medicine requires an IELTS score of 7.0 or a TOEFL score of 600. The university's International Student Service Unit helps new students settle in. Before you travel, ask your university about the student pass and the immigration steps that apply to your nationality.

Costs and funding

UBD charges fees in Brunei dollars (B$), and undergraduate fees are charged yearly. For the 2026/2027 intake, the listed programme fee for international students is B$16,500 for non-lab-based and B$18,500 for lab-based GenBESTARI bachelor's programmes (B$12,000 and B$14,000 for citizens and permanent residents); some programmes have their own fees, such as B$42,000 for the four-year Bachelor of Engineering. All students also pay a B$100 acceptance fee. Graduate fees are charged per semester for research degrees and per programme for coursework degrees. For short stays, UBD's Global Discovery Programme costs USD 1,000 in tuition, waived for students from partner universities.

The main funding route for international students is the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship for Foreign Students. According to UBD, it covers tuition and includes allowances for accommodation, books, food and personal spending, plus medical treatment at government hospitals. For living costs, UBD advises students to budget B$500 a month. Students can live on campus in residential colleges within a 5-7 minute walk of the university, including The Core, with 440 individual study-bedrooms.

Daily life

Brunei is hot all year: temperatures range between 28°C and 32°C, with high humidity and heavy rainfall. Islam is the main religion, and UBD encourages modest dress on and off campus.

How to choose a university in Brunei

• Field: UBD offers a broad range of degrees; UTB focuses on engineering, business, computing and design
• Language: check that your programme is taught in English and that you meet the required level
• Funding: compare the fee for your programme with the scholarship options, especially the government scholarship for foreign students
• Experience abroad: UBD's Discovery Year adds up to six months of study abroad, internships or projects
• Housing: ask about places in the residential colleges

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Brunei?

Yes. English is the main language of instruction at UBD. Most programmes require an IELTS score of 6.0, a TOEFL score of 550 or an equivalent result, and medicine requires IELTS 7.0.

How much does it cost to study at Universiti Brunei Darussalam?

For the 2026/2027 intake, UBD lists a programme fee of B$16,500 to B$18,500 for international students in its GenBESTARI bachelor's programmes, with higher fees for programmes such as engineering. UBD advises budgeting B$500 a month for living costs.

Are there scholarships for foreign students in Brunei?

Yes. The Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship for Foreign Students covers tuition and includes allowances for accommodation, books, food and personal spending.

How many universities are there in Brunei?

The Ministry of Education lists four higher education institutions: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and Politeknik Brunei.