The UBD Graduate Scholarship is Universiti Brunei Darussalam's research scholarship for doctoral students. It pays tuition and registration fees, gives you a monthly stipend, and puts you in free on-campus housing for the standard 36-month PhD. Some research-track master's places exist too, but this is mainly a PhD award, and you should treat it that way when you plan.
It suits a fairly specific kind of applicant: someone who finished their last degree recently, already has a research idea worth three years of work, and is comfortable in a small, quiet country instead of a big student city. If that sounds like you, read on. You can also see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page for Brunei.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Level | PhD (some research-track master's options, confirm with UBD) |
| Fields | Open, research-based |
| Deadline | Around February 28 for the August intake, around June-July for the January intake. Verify the current cycle. |
| Country | Brunei |
| Official site | ubd.edu.bn |
Why free campus housing changes the math
Most fully funded PhD awards cover fees and a stipend, and then you spend a large slice of that stipend on rent. UBD adds free on-campus housing on top of tuition and the stipend. For a Pakistani student, that matters a lot, because rent is usually the single biggest monthly cost abroad and the hardest one to predict before you arrive.
The package has three parts:
- Tuition and registration fees
- A monthly stipend, commonly cited at around BND 2,200, for up to 36 months
- Free on-campus housing
Notice the wording on the stipend. "Commonly cited around" is not a fixed figure, so check the amount in your offer letter before you build a budget around it. The same goes for the duration: up to 36 months is the standard PhD length here, which means you should plan your research to finish inside that window. A PhD that runs long can leave you without funding in the final stretch.
Flights, visa costs and health insurance are not listed in the coverage, so do not assume they are included. Ask UBD directly if any of these matter to your budget.
The age and five-year limits are the real filters
Eligibility is short, and it is open to all nationalities, so Pakistani applicants can apply. The requirements are:
- Age 30 or under
- Your most recent degree completed within the last 5 years
- Any nationality
The age cap is where people get caught. Treat 30 as the ceiling and check the exact rule on the official site, because the wording can matter if you turn 30 during the application cycle. If you are close to that birthday, apply in the earliest intake you can.
The five-year rule hits a different group: people who finished their MPhil or MS some years ago and have been working since. Count from the date your last degree was completed, not when you started it. If your most recent degree is older than 5 years, this scholarship is probably not for you, however strong your profile is.
A research proposal does most of the work
The fields are open and research-based, so there is no list of priority subjects to fit into. That sounds easy, but it moves the weight onto your proposal. UBD is funding a research project, and the committee needs to see that yours is focused, realistic within 36 months, and a good fit for the university.
The documents UBD asks for are:
- Transcripts
- Research proposal
- CV
- Recommendation letters
- Degree certificates
English proficiency proof such as IELTS is typically required as well. Check the current requirement and minimum score on the official portal before you book a test.
A few things Pakistani applicants tend to get wrong with these documents:
- A proposal that reads like a literature review. Say clearly what question you will answer, how, and why it matters, and keep it tight.
- Recommendation letters from people who barely know your research. A supervisor who saw your thesis work is worth more than a senior name who only signs.
- A CV padded with unrelated certificates. For a research award, publications, thesis work, conference presentations and research assistant roles come first.
- Transcripts and degrees that are not ready. If you need attested copies, start early. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers the process, and the documents checklist for international scholarships helps you prepare the rest.
From online application to interview
The process itself has three stages:
- Apply online through the UBD graduate admissions portal.
- Upload your required documents.
- Move through interview and selection.
The interview is where your proposal gets tested. Expect questions on your methods, your timeline and why UBD is the right place for the work. Know your own proposal well enough to talk about it without notes, and be honest about what you have not figured out yet.
Picking between the January and August intakes
UBD runs two intakes, and the deadline depends on which one you target:
- August intake: deadline around February 28
- January intake: deadline around June-July
Both dates are approximate and the exact deadline varies by cycle, so confirm it on the official UBD website before you start. Two intakes is useful if you are near the age cap or the five-year limit, since you can choose the earlier round instead of waiting a full year.
Work backwards from the deadline. A good proposal takes weeks of drafting, recommenders need time, and English test results take time to arrive. Starting a month before the deadline is usually too late.
Who should apply, and who should skip it
Apply if you have a recent master's or MPhil, a clear research question, and want a PhD where housing is taken care of. Brunei is small, quiet and safe, and UBD is the country's flagship research university with ties to the wider Southeast Asian region. For a focused researcher, that calm can be an advantage.
Skip it, or at least think twice, if you want a coursework master's, if your last degree is more than 5 years old, or if you are over the age limit. Master's applicants are not ruled out, but the program is mainly PhD-focused, so email UBD to confirm current research-track master's availability before you put in the effort.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the UBD Graduate Scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to all nationalities, which includes Pakistan. You still need to meet the age limit and the five-year degree rule.
Can master's students apply?
The program is mainly for PhD candidates. Some research-track master's options exist, but you should confirm current availability directly with UBD.
Is IELTS required?
English proficiency proof is typically required as part of the application. Check the official portal for which tests are accepted and the scores needed.
How much is the monthly stipend?
It is commonly cited at around BND 2,200 per month, for up to 36 months. Treat that as a guide and confirm the figure in your offer.
Do I need to pay for housing in Brunei?
No. Free on-campus housing is part of the package, on top of tuition and the stipend.
Which subjects are eligible?
Fields are open, as long as your study is research-based. Your research proposal is what decides how competitive you are.
Before you apply, confirm the current cycle's deadline and requirements on the official UBD website, and keep the UBD Graduate Scholarship page handy for the key details.