Who Can Apply for the BDGS

Nationality — it's open to more countries than you think

The BDGS is open to citizens of all nationalities. Official announcements name ASEAN, Commonwealth, and OIC member countries, but always with the phrase "not limited to." This means citizens of any country — African nations, Latin America, Central Asia, Eastern Europe — are all eligible to apply.

The confusion arises because many scholarship aggregator sites describe the BDGS as an "ASEAN scholarship" or list only ASEAN and OIC countries. That framing misses the actual scope. If you hold citizenship from any country and meet the other criteria, you can apply.

The three absolute exclusions

Regardless of nationality or academic record, these three categories are explicitly ineligible:

That third exclusion is the one most frequently overlooked. If you attended a Brunei university for even one semester under a private arrangement, exchange programme, or a different scholarship, you are ineligible for the BDGS. The rule applies to any Brunei tertiary institution — not just the five BDGS partner universities.

Age requirements

Age is measured as of July 1 of the year the programme begins — not the application date. If you submit your application in February and turn 26 in March, you are still eligible for an undergraduate programme because the measurement happens in July.

No minimum age is specified in official documents, though applicants must have completed the academic prerequisite (O-Level or equivalent for undergraduate, a Bachelor's degree for Master's programmes). In practice, most undergraduates are 18 or older.

Academic qualification requirements

The academic requirement varies by the level you are applying for:

• Diploma programmes: Secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent to Brunei's O-Level standard. Specific requirements depend on the institution and programme.
• Undergraduate programmes: GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent secondary school qualifications sufficient for university entry. Minimum grades vary by institution and faculty.
• Postgraduate Master's: A recognised Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. The institution determines what counts as "relevant." Research-focused Master's programmes may also require a research proposal.

English language proficiency

This is one area where the official requirements are more flexible than most guides suggest. IELTS is not mandatory. Any one of the following is accepted:

The "equivalent certificate" category gives institutions some discretion. If English was the medium of instruction throughout your secondary or tertiary education, the university may accept that as proof of proficiency. This is assessed during the selection process — it is not guaranteed, but it is a legitimate pathway for applicants from English-medium education systems who do not hold an IELTS certificate.

Medical fitness

Applicants do not need to submit medical documents when they apply. A medical fitness certificate is only required after you have been selected and offered the scholarship. At that stage, successful applicants will receive instructions on what is required. The Government of Brunei Darussalam also reserves the right to request additional health screening after arrival in Brunei.

Other conditions

The following conditions apply throughout the scholarship period. They are published in the terms and conditions provided to successful applicants, not in the public-facing application announcement:

• You cannot hold any other scholarship, fellowship, grant, or loan concurrently without written Ministry approval. Discovery of a violation results in immediate termination.
• You cannot take paid employment during the scholarship period, including at any country's representative mission in Brunei.
• You cannot change your programme or institution after being selected.
• You must comply with Brunei's laws, customs, and university regulations throughout your stay.
• Political activities are not permitted during the scholarship period.