Brunei BDGS Required Documents 2027/28

Complete document checklist

This is the upload list from the 2026/2027 call. The 2027/2028 list may change, so check it when the call opens.

1. 1
   Passport photo

   A clear, recent passport-style photograph, uploaded as a digital file.

2. 2
   Passport, birth certificate or national ID

   A certified true copy of your passport and/or your birth certificate or national identification document. A passport is not mandatory at this stage. If you do not upload one, you must send a passport copy valid for at least six months from your expected arrival month once you accept an offer.

3. 3
   Academic certificates, transcripts and proof of employment

   Certified true copies of your academic qualifications and other supporting documents (certificates, testimonials, transcripts), plus proof of employment if you have worked. Documents not in English need certified English translations.

4. 4
   English language proficiency certificate (if applicable)

   IELTS (6.0), TOEFL (550), GCE O-Level English Credit 6, or IGCSE English (second language) Grade C. The 2026/2027 checklist marked this upload “if applicable”. See the Eligibility page for details.

5. 5
   C1 and C2 reference letters

   Two references on the MFA’s own form, one marked C1 and one C2. Referees are typically teachers, academic supervisors, principals or employers.

6. 6
   Research proposal (programmes by research only)

   Needed only if you are applying for a Master’s by research. Taught programmes do not need one.

What “certified” means

Documents described as “certified true copies” must be stamped or signed by an authorised person confirming the copy matches the original. The MFA does not list approved certifiers. Commonly accepted certifiers include:

• A notary public or commissioner of oaths
• The institution that issued the original document (for example, your university’s registrar)
• A local government official or Justice of the Peace

Simply photocopying a document and signing it yourself does not constitute certification. If you are unsure, ask the certifying authority to stamp the copy, write “Certified True Copy,” sign it, and add the date and their full name with title.

The reference letters (C1 and C2) explained

For 2026/2027 the portal linked a downloadable reference letter form (Word file) with two copies, C1 and C2. Each referee says how and how long they have known you, ticks a rating from Excellent to Below Average for ten qualities (including academic record, English proficiency and research ability), comments on your English and overall academic ability, and signs and dates it.

• The form does not say it must be typed, but a typed form is easier to read once scanned. Ask referees to sign it and, if they can, add an official stamp.
• Referees should be academic supervisors, professors or professional superiors who can speak to your academic ability or professional competence. Personal references (friends, family) are not appropriate.
• Contact referees early. Between the mid-December opening and the mid-February deadline, turnaround time is short — especially if referees are abroad or in slow communication periods (end-of-year holidays).
• Referees fill in the downloaded form and return it to you, so you can upload it with your application. Check the 2027/2028 portal in case the process changes.

Translation requirements

Any document that is not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This applies to:

• Academic transcripts and certificates in non-English languages
• Birth certificates not in English
• Identity documents and proof of employment not in English
• Any other supporting document in a language other than English

The translation must itself be certified — usually by a professional translation service or a sworn translator in your country. Machine translations or uncertified translations will not meet the “certified English translation” rule.

Upload constraints

The MFA has not published a file-size limit for the portal. Its own upload guidance for 2026/2027 suggested scanning transcripts in colour at 200–300 DPI, including every page, and combining them into a single PDF. Do not wait until the day of the deadline to discover upload problems.

What you do not need at this stage

• Medical certificate — only required after selection
• Visa documentation — handled after selection
• Housing or accommodation details — assigned by the institution
• Government endorsement, police certificate or statement of purpose — none of these was on the 2026/2027 upload list; get them only if the 2027/2028 call asks

Before you upload, read the common mistakes that sink otherwise complete applications.