Medical documents are not required at application stage
You do not need to submit a medical certificate when you apply. Health documentation is only requested from selected applicants after an offer is made. Do not spend money on medical tests during the application window.
Complete document checklist
National ID or Birth Certificate / Passport copy
A certified copy of your national identification card or birth certificate is acceptable. Passport is not mandatory at the application stage — a national ID works. If using a passport copy, certify it.
Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
All secondary and tertiary academic certificates, testimonials, and transcripts. Each document must be certified as a true copy. If your original qualifications are not in English, certified English translations are also required.
C1 and C2 Referee Forms (two references)
Two referee recommendation forms must be completed. These are called C1 and C2 in the online application. Referees must type the forms (except for their signature and official stamp/seal). Handwritten forms are rejected. Referees are typically academic supervisors, teachers, or professional superiors.
Statement of Purpose
A written statement by the applicant explaining their academic goals, reasons for choosing Brunei and the specific programme, and their plans after the scholarship. Must be typed.
Security Clearance / Police Certificate
A certificate from your national security agency or local police confirming you have no civil or criminal charges. Obtain this from your country of citizenship or your country of current residence if different. Allow time — this can take several weeks in some countries.
English language proficiency certificate
IELTS (6.0+), TOEFL (550+), GCE O-Level English Credit 6, or IGCSE English Grade C. If none of these applies, the institution may assess proficiency at interview. See the Eligibility page for the full list of accepted qualifications.
Recent passport-size photograph
A clear, recent photo. Formal attire is standard. Scanned at high resolution for upload.
What "certified" means
Documents described as "certified true copies" must be stamped or signed by an authorised person confirming the copy matches the original. Acceptable certifiers typically include:
- A notary public or commissioner of oaths
- The institution that issued the original document (e.g., your university's registrar)
- A local government official or Justice of the Peace
- Your country's Brunei Embassy (if available)
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 referee forms (C1 and C2) explained
Two referees must complete formal recommendation forms within the online application system. These forms have specific requirements that trip up many applicants:
- →The body of the form must be typed — not handwritten. The referee's signature and official stamp are the only hand-done elements.
- →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 December opening and February 15 deadline, turnaround time is short — especially if referees are abroad or in slow communication periods (end of year holidays).
- →The MFA form integrates the referee section; referees may need to fill their portion and send it back to you for inclusion in your upload, depending on the current portal design.
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
- Security clearance documents in non-English languages
- Any other supporting document in a language other than English
The translation must itself be certified — a professional translation service that provides a certified translation, or a sworn translator in your country. Google Translate printouts or uncertified translations are not acceptable.
Upload constraints
File size limit: 10 MB per upload
The MFA portal enforces a 10 MB upload limit per file. Scan documents at 150–200 DPI rather than 300+ DPI to keep file sizes manageable. Combine multiple pages of the same document into a single PDF where possible. Do not wait until the day of the deadline to discover file size issues.
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
- Research proposal — only required for certain research-focused Master's programmes at specific institutions, and would be noted in those institutions' brochures