NOTIFICATION LETTER

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, BRUNEI

NUMBER: 4/2014
HIS MAJESTYS GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME OVERSEAS
FOR ACADEMIC SESSION 2014/2015
HUMAN RESOURCE FUND SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME UNDER
ECONOMIC, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT,
PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE (DANA)
1. Applicants who wish to continue their studies to the Advanced Level ('A'

Level), Undergraduate and Postgraduate on the Special Scholarship Scheme

for Human Resources Fund (DANA) for the academic session 2014/2015 may
apply and they will be awarded this scholarship if they meet the conditions
hereunder.
2. TYPES OF SCHEME
Under this scheme, there are three types of Special Scholarship Scheme
offered for studies abroad:
2.1 Outstanding Student Scholarship (BPC)
This scholarship is designated for outstanding students at the O Level to
pursue A Level.
2.2 Special Scholarship for First Degree
This scholarship is designated for outstanding students at the Advanced level
(A 'Level) / International Baccalaureate (IB) to pursue further studies at
Undergraduate level.
2.3 Special Advanced Scholarship
This scholarship is designated for outstanding graduates in the First degree or
Masters degree to pursue a Masters or Doctorate degree, respectively.

3. KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be:

3.1 A citizen of Brunei Darussalam.

3.2 Pass in Malay Language and English Language according to the levels

and areas of study as follows:

3.2.1 Outstanding Student Scholarship

3.2.1.1 Acquired at least A2 for Malay Language in the Brunei
Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
examination (GCE '0 'Level).

3.2.1.2 Acquired at least A2 for English Language in the Brunei

Cambridge General Ordinary Level examination (GCE '0 'Level)
or A* in the International General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE).
3.2.2 Special Scholarship for First Degree and Advance Degree
3.2.2.1 Obtained at least Credit C5 in Malay Language examination in
BGCE
Ordinary Level (GCE '0 'Level);
3.2.2.2 Acquired Credit C5 in English Language examination in
BGCE
Ordinary Level (GCE '0 'Level);
OR
A minimum of Grade B in IGCSE English as a First Language;
OR
Grade B for General Paper in the BGCE Advanced Level;
OR
An overall IELTS Band 6.5.
Note: Applicants / students who do not use English as the medium of instruction in
their studies are excluded.
3.3 Age by 1 September 2014:
3.3.1 Not exceeding 18 years old for Outstanding Student Scholarship
applicants (' A Level );
3.3.2 Not exceeding 26 years old for First Degree ;
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3.3.3

Not exceeding 30 years old for Masters Degree.

3.4 Applicants must have the minimum academic qualifications in the level
and field of study as follows:
3.4.1 Outstanding Student Scholarship (BPC) ['A' Level]
3.4.1.1 Achieved 8 subjects in Brunei Cambridge General
Certificate of
Education Ordinary Level ('0 'Level) in one sitting;
OR
At least 9 subjects in International General Certificate of
Secondary
Education (IGCSE).
3.4.1.2 Obtained a maximum of 8 aggregate in 6 subjects specifically
in the
BGCE Ordinary Level (O' Level).
3.4.1.3 Obtained 5 A* grades and 1A in 6 subjects in the IGCSE
examination.
The subject combination should be relevant to the
area of study
being applied.
3.4.2 Special Scholarship First Degree
3.4.2.1 Obtained at least 3 subjects in Brunei Cambridge General
Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A' Level) in
one sitting
relevant to the course being applied;
OR
Obtained at least 6 subjects in International Baccalaureate (IB) in
one
sitting of which are relevant to the course being applied;
3.4.2.2 Acquired a minimum of 340 UCAS Tariff Points for 3 best
subjects in
BGCE Advance Level (A Level) and a minimum of grade
B or better
for each subject. In the field of medicine, applicants must
have at
least 360 UCAS Tariff Points in 3 best subjects (minimum
of grade
AAA).
A*= 140

A = 120

B = 100

C = 80

D=61

OR
3.4.2.3 Achieved a minimum of 36 points for the other fields of study

and 38 points for medicine in 6 subjects in International

Baccalaureate (IB).
3.4.3

Special Scholarship Postgraduate Degree (Masters)

3.4.3.1 Hold a good First Degree with First Class Honours from
universities such as Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD),
University Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Institut Teknologi
Brunei (ITB) and Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri
Begawan (KUPUSB);
OR
3.4.3.2 Hold a First Degree with First Class Honours from any
university in the following lists before commencing their studies:3.4.3.2.1

in the 'Top 20' according to The Times Good University

Guide United Kingdom;
OR

3.4.3.2.2

in the 'Top 10' according to The Times Good University

Guide United Kingdom;

3.4.3.2.3 rated 'Tier 5' (Excellent) for higher education institutions

in Malaysia;
OR

3.4.3.2.4

in the 'Top 200 universities as ranked by QS World

University Rankings for other countries;

OR
3.4.3.2.5 Countries that offer non-honours first degree such as
Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany and New Zealand
(and more) may be considered. An equivalent to a score
of Distinction / Grade A is required based on the
Grading System of the institution or its equivalent.
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OR
3.4.3.3 Hold a good First Degree with an Upper Second Class (2:1)
Honours from any university in the following lists before commencing
their studies:3.4.3.3.1 in the 'Top 5' according to The Times Good University

Guide United Kingdom;

OR
3.4.3.3.2

in the 'Top 5 according to Subject Ranking on The

Times Good University Guide United Kingdom;

OR
3.4.3.3.3

in the 'Top 25 universities as ranked by QS World

University Rankings 2013/2014 for other countries;

OR
3.4.3.3.4 Countries that offer non-honours first degree such as
Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany and New Zealand
(and more) may be considered. A score of Distinction /
Grade A is required based on the Grading System of the
institution or its equivalent.
Note: Applicants who succeeded in obtaining the grades mentioned above from
renowned universities which are found to be comparable but are excluded from
the lists above may merit consideration by the Scholarship Committee.
3.4.4

Special Scholarship Doctorate (PhD)

3.4.4.1 Applicants must have completed a Masters degree with a Distinction

with Honours from UBD, UNISSA, ITB or KUPUSB;

OR
3.4.4.2 Applicants must have completed a Masters degree with a
Distinction with Honours from any university in the following lists before
commencing their studies:3.4.4.2.1

in the 'Top 20' according to The Times Good University

Guide United Kingdom;
OR
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3.4.4.2.2

in the 'Top 10 according to Subject Ranking on The Times

Good University Guide United Kingdom;

OR
3.4.4.2.3

rated 'Tier 5' (Excellent) for higher education institutions in

Malaysia;
OR

3.4.4.2.4

in the 'Top 100 universities as ranked by QS World

University Rankings 2013/2014 for other countries;
OR

3.4.4.3 Applicants who do not hold a Masters degree are required to have a
First Class Honours First Degree from any university in the following lists:

in the 'Top 20' according to The Times Good University Guide

United Kingdom;

3.4.4.3.1

OR
3.4.4.3.2

in the 'Top 10 according to Subject Ranking on The Times

Good University Guide United Kingdom;
OR

3.4.4.3.3

in the 'Top 100 universities as ranked by QS World University

Rankings 2013/2014 for other countries;
OR

3.4.4.4 Applicants who hold a Masters degree with a Merit and are
accepted in Top 5 leading universities in United Kingdom or in
other countries, or in the 'Top 25 universities as ranked by QS
World University Rankings 2013/2014.
Note: For places of study from other countries that are not included in the list above
but found to be comparable may merit consideration by the Scholarship
Committee.
3.4.5 The field of study must be related to the discipline previously studied by the

applicants.
3.4.6 Applicants must be enrolled full-time.
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3.4.7 Applicants must submit a Research Proposal/Project and Project Timeline.

4.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Applicants must also meet the following additional requirements:
4.1 Course or program of study that will be pursued must be accredited by the
Brunei National Accreditation Council from the Ministry of Education.
4.2 Active participation in extra-curricular activities and outdoor pursuits (Extra
Curricular Activity).
4.3 Successful in the interview selection process.
4.4 Pass the criminal background check.
4.5 Declared medically fit in the medical examination.
4.6 Pass in Malay Language oral examination conducted by the Malay Oral
Examination Committee Ministry of Education.
4.7 Medicine applicants are not recommended to change courses as they will be
bonded as medical officers after completion of their studies.

5.

PERIOD AND PLACE OF STUDY

5.1 Outstanding Student Scholarship Scheme (BPC) is awarded for a
maximum duration of 2 years.
5.2 Special Scholarship Scheme for First Degree is awarded for duration of 3
years or until completion of course.
5.3 Special Scholarship Scheme for Postgraduate Degree is awarded for
duration of 1 year or until completion of course while Doctorate Degree (PhD) is
for 3 years or until completion of course.
5.4 BPC Scholars will be placed in renowned Boarding Schools.
5.5 The place of study for First Degree and Advanced Degree should be par
excellence either institutions-wise or discipline-wise. Guidelines to consult for
university rankings are as follows:
5.5.1 in the 'Top 20' university according to The Times Good University Guide
2014 United Kingdom;
OR
5.5.2 in the 'Top 10 university according to Subject Ranking on The Times
Good University Guide 2014 United Kingdom for First Degree;

OR
5.5.3 in the 'Top 5 university according to Subject Ranking on The Times
Good University Guide 2014 United Kingdom for Masters Degree;

OR
5.5.4 in the 'Top 10 university according to Subject Ranking on The Times
Good University Guide 2014 United Kingdom for Doctorate Degree (PhD);

OR
5.5.5 rated 'Tier 5' (Excellent) for higher education institutions in Malaysia
according to SETARA 11 (the Malaysian Universities and University colleges
ranking 2011);
OR
5.5.6 in the 'Top 100 universities as ranked by QS World University Rankings
2013/2014 for other countries.
5.6 Institutions or universities that are not listed, or that signed a memorandum

of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education, may merit

consideration by the Scholarship Committee.
6. COURSES OFFERED

The required subjects and the prioritised fields of study are as follows: 6.1 Outstanding Student Scholarship (BPC)
Priority is given to the 'A' Level subjects that are related to the following
academic fields for the First Degree:

Economics
Physics
Mathematics/Further Mathematics
Chemistry
Biology
English
Geography
Design and Technology
Computing

6.2 Special Scholarship for First Degree

Academic disciplines that have been identified as priority are as follows:
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 Law (leading to BARRISTER)

Economics
Accounting
Banking and Finance
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Geosciences
Structural Engineering
Instrument Engineering
Marine Engineering
Geology
Medicine
Allied Health
Dentistry
Health Sciences
Quantity Surveyor
Architecture
Project Management
Human Resource Management
Statistics and Mathematics
Science and Technology
Multimedia

6.3 Special Scholarship Advanced Degree (Postgraduate / Doctorate)

Academic disciplines that have been identified as priority are as follows:

Law (leading to BARRISTER)

Economics
Accounting
Banking and Finance
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Geosciences
Structural Engineering
Instrument Engineering
Marine Engineering
Geology
Medicine
Allied Health
Dentistry
Health Sciences
Quantity Surveyor
Architecture
Project Management
Human Resource Management
Statistics and Mathematics
Science and Technology
Multimedia
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Note: If a particular academic discipline not listed above can contribute to

Governments manpower needs and national priorities, it thus can be reviewed for
consideration and resolution by the Scholarship Committee.

7. APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Applicants in the following categories will not be considered:

7.1 Failure to meet the main requirements and additional conditions.
7.2 Former recipients of His Majestys Government Scholarship or Brunei Shell

Petroleum Scholarship who did not acquire any recent or additional

qualifications after the scholarship was terminated.
7.3 Applicants who are already studying. Students are required to study the course

under the Special Scholarship Scheme from the beginning of the course.
7.4 Currently working with the Government, whether on a permanent basis, on

probation, month-to-month basis or open vote (refer to the Prime Minister's

Department Circular Number 27/1988 and 10/2006 respectively dated 6
September 1988 and 26 April 2006).
7.5 Applications received after the closing date specified or incomplete or include
copies of certificates and documents that are not certified or contain false or
misleading information.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

8.1 All applications must follow the procedures and adhere to the specific dates

prescribed by the Scholarship Committee from the Ministry of Education and

subject to the specific Special Scholarship Scheme:
i)

Scholarship for First Degree applied through HECAS;

ii)

Government Scholarship for Postgraduate and Doctorate Degrees;

iii)

Self-funded students; and

iv)

Applicants/Students from the local higher education institutions.

8.2 Scholarships will only be awarded to applicants who satisfy the main
requirements and additional conditions (please refer to Section 3:"Key
Requirements" and Section 4: "Additional Conditions") under Scholarship Scheme
Overseas for Human Resource Fund Under Economic, Planning And Development
Department.
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ATTENTION

9.1 Only applicants who satisfy the requirements and criteria by the Scholarship

Committee from the Ministry of Education will undergo the Malay Language Oral
examination to be scheduled at a later date.
9.2 Applicants who will undergo the Oral test are not guaranteed approval of the

Government Scholarship for overseas studies.

9.3 Places of study and courses applied are relevant to the Governments manpower

needs and national priorities.

9.4 Successful applicants will be bonded to serve the Government after completion of

studies.

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