Universiti Teknologi Brunei
اونيۏرسيتي تيكنولوڬي بروني
Brunei's small, industry-facing technology university, with a work placement built into every undergraduate degree.
- Students
- 1,977
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 7.7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- BND 8,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1986
About UTB
Universiti Teknologi Brunei began in January 1986 as Institut Teknologi Brunei, a college teaching Higher National Diplomas in engineering, business and computing. It was upgraded to university status in 2008, launched its first bachelor's degrees in 2009 and took its current name on 1 March 2016. It remains a small, specialised institution: THE's 2026 data counts about 2,000 students and a student-staff ratio of 7.7.
UTB is organised into the Faculty of Engineering, the UTB School of Business, the School of Computing and Informatics, the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics, the School of Design and the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning. Teaching is in English, and most bachelor's degrees take three years; engineering takes four. Through the ExperiencePLUS scheme every undergraduate does a work attachment, typically a six-month industry placement in the final year, and students in the top 10% of their cohort can compete for fully funded overseas placements.
The university's research is aimed at Brunei's economic priorities: energy, the built environment, agri-food and digital technology, with centres such as the Centre for Research in Agri-food Science and Technology (CrAFT) and the Centre for Transport Research. UTB suits students who want a practical, accredited technical degree with small classes. Most international undergraduates arrive on the Brunei government's BDGS scholarship, which covers fees and living costs, though self-funded places are priced separately.
Berilmu Beriman Berinovasi
“Knowledgeable, faithful, innovative” — university motto
Why students choose UTB
Civil Engineering degrees are accredited by the UK Joint Board of Moderators and Mechanical Engineering by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which gives the degrees UK professional recognition.
ExperiencePLUS builds a work placement into every undergraduate programme, with fully funded overseas placements for the top 10% of each cohort.
International students admitted through the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) pay no tuition, and the scholarship also covers accommodation, books, food, personal spending and travel.
Applicants a few points short of the entry score can take a 14-week UTB-SP Bridging Programme (BriTE, BriBUS, BriCOMP or Bri-iComm) that leads into the first year.
Admissions
2027/2028 academic session (entry July/August 2027)
Selectivity
UTB does not publish an admission rate. Programmes set minimum A-level point scores (for example 240 points for Civil Engineering and 280 for Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering), and only applicants who meet the entry requirements are called for entrance tests and interviews where applicable.
Typical entry requirements
| GCE A-levels | Programme-specific points scores (A* = 140, A = 120, B = 100, C = 80, D = 60, E = 40), e.g. at least 240 points from 3 A-levels including Mathematics at grade C or higher for Civil Engineering, 280 points for Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering, and CDD (200 points) for Computing programmes |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | About 24 to 30 points depending on programme, e.g. 24 for Computing, 28 for Civil Engineering and 30 for Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering, with subject minimums in Mathematics and sciences |
| Diploma (BDQF Level 5, BTEC HND or equivalent) | Accepted with programme-specific grades, e.g. a CGPA of at least 1.6 out of 3 with Merit in 60% of analytical modules for Civil Engineering |
| GCE O-level | Credit (C6) in English and usually in Mathematics; Bruneians applying for a government scholarship also need a C6 in Malay |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 General undergraduate requirement: a Credit Six in O-level English, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL PBT 550 or TOEFL iBT 80, or equivalent. |
Deadlines
- BDGS scholarship for foreign students, 2026/27 session (past) Non-binding Passed15 February 2026
Past (2026 cycle). Applications opened on 15 December 2025 for the session starting July/August 2026. Dates for the 2027/28 session had not been published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of checking.
Apply@UTB shows the HECAS and BDGS undergraduate windows for 2026/2027 as closed and says announcements for the next session will be made on UTB's website and Instagram. In recent cycles the windows have run from December to February, for entry in July/August.
How to apply
Applicants in Brunei (citizens, permanent residents and foreign residents) apply through the national HECAS portal, then submit a hard copy of the form with certified certificates to UTB within one week of the HECAS closing date; in-service applicants use Apply@UTB. Most international undergraduates apply for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship for foreign students (BDGS), run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which places them at UTB, UBD, UNISSA and other institutions.
What admissions looks for
- A relevant qualification that meets the programme's own entry score, such as 240 A-level points with Mathematics for Civil Engineering.
- Credits in O-level English and Mathematics, or an IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL equivalent.
- Success in entrance tests and interviews where the programme uses them.
- For mature applicants (21 or over): relevant diplomas or at least three years of work experience plus a satisfactory interview.
Tips for applying to UTB
- 1 International students should watch the Ministry of Foreign Affairs BDGS page: the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation and allowances, but you must be 25 or under and new to studying in Brunei.
- 2 Work out your A-level points using UTB's scale (A* = 140 down to E = 40) and compare them with your programme's minimum.
- 3 If you are just short of the points, look at the 14-week bridging programme for your faculty, which runs from March to July.
- 4 Self-funded students must pay one semester's fee in advance to accept an offer, so budget for that early.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in BND
Most international undergraduates are funded by the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS), which pays tuition plus bursaries for accommodation, books, food and personal spending, government-hospital medical treatment and travel to Brunei. Bruneians usually study on government scholarships. For research degrees, UTB's graduate scholarship waives programme fees and pays a BND 750 monthly stipend.
- Tuition plus accommodation, books, food and personal allowances; applicants must be 25 or under
- BDGS scholarship (foreign students)
- Advance payment of one semester's fee (50% of the annual fee), plus a BND 100 acceptance fee and BND 200 programme deposit
- To accept an offer (self-funded)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters of 14 weeks each; the academic year starts in July/August
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
A four-year degree accredited by the UK Joint Board of Moderators since 2017 and re-accredited in 2022.
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2022.
BBus (Hons) Accounting and Information Systems
UTB School of Business is ACCA-accredited, and this degree combines accounting with information systems.
BSc (Hons) Agrotechnology (Minor in Business)
Linked to UTB's agri-food research centre CrAFT, with a six-month industry placement in semester 6.
BSc (Hons) Architecture
Offered by the School of Design, which was established in 2018, and leads on to UTB's Master of Architecture.
Research
- The Centre for Research in Agri-food Science and Technology (CrAFT), founded in 2018, supports Brunei's efforts to diversify its economy through agri-food.
- The Centre for Transport Research works on road safety engineering, highway and geotechnical engineering, and traffic engineering.
- The Centre for Green Technology and Sustainability Research (GreenTeXS) focuses on green technology linked to Brunei's Wawasan 2035 plan.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Engineering
- UTB School of Business
- School of Computing and Informatics
- School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics
- School of Design
- Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning
Student life
UTB is small, and student life centres on the Student Representative Council and dozens of clubs, from robotics, astronomy and e-sports racing to kendo, silat and touch rugby. Brunei's national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja shapes campus life, with religious activities and Islamic guidance run by the Office of Student Affairs. International students automatically join the UTB International Students' Club, are met at the airport by the student council's international affairs committee, and go on cultural trips around Brunei during semester breaks. Most international students live at The Core residential college, a short walk from campus.
- More than 40 clubs and societies listed in the 2026 prospectus, including a Robotic Club, Astronomy Club, Kendo, Silat and ESport Racing.
- UTB competes with other Brunei universities for the Chancellor's Trophy, an inter-institution sports contest.
- The UTB International Students' Club and cultural trips during semester breaks.
- ExperiencePLUS work attachments, in Brunei or overseas.
Housing. The Core residential college, a 5 to 7 minute walk from campus, has 440 single bedrooms in five-bedroom apartments, each with a shared kitchen and living room, plus a shuttle bus to the supermarket.
Location
UTB is on Jalan Tungku Link in the Gadong area of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's small, quiet capital on the north coast of Borneo. Life is shaped by the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (Malay Islamic Monarchy), and the city is compact, green and car-oriented. International students at The Core residential college can reach the surrounding area on bus routes 22, 57 and 58, and senior students help newcomers find nearby shops.
Nearest airport: Brunei International Airport (BWN)
Notable alumni
- NA Naasiruddeen Abdul WahabFormer Brunei footballer and two-time Brunei Premier League champion; alumnus of Institut Teknologi Brunei, UTB's predecessor
Frequently asked questions
How much does Universiti Teknologi Brunei cost for international students?
UTB lists self-funded international fees per programme: BND 24,000 for most three-year degrees (about BND 8,000 a year) and BND 40,000 for four-year engineering degrees (BND 10,000 a year). Students on the BDGS government scholarship pay no tuition.
How do international students apply to UTB?
Most apply for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship for foreign students through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For 2026/27 the window ran from 15 December 2025 to 15 February 2026. Foreign residents in Brunei apply through the HECAS portal.
What IELTS score does UTB require?
IELTS 6.0 is the general undergraduate requirement, or TOEFL iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550 or a credit in O-level English.
When does the academic year start at UTB?
The academic year starts in July/August, and each year has two 14-week semesters. Bridging programmes run from March to July.
Is teaching at UTB in English?
Yes. Programmes are taught in English, which is why UTB requires an O-level English credit or IELTS 6.0. Malay is required only for Bruneians applying for government scholarships.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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