General FAQs
Where is IPS located?
The IPS office is located on the first floor, ILIA Building within the University campus.
Who do I contact regarding research degree programmes?
For further information on our research degree programmes, please contact the IPS Deputy Director, Dr. Anshari Ali at anshari.ali@ubd.edu.bn
Who do I contact regarding the MPPM programme?
For further information on our MPPM programme, please contact the Graduate Programme Coordinator of IPS, at graduatepc.ips@ubd.edu.bn
I am interested to attend a short course at IPS; what do I do?
If you are a member of the public, payments can be made at https://ipay.ubd.edu.bn/SitePages/ePayment.aspx or at the UBD Finance Office.
For UBD students and staff, the portal to make digital payments is https://epay.ubd.edu.bn/SitePages/ePayment.aspxhttps://epay.ubd.edu.bn/SitePages/ePayment.aspx
Once you have made payments, please email bazilah.irwan@ubd.edu.bn to fill in a registration form.
If you are a government employee and have received permission from your office to attend our modules during working hours, and if payments are made through your office, kindly email us at the first instance for issuance of invoice. The email address is the same as above.
Is IPS on social media?
Yes. You can follow us on Instagram: @policystudies.ubd; Facebook: @ipsubd; and LinkedIn: Institute of Policy Studies
Where can I submit applications for any of the degree programmes offered by IPS?
Eligible candidates can send in an application online through the UBD Online Admission Application System (OASys). The deadline for submission of application can be found in OASys.
PhD Degrees FAQs
Are there any sponsorship opportunities for students?
The University offers highly competitive scholarships under three schemes, namely the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (open to both Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy local applicants), and the UBD Graduate Scholarship and the UBD Bursary (open to PhD applications only). These funding opportunities are offered to local and international candidates alike, who meet the University’s eligibility criteria. For further information, please visit: http://www.ubd.edu.bn/admission/graduate/fees-and-funding(graduate)/
Do the research degrees require campus residence?
A compulsory campus residency period of 24 months is required for the PhD programmes.
Would I be able to do my programme from abroad?
You can, after the 24-months residency period is completed, and the compulsory modules have been undertaken and subsequently passed. Regular contact with your supervisor is also recommended.
What is the tuition fee for an international student and what are the living costs for a prospective student with family?
The best place to seek information is through the International Office.
A quick search on the main UBD website can provide you more information on fees.
For further information, please refer to our website by going to the Programmes section.
MPPM FAQs
What are the scholarship opportunities under this programme?
Brunei Darussalam Scholarships for applicants from the East Asia Summit (EAS) participating countries as well as OIC members are available on a limited and competitive basis. Only eligible candidates will be considered, and no separate application needs to be submitted. The entire MPPM tuition fees will be covered under the above scholarship, which amounts to BND78,000 per student per year. The scholarship covers:
Tuition fees for studies in UBD (Brunei)
- Tuition fees in one of our partner policy schools in the USA for one semester (Spring semester)
- Health insurance (reimbursable)
- Return airfare from country of residence to Brunei (one flight each only), and return airfare Brunei-USA
- Monthly stipend in Brunei and in the USA (used by the student to cover their own accommodation, living expenses, books, etc.; it will be more than enough).
A minimum of 5 year relevant work experience is preferred for eligibility into the programme and scholarship. Candidates will also be interviewed via Skype if necessary. Candidates do not have to send in a separate scholarship application as there will be a competitive shortlisting process. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Self-funding applicants and those who are applying for scholarships from other organisations must indicate this on their application form.
Is accommodation free or will it need to be paid?
Accommodation is on your own expenses, which can be drawn from the monthly stipend given to you from the scholarship.
Is there any arrival or book allowance?
No, you will only be getting the following:
- Monthly allowance in UBD - BND750 (Periods: August - Dec & June - July the following year)
- Monthly allowance in USA - fixed at BND3000 and students shall convert this to USD subject to exchange rate at that time (Periods: Jan - May)
Does the monthly allowance include all like accommodation, meal, book and other personal cost?
As mentioned above, this monthly allowance is fixed at BND750 for all your needs in Brunei, including accommodation, meals, and books. There is no separate book allowance.
Should I buy insurance for whole period and what kind do I need to get? If UBD arranges for my flight should I need travel insurance further?
Your offer letter will contain information on this. You need to buy health insurance, including travel insurance. The fees will be reimbursed to you, as long as you provide the original receipts to the IPS office. You need to buy the travel insurance yourself even though we arrange the flight for you.
Do I have to pay any other fees at the university?
Other fees include Students' Starter Pack during orientation at UBD. However, it is inexpensive. During your USA Semester, the partner university may require you to pay a registration fee and/or orientation fee, of which shall be borne by yourself.
Can I get a part-time job while studying in UBD/in USA for the semester abroad?
No, your MPPM schedule is expected to be intense throughout the year. Any extra time you have needs to be reserved for reading articles and books, reviewing course materials, having extra discussions, attending IPS seminars/lectures/events, writing assignments, and finishing up projects. Students will not be allowed to take up any paid work during their entire MPPM programme.