Study Science at UBD
Join a community of students, academics and researchers at Brunei's national university, and graduate ready for research, industry and public service.
Undergraduate
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Start with the three-year GenBESTARI Bachelor of Science in one of five majors.
Postgraduate
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Master of Science by research, or the MSc in Petroleum Geosciences by coursework.
PhD
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Build expertise with a research degree guided by leading experts.
Professional courses
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Short courses and continuing education with UBD’s Centre for Lifelong Learning.
Science for Brunei and the world
The Faculty of Science teaches and researches across Mathematical Sciences, Geosciences, Biological Sciences, Applied Physics and Chemical Sciences. Whatever your starting point, you will build depth in one programme and breadth across the sciences, with a Discovery Year that takes you beyond the classroom.
Study levels
GenBESTARI Bachelor of Science
Our undergraduate degree is a three-year course that provides a comprehensive science programme and equips students with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in science and related fields to take them into their professional career. Students have access to the Faculty’s resources and research facilities, learn inside and outside laboratory classes, and gain work experience during their Discovery Year.
Students complete a minimum of 120 modular credits: 80 from their chosen major and 40 from elsewhere in the university. One intake per year, in September.
The programme
The Faculty of Science offers the Bachelor of Science (Honours) [BSc (Hons)], a three-year undergraduate degree with one intake each year commencing in September. The degree comprises 120 modular credits (MC): Programme Modules (60 MC), Advanced Specialisation (20 MC), Lestari Pathway (8 MC), Gateway Modules (12 MC) and Experiential Learning (20 MC). Five Major Programmes are offered: Applied Physics (SPP), Biological Sciences (SPB), Chemistry (SPC), Geosciences (SPG) and Mathematical Sciences (SPM).
Entry requirements
| Grade | A* | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS tariff points | 56 | 48 | 40 | 32 | 24 | 16 |
| Pre-2017 UCAS tariff points | 140 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 60 | 40 |
English language requirements
One of: Credit C6 in English Language at GCE O-Level; grade B in IGCSE English as a Second Language; IELTS 6.0; TOEFL minimum overall score of 550; a pass in the UBD Bridging English Course; or Band B2 in the UBD English Proficiency Test.
Declaring your Major
Students are encouraged to declare their Major early — preferably between Weeks 1 and 3 of the first semester — and must declare by the start of Week 8. Students who have not declared by then will not be permitted to register for modules in the following semester.
Graduation requirements
Students must accumulate at least 120 MC across Programme Modules, Advanced Specialisation, Lestari Pathway, Gateway Modules and Experiential Learning (Discovery Year), and satisfy the requirements of their Major Programme. A maximum of 36 MC may be counted from Level 1000 modules; a minimum of 24 MC must come from Level 3000 Major modules. Lestari Pathway and Gateway Modules should ideally be completed within the first two semesters.
Discovery Year
The Discovery Year (20 MC, Semester 4) provides experiential learning beyond the classroom. Students undertake one of: UDS-2501 Study Abroad Programme · UDW-2501 Internship Programme · UDC-2501 Community Outreach Programme · UDV-2501 Venture Lab Programme.
The Bachelor of Science degree offers five major programmes
- Applied Physics
- Chemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Mathematics
- Geosciences
Master of Science
The Master of Science by Research is offered across all five disciplines, with the MSc in Petroleum Geosciences also offered by coursework. Full-time 12 to 24 months, part-time 24 to 48 months; intakes in August and January.
Programmes
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral study with supervision across the five disciplines. Full-time 36 to 60 months, part-time 48 to 84 months; intakes in August and January. Graduate Studies Convenor: Dr Muhammad Raziq Rahimi Kooh.
Programmes
Professional courses
Short courses and continuing education for industry and the public are delivered with UBD’s Centre for Lifelong Learning (C3L).
A curriculum built for the 21st century
The GenBESTARI Bachelor of Science is a three-year degree of 120 modular credits: 80 from your major and 40 from elsewhere in the university, including university-wide modules in Melayu Islam Beraja, Islamic Civilisation, Academic Writing, Professional Communication, Digital Literacy and Sustainability.
Turn study into experience
Every undergraduate spends part of the third year on an internship, study abroad, community outreach or an incubation project — supervised, credited and chosen to match your goals.
Get financial support while you study
Brunei citizens may be eligible for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship; international applicants can apply for the BDGS for Foreign Students. Research candidates can apply for the UBD Graduate Research Scholarship and the UBD Bursary.
Learn in the laboratory and the field
From the UBD Herbarium and Museum to Brunei’s forests, coasts and rock outcrops, science at FOS is hands-on from the first semester — supported by 27 technical staff across five programmes.
How to apply
Three steps, for every level of study.
Check the entry requirements
Each level and major has its own requirements. Read them before you start.
Prepare your documents
Certified IC or passport, academic certificates and transcripts, and English proficiency evidence. Graduate applicants add a research proposal where required.
Apply online
Use the UBD Online Admissions Application System. Complete every mandatory field and click Submit — saved applications are not processed.
Looking for more information?
Entry requirements
A Level, IB, HND and English proficiency requirements for each major, and graduate entry rules.
See the requirements >
Fees and funding
Tuition for fee-paying local and international students, charged yearly for undergraduate study and per semester for research degrees.
Fees at UBD >
Frequently asked questions
Application windows, scholarships, English options and what to do if your results are late.
Read the FAQ >
Frequently asked questions
When do applications open and close?
Undergraduate: one September intake; dates are published on the portal. Master’s and PhD: the August intake usually opens late December to end February, the January intake early June to end July.
I am a Brunei citizen. Will I receive a government scholarship?
Eligible citizens can apply for the Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship through the Ministry of Education.
My results come out in July. Can I still apply?
Yes. Apply with your predicted or provisional results and upload the final certificate when it is released.
I meet every requirement except English. What are my options?
Yes: the BDGS for Foreign Students, the UBD Graduate Research Scholarship and the UBD Bursary.
Does UBD offer scholarships to international students?
Undergraduate: one September intake; dates are published on the portal. Master’s and PhD: the August intake usually opens late December to end February, the January intake early June to end July.
In their words
Hear from students and graduates about studying science at UBD.
Studying BSc Mathematics at UBD has been an invaluable learning experience for me personally. Throughout the years, I have gained a lot of knowledge and qualities that will be beneficial to me. The course enhanced my analytical skills as well as allowing me to share ideas and different problem solving approaches. Also, the supervision and positive feedback from lecturers throughout the course made a significant impact on my academic success and I am truly thankful to them.
Dayang Nur Fadhliah binti Haji Madli, BSc Mathematics
Academically, I started my UBD journey with Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, followed by Master of Teaching and finally Philosophy Doctorate in Energy Studies. Being a research student, I was given ample opportunity to present my findings in both local and international conferences and to publish them in high-impact journals, thus being able to equip myself for future higher research undertakings.
Awang Andery Lim, PhD in Energy Studies
Although UBD access to sensing research is still in the infancy stage, I took this as a challenge and platform to contribute in sensor development and simultaneously developed the skills and knowledge required. By the end of my PhD programme, I have published five research articles in reputable international journals and contributed to a book chapter for an international publication. Also, as the result of my PhD research, UBD has filed an international patent, which shows the importance of the research outcome. The results of this research will have an important social impact in the multidisciplinary field of sensor devices.
Dayang Syazana binti Abdullah Lim, PhD in Biology
Ready to become a scientist?
Applications for the September 2027 intake open on the UBD admissions portal. Join our next class of graduates.
Admissions contact
Undergraduate admissions
Graduate admissions
Faculty of Science office