International students, including those from Pakistan, now have two major opportunities to study abroad for free. The Government of Brunei Darussalam and Aalto University in Finland have officially opened their scholarship applications for the 2026 academic year.
These programs aim to support talented students by covering tuition fees and providing monthly stipends. Below are the essential details for both opportunities.
Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) 2026
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei is offering a fully funded scholarship for Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate Master’s degrees.
Key Benefits:
- Full Tuition Waiver: No registration or examination fees.
- Airfare: Return economy class air tickets.
- Monthly Stipend: A personal allowance of BND 500 ($approx. 370).
- Meal & Book Allowance: Monthly meal allowance of BND 150 and an annual book grant of BND 600.
- Accommodation: Provided at the university residential college.
Eligibility & Deadline:
- Age Limit: Under 25 for Undergraduate/Diploma; under 35 for Master’s.
- English Proficiency: IELTS (6.0), TOEFL (550), or equivalent GCE O-Level credits.
- Deadline: February 15, 2026.
- Apply Here: Official Brunei MFA Portal
Aalto University Finland Scholarships 2026
Aalto University is inviting international students from non-EU/EEA countries to apply for its prestigious Master’s programs in Europe.
Scholarship Highlights:
- Excellence Scholarships: Offers a 100% tuition fee waiver for the 2-year Master’s program.
- Fields of Study: Engineering, Business, Art, Design, and Science.
- Location: Finland—consistently ranked as the world’s happiest country with a top-tier education system.
Application Details:
- Process: The scholarship application is part of the standard admission form. Applicants simply need to “tick” the scholarship box during the process.
- Language Requirement: Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE).
- Deadline: January 2, 2026.
- Program Start: Autumn 2026.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Brunei Scholarship (BDGS) | Aalto University Finland |
| Degree Levels | Diploma, Bachelors, Masters | Masters |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (Fees + Stipend) | Tuition Fee Waiver (100% or 50%) |
| Monthly Allowance | Yes (BND 500) | No (Tuition only) |
| Deadline | February 15, 2026 | January 2, 2026 |
| Apply Via | MFA Online Portal | Studyinfo.fi / Aalto Portal |
Final Advice for Applicants
Both scholarships are highly competitive. Interested students are encouraged to prepare their academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and English test scores immediately. Applying early ensures you have enough time to resolve any technical issues with the online portals.
Would you like me to provide a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the Statement of Purpose (SOP) for these applications?
