Brawijaya International Student Scholarship (BISS) 2026 | Fully Funded
Malang, the East Java city that hosts Universitas Brawijaya, doesn’t come up often in conversations about fully funded study abroad — and that relative obscurity is part of what makes BISS worth a closer look rather than a reason to overlook it.
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Universitas Brawijaya is genuinely one of Indonesia’s leading public universities, and its International Student Scholarship covers the complete cost of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree, built around the university’s own motto of “Building Up Noble Future.” The 2026 application window, which ran from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026, has now closed. If you’re weighing where to apply for a fully funded degree in Southeast Asia, here’s what BISS actually involves, including the interview stage that catches some applicants off guard.
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What Studying at Universitas Brawijaya Actually Involves
Universitas Brawijaya sits in Malang, a city in East Java known for its cooler highland climate relative to much of tropical Indonesia, and its diverse, multicultural student community. BISS is the university’s flagship international scholarship, designed specifically to draw outstanding students from outside Indonesia into that community across all three degree levels simultaneously, rather than running as separate undergraduate and postgraduate schemes.
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One detail worth knowing upfront: Indonesian language proficiency is genuinely optional, not required, across all levels of study. Both English-taught and Indonesian-taught programmes are available depending on your chosen faculty, which means international students without any Bahasa Indonesia background still have a real, viable path through the scholarship — though your specific programme choice determines which language track applies to you, so confirm this directly for your intended field before applying.
Brawijaya International Student Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Brawijaya International Student |
| Host Country ⇒ | Indonesia |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition, monthly living allowance, dormitory accommodation, health insurance, visa/stay permit fees, return airfare |
| Funded by ⇒ | Universitas Brawijaya |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 2026/27 cycle closed January 30, 2026 (opened December 1, 2025). Based on this pattern, the 2027/28 window is likely to open around December 2026 |
What the Brawijaya International Student Scholarship Covers
BISS offers comprehensive coverage across every major cost associated with studying in Indonesia:
- Full tuition fee coverage for the entire duration of your degree programme
- A monthly living allowance, supporting day-to-day expenses throughout your studies
- Health insurance, covering you for the duration of your programme
- University dormitory accommodation, provided directly rather than requiring you to arrange independent housing
- Visa and stay permit fees, covering the administrative costs of legally studying in Indonesia as a foreign national
- One-time return airfare, covering your travel to Indonesia at the start of your studies and back home upon completion
Because dormitory accommodation and living allowance are both included, BISS scholars generally face minimal out-of-pocket costs beyond personal spending money, making this one of the more comprehensively funded scholarships available for study in Southeast Asia specifically.
Eligibility Requirements
BISS applies specific age and prior-qualification criteria that vary by the degree level you’re applying for:
General requirements, across all levels:
- You must be a citizen of a country outside Indonesia
- You must be willing to comply with Indonesian laws and regulations throughout your studies
- You must be in good physical health
Bachelor’s degree applicants:
- Maximum age of 25 years
- Must have graduated from senior high school within the last 3 years
- Applicants who already hold a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this level
Master’s degree applicants:
- Maximum age of 35 years
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree are not eligible for this level
Doctoral degree applicants:
- Maximum age of 40 years
- Must hold a Master’s degree
- Applicants who already hold a Doctoral degree are not eligible for this level
Because each degree level has its own strict age ceiling and prior-qualification requirement, applicants should confirm precisely which level they qualify for before beginning their application — the age limits in particular are firm cutoffs rather than guidelines, based on how the university has structured eligibility across recent cycles.
What Selection Actually Involves
This is worth knowing before you apply: BISS isn’t a document-review-only process. After an initial screening of submitted applications, shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview with faculty members from their intended department, before final selections are announced through the university’s official portal. Successful applicants then receive further guidance from the International Office to prepare for arrival and enrolment in Indonesia.
Because the interview specifically involves faculty from your chosen department rather than a general admissions panel, preparing to speak knowledgeably and specifically about your intended field of study — not just your general interest in studying in Indonesia — is likely to matter more here than for scholarships that rely on written application review alone.
Required Documents
Applicants applying to Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in Malang, Indonesia, must assemble and submit a complete digital application package through the official UB International Admission Portal. Because document requirements vary significantly between undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees, each component must be prepared to precise institutional standards.
1. International Passport (Biographical Page)
- Document Quality: High-resolution color scan of the main biographical identification page of your valid international passport.
- Information Readability: All biographical details—including full legal name, passport number, date of birth, place of birth, issuing authority, issue date, expiration date, and machine-readable zone (MRZ)—must be clearly visible and uncropped.
- Validity Horizon: Must carry an expiration date that extends at least 18 to 24 months beyond your intended entry date into Indonesia to satisfy Indonesian Student Visa (C316 / Vitas) and Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) processing regulations.
2. Passport-Sized Photograph
- Visual Specifications: Recent, professional passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months against a plain red or light-colored background (as specified by UB admissions guidelines).
- Composition & Framing: Front-facing, eye-level orientation showing full face and shoulders with a neutral expression.
- Clothing & Attire: Formal or business-casual attire. Avoid hats, sunglasses, or heavy filters (headscarves/hijabs are permitted for religious reasons, provided the full facial oval from chin to top of forehead remains completely visible).
- Technical File Format: Uploaded as a clean
.jpegor.pngfile, formatted to standard dimensions (3×4 cm or 4×6 cm) under specified file size limits (usually under 2MB).
3. Official Academic Certificates and Transcripts
- Scope of Credentials:
- Undergraduate Applicants: High School Diploma / Senior Secondary School Certificate (or provisional completion certificate) alongside official semester-by-semester grade mark sheets.
- Master’s Applicants: Bachelor’s Degree Diploma and complete official undergraduate academic transcripts displaying final cumulative GPA.
- Doctoral Applicants: Both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Diplomas alongside official transcripts for both completed degree levels.
- Language & Translation: All certificates and transcripts issued in languages other than English or Indonesian must be accompanied by certified, sworn English translations issued by an accredited translation authority or the issuing university.
- Academic Authentication: Documents must bear the official seal, stamp, and authorized signature of the university registrar or secondary school principal.
4. English Language Proficiency Certificate
Required for all international applicants whose previous medium of instruction was not English, or when applying for English-taught degree programs:
- Accepted Standardized Tests:
- TOEFL iBT: Generally requires a minimum score of 60 to 80+ (depending on the degree level and faculty).
- IELTS Academic: Generally requires an overall band score of 5.5 to 6.5+ (faculty-specific).
- TOEFL ITP / PBT: Accepted by specific faculties (typically requiring a score of 500 to 550+).
- Duolingo English Test (DET): Accepted for select courses where specified by UB.
- Validity Period: Test score reports must be valid (taken within two years prior to the application deadline).
- Exemption Policy: Applicants who completed their prior degree at an accredited institution in an English-speaking country or an institution where English was the verified sole medium of instruction may submit an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter from their former university to request a waiver.
5. Medical and Health Report
- Document Scope: A formal medical check-up report issued and signed by a licensed medical practitioner or certified hospital.
- Required Health Declarations:
- Confirmation that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to undertake intensive university studies in Indonesia.
- Laboratory test results confirming negative status for communicable diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B/C, and HIV/AIDS).
- Drug-free certification confirming negative screening for illicit substances (narcotics/psychotropics).
- Form Standard: Must be submitted on official hospital/clinic letterhead or on the official Universitas Brawijaya International Medical Form template (if provided by the portal).
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Professional Résumé
- Formatting: Clean 1-to-2 page PDF document structured in a professional format.
- Essential Sections:
- Personal contact information and nationality.
- Chronological academic background (institutions, major, graduation dates, GPA).
- Relevant research experience, laboratory techniques, or academic projects.
- Publications, conference presentations, or academic awards (especially critical for Master’s and Doctoral applicants).
- Work experience, internships, technical skills, and volunteer/extracurricular involvement.
7. Official Letter of Statement (UB Standard Declaration)
- Institutional Purpose: A signed legal declaration form provided by Universitas Brawijaya during the portal application process.
- Core Undertakings: The applicant formally agrees to:
- Abide by all Indonesian laws, government regulations, and Universitas Brawijaya institutional rules.
- Refrain from engaging in political activities or seeking unauthorized employment within Indonesia during the period of study.
- Accept full financial responsibility for tuition fees and living expenses (unless awarded an official full scholarship).
- Consent to administrative actions or deportation if any submitted application information is found to be fraudulent.
8. Academic Recommendation Letters (1 to 2 Required)
- Recommender Profiles: Issued by academic professors, department chairs, thesis supervisors, or academic advisors who can authoritatively comment on your intellectual ability, academic discipline, and research potential.
- Content Expectations: Referees must explicitly address your analytical capabilities, academic performance, character, adaptability to foreign study environments, and capacity for advanced coursework.
- Verification Standards: Must be written in English, printed on official institutional letterhead, dated, hand-signed, and include the recommender’s professional contact details (official university email address and telephone number).
9. Level-Specific Written Statement: Motivation Letter or Research Proposal
A. Motivation Letter (Primary for Bachelor’s & Taught Master’s Applicants)
- Length: 500 to 800 words in clean narrative prose.
- Key Content:
- Reasons for selecting your specific study program at Universitas Brawijaya.
- How your academic background aligns with the curriculum.
- Your career goals and how studying in Indonesia supports your personal and professional development.
B. Detailed Research Proposal (Mandatory for Doctoral & Research-Based Master’s Applicants)
A comprehensive academic document (typically 1,500 to 3,000 words) defining your intended doctoral or master’s research project:
- Title: Concise title reflecting your scientific investigation.
- Abstract & Introduction: Background, problem statement, research context, and justification for the study.
- Research Questions & Objectives: Specific theoretical or empirical questions your study aims to resolve.
- Literature Review & Theoretical Framework: Brief synthesis of existing research and identification of the research gap.
- Methodology: Detailed research design, qualitative/quantitative methods, data collection tools, field research sites, and analytical frameworks.
- Expected Outcomes & References: Scientific contribution, societal impact, and a formatted academic bibliography.
10. Indonesian Language Proficiency Certificate (Optional)
- Status: Explicitly Optional across all degree levels at the initial application stage.
- Accepted Exams: Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia (UKBI) or language certificates from recognized language institutes (e.g., BIPA – Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing).
- Value Add: While not mandatory for admission (especially for English-taught tracks), submitting proof of basic or intermediate Indonesian proficiency strengthens your application file and demonstrates cultural readiness for campus integration in Malang.
How to Apply for the Next Cycle
The 2026/27 window is closed, but the process Universitas Brawijaya uses has stayed consistent enough to prepare confidently:
- Watch the Universitas Brawijaya International Office’s official BISS page for the announcement of the next application window, expected to open around December 2026 based on the current cycle’s timing.
- Confirm which degree level you’re eligible for based on your age and prior qualifications, since the criteria differ meaningfully across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral applications.
- Create a new account on the university’s international admission portal using your email address, and activate it through the confirmation email — checking your spam folder if the confirmation doesn’t arrive promptly.
- Log in to the portal and select the Brawijaya International Student Scholarship option specifically.
- Prepare all required documents in advance, including any level-specific components like a research proposal, in English or Indonesian as specified.
- Complete all required fields and upload your documents, then submit through the confirmation button before the deadline.
- If shortlisted, prepare for an online interview with faculty from your intended department, focusing on genuine, specific knowledge of your chosen field rather than general enthusiasm for studying abroad.
Application Deadline
The 2026/27 cycle’s application window ran from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026, and has now closed. Based on this timing, the next window is likely to open around December 2026 for the 2027/28 academic year, following a similar roughly two-month application period.
Some university partner channels have separately referenced a supplementary application window for Master’s and Doctoral applicants specifically, with a deadline referenced around early August — this has not been confirmed as a universal, officially published second BISS intake on Universitas Brawijaya’s own primary scholarship page, so confirm directly with the university’s International Office if you’re specifically targeting a mid-year postgraduate entry point rather than assuming this applies broadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brawijaya International Student Scholarship still accepting applications for 2026?
No. The 2026/27 cycle’s application window closed on January 30, 2026. Based on the current pattern, the next window is expected to open around December 2026.
Do I need to speak Indonesian to apply or study under this scholarship?
No. Indonesian language proficiency is optional at every degree level. Both English-taught and Indonesian-taught programmes are available, depending on your chosen faculty.
Is there an interview as part of the selection process?
Yes. After initial document screening, shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview with faculty members from their intended department before final selections are announced.
Can someone who already holds a Bachelor’s degree apply for the Bachelor’s-level scholarship?
No. Applicants who already hold a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the Bachelor’s-level award — the same restriction applies at the Master’s and Doctoral levels for applicants who already hold that specific degree.
Is there an age limit for applicants?
Yes, and it varies by level: a maximum of 25 years for Bachelor’s applicants, 35 years for Master’s applicants, and 40 years for Doctoral applicants.
Does the scholarship cover accommodation and living costs, or just tuition?
It covers both, along with several other major costs — full tuition, a monthly living allowance, university dormitory accommodation, health insurance, visa and stay permit fees, and one-time return airfare are all included.
Disclaimer: All programme details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on Universitas Brawijaya’s official International Office website before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Universitas Brawijaya.
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