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applying for scholarship, UBD, UNISSA, ITB & PB

What is HECAS?

; HECAS stands for the 'Higher Education Centralised Admission System'. It allows students to apply online to the local higher education institutions or the Scholarship Section through any computers with internet access.

In short, you must apply to HECAS if you wish to be considered for the following:

1. Oversea Scholarship 2. UBD (Universiti Brunei Darussalam) Scholarship 3. ITB (Institut Teknologi Brunei) Scholarship 4. UNISSA (Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali) Scholarship 5. PB (Politeknik Brunei) Scholarship

What is UCAS?

; UCAS stands for the 'Universities and Colleges Admissions Service'. They are the organisation responsible for managing applications to a maximum of 5 universities in the UK.

Timeframe of events:

Release of 'A' Level Results: Usually early February

Commencement of 1st round of HECAS: Usually March

Deadline for 1st round of HECAS: Usually Mid-April

Release of 1st round of HECAS results (for local universities and Polytechnic only): Usually June

MOE Overseas Scholarship MMI Interview briefing (taklimat): Usually April, May or June

MOE Overseas Scholarship MMI Interview (temuduga): Usually end of June to early July

MOE Overseas Scholarship MMI Interview results: Usually July or August.

Before the release of 'A' Level results, there are a few things intending scholars may do.

1. Scan through the 2015 requirements for the Oversea Scholarship, UBD Scholarship, ITB Scholarship, UNISSA Scholarship and PB Scholarship. Changes and updates are made every year.

2. Search up on general undergraduate courses offered as well as courses (programmes, majors etc) offered in UBD, ITB, UNISSA and PB to find your area of interest.

3. Make multiple (I would encourage 10) copies each of your June and November 'O' Level certificates, November and June 'AS' Level certificates, SSSRU certificate, and other academically relevant certificates. To stay on the safe side, photocopy every ceritificate you have. Multiple copies are also needed of your IC and birth certificate.

These certificates are to be certified by the school. You are required to stamp your photocopied certificates on the front for oversea institutions alone, back for local institutions alone or front and back for both. Stamps are often provided in the Exam Section. The photocopied documents are to be left in school for a couple of days, which is time taken for the administration unit to initial your documents. Once initialed, your documents are officially certified.

4. Register for UCAS. (For those looking to study in the UK on scholarship or on loan.)

  • You require a "buzzword" (fancier name for password) from your form 6 institution in order to start on your UCAS application, which you can easily attain from your Higher Education Advisor (HEA).

  • Write up your personal statement not exceeding beyond 4,000 characters (including spaces) and 47 lines. Keep your font on Times New Roman size 12. I greatly persuade you to start on this early.

Have your PS read by your family and friends and make as much as 15 drafts if you have to. Google on other personal statements as there are millions lying around on the internet. Boast. Stand out. Talk a great deal about your intended course, why you chose it and why you're great for it.

5. Start on Borang B. As seen in the image titled 'HECAS checklist' below, each institution wants a truckload of Borang Bs. God knows why.

6. A passport-sized photo is to be attached onto each HECAS form and Borang B. With the help of the 'HECAS checklist' below, you may calculate the amount you need. Each institution requires an average of 6 passport-sized photos.

7. Research on local and oversea universities. Familiarise yourself with them.

For oversea universities,

Go to official university website

v

'Undergraduate'

v

Intended Course

v

Course Content/Entry Requirements

After the release of 'A' Level results:

1. If you have met the Scholarship Requirements (2015 PDF) to study abroad, then you may want to:

  • keep a look-out for UK Exhibitions

  • fill in your choices in your UCAS application and eventually;

  • round up and submit your UCAS application

  • compile and print out the course contents from the 4/5 universities you have chosen in UCAS and have them certified to be submitted to the Scholarship Section

  • certify your offer letters to be submitted to the Scholarship Section. (Offer letters are sent out only after you have submitted your UCAS application, and may take some time before they reach you, which is why the deadline to send in your offer letters is stretched)

  • brace yourself for the Multiple-Mini Interviews

  • have MKPK (Majlis Kebangsaan Pengiktirafan Kelulusan) accredit your course. You can claim the accreditation form by going to Scholarship Section Room B211, Block B, Level 2, MOE, Old Airport Road, Berakas BB3510, Brunei or print the scanned version below:

Front

Back

  • Sent along with this form to Room B211 are once again a copy of your IC and certified copies of your A Level result, O Level result and offer letter.

  • Acceditation takes two to seven working days, if longer call them at 2381133.

It is ready to be handed in to the Scholarship Section only when your course is accredited.

2. When HECAS opens registration:

FYI: UBD does not need passport-sized photos with your HECAS forms, AS Level certificate and SSSRU certificate.

Once you have compiled your completed forms, you are to send them to:

SCHOLARSHIP SECTION

Level 5, Block C, MOE,

Old Airport Road, Berakas BB 3510,

Brunei Darussalam

UBD

Ground Floor, Student Affairs Building, UBD

Jalan Tungku Link, BE 1410,

Brunei Darussalam

UNISSA

Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar Gadong Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

ITB

The General Office, 1st Floor, ITB, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam

PB

Block 2E, Ong Sum Ping Condominium,

Jalan Ong Sum Ping, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1311

*** Remember to consider housing prices of universities abroad before choosing the university of your liking, especially if money is tight (two-thirds of my allowance goes to my rent). Universities closer to London (such as Sussex and Kent) tend to have pricier rents compared to those slightly further away from London (for example, Cardiff or Keele). I highly recommend getting in touch with your seniors and doing a lot of research on the finance aspect of studying abroad before making a final decision.


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