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🇧🇳 Brunei

Education

Brunei's education system offers a unique blend of public Malay-medium schools and high-quality international schools that follow British, IB, or Australian curricula. For expat families, Jerudong International School (JIS) is the standout — a world-class campus with 1,700+ students from 50+ nationalities, offering the IB programme from Early Years through the Diploma.

BND 17,030/yr ($12,600)

JIS Tuition (Early Years)

Jerudong International School

BND 19,820/yr ($14,700)

JIS Tuition (Primary)

Years 1–6

BND 24,490/yr ($18,100)

JIS Tuition (Secondary)

Years 7–13

BND 12,000–20,000/yr

ISB Tuition

International School Brunei

Free for citizens

University (UBD)

Expat children pay subsidised fees

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Overview

Brunei's education system offers a unique blend of public Malay-medium schools and high-quality international schools that follow British, IB, or Australian curricula. For expat families, Jerudong International School (JIS) is the standout — a world-class campus with 1,700+ students from 50+ nationalities, offering the IB programme from Early Years through the Diploma. International School Brunei (ISB) provides a British curriculum alternative. Government schools teach in Malay with bilingual education (MIB-SPN21 system), and while open to foreign children, they are primarily designed for Brunei citizens.

Key Takeaways

  • Jerudong International School (JIS): Brunei's premier international school — 1,700+ students, 50+ nationalities, IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP)
  • Medium of instruction: Malay for humanities and Islamic studies; English for science, maths, and technical subjects from Year 4
  • Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD): Brunei's flagship university — ranked in the top 350 globally (QS); strong in environmental science, Islamic studies, and education
  • JIS Early Years: from age 3 — IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); world-class facilities and international curriculum
1

International Schools

International schools are the default choice for expat children in Brunei. Jerudong International School (JIS) and International School Brunei (ISB) are the two main options, with JIS being the larger, more established, and more expensive. Both offer bus services from BSB and Seria.

  • Jerudong International School (JIS): Brunei's premier international school — 1,700+ students, 50+ nationalities, IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP)
  • JIS campus: 50-acre purpose-built campus with Olympic-size pool, performing arts centre, science labs, sports fields
  • JIS fees (2025/26): Early Years BND 17,030; Primary BND 19,820; Secondary BND 24,490 per year
  • International School Brunei (ISB): British curriculum school — IGCSE and A-Level pathway; smaller, more intimate
  • ISB fees: BND 12,000–20,000/year depending on year group — more affordable than JIS
  • Waiting lists: JIS can have waiting lists in popular year groups — apply as soon as your contract is signed
  • Bus service: both schools operate bus routes covering BSB, Seria, and Kuala Belait — BND 100–200/month
2

Government Schools (Public System)

Brunei's government schools follow the SPN21 (National Education System for the 21st Century) and are taught primarily in Malay with English as a second language. Education is free and compulsory for citizens. Foreign children can attend but the Malay-medium instruction and MIB (Malay Islamic Beraja) curriculum may not suit all expat families.

  • Medium of instruction: Malay for humanities and Islamic studies; English for science, maths, and technical subjects from Year 4
  • SPN21 system: 6 years primary, 2 years lower secondary (Form 1–2), 2 years upper secondary (Form 3–4), 2 years pre-university
  • MIB component: Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy is integrated throughout the curriculum
  • Free for citizens; foreign students pay nominal fees (BND 50–200/year)
  • Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) is compulsory for Muslim students; non-Muslims attend alternative classes
  • Academic calendar: January to November with mid-year and end-of-year breaks
  • Quality: government schools have improved significantly under SPN21 reforms; best suited for families planning long-term Brunei residence
3

Universities and Higher Education

Brunei has four universities, with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) being the most prominent. Higher education is free for Brunei citizens, and the government provides generous scholarships for overseas study. Expat dependents and foreign students pay modest tuition fees.

  • Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD): Brunei's flagship university — ranked in the top 350 globally (QS); strong in environmental science, Islamic studies, and education
  • Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB): technical and engineering focus; growing research profile
  • Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA): Islamic studies, Arabic, and Sharia law
  • Politeknik Brunei: vocational and technical education — diplomas in engineering, business, and IT
  • Foreign student fees at UBD: BND 3,000–8,000/year ($2,220–$5,920) — significantly less than UK or Australian universities
  • Government scholarships: Brunei citizens receive full scholarships for overseas study in the UK, Australia, and Malaysia
  • Most expat teenagers attend JIS through to the IB Diploma and then go to universities abroad (UK, Australia, Singapore)
4

Early Years and Childcare

Brunei has a growing number of nurseries and kindergartens, though the sector is less developed than in Singapore or Malaysia. JIS offers Early Years from age 3, and several private nurseries in BSB provide English-medium childcare.

  • JIS Early Years: from age 3 — IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); world-class facilities and international curriculum
  • Private nurseries in BSB: BND 200–500/month ($148–$370) — English or bilingual Malay-English
  • Government kindergartens: available from age 5 — Malay medium, MIB curriculum, free for citizens
  • Domestic helpers: many expat families hire live-in helpers (BND 350–600/month) for childcare support
  • Nanny agencies: limited formal options; word-of-mouth recommendations through expat community are common
  • Playgroups: organised by JIS parent associations and BSB expat groups — a key social outlet for young families
FAQs

Common Questions — Education in Brunei

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