Shaping the Future: Swinburne Sarawak Supports the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme
The Sarawak Government’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), set to be implemented in 2026, is a landmark initiative aimed at expanding access to quality higher education for eligible Sarawakian students.
As a participating university, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus affirms its support for the scheme’s implementation and is committed to facilitating student awareness and preparedness as further details become available from the relevant government authorities.
This webpage serves as a central information hub and will be updated periodically with information on:
- Eligibility criteria and funding scope
- Application and admission processes
- Swinburne Sarawak programs approved under the scheme
- FAQs, and relevant information
Our Future Students Team is available to provide relevant guidance on program offerings, potential career pathways, and preparations for the 2026 intake under the FTES.
We invite prospective students to register their interest [here]. Updates will be shared as and when official information is announced by the Sarawak Government.
Follow us on all platforms for updates and be ready to Shape your Future with Swinburne Sarawak.
Information on Free Tertiary Education Scheme in Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak can be found here:
FAQs for Sarawak Government's Initiative of Free Higher Education
The Premier of Sarawak has announced that the initiative will commence in 2026.
Yes, starting in 2026 and if you are an eligible Sarawakian, you will have the opportunity to pursue your studies at Swinburne Sarawak under this initiative.
For Sarawakian only.
The Premier of Sarawak has announced that the initiative will cover selected STEM and Professional Degree programs.
List of Courses:
Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)
R2/0711/6/0001 MQA/FA8845 31.12.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)
R2/526/6/0121 MQA/FA4323 19.07.2028 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)
R2/522/6/0228 MQA/FA4324 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)
R2/521/6/0098 MQA/FA4325 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Robotics and Mechatronics)
R3/523/6/0106 MQA/FA4326 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software)
N/481/6/0836 MQA/PSA15080 03.10.2028 - Bachelor of Computer Science
R2/481/6/0544 MQA/SWA18407 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology
R3/481/6/0228 MQA/SWA18408 05.08.2029 - Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)
N/526/6/0147 MQA/PA14600 20.01.2029 - Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
R3/0512/6/0017 MQA/SWA18415 21.06.2030 - Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
N/422/6/0035 MQA/SWA13429 20.01.2027 - Bachelor of Cyber Security
N/0613/6/0099 MQA/PSA17793 28.08.2029 - Bachelor of Data Science
N/0613/6/0100 MQA/PSA17794 02.09.2029
Faculty of Business, Design and Arts
- Bachelor of Design
R3/0211/6/0069 MQA/SWA0159 30.07.2029 - Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design)
R3/0211/6/0024 MQA/SWA18409 13.11.2028 - Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance)
R3/0411/6/0065 MQA/SWA0095 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
R3/0411/6/0066 MQA/SWA0005 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business (Finance)
R3/0412/6/0032 MQA/SWA0096 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Marketing - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Management - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Human Resource Management - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and International Business
STEM courses offered at Swinburne Sarawak are Engineering, Science, and Computing degree programs.
List of Courses:
Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)
R2/0711/6/0001 MQA/FA8845 31.12.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)
R2/526/6/0121 MQA/FA4323 19.07.2028 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)
R2/522/6/0228 MQA/FA4324 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)
R2/521/6/0098 MQA/FA4325 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Robotics and Mechatronics)
R3/523/6/0106 MQA/FA4326 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software)
N/481/6/0836 MQA/PSA15080 03.10.2028 - Bachelor of Computer Science
R2/481/6/0544 MQA/SWA18407 01.09.2027 - Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology
R3/481/6/0228 MQA/SWA18408 05.08.2029 - Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)
N/526/6/0147 MQA/PA14600 20.01.2029 - Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
R3/0512/6/0017 MQA/SWA18415 21.06.2030 - Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
N/422/6/0035 MQA/SWA13429 20.01.2027 - Bachelor of Cyber Security
N/0613/6/0099 MQA/PSA17793 28.08.2029 - Bachelor of Data Science
N/0613/6/0100 MQA/PSA17794 02.09.2029
Faculty of Business, Design and Arts
- Bachelor of Design
R3/0211/6/0069 MQA/SWA0159 30.07.2029 - Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design)
R3/0211/6/0024 MQA/SWA18409 13.11.2028 - Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance)
R3/0411/6/0065 MQA/SWA0095 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
R3/0411/6/0066 MQA/SWA0005 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business (Finance)
R3/0412/6/0032 MQA/SWA0096 27.12.2029 - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Marketing - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Management - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and Human Resource Management - Bachelor of Business
R3/0410/6/0022 MQA/SWA0004 27.12.2029
- with majors in Finance and International Business
Yes, Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Business are on the approved programs under FTES. Please refer to the official listing linked here for more details.
Further information on postgraduate and pre-university programs under this initiative will be announced by MEITD.
Currently, the initiative is focused on undergraduate programs.
Yes, any student who meets the eligibility criterias and applies for the approved programs under FTES will benefit from the Free Tertiary Education Scheme from 2026 onwards.
All Sarawakians with a 'K' in their IC or Malaysians with a Sarawakian parent (with 'K' in their IC) are eligible for the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) for their first undergraduate degree, provided that they are not receiving any other educational sponsorship or scholarships. Additionally, they may accept FTES only once and only from one institution.
Yes. Swinburne Sarawak offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to support students financially.
Additionally, Yayasan Sarawak provides financial aid, including study loans and scholarships. For more details, please visit Yayasan Sarawak’s official website.
Yes. Students will still be eligible to participate in the Student Exchange Program at Swinburne Melbourne, Australia for one semester.
All existing requirements for the program remain unchanged. For more details, please contact us.
Further details regarding age eligibility will be announced by MEITD.
We will provide updates once the information is available.
Do look out for our Open Days several times a year. For admissions guidance, please consult our Education Counselling Team .
Our Education Counselling Team can assist you with any transfer related queries.
If you have further inquiries, please contact our Future Students Team for the latest updates and guidance.
When contacted by The Borneo Post, Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn confirmed the authenticity of the circular, which outlines six approved proposals under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES):
- Implementation – The Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will commence in 2026.
- Eligibility – FTES is available to all Anak Sarawak, as per the current definition and policy.
- Participating Institutions – The scheme includes Sarawak-owned institutes of higher learning, specifically Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University of Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.
- Approved Programs – FTES covers undergraduate degrees in STEM, Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
- Coverage – FTES is eligible for new enrolments and all existing enrolments starting from 2026.
- Financial Support – The scheme covers tuition fees and provides a stipend of RM 15,000 per year for students from households with a per capita income of RM 1,500 per month or below.
However, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn has stated that "the circular is internal for the information of all heads of departments and not for public use yet. We will make it public once all guidelines have been finalised."
All Sarawakians with a 'K' in their IC or Malaysians with a Sarawakian parent (with 'K' in their IC) are eligible for the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) for their first undergraduate degree, provided that they are not receiving any other educational sponsorship or scholarships. Additionally, they may accept FTES only once and only from one institution.
Eligible students: From households with a monthly per capita income of RM1,500 or below.
Applicable to: Students pursuing their first undergraduate degree at one of the four state-owned institutions of higher learning without support from any other educational sponsorship or scholarship.
Program: Approved under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).
Support provided: Stipend of RM15,000 per eligible student - RM10,000 for living expenses and RM5,000 for hostel/accommodation.
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Disclaimer:
All information provided is subject to confirmation or change without prior notice. Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be held responsible for any reliance placed on it. Program eligibility, funding details, and implementation processes under the FTES remain subject to official confirmation by the Sarawak State Government.