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.

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.

Swinburne Sarawak is awaiting further details from the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) regarding the full list of eligible programs.

STEM courses offered at Swinburne Sarawak are Engineering, Science, and Computing degree programs.

Professional degree programs that hold professional accreditation include Accountancy, Accounting & Finance, and Quantity Surveying.

Stay tuned for updates as more details become available.

Further information on postgraduate and pre-university programs under this initiative will be announced by MEITD.

Currently, the initiative is focused on undergraduate programs.

Based on current reports, students across the years of undergraduate degree studies potentially from 2026

The official announcement is still pending from relevant government agency

Tentatively, meeting the entry requirements (including English requirement) and received a degree offer from Swinburne Sarawak.

Further eligibility criteria will be announced by MEITD.

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.

For admissions guidance, please consult our Education Counselling Team .

Yes. You may transfer if you meet the entry and credit transfer requirements and receive an offer to study at Swinburne Sarawak.

Our Education Counselling Team can assist you with the transfer process.

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):

  1. Implementation – The Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will commence in 2026.
  2. Eligibility – FTES is available to all Anak Sarawak, as per the current definition and policy.
  3. 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.
  4. Approved Programs – FTES covers undergraduate degrees in STEM, Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
  5. Coverage – FTES is eligible for new enrolments and all existing enrolments starting from 2026.
  6. 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."



The Premier of Sarawak has announced that the Free Higher Education Initiative is exclusively for Sarawakians. Tentatively, it has been reported that eligibility is not restricted by race or household income.

Further details will be announced by Sarawak's Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD).

Follow us on our platforms for the latest updates.