Shaping the Future: Swinburne is Ready for Free 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.

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.

Tentatively, it is reported from 2026 onward regardless of which year of the course (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study of Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree) you are studying.

It has been reported that eligible students, regardless of their year of study (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an undergraduate degree), may be included.

We will provide updates as more information is confirmed.

Tentatively, meeting the entry requirements (including English requirement) and received a degree pffer 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).