Why scholarships are critical for Bhutanese students

Bhutan has a small but growing higher‑education system led by the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) and its constituent colleges. Many Bhutanese students, including those following IGCSE, A Levels and IB, pursue degrees in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and beyond. Scholarships are therefore crucial for widening access.

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1. Royal Government of Bhutan Scholarships

Most popular for:
Bhutanese citizens studying priority subjects at RUB colleges or approved universities abroad.

Coverage

• Government scholarships can include:
  • Full or partial tuition
  • Living allowance
  • Travel expenses for overseas study

Eligibility

• Bhutanese citizenship.
• Strong results in national exams or international curricula (IGCSE/A Levels/IB).
• Programme must align with national manpower needs (e.g. Education, Engineering, Health, Public Administration).

How to apply

• Watch announcements from the Ministry of Education / Royal Civil Service Commission.
• Apply with:
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • National exam results
  • Admission offers where required

Duration

• Typically the full duration of the degree, subject to progress and bond conditions.

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2. Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) & College Scholarships

Most popular for:
Students enrolled at RUB colleges within Bhutan.

Coverage

• Fee waivers or stipends for high achievers and/or students from remote or disadvantaged backgrounds.

Eligibility

• Strong academic performance.
• In some schemes, demonstration of financial need or regional criteria.

How to apply

• Apply through the college administration or RUB central office, following published guidelines.

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3. External & Regional Scholarships

Bhutanese students may also access:

• Indian and Sri Lankan government scholarships for SAARC nationals.
• University‑specific awards in Malaysia, Thailand and elsewhere (detailed in other articles in this series).

These typically provide partial or full tuition, plus varying levels of stipends.

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What % of fees do Bhutan scholarships cover?

• Government awards can fully fund degrees in Bhutan or in selected partner countries, especially in priority sectors.
• RUB and internal college scholarships usually reduce costs via fee waivers or small stipends.

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Eligibility, competition and planning

• Eligibility: strong exam results, clear alignment with national skills needs, and in some cases regional or income criteria.
• Competition: significant, as Bhutan’s population is small and scholarship budgets are limited.
• Planning: students should start 18–24 months early, exploring both:
  • Government scholarships
  • Host‑university scholarships in neighbouring countries

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How Tutopiya helps Bhutanese students

Tutopiya supports Bhutanese students taking IGCSE, A Levels and IB by:

• Raising performance in key subjects that matter for scholarship selection.
• Helping families compare Bhutan government options with host‑country scholarships in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and beyond.

If you are Bhutanese and planning an undergraduate degree, we can help you map realistic routes across multiple countries with and without scholarships.

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