FTES – Sarawak Free Undergrad Program
FTES – Free Tertiary Education Scheme is a project by Sarawak Government starting in 2026 intake to the below 4 state-owned universities.
- Swinburne University of Technology Kuching
- University Technology Sarawak Sibu
- Curtin University Malaysia Miri
- i-CATS University College Kuching
Some of the below links are selected to provide more information and correct data available for the intake 2026. According to the data published, as many as 5,784 students in undergraduate programs in the above universities benefited from FTES in 2026.
What magnitude of spending would that be? According to Dr Annuar Rapaee who is the Deputy Minister of Education, Sarawak, the long-term budgeting seems to project a figure of RM450 million to RM600 million.
“I would like to share that the Sarawak government will have to spend a substantial amount next year. For instance, if each student is charged RM30,000 in university fees, the government will pay this amount on their behalf.
“This means RM30,000 multiplied by an estimated 7,000 students — a total of about RM210 million will be spent solely on tuition fees next year under this free education scheme,” he said when officiating the Kolej Vokasional Matang’s appreciation and excellence ceremony here today.
Dr Annuar said the expenditure is expected to increase as enrolment grows across the four universities, projecting annual spending of between RM450 million and RM600 million once full capacity is reached.
On financial spending please see here. Borneo Post also has the publication below (go link here):
IBU (Feb 13): A total of 5,784 students at four state-owned higher education institutions in Sarawak are now benefiting from the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) provided by the Sarawak government, said State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
He revealed that the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) has the highest number of beneficiaries under the scheme.
- Now, what do we see in the near future for Free Tertiary Education Scheme?
- Would Sarawak Government cut the budget on free education for undergraduates?
- Would there be higher competition to gain a seat in STEM Programs?
- Will there be a cap on the maximum number of student going for the FTES?
Background of education in Sarawak 2020-2025
Based on data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia and reports from the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), the student population in Sarawak (primary and secondary) has shown fluctuations between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in 2024.
Total Student Enrolment (Primary & Secondary)
- 2020: 480,983 students.
- 2022: 462,209 students.
- 2023: 455,000 students.
- 2024: 499,981 students.
Breakdown by School Level (2022–2024)
- Primary School Pupils: 261,648 (2022)
256,384 (2023)
250,555 (2024).
- Secondary School Students: 200,561 (2022)
198,616 (2023)
199,426 (2024).
Key Trends and Highlights
- Higher Education Growth: The University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) saw rapid growth, increasing from 1,438 students in 2020 to over 5,000 students by September 2025.
Based on initial 2026 projections and the launch of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), the following are key details regarding undergraduate student numbers in Sarawak:
Total Initial FTES Beneficiaries: A total of 4,693 Sarawakian students are expected to begin their undergraduate studies in early 2026 (February/March) under the newly implemented FTES.
Targeted Growth: The number of students under this scheme is projected to increase annually for 2027 and 2028. Some projections suggest the scheme could eventually benefit around 10,000 students.
Participating Institutions: The 2026 intake covers 64 programmes at four state-owned universities: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), and i-CATS University College.
Key Institution Enrolments:
UTS: Enrolment is expected to hit 5,000 by 2026, reaching its full capacity.
UNIMAS: Recorded 4,119 new students for the 2025/2026 session.
i-CATS: Targeting an increase to 3,000 students within two years.
Additional Benefits: Eligible students with a household income of RM1,500 per capita or below may receive a RM15,000 stipend, including accommodation support.
These figures represent the initial 2026 intake under the free education initiative.
Business Proposition: Capitalizing on Evolving Educational Demand in Sarawak
Context:
The Sarawak state government’s current policy of free tertiary education is expected to elevate academic competition, particularly for entry into STEM programmes at the undergraduate level. This will likely raise the required examination scores for pre-university qualifications such as A-Levels, STPM, and UEC.
Opportunity:
As competition for limited government-sponsored university placements increases, demand for high-quality tuition services—specifically for pre-university STEM subjects—is projected to grow significantly. In anticipation of more stringent selection criteria for free education schemes, students will seek targeted academic support to enhance their competitiveness.
Strategic Response:
Our tuition centre is positioned to meet this rising demand by:
- Offering specialised, outcome-focused tuition programmes for pre-university STEM subjects.
- Implementing a selective intake process to attract and develop high-potential students.
- Pursuing accreditation or certification from recognized UK educational bodies to enhance programme credibility and outcomes.
- Directing marketing efforts toward SPM leavers, who represent the primary pipeline for A-Level and equivalent programmes.
Long-term Outlook:
We anticipate that government-sponsored tertiary education will become increasingly selective. By aligning our services with the need for academic excellence in pre-university pathways, we aim to establish our centre as a key partner for students aspiring to secure state-funded undergraduate education in Sarawak.
Updated 19 Feb, 2026
