Standard bachelor's degree duration (typically 3 to 4 years, depending on host university)
Deadline
—
Level
Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
Extremely High (only five slots nationally in the 2026 round)
Quick Summary
King’s Scholarship (Expanded) is a fully funded scholarship offered by Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), Bhutan for students pursuing studies in Bhutan. The award covers as a fully sponsored government award, the King's Scholarship funds a full bachelor's degree at a top-rated overseas university for selected Class XII graduates. The exact benefit components, such as any stipend or travel allowance, are determined by RCSC on a per-cohort basis and detailed in each year's official announcement rather than published as a fixed public schedule. and is open to undergraduate (bachelor's) students. The scholarship runs for standard bachelor's degree duration (typically 3 to 4 years, depending on host university). Eligibility is generally based on each year's King's Scholarship is limited to recent Class XII (BHSEC) graduates who sat the exam that year, explicitly excluding repeat candidates, and requires applying through the government's Citizen Services online portal. Selection also considers well-rounded talent beyond pure academics, evaluated through RCSC's multi-stage selection process. The application deadline is announced annually on the official scholarship page. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for King’s Scholarship (Expanded)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
See details
⏳
Duration
Standard bachelor's degree duration (typically 3 to 4 years, depending on host university)
📅
Deadline
—
🌎
Fields
All Fields
🏆
Awards/Year
Five slots for the 2026 academic session, down from nine in 2022
🌏
Study Country
Bhutan
🏛️
Provider
Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), Bhutan
📊
Acceptance
—
The King's Scholarship is a Bhutanese government award, implemented jointly by the Royal Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Education, that sends top Class XII (BHSEC) graduates to pursue bachelor's degrees at top-rated overseas universities as part of a strategic pipeline for future civil service leadership. The number of scholarships offered fluctuates each year: the RCSC announced five King's Scholarship slots for the 2026 academic session, compared with nine undergraduate slots announced in 2022.
👥 Who Should Apply
Each year's King's Scholarship is limited to recent Class XII (BHSEC) graduates who sat the exam that year, explicitly excluding repeat candidates, and requires applying through the government's Citizen Services online portal. Selection also considers well-rounded talent beyond pure academics, evaluated through RCSC's multi-stage selection process.
🏛️ Host University
Top-rated overseas universities (destination determined per awardee)
🤝 Sponsor
Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) and Ministry of Education, Bhutan
🌎 Fields of Study
All Fields
✨ Key Benefits
As a fully sponsored government award, the King's Scholarship funds a full bachelor's degree at a top-rated overseas university for selected Class XII graduates. The exact benefit components, such as any stipend or travel allowance, are determined by RCSC on a per-cohort basis and detailed in each year's official announcement rather than published as a fixed public schedule.
🎯 Target Students
Bhutanese Class XII (BHSEC) graduates being groomed for civil service leadership
Open to Class XII (BHSEC) graduates from the most recent examination year, explicitly excluding repeat candidates, who apply online via the Bhutan Citizen Services portal (citizenservices.gov.bt) and meet RCSC's published eligibility criteria for that year's round.
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
💼 Work Experience
Not required (open to current Class XII graduates)
🏆 Leadership
Well-rounded talent and leadership potential assessed alongside academic performance
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
Bhutanese Class XII (BHSEC) graduates being groomed for civil service leadership
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes
Rec Letters
2 letters
Interview
Yes (Viva Voce/panel interview)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Interview
📋 Application Process
Apply through the official Bhutan Citizen Services portal (citizenservices.gov.bt) as soon as the annual RCSC announcement is published, since only candidates from that year's BHSEC Class XII cohort (excluding repeaters) are eligible for that round. Repeaters and candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree are not eligible, so confirm your exact standing against that year's RCSC notice before beginning the application.
💡 Insider Tip: Prepare specifically for the written cognitive and psychometric test alongside the Viva Voce interview, since RCSC's selection process combines both alongside your Class XII academic record rather than relying on transcripts alone. Because slot numbers have varied year to year (nine in 2022 versus five in 2026), treat the exact number of available places as provisional until RCSC's annual announcement confirms it.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Announced in January; the most recent round was announced January 2026
⏰ Deadline
Check website
🎤 Interview
Yes (Viva Voce/panel interview)
🎓 Study Starts
September/October
Announced in January; the most recent round was announced January 2026
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Check website
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Viva Voce/panel interview)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September/October
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Written cognitive and psychometric test, Class XII academic performance, Viva Voce/panel interview
Each year's King's Scholarship is limited to recent Class XII (BHSEC) graduates who sat the exam that year, explicitly excluding repeat candidates, and requires applying through the government's Citizen Services online portal. Selection also considers well-rounded talent beyond pure academics, evaluated through RCSC's multi-stage selection process.
As a fully sponsored government award, the King's Scholarship funds a full bachelor's degree at a top-rated overseas university for selected Class XII graduates. The exact benefit components, such as any stipend or travel allowance, are determined by RCSC on a per-cohort basis and detailed in each year's official announcement rather than published as a fixed public schedule. It is a fully funded scholarship.
Application deadlines vary by year. Check the official scholarship website for current cycle dates.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Most scholarships require annual renewal based on academic performance. Check official terms.
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, 2 letters recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.