2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship

Student in courtyard, smiling, looking to the future

If you’re an outstanding new international student to UNSW College and are able to demonstrate your commitment to cultural advancement, sporting achievements, or community leadership, the 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship is a merit based scholarship that rewards your talents and offers up to AU$10,000 towards your tuition fees.

Two x $10,000 scholarships are available in 2023 in each participating region and are awarded based on a rigorous selection process. If you think you’ve got what it takes to win a 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship, apply now.
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Eligibility

Two scholarships to the value of  A$10,000 each will be made available to students from each of the following regions*:

  • Mainland China
  • South Asia (including Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka)
  • North Asia (including Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan)
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Mekong (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam)
  • Indonesia
  • South-East Asia (Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore) 

* Where a student is from will be based on the student’s residential address at the time of application.

To be eligible to apply for the 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship, students must: 

  • Be from one of the above regions.
  • Hold an unconditional offer, or be enrolled in one of the following program intakes by 23 July 2023:
    • 16 August 2023 UNSW Standard Foundation Studies program
    • 23 August 2023 UNSW Standard Plus Foundation Studies program
    • 28 August 2023 UNSW Diploma program

Or

  • Hold a packaged offer for a UNSW College English language program together with one of the following program intakes by 23 July 2023:
    • 16 August 2023 UNSW Standard Foundation Studies program
    • 23 August 2023 UNSW Standard Plus Foundation Studies program
    • 28 August 2023 UNSW Diploma program

Students are not eligible to apply for the 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship if:

  • They hold an offer or are enrolled in the UNSW Transition program.
  • They are sponsored by a governmental or business entity.

Students who have already enrolled in one of the above programs are eligible to apply, but if they are awarded the 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship, they must rescind any other UNSW College scholarship (other than the International Student Award).

The 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship cannot be combined with any other bursary, discount or scholarship provided by UNSW Sydney or UNSW College, other than the UNSW International Student Award.

Selection criteria

Applicants must: 

  • Meet the eligibility requirements as outlined above.
  • Nominate the country in which they are applying for the Scholarship.
  • Meet the academic requirements as set out in Appendix 1.
  • Provide a scholarship application statement of no more than 500 words, outlining:
    • Reasons for applying for a UNSW Diploma or UNSW Foundation Studies program.
    • Why they have chosen to study their preferred degree at UNSW.
    • Their participation in extra-curricular activities, including participation in cultural, sporting and leadership activities.

If there are two candidates of equal standing, then they may be invited to attend an interview to determine their suitability. A panel consisting of the respective Regional Manager, Head of Student Recruitment and Head of Admissions and Student Systems will determine which student will receive the scholarship in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined above. The panel’s decision will be final.

Scholarship conditions

Scholarship recipients will automatically become UNSW College student ambassadors and will be required to participate in the College's promotional activities, including, but not limited to:

  • Providing written, verbal and recorded (audio and/or video) testimonials;  
  • Joining webinars with prospective students and/or agents;
  • Attending events, face-to-face and online;
  • Other College activities as required and directed by the UNSW College team.

To retain the scholarship, successful candidates must remain enrolled past the census date of their respective program of study.

The Scholarship will be awarded in the form of tuition fee remission. It will not be redeemable for cash or credit.

Once awarded, the 2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship may not be deferred to another intake. In the event that a candidate is unable to accept the offer, it may be awarded to another candidate of the panel’s choosing.

Application timeline

2023 UNSW College Merit Scholarship applications will open on 29 May 2023 and close on 23 July 2023.

The scholarship awards will be announced by 5pm AEST on 31 July 2023.

Successful candidates must accept the scholarship by making payment as outlined in their offer letter and completing the required acceptance documents no later than 4 August 2023.