Regional Merit Scholarship

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Student (Natalie) walking through the L5 courtyard with backpack and tablet

Are you a new international student passionate about cultural engagement, sports, or community leadership? The Regional Merit Scholarship celebrates students who go beyond the classroom to make an impact.

If you’ve demonstrated excellence in these areas, apply now and take the next step toward your future.
Apply now

Eligibility

Scholarships worth AU$7,500 are available to students holding passports from: 

  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea 
  • Taiwan

Regional Merit Scholarships are available to students who:

  • Have not yet accepted their offer

Who is not eligible for Regional Scholarships:

  • Students who are repeating a program of study (either in whole or in part)
  • Sponsored students
  • Students undertaking the Business stream

Students who successfully complete their UNSW College program may be eligible for other scholarships at UNSW Sydney.

Scholarships are in the form of a tuition fee waiver and may not be combined with any other scholarship or fee waiver, with the exception of the International Student Award where students are eligible.

Selection criteria

Applicants must: 

  • Meet the eligibility requirements as outlined above.
  • Nominate the country or region in which they are applying for the scholarship.
  • Provide a scholarship application statement of no more than 500 words, outlining:
    • Reasons for applying for a UNSW College Diploma or 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 (or their delegates) 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 waiver. It will not be redeemable for cash or credit.

Once awarded, the Regional 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

Regional Scholarships are applicable to international Foundation Studies or Diploma students whose program commences between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2025.

Foundation Studies applicants must accept their program offer and scholarship offer as well as make payment of the remaining part 1 tuition fees within 4 weeks of receiving their scholarship offer.

Diploma applicants must accept their program offer and scholarship offer, as well as making full payment of their deposit within 4 weeks of receiving their scholarship offer.