2024 Regional Merit Scholarship

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

If you’re an outstanding new international student to UNSW College and demonstrate your commitment to cultural advancement, sporting achievements, or community leadership, the 2024 Regional Merit Scholarship may be for you.

This is a merit-based scholarship that rewards your talents and offers up to AU$40,000 towards your tuition fees.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to win a 2024 Regional Merit Scholarship, apply now.

Eligibility

Scholarships ranging from AU$5,000 - AU$40,000 are available to students from each of the following countries or regions*:

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

* Based on the residential address from which a student submits an application.  

To be eligible to apply for the 2024 Regional Merit Scholarship, students must:

  • Be from one of the above regions.
  • Hold an unconditional offer, or be enrolled in one of the following programs:
    • Standard Foundation Studies
    • Standard Plus Foundation Studies
    • Diploma

Or

  • Hold a packaged offer for a UNSW College English language program together with one of the following programs:
    • Standard Foundation Studies
    • Standard Plus Foundation Studies
    • Diploma

Students are not eligible to apply for the 2024 Regional Merit Scholarship if:

  • They hold an offer or are enrolled in the Transition Program or Transition Program Online.
  • 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 2024 Regional Merit Scholarship, they must rescind any other UNSW College scholarship (other than the International Student Award).

The 2024 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 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 2024 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

Intake
Orientation
First Day of Class
Regional Merit Scholarship Application Deadline
Regional Merit Scholarship Award Date
Foundation Standard Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Monday, April 1, 2024
14-Feb-24
21-Feb-24
Diploma
Thursday, May 2, 2024 Monday, May 6, 2024
21-Mar-24
28-Mar-24
Foundation Standard Plus Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Monday, June 3, 2024
16-Apr-24
23-Apr-24
Foundation Extended
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Monday, June 24, 2024
8-May-24
15-May-24
Foundation Standard
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Monday, August 26, 2024
9-Jul-24
16-Jul-24
Diploma Thursday, August 22, 2024
Monday, August 26, 2024
11-Jul-24 18-Jul-24
Foundation Standard Plus Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Monday, September 2, 2024 16-Jul-24
23-Jul-24
Foundation Standard
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Monday, November 18, 2024
2-Oct-24
9-Oct-24