General Scholarship Requirements for Undergraduate Programs in Australia and some Available Scholarships

Ultimate Undergraduate Scholarship Requirement Guide

Undergraduate Scholarships in Australia: Less Common but Possible. Many people have asked me about undergraduate scholarships to study in Australia. In general, undergraduate scholarships to study abroad are relatively rare, and this is also the case in Australia. The main reason for this is that most scholarships abroad are focused on research and advancing knowledge and expertise in specific areas. This explains why research degree program scholarships are the most common.

Undergraduate programs are not usually research-based, as there is no mastering of skills involved. For this reason, most undergraduate program scholarships are awarded on merit, such as academic excellence (e.g., GPA). This also explains why the most common undergraduate scholarships are usually partially funded.

Partially funded undergraduate scholarships for international students are relatively easy to find in Australia. I will provide links to university portals at the end of this post.

However, while fully funded scholarships for international students to study in Australia are rare, the number available is not as low as you might think. We use the word "rare" because, compared to other available scholarships such as research degree scholarships, the number is much lower.

So what are the general requirements for undergraduate scholarships to study in Australia?

Most undergraduate scholarships in Australia are awarded on a merit-based system, meaning that they are based on academic performance (e.g., GPA) rather than research and analytical skills like master's or PhD by research scholarships. To win an undergraduate scholarship to study in Australia, whether it is a partial or fully funded scholarship, you must meet some general requirements. Scholarship competitions are highly competitive, with hundreds of applicants from all over the world. To stand out from the crowd, you need to have a strong academic record and demonstrate your hard work and dedication.

General Requirements for Undergraduate Scholarships in Australia include:

An outstanding academic performance. ie good performance from your previous studies.(outstanding grades or GPA..) whatever system your country is using
A good understanding and general knowledge of your area of study
Extra-curricular activities. This could come from cultural activities, volunteer or any work experience
Excellent leadership and communication skills
English language proficiency. This condition can be met by undertaking an English language proficiency test(IELTS for example). The lowest score you should have for admissions should be 6.5 overall for IELTS in most universities or courses with no band lower than 6.0. This might even be higher in some cases depending on the course, university and scholarship provider. The condition is only met by citizens from countries where English is not considered a native language. This includes most parts of Africa except South Africa and any other country under special consideration, the whole of Asia except under special consideration and the list goes on.
Outstanding recommendation letters

Note: These are just general requirements you should be aware of before you start searching for scholarships to study abroad. Depending on how competitive is the course you are going in for, expect to meet one or more other requirements.

Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Success

Here are a few tips for increasing your chances of winning an undergraduate scholarship to study in Australia:

Start your search early. The earlier you start looking for scholarships, the more time you will have to find and apply for the best opportunities.
Be specific in your search. There are scholarships available for students of all study levels, fields of study, and nationalities. Be as specific as possible in your search to find scholarships that are a good fit for you.
Tailor your application to each scholarship. Take the time to read the requirements and deadlines for each scholarship carefully, and tailor your application to each one.
Get your application materials proofread by someone else. This will help to ensure that your application is free of errors and typos.
Submit your application materials by the deadline. Don't be late!

Ready to apply today? We have something to get you started. Here is a guide/pro tip on how to apply for undergraduate scholarships and admissions to study in Australia.

What are some available fully funded undergraduate scholarships for 2023/24 to study in Australia?

Below are some of the current fully funded undergraduate scholarships for 2023/24 to study in Australia. The very first in the list is :

1. Australia Awards scholarships.. An Australian government-sponsored scholarship. This is first on the list for a number of reasons you will find out when you read it through. Currently closed!

The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) program is an Australian government-sponsored scholarship targeting future global leaders around the world. It's a prestigious award and its open to citizens from Asia, middle and Africa. It is 100% fully funded, with monthly allowance, travel costs covered etc... read more

2. Melbourne University International Undergraduate Scholarships(50 offer). This a great fully funded undergraduate scholarship program to study. Though Melbourne University scholarships can be very competitive, there is always an opportunity for anyone with the right requirements and outstanding academic achievements. Read more
3. Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme. This is another great undergraduate fully funded scholarship program for international students at the University of Sydney Australia. The close date for this scholarship is Close date: 01 Nov 2023 for round 2. Applications currently still going on. Check that out.

4. Another one you should equally check is Destination Australia Scholarship International Students scholarships) -UQ.

This is also an Australian government-sponsored scholarship. Destination Australia scholarships align with the National Strategy for International Education 2025. The main goal of the scholarship is to attract and bring development to regional Australia. It's fully funded and will cover most of your expenses, monthly stipends etc.. The scholarship is provided by the government and is being administered by a specific university. In this case, this one is administered by the University of Queensland.

5. International Scholarship(200 funded undergraduate offers) Australia National University

This is also an amazing scholarship opportunity in any field of your choice. 100% Fully funded, monthly stipends, full health cover etc.

6. ECU School of Science Excellence Scholarships

This great opportunity to study in Australia for undergraduate international students. Its Open to citizens from any country around the world. Read more

Browse more Undergraduate scholarships to study in Australia

What are some partially funded undergraduate scholarships for international students to study in Australia?

These scholarships are the most common. It is easy to find them. Most Universities have this.

See links of universities scholarship portals here

Curtin International Scholarships-Undergraduate. This is open to a large variety of courses and disciplines. Please read through for more details
Browse almost 200 undergraduate partial scholarships at UNSW Sydney. See the current UNSW International Scholarships Application.
Access Support Scholarship- Curtin University . Browse list of similar scholarships at Curtin University

Other essential study tips

Learn how to find a scholarship to study abroad. This is an exclusive guide about scholarship search to study abroad. It provides a broad view of information on where and how to find a scholarship to study abroad and the difference between finding a scholarship and getting one.

Are you looking for information on research degree programs ie Masters or PhD by research? check the information here about the general research degree requirements to study in Australia and some currently available scholarships

For those interested in coursework degree Masters or PhD programs find out about their general scholarship requirements here for most Universities abroad including Australia.

Study In Australia: The Ultimate International Student Guide

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Bond University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (BUPRS) 2025–2026