The UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship 2027 is open to international students starting an eligible full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree at UNSW Sydney in Term 1, 2027. Successful applicants receive either full tuition for the minimum duration of their program or an AUD 20,000 annual contribution toward tuition. Applications close on 30 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEST.
Direct answer: This is a major tuition scholarship, but it is not a full-cost award. UNSW’s official FAQ says no scholarship under this application round covers the complete cost of studying and living in Australia.
UNSW International Scientia Scholarship 2027: quick facts
| Host institution | UNSW Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| Official scholarship | International Scientia Coursework Scholarship (PUCA1025) |
| Application round | PUCA1029 for international students commencing Term 1, 2027 |
| Study levels | Eligible undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees |
| Funding | Full tuition, or AUD 20,000 per year toward tuition |
| Study mode | Full-time, on campus |
| Eligible applicants | International students commencing their first term at UNSW in Term 1, 2027 |
| Application status | Open |
| Deadline | 30 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. AEST |
| Scholarship fee | No scholarship application or processing fee |
| Number of awards | Not published by UNSW |
Funding and benefits
The International Scientia Coursework Scholarship has two possible offers:
- Offer 1: full tuition fees paid directly toward tuition for the minimum duration of the eligible degree.
- Offer 2: AUD 20,000 per year paid directly toward tuition for the minimum duration of the eligible degree.
UNSW also says recipients may receive guaranteed entry to its Professional Development Program. The award does not promise accommodation, airfare, visa charges, health insurance or a living stipend. Applicants should therefore prepare a separate budget for living in Sydney.
The official FAQ also explains that a full-tuition recipient cannot hold the International Student Award at the same time. Other combinations are governed by the relevant award conditions.
Who is eligible?
To be considered through the Term 1, 2027 international scholarship round, applicants must:
- be an international student;
- be commencing full-time, on-campus study in Term 1, 2027;
- enter an eligible UNSW undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree;
- not be applying for UNSW Online or a UNSW Canberra program under this scholarship;
- have an eligible UNSW offer by the scholarship deadline, subject to the current offer rules on the official page; and
- submit the PUCA1029 scholarship application and supporting evidence before the deadline.
Applicants with pending Year 12 or equivalent results, including UAC International applicants, may still submit by the deadline. However, UNSW states that a final scholarship offer will only be made when the required admission offer conditions are satisfied.
How applications are assessed
UNSW assesses eligible applicants using four published criteria:
- academic merit;
- leadership at school, work or in the community;
- extracurricular activity, including sport, culture, volunteering or work experience; and
- the applicant’s reasons for undertaking study at UNSW.
Claims without evidence are not assessed, and late applications or late supporting documents are not accepted. UNSW does not disclose the number of awards available because it varies with the applicant pool, scholarship budget and panel decisions.
Required documents
The exact evidence depends on the claims made in the scholarship form. Applicants should prepare:
- their most recent academic results, such as an ATAR/IB result, school report or university transcript;
- certificates or official records supporting academic awards;
- letters, certificates or references confirming leadership, volunteering, employment, internships, sport, music or other activities claimed;
- written responses required in the online application; and
- any admission documents requested separately by UNSW.
UNSW’s supporting-document guide says scholarship evidence must be combined into one readable PDF, with a maximum upload size of 10 MB. The FAQ says supplementary evidence must be in English or translated by a translation organisation and should generally be no more than three years old.
English-language requirements
The scholarship itself does not publish a separate IELTS, TOEFL or PTE score. Applicants must meet the English requirement for their selected UNSW degree. The current scholarship page accepts certain conditional offers, but it limits outstanding English conditions; it also recognises an eligible Conditional English Package Offer where the applicant is enrolled in the UNSW Institute of Languages and completes the program before Term 1, 2027.
Because requirements vary by degree and applicant background, check the official English-language page for the exact accepted test, score and exemption route for your program.
How to apply
- Choose an eligible UNSW course. Confirm that it is an on-campus undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program starting in Term 1, 2027.
- Apply for admission. Use the relevant UNSW admission route early enough to satisfy the scholarship’s offer requirement.
- Create a scholarship account. Register in the UNSW Scholarship Application Online portal.
- Open application PUCA1029. This application places eligible candidates into consideration for the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship and other listed international awards.
- Answer every question. Address academic achievement, leadership, activities and reasons for studying at UNSW.
- Upload one evidence PDF. Combine the relevant evidence in English, keep it below 10 MB and check that every page is readable.
- Submit before 11:59 p.m. AEST on 30 October 2026. UNSW does not accept late applications or evidence.
Apply Now on the Official UNSW Page
Deadline and time zone
| Applications opened | 6 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Scholarship deadline | 30 October 2026 |
| Cutoff time | 11:59 p.m. AEST |
| Term | Term 1, 2027 |
AEST is Australian Eastern Standard Time. Applicants outside Australia should convert the deadline carefully and submit at least one day early to avoid time-zone, upload or portal problems.
Practical applicant notes
- Apply for admission early. A scholarship application alone does not replace the UNSW course application.
- Prove every claim. A concise application with clear evidence is stronger than a long list of unsupported activities.
- Explain impact. For leadership and service, state what you did, who benefited and what changed.
- Plan for living costs. Even the full-tuition offer is not full-cost funding.
- There is no scholarship processing fee. UNSW warns applicants not to pay anyone claiming to charge one.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UNSW International Scientia Scholarship fully funded?
It can cover full tuition, but it is not a full-cost scholarship. Living expenses and other study-related costs are not included in the published benefits.
Can postgraduate students apply?
Yes. Eligible international students commencing a full-time postgraduate coursework degree may apply. This scholarship is not for postgraduate research degrees.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
Yes. Applicants seeking the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship must submit the PUCA1029 application. This differs from awards such as Australia’s Global University Award, which uses automatic consideration.
Can I apply without a final school result?
Yes, certain applicants awaiting Year 12 or equivalent results may submit by the deadline. They must still comply with UNSW’s offer requirements before a scholarship can be awarded.
Is there a scholarship application fee?
No. UNSW’s official FAQ states that its Scholarships Office does not charge an application or processing fee.
When are results released?
UNSW says it aims to notify applicants within about 30 days after applications close, although assessment can sometimes take longer.
Official sources
- UNSW Term 1, 2027 international scholarship round
- UNSW international scholarships overview
- UNSW supporting-document guide
- UNSW PUCA1029 FAQ
- UNSW international entry and English guidance
Related opportunities
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027
- Macquarie University Graduate Research Scholarship 2027
- Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship 2027
- McGill Major Entrance Scholarships 2027
Scholarship terms can change. Always confirm the current requirements on the official UNSW page before submitting.
