available for Duration of program (minimum)
Outline
UNSW offers a number of scholarships to support Asylum Seekers and Refugee students commencing full-time coursework study at UNSW. Some scholarships will provide full or partial tuition fee payment, while others provide a stipend to assist with the costs associated with your studies.
On this page you will find information on Asylum Seekers and Refugee scholarships, including the eligibility criteria and application methods.
*This page and application process is for Asylum Seekers and Refugee students commencing their first term of studies at UNSW in Term 1 2027*
For other available Equity Scholarships, please refer to UNSW Equity Scholarships 2027 .
Scholarships & Awards
Eligible applicants will be considered for the scholarships listed in the table below. More scholarships may be progressively added to this list.
Application Methods
-
Gateway Admission Pathway
applicants
- Gateway Admission Pathway applicants holding an eligible Permanent Protection Visa, Temporary Protection Visa or Bridging Visa will be automatically considered for the relevant Asylum Seeker and Refugee scholarships, provided they submit the required supporting documentation via the Gateway portal.
- Please refer to the Gateway Admission Pathway FAQs > Key Dates for information about offer rounds.
-
Non-Gateway Pathway applications (Direct applicants or UAC applicants)
- All other applicants must submit an application for the UNSW Scholarships for Asylum Seekers and Refugees Commencing Term 1, 2027 (UGCE1420) via the Scholarship Application Online portal .
*Applications for UGCE1420 open on 20 August 2026 and close at AEDT 11:59PM on 30 October 2026.*
Unanswered questions or unsupported claims will not be assessed. Late applications or documentation will not be accepted.
| Scholarship | Value and Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary Scholarship for People Seeking Asylum and Refugees with Temporary Protection (UGCE1411) |
|
*Visa must be in effect by the application deadline. **Bridging visa holders must provide documentation from a recognised organisation confirming their current visa status, the subclass of protection or humanitarian visa application under assessment, and hold Australian study rights. |
| Cecilia Brungs Refugee & Asylum Seeker Scholarship (UGCE1468) |
|
*Visa must be in effect by the application deadline. |
| HMJ Sassafras Scholarship (UGCE1534) |
|
*Visa must be in effect by the application deadline. **Bridging visa holders must provide documentation from a recognised organisation confirming their current visa status, the subclass of protection or humanitarian visa application under assessment, and hold Australian study rights. |
| Welcome Scholarship for Students from Refugee Backgrounds (UGCE1412) |
|
|
Additional Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an Asylum Seeker or Refugee holding an eligible visa
- Have received an offer of admission into an eligible coursework program for Term 1, 2027 by 30 October 2026
Students may submit an application if they have applied to UNSW for a coursework degree program commencing in Term 1, 2027 (via UAC or direct to UNSW at the UNSW Applicant Portal ) and have not yet received an offer of admission. However, a scholarship offer will only be made once an unconditional offer of admission has been issued.
Applicants must provide one of the following documents:
- Passport
- Immicard
- Titre de Voyage
- PLO56 (M56)
- Document For Travel To Australia (DFTTA)
Documentation and visa status will be checked using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service. Please contact UNSW Scholarships if you are unsure about the documentation requirements.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed on the basis:
- Academic merit
- Aptitude and commitment to studies at UNSW
To support their application, applicants should submit a personal statement with their supporting documentation. The personal statement should outline the applicant's individual circumstances, highlighting any obstacles or challenges faced by the applicant in accessing education opportunities as an asylum seeker or refugee. Personal statements should not exceed 500 words in length and must be included in the supporting document file attached to the application.
UNSW reserves the right not to award a scholarship where there is no applicant of sufficient merit or where eligibility criteria are not met.
