Scholarships
Apply now for 2025 UNSW Sport Scholarships.
Closing date for all 2025 UNSW Sport Scholarships is November 30, 2024.
High performance sport has a long and successful history at UNSW. Our sports program has allowed us to attract and retain some of the best and brightest student athletes, and creates a sense of pride in the UNSW name through the celebration of student and alumni success.
Below are the details regarding the sports scholarships on offer at UNSW. All scholarships require the same application form to be completed - click the Apply button above.
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Ben Lexcen Scholarship
The Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship is the premier elite athlete sports scholarship for current UNSW students with an outstanding ability in sport. The scholarship aims to enable the scholar to continue excelling at their sport while also supporting their academic endeavours and promoting the development of well-rounded future leaders. It is awarded on elite athlete merit, leadership qualities and potential to contribute to the UNSW community.
Value: $10,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Meet some of our current and recent Lexcens
Indigenous Elite Athlete Scholarship
Premier elite athlete sporting scholarship at UNSW for Indigenous student athletes. Awarded on elite athlete merit, leadership qualities and potential to contribute to the UNSW community. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Value: $10,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Prue Watt Sport Award
Prue Watt OAM established herself as one of Australia’s most successful Paralympians winning one gold, five silver and two bronze medals in swimming across three Paralympic Games. The Prue Watt Sport Award is part of Prue’s legacy at UNSW, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Neuroscience in 2017. The scholarship was designed to assist students with disabilities excel in sport and study - just as Prue did.
Value: $10,000*
Duration: 1 Year
UNSW & NSW Rugby Award
Specifically for rugby players based in NSW. This may include playing in NSW based club rugby competitions, involvement in NSW Waratah pathway programs and/or elite level NSW Waratah squads. Awarded on elite merit and value to rugby in NSW.
Value: $10,000*
Duration: 1 Year
UNSW & Sydney Swans AFLW / Academy Award
Specifically for AFL players representing UNSW Sports Partner Sydney Swans in the AFLW or part of the Sydney Swans Academy. Awarded on elite athlete merit and value to Sydney Swans.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Elite Athlete Program Scholarship
Targeted at elite athletes who are still progressing along their pathway to top level selection. Awarded on elite athlete merit and potential to represent UNSW at University Nationals and other competitions.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
High Performance Club Scholarship
Specifically for athletes in AFL, judo, water polo, hockey, football (soccer) and cricket who play for the UNSW High Performance Clubs. Awarded on elite athlete merit and value to each High Performance Club.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Randwick Rugby / St Hillier's Scholarship
Specifically for rugby players representing community partner Randwick Rugby Club. Awarded on elite athlete merit and value to Randwick Rugby Club.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Bill Jameson Football Scholarship
Specifically for football (soccer) players representing UNSW Football Club. Awarded on elite athlete merit and value to UNSW Football Club.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Mark Dorrity Athletics Scholarship
Specifically for track and field athletes representing UNSW Athletics Club. Awarded on athletic merit, club contribution and value to UNSW Athletics Club.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
Sam Cracknell Memorial Scholarship
Targeted at athletes who are strong contributors to the running of their UNSW sports club or strong contributors to UNSW sport overall - both on and off the field.
Value: $5,000*
Duration: 1 Year
* Value is based on a full-time study load across three academic Terms. Part-Time study will receive partial payment for that Term.
Scholarship recipients are required to reapply annually.
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1) To apply for a sport scholarship at UNSW you first need to register on the scholarships website
a. If you’re a current school leaver – register using your UAC number.
b. If you’re a current UNSW student, use your student I.D. and set up your scholarship profile which will then allow you to apply for various scholarships whilst enrolled at UNSW.Important: When setting up your profile do not forget to tick that you are interested in scholarships for sporting ability.
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If you are from a rural or remote area, we recommend that you also search for accommodation scholarships and other faculty scholarships applicable to rural and remote students. Similarly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student athletes, please search for additional scholarships that you may be eligible for.
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UNSW offers a range Equity scholarships to support students who are experiencing educational disadvantages. You will need to submit an Equity Scholarship application to UAC to be considered for Equity Scholarships at UNSW.
The UAC website lists the different disadvantages and attributes, as well as the supporting documents you will need to provide to support your application. Please refer to the UAC Equity Scholarship website for more information, including how to apply and key application dates.
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(1) Academic Supporting Documents
High School Leaver
Latest Year 12 School Report
- ATAR or IB Result (or equivalent) if applicable
- Other Certification
First Year Undergraduate Students
- Final Year 12 School Report
- ATAR or IB result (or equivalent)
(2) Other Supporting Documents - Leadership / Extra-Curricular Activities
Evidence supporting your leadership/extra-curricular involvement. Examples include:
- Reference Letters from sporting club or coach or high school coach or head of sport.
- Awards/Certificates
Important: Please check the details of each scholarship for any other documentation that might be required. Supporting documents need to be uploaded as one PDF file.
Remember: Along with your supporting documents you will need to answer all scholarship application questions to the best of your ability giving examples where requested. Do not forget to submit when finalised.
Elite Athlete, Performers and Leaders Program Adjustment Factors:
If you are a school leaver you may also be eligible for EAPL adjustment factors under our Elite Athlete, Performers and Leaders Program. The adjustment factors may help you gain entry to your preferred UNSW program of study. To apply for this requires a separate application. To find out more and apply, please visit the adjustment factors webpage.
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When do UNSW Sport Scholarship Applications Open and Close for 2024?
Applications are now open for 2024 scholarships and will close on November 30, 2023.
When will applicants be notified of the outcome of their application?
All applicants will be notified if they have been successful or unsuccessful across December 2023 and January 2024.
If I am successful in being awarded a UNSW Sport Scholarship, how will I receive the financial component?
Scholarship recipients will have payment made to their nominated bank account. Payments are made once per Term throughout the Academic year. If a student is studying a full-time study load, they will receive full payment. If a student is studying a part-time study load, they will receive a reduced payment.
What is considered Full-Time Study load?
Full-time study load is studying a minimum of six subjects spread across the three academic Terms.
Is my Sport Scholarship application the same as my application for Elite Athlete, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) Adjustment Factors?
No. These are two separate applications and are reviewed by separate review committees.
For more information on Elite Athlete, Performers & Leaders (EAPL) Program please visit the Future Students website.
If I am unsuccessful in receiving a UNSW Sport Scholarship, is there still an opportunity to be part of the UNSW Elite Athlete Program (EAP)?
Yes. Successful Scholarship applicants will automatically be included on the UNSW Elite Athlete Program. However, non-scholarship students can separately apply for the UNSW Elite Athlete Program.
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