Adelaide Global Academic Excellence Scholarships for International Students

The University of Adelaide offers the Global Academic Excellence 50% Scholarships (International), a highly competitive award aimed at attracting high-achieving international students to commence undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs in 2025. This scholarship rewards academic excellence by providing a 50% reduction in international tuition fees for the duration of the chosen program. Below is a detailed overview of the scholarship, including eligibility, benefits, application process, and deadlines.

Overview

The Global Academic Excellence Scholarship is designed to recognize and support international students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance in their previous studies. It is available for students commencing their studies at the University of Adelaide, a globally recognized institution ranked 89th in the 2024 QS World University Rankings and part of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight.

The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, with eligibility determined by the grades achieved in the qualification that forms the basis of admission to the University of Adelaide. Each faculty at the university awards only two scholarships, making it a highly selective opportunity for top-performing students.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Global Academic Excellence Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be an international student (not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, nor a holder of an Australian Permanent Residency Visa).
• Be commencing a direct-entry undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at the University of Adelaide in 2025, including those required to undertake a Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP) prior to their degree commencement.
• Open to citizens of Vietnam, Taiwan, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and international students who have completed their most recent qualifications in Australia.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic performance, typically equivalent to:
• For undergraduate programs: A raw Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.9 or its equivalent.
• For postgraduate coursework programs: A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.9 out of 7 (or 6.8 for studies completed at the University of Adelaide).
• Be enrolled in a full-time study load for each study period of the degree.
• Not be a recipient of another scholarship covering tuition fees from a recognized body, such as a government ministry or department.
• Not be a current University of Adelaide student transferring from one program to another prior to completing their program of study (internal transfers).
• Not be applying for Masters by Research or PhD programs, as these are not eligible for this scholarship.
• Certain programs may be excluded; applicants should review the scholarship terms and conditions for a list of excluded degrees.

Scholarship Benefits

• 50% Tuition Fee Reduction: Recipients receive a 50% reduction in international tuition fees for the entire duration of their chosen undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program.
• The scholarship applies to most disciplines, with some exceptions as outlined in the terms and conditions.
• The scholarship does not cover additional costs such as visas, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), travel, accommodation, or living expenses.

Application Process

• No Separate Application Required: Eligible students are automatically considered for the scholarship upon applying for admission to an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at the University of Adelaide.
• Admission Application: Applicants must submit a complete and error-free application for admission, meeting all academic and English language requirements for an unconditional offer.
• Selection Process: Eligibility is assessed during the application process for the coursework program. A Scholarships Committee reviews applications based on academic merit, and each faculty awards two scholarships to the highest-performing applicants with an ATAR above 98 or a GPA above 6.8.
• Notification: Successful applicants are notified within 1-2 weeks of the scholarship closing date. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.
• Acceptance: Selected students must accept the scholarship offer within 14 days of notification, or the award may be offered to the next eligible candidate.

Application Deadlines

Applications for admission to the University of Adelaide must be submitted by the following deadlines to be considered for the scholarship:

• Trimester 2, 2025: February 28, 2025
• Semester 2, 2025 and Trimester 3, 2025: May 31, 2025

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure sufficient time for processing and scholarship consideration.

Additional Notes

• English Language Requirements: Students who do not meet the University’s English proficiency requirements may need to complete a Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP). Successful completion of the PEP at the appropriate level grants direct entry into the University and eligibility for the scholarship.
• Competitive Nature: The scholarship is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee an award. Only two scholarships are awarded per faculty.
• Other Scholarships: Recipients of the Global Academic Excellence Scholarship cannot receive other merit-based scholarships from the University of Adelaide if the combined value exceeds the tuition fee reduction provided by this scholarship.
• Terms and Conditions: Applicants should review the full terms and conditions available on the University of Adelaide’s scholarship webpage for detailed information on exclusions, program eligibility, and other requirements.

How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at the University of Adelaide through the official admissions portal: https://international.adelaide.edu.au/admissions.
2. Ensure all admission requirements, including academic qualifications and English proficiency, are met for an unconditional offer.
3. Submit your application by the relevant deadline (February 28, 2025, for Trimester 2, or May 31, 2025, for Semester 2 and Trimester 3).
4. Await notification from the Scholarships Committee regarding the scholarship outcome.

The  university deadlines are  Semester 1 2026: November 2025: Trimester 2 2026: February 2025; Semester 2 2026: May 2026; Trimester 3 2026:  May 2026