Can You Actually Study at UNSW Without Breaking the Bank? Yes—Here's How.

Alright, let's talk about the big stuff. You've got your dream school in mind—UNSW. You've checked out the courses, imagined yourself strolling around the Kensington campus, and maybe even Googled what the best coffee near campus is (it's a thing, trust me).

But then, reality hits. Tuition. Living expenses. Flights. Gulp.

Here's the good news: UNSW knows it's a lot, and they're offering scholarships just for international students starting in Term 3, 2025. Some are huge (like full tuition), and some are just enough to make things a little less stressful. Either way, it's worth applying.

And don't worry—I'll walk you through it without the jargon overload.

What's This PUCA1029 Everyone's Talking About?

It's not a code name for a secret mission, I promise. PUCA1029 is just the umbrella application for a whole group of scholarships. You apply once, and you're considered for several scholarships under that category. Neat, right?

Official link
 

Applications open on 1 May 2025 and close on 15 July 2025 at 11:59 PM AEST. So, don't snooze on it.
 

Scholarships That Need You to Apply (Yes, You Do Have to Put in Some Effort)

Once you apply through PUCA1029, you could be considered for these:

1. International Scientia Coursework Scholarship

• Option 1: Full tuition covered. Let that sink in.
• Option 2: $20,000 per year towards your fees.
• For anyone starting a full-time undergrad or postgrad coursework degree (sorry, no online or Canberra programs here).

2. UNSW Law & Justice International Award

• $10,000 toward your tuition for 1 year.
• If you're going into an LLB, JD, or LLM program, this one might be for you.

3. Business School International Pathways Award

• $15,000 for one year.
• Only for undergrad Business students coming in through a pathway program like UNSW Foundation Studies or a partner institution.

4.  Business School International Scholarship

• Worth $5,000 per year.
• This is for undergrad or postgraduate business students, but not if you've already scored the Pathways Award above.
   

Who's Eligible?

Let's keep it simple:

• You must be an international student.
• You must have received an offer of admission (unconditional or conditional with an English package) for Term 3, 2025, by 15 July 2025.
• If you're still waiting on final high school or UAC results, you can still apply—but your scholarship will depend on getting that final UNSW offer.
   

What Are They Looking For?

Think of it like a well-rounded resume. Your application is judged on:

• Academic results
• Leadership (in school, work, or community)
• Activities outside the classroom (sports, arts, volunteer work, anything that shows personality)
• Your motivation for choosing UNSW (hint: make it personal and specific)

Pro tip: Back everything up. Saying "I volunteered" won't help unless you show proof.
 

Scholarships That You Don't Have to Apply For (Yes, It Happens)

UNSW also offers automatic scholarships—you don't need to fill out a separate form. If you're eligible and you've been offered admission, you're in the running. Some of the top ones include:

1. Australia's Global University Award

• $10,000 for your second term
• Just be a full-time, on-campus student

2. UNSW College Award

• Also, $10,000, and also for your second term
• For those coming from the UNSW Global Foundation Studies

3. UNSW Master of Laws Scholarship

• $20,000 if you're joining the LLM program and studied at a Law School Global League or partner university

4. UNSW Articulation Scholarships

• $5,000 per year, paid as a stipend
• For students from institutions like VIT, Christ University, Manipal, and more
   

Bonus: The International Student Award

This one's interesting—it gives a 15% discount on tuition fees for your entire program. You don't need to apply separately, but if you're eligible, they'll ask you to write a short motivation statement. That's it.

A Little Honesty Before You Go

Scholarships aren't guaranteed. UNSW won't hand them out just because you clicked "submit." They might hold off if they feel no one fits the bill or your documentation is lacking.

So, be honest. Be thorough. Be early.
 

What Should You Do Now?

• Mark 1 May to 15 July 2025 on your calendar. That's your window.
• If you haven't applied to UNSW yet, start there. No offer = no scholarship.
• Once you've got your offer, jump into the PUCA1029 portal, register or log in, and start your application.
• Keep all your supporting docs ready and polished.
• Don't be shy to ask questions. Their FAQ section is gold.
   

In the end, this could be your chance to study at a world-class university without emptying your savings. So whether you're dreaming of building cities, arguing cases in court, decoding economic models, or making your mark in sustainability—don't let tuition stop you from chasing your big moment.

Now, go get that scholarship.