The Global Academic Excellence 50% International Scholarship recognises outstanding academic merit. It applies to eligible international students starting a coursework degree at the University of Adelaide, with specific intake dates and conditions each year. Read the quick facts, eligibility rules, closing dates, and a step-by-step application plan below.

Quick facts

• Value: 50% reduction of international tuition fees for the minimum standard duration of the degree.
• Level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate coursework (research degrees are excluded).
• Selection: academic merit + Scholarship Selection Committee review; meeting minimums doesn’t guarantee an offer.
• Continuing requirement: maintain full-time study and a minimum overall GPA during the program (see “Keep the award”).

Who can apply (eligibility summary)

• International student status (not citizen/PR of Australia or NZ).
• Academic thresholds (2025):
  • UG entry via ATAR 99.9 (or international equivalent); or
  • GPA 6.9/7.0 (or comparable) for UG/PG coursework; or
  • GPA 6.8/7.0 if your most recent studies were in Australia (including at UofA).
• Citizenship/onshore scope (2025): open to citizens of Vietnam, Taiwan, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and applicants who completed their most recent qualification onshore in Australia.
• Offer status: must be eligible for an Unconditional Offer to the target program and submit by the published closing dates.

Programs not covered (key exclusions)

• All non-award programs, Masters by Research and PhD.
• Most Health & Medical Sciences programs (with a small list of included exceptions, e.g., Bachelor of Nursing, Public Health suite, etc.).
• MBA (Standard 1.5-year), Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Closing dates (2025 intakes)

Trimester 1 & Semester 1: 30 Nov 2024 • Trimester 2: 28 Feb 2025 • Semester 2 & Trimester 3: 31 May 2025.

Note for 2026: the University indicates 2026 scholarship information is released closer to the year; applications are scheduled to open around mid-January 2026. Always verify the live page for updates.

How to apply (simple plan)

1. Choose your degree (coursework only) and check it isn’t on the excluded list.
2. Apply for admission early and aim for an Unconditional Offer before the scholarship closing date.
3. Scholarship consideration is based on your admission file: if you meet the academic minimums, your case goes to the Scholarships Committee.
4. Accept on time: if awarded, your scholarship appears in your Offer of Admission; accept before the lapse date and pay the acceptance fee.

Keeping the scholarship (ongoing conditions)

• Full-time study load each teaching period (unless a study plan says otherwise).
• Minimum overall GPA during the program (typically ≥ 6.0/7.0); progress is reviewed each teaching period.
• Remain an international student and meet all tuition due dates and university policies.
• The scholarship is a tuition fee waiver (not cash); it can’t be transferred to another program or deferred to a later intake.

What it does not cover

Living costs, visas, OSHC, SSAF, accommodation, travel, textbooks, extra courses outside your program, or any additional study beyond the standard duration remain your responsibility.

Didn’t meet the 50% cut? Try this

Consider the University’s Global Citizens Scholarship, which offers a 15% or 30% tuition reduction for eligible international students (based on academic merit and degree level).

FAQs (quick)

Is it automatic? No. You’re assessed during the admission process; high achievers are reviewed by a committee.

How many awards? The 50% scheme is competitive and may be capped (e.g., up to ten places in a cycle); meeting minimums doesn’t guarantee an offer.

Can I hold multiple scholarships? The University usually awards the highest value eligible scholarship and prevents stacking with larger external awards.

Can I defer? Generally no—recipients must commence in the intake for which the award was offered.

• Verify all details on the University’s official pages before applying.