UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarships

Unparalleled investment in your career

The UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme is part of our dedication to harnessing our cutting-edge research to solve complex problems and improve the lives of people in local and global communities.

A goal of the Scheme is to train outstanding PhD scholars who demonstrate a strong commitment to making a difference in the world, and who have the potential to contribute to the social engagement and/or global impact pillars of the UNSW 2025 Strategy.

Scientia PhD candidates receive career coaching, mentoring and professional development opportunities, while undertaking strategic research projects in an environment of research excellence, leadership and community.

Over 400 Scientia PhD candidates have been enrolled under this Scheme since 2017.

UNSW is not currently recruiting candidates for this Scheme.

Watch: Jane Qian, Scientia PhD candidate and Scientia Professor, Michelle Simmons on the benefits of a Scientia PhD Scholarship

Meet some of our current Scientia PhD candidates

Agus Poerwoprajitno - Scientia PhD candidate

Barton Lee - Scientia PhD candidate

Samitha Fernando - Scientia PhD candidate

Yuting Yuan - Scientia PhD candidate

Currently enrolled Scientia PhD candidates can find the Terms and Conditions here.

UNSW - Australia's Global University

With access to unparalleled research support, world-class infrastructure, industry-leading mentors and an academic environment that has produced numerous world firsts, it is easy to see why leading researchers choose UNSW Sydney.

UNSW is a research-intensive university ranked in the world’s top 50 universities (QS rankings 2019).

We are proud to say our research facilities are some of the best in the business. From the world-leading Lowy Cancer Research Centre to the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, we invest in the latest technologies, spaces and equipment to support research excellence across all disciplines.

Our Sydney campus is home to 62,500 students from over 120 countries. We aspire to be Australia's global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.

Find out more:

World-class research teams

UNSW is known for innovative and pioneering research that has global impact.

As a Scientia Scholarship candidate you will join a vibrant research community and be supervised by leading experts in your field.

Here are just a few of our research highlights:

UNSW has more top ratings in broad fields of research than any other Australian university (2018 Excellence in Research in Australia report).
81 specific research subjects rated “above or well above world standard” (2018 Excellence in Research in Australia report).
UNSW awarded the highest number of Australian Research Council Discovery Projects in Australia for three years in a row (2017, 2018, and 2019). Total funding awarded over that period was in excess of $91m.
A 7,000-strong research community.

Find out more at UNSW Research.