Elite Athlete Support

UNSW was the first Australian university to establish a program of sports scholarships in 1988 and now provides over $100,000 in support to talented student athletes.  The cornerstone of the program is the Ben Lexcen Sport Scholarship program with each scholarship providing up to $5,000 in cash and in-kind support annually.

UNSW Elite Athletes and Performers Entry Program

Under the UNSW Elite Athletes and Performers Entry Program, applicants for undergraduate places can receive up to five bonus points on their ATAR (or recognised senior secondary qualification) for entry into their preferred UNSW program. (Note: Bonus points are not available for admission to the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery program).

For more information please click here.

Elite athletes are defined according to the Australian Sports Commission’s Elite Athlete Friendly University Agreement.

Bonus points are awarded for excellence in a range of approved activities according to the level of expertise reached. For example, five points may be awarded for state and national representative sport.

The Elite Athletes and Performers Entry Program also provides eligible students in all study programs the necessary support to successfully integrate their academic life with their sporting pursuits through enrolment flexibility, cross-institutional study options and leave of absence for travel commitments.  

Current Scholars
Past Scholars

A number of scholarships are available each year:


Category   Benefits
Ben Lexcen Scholarship  
  • Up to $5,000 in cash and ‘ in kind’ support
  • Sports science support
  • Strength and conditioning program
  • Sports psychology
  • Gym membership
  • AUG package cost waived (travel costs not included)
  • ‘Elite Performer’ recognition
  • Grant to offset travel costs to recognised international sporting events
High Performance Scholarship
  
  • Up to $1,500 cash
  • Sports science support
  • Strength and conditioning program
  • Sports psychology
  • Gym membership
  • AUG package cost waived (travel costs not included)
  • ‘Elite Performer’ recognition
  • Grant to offset travel costs to recognised international sporting events
Club scholarship
  
  • Sports science support
  • Strength and conditioning program
  • Sports psychology
  • Gym membership
  • AUG package cost waived (travel and entry fee not included)
  • Club to waive membership fees
Honorary Ben Lexcen Scholar ship
  
  • ‘Elite Performer’ recognition
  • Gym membership (if required)


Notes:

1. Support under the Elite Athlete Support Program is limited to enrolled UNSW students.
2. The Lexcen Scholarships will be governed by the conditions outlined in the Lexcen Sports Scholarships Protocol.
3. Apart from the Honorary Lexcen Scholar category, applicants are expected to make themselves available for selection to compete/coach in identified University Sport events in their chosen sport (or University Sport equivalent), and would be expected to make a significant contribution to the performance of the UNSW team at the identified University Sport event.
4. Elite Performer recognition enables the recipient to be considered for academic flexibility where training and competition (especially due to international travel) impacts on course attendance, enrolment status and/or assessment tasks.
5. Only student-athletes selected to compete international events recognised by the sport’s International Federation (as determined by the Australian Sports Commission or as evidenced by affiliation with the International Olympic Committee) will be eligible to apply for international travel grants. Events may include selection events for Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games or World Championships. International events sanctioned by Australian University Sport are included.
6. Preference will be given to student-athletes who are active members of UNSW affiliated Clubs where their chosen sport has an affiliated UNSW Club.
7. Consideration will also be given to student-athletes where their chosen sport does not have a UNSW affiliated Club, or if the relevant UNSW Club does not provide a suitable level of competition.

How To Apply:

For information on how to apply visit: http://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/scholarship/sc_al_authentication.login

or contact Helen Bryson on (02) 9385 5725 or email  h.bryson@unsw.edu.au