Experience university
Get hands-on at UNSW and figure out if you'd like to pursue a university education.
Get first-hand experience of life at uni
If you're curious about studying at uni, but just aren't sure if it's a commitment you're ready to make, you've come to the right place!
We offer a range of programs that give Indigenous peoples first-hand experience of life at uni, even if you haven't completed year 12.
Meet some of our students
Chad Buckman
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering)
Chad Buckman is a Gomeroi man from Cobar, a rural mining town in NSW. Now in his third year of Mechanical Engineering, Chad has led the UNSW team at two consecutive Indigenous Nationals Games, a position that speaks to both his character and commitment.
Through sport, study, and community, Chad is carving out a path that blends culture, leadership, and engineering.
He was named Most Valuable Player for Netball at the 2025 Indigenous Nationals.
Kodie Mason
Bachelor of Social Research & Policy (Indigenous Studies)
Kodie's story is deeply rooted in her upbringing in the La Perouse Aboriginal Reserve and Mission, one of the first in NSW. With seven generations of her family born and raised on the Reserve, Kodie was surrounded by community, giving her a strong sense of pride in her identity as a Dharawal, Ngarigo and Dunghutti woman from Kamay.
The Reserve also provided her with a firsthand experience of social policy's impact on a community. "I felt, witnessed and experienced the effects of policy, you know, the effects of bad policy and what that did to Aboriginal people, how that impacted my family and my community." Kodie comes from a strong line of leaders in the Aboriginal community, and hearing their stories and seeing their life's work made a lasting impression. "I wanted to make a difference," she says.
Since graduating Kodie has worked as a dedicated Project Officer at the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance and have recently accepted a role at Policy officer at NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc and continues to build her business Malima and work as a casual academic at UNSW. Kodie is continuing the work of community leaders before her, preserving Indigenous culture and knowledge through social policy, education and connection to community.
Matt Jarrett
Bachelor of Laws
For Matt Jarrett, the human aspect of the law sparks his curiosity. Fascinated by people, society and the human story in every facet of the law, Matt recognises that when social values are paired with the role the law plays, people can make real change.
“As a proud Dunghutti fella, I made a conscious decision to study at UNSW because I am passionate about social justice and creating opportunities for better outcomes for First Nations peoples. UNSW has a great reputation for being proactive on social issues and reflecting those values in the courses offered.”
- Matt Jarrett
Programs for high school students
Nura Gili and UNSW have a range of programs specifically for students in year 10, 11 or 12.
They’re all about empowering you to blaze through your final years of high school, explore your career interests, identify your strengths, and forge a path to the future you want to build.
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The Indigenous Blak Hack Program is a week-long program held at UNSW’s Kensington campus for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in year 12.
It empowers you with problem-solving skills, fosters career exploration, and encourages cultural connection. Through engaging workshops, a dynamic hackathon and mentorship from faculty and community leaders, you'll collaboratively develop solutions to real-world challenges.
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If you’re interested in engineering as a career, this week-long program is for you!
The program offers engaging activities that’ll showcase the various sides of engineering.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet engineers and explore the essential role engineering plays in the community.
You’ll also stay on campus to experience uni life firsthand, make new friends, and gain a clearer understanding of engineering as both a field of study and a career path.
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The Gateway Program is all about strengthening your journey to uni from years 10 to 12.
You’ll learn how to navigate your final exams, dive into your interests to see which one will lead to your career and give you a taste of life as a uni student.
Spring Forum for non-school leavers
Our Indigenous Spring Forum Program is designed to help Indigenous non-school leavers build confidence and gain a deeper understanding of uni life while connecting with the Nura Gili community.
The forum highlights the tools and services available to help you succeed, offering opportunities to meet faculty members, explore study pathways, and feel confident knowing there's a strong network available to help you achieve their goals on campus.
Visit UNSW and Nura Gili
Don’t have time to join one of our programs? No worries! You’re more than welcome to drop by Nura Gili and explore UNSW whenever it suits you.
Always was, always will be
The UNSW Kensington Campus is a veneer built on top of an ancient landscape of high sand dunes and swampy swales. They are tens of thousands of years old and many metres deep...
The site of UNSW is near an 8000-year-old campsite around which the people of the area taught culture, history and subsistence.
From an old age past through to the present, the site holds significance as a place for gathering, meeting, teaching and sharing.
The idea that there is a place at UNSW where a fire has been burning, a place where people can come to gather and share is indeed the inspiration, drive and purpose for all involved in the Indigenous programs and services at UNSW.
Helpful resources
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All of UNSW's degrees and study areas sit within one of their seven faculties and university college.
The people who work and study at UNSW use their distinct areas of study to help tackle our greatest challenges and shape a better future for everyone.
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Planning for uni is different for everyone - there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
It’s not about making every decision at once, but taking the right steps at the right time.
Use UNSW's year-by-year guide to make sure you’re checking the right steps off your list and start imagining what your life will look like at UNSW.
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Being a uni student isn’t just about working towards your dream job. It’s also about growing into the person you want to be!
While studying you’ll make lifelong friendships with so many different people who’ll expand how you see the world, join clubs and societies that’ll push you out of your comfort zone to make you more confident and curious, and go to more social events than you’ll remember by the time you’ve finished your degree.
Uni will be a period you look back on with pride and joy, and it’s a path well worth considering.
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Not sure which degree is right for you? Take this 2 minute test to learn which one best suits your personality!
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ABSTUDY offers financial help for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices.
Depending on your circumstances, ABSTUDY can help with:
- school fees
- boarding fees
- living costs
- travel costs, and
- buying school materials.
Got a question?
We know the process of applying for uni and completing your studies can be overwhelming, so if you have any questions at all, please get in touch.
Our friendly staff are here to help guide you through the process!
Learn more about us
