Science

Prizes & awards

Each year we celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our science students through awards and prizes.

Student receiving certificate

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university life accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a local or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey. 

Supporting student excellence in science 

With several one-off and continuing scholarships, we support undergraduate students in their studies at UNSW by providing financial assistance to help them fulfil their potential. We also have scholarships for high school leavers, rural and Indigenous Australian students. 

We assist postgraduate researchers with a range of prestigious scholarships with annual stipends, living allowances, tuition fee costs, travel scholarships and supplements. Our scholarships support both current and new postgraduate research candidates.    

For more information on fees for postgraduate research students or detailed information about domestic, international, travel and other discipline related scholarships, visit UNSW Graduate Research Scholarships.  

Prizes & awards 

UNSW Science offers several prizes and awards to recognise academic achievement across a wide range of subject areas including aviation, environmental science, chemistry, engineering, psychology and more.    

Browse UNSW Prizes to discover more awards in the Faculty of Science and determine what prizes you may be eligible for.   

Science Dean's Award

Once a year, we acknowledge the outstanding performance of a select number of students, by awarding 100 high-performing undergraduates with a Science Dean’s Award for academic excellence.  Ranking is based on cumulative weighted average mark (WAM) across the previous calendar year (all teaching periods) with an inclusive gender lens applied.

From 2022, in lieu of hard-copy certificates, the faculty is trailing Credly digital badging. Recipents will be able to share their achievements on platforms such as LinkedIn, Seek and social media.

Who’s Eligible?

Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate science program (including dual degrees) who have, at the end of the previous year: 

  • Successfully completed at least 36 units of credit (UOC) total.
  • Completed a minimum 24 UOC science courses.

Awards are not available to students who: 

  • Have recorded a late withdrawal (AW) grade. 
  • Have completed an honours year.* 

*Honours students, instead, are considered for Honours and the University Medal in their final year.