Information for sponsors​

Understanding sponsorships

Sponsorships involve clear responsibilities for both sponsored students and sponsor organisations.

Sponsored students: International students who receive funding from approved sponsor organisations to study at UNSW. Sponsorship may cover tuition and living expenses. Sponsored students must follow UNSW’s policies and procedures, as well as Australian Government regulations that govern Australian universities and their international students.

Click here for more information about sponsored students.

Sponsor organisations: Also referred to as sponsoring authorities are government, not for profit or corporate entities that fund a benefactor's study, travel, living and incidental costs. These organisations must be recognised by UNSW before a student is considered for study. Students will then have access to direct tuition fee billing and other benefits provided to sponsored students. Students whose sponsors are not recognised by UNSW may still enrol, but they will be classified as self-funded students.

What is the procedure to become an authorised UNSW sponsor organisation?​

To become a sponsor organisation at UNSW, please complete the expression of interest form. Once submitted, we will review your application, and if successful, a member of the regional team will contact you to begin the registration and due diligence process. For any enquiries, please contact: sponsoredstudents@unsw.edu.au.

The process for applying as a sponsored student is slightly different to our standard admissions processes. UNSW International student offer rounds do not apply to sponsored students. Instead, offers are issued on a rolling basis with an expected turnaround time of two to four weeks. Sponsored students’ offers do not have an expiry date but are encouraged to accept soon after receiving an offer to allow sufficient time for the student visa application.

Additionally, all offer letters will be conditional upon proof of securing sponsorship.

1. Apply online: Applications must be submitted through Apply Online. It’s highly advisable for students to apply in advanced to allow time for sponsorship arrangements.
2. Complete sponsorship section: Students must indicate that they will be sponsored and select the correct sponsor organisation from the list provided. The application fee will be waived for sponsored students’ applications from recognised sponsoring bodies. 
3. Upload documents: Students must provide relevant supporting documents such as transcripts and proof of English proficiency. Students are not required to submit preliminary Financial Guarantee letters or International Sponsored Student Assessment (ISSA) before an offer is made. These sponsorship documents can be provided later.
4. Application assessment: The UNSW Admissions Office or the UNSW Graduate Research School will assess the students’ application. If the entry requirements are met, we will provide a conditional or full letter of offer with further instructions.

Supporting your sponsored students' offer acceptance

Key information for sponsors

Professional development for sponsors

UNSW Study Abroad Research Practicum Program offers international students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate degrees the opportunity to undertake short-term research placements at UNSW, ranging from 3 to 24 months. Participants will collaborate with a UNSW academic supervisor, gaining access to university services, libraries and campus amenities.  

To be eligible, students must secure a UNSW supervisor, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) and meet UNSW's English language requirements. The program requires an application fee of AUD $330 and a tuition fee of AUD $1,000 per four-month term. For detailed information and application procedures, please visit the UNSW Study Abroad Research Practicum page.