International sponsored students
International students can be sponsored by recognised sponsor organisations for study at UNSW Sydney.
We welcome sponsored students from around the world
At UNSW, there are over 1000 students from more than 30 different countries, who receive financial support from a company, government or organisation to study in Australia. By joining UNSW, you become part of a dynamic and supportive community at a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026), offering you unparalleled opportunities for academic and personal growth.
Currently enrolled sponsored student?
If you need support, our friendly staff at The Nucleus: Student Hub are here to help you thrive.
Are you a sponsor organisation?
If you are a sponsoring body currently funding students at UNSW or would like to become an authorised sponsor, please visit the sponsor organisations page below.
Further resources
Sponsored students are international students who receive funding to study at UNSW from an approved sponsor organisation. Sponsorship may cover tuition and/or living expenses and travel costs, depending on the agreement. To become a sponsored student, you need to organise and secure your own sponsorship.
All sponsored students at UNSW are subject to UNSW’s policies and procedures and Australian Government regulations that govern Australian universities and their international students.
If you do not have an arrangement with a sponsoring organisation, you may wish to look into the range of scholarships we offer to international students͗.
What is a sponsor organisation?
A sponsor organisation, also known as a sponsoring authority, funds all an international student's study expenses. These authorities can be government, non-government, or corporate organisations and must be recognised by UNSW as a sponsoring body.
Sponsored students follow a different admissions process than self-funded international students. 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.
- Apply online: Submit your application through Apply Online. Apply well in advance of the deadlines to allow time for any additional sponsorship applications and requirements.
- Complete sponsorship section: When applying online, complete the sponsorship section indicating that you will be sponsored. Select the correct sponsor organisation from the list provided.
- Upload documents: Provide relevant supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, proof of English proficiency, etc.). Do not submit any preliminary Financial Guarantee letter or International Sponsored Student Agreement (ISSA) before an offer is made, as sponsorship documents can be provided at a later stage.
- Application assessment: The UNSW Admissions Office or the UNSW Graduate Research School will assess your application. If you meet the entry requirements, you will receive a conditional or full letter of offer with further instructions.
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Students will be considered self-funded in the following cases:
- Sponsorship is not secured
- The sponsor organisation is not recognised by UNSW Sydney
- Sponsorship is only partial
As a self-funded student, you must meet the offer conditions and acceptance requirements applicable to regular self-funded students.
If you have any questions, please contact a UNSW Regional Manager for assistance.
UNSW Sydney has changed the way we issue offers to streamline the admissions process. You may read more details about these changes in the How grouped offers round work and how it may impact sponsored students.
You need to upload the below documents to Apply Online portal under the relevant checklist items:
- International Sponsored Student Agreement Form (ISSA)
- Financial Guarantee Letter
- Completed and signed Acceptance and Declaration Form (for U18 and English Language packaged students)
Please complete Accept Online Part 1 once the documents have been uploaded. For detailed instructions, please refer to the Accept Online Part 1 Instructions.
Your documents will be verified by Admissions to issue CoE. Please allow 2 weeks' processing time. If you have any questions about accepting your offer as a sponsored student, please email sponsoredstudents@unsw.edu.au
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International students under the age of 18 arriving in Australia must have approved accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before a student visa can be issued. These arrangements are regulated by the Australian Government to ensure student safety and wellbeing. As a result, your acceptance process will differ slightly.
Step-by-step process to accept your offer
- Accept your offer manually: Upload the following documents via the Apply Online portal.
- Completed and signed Acceptance and Declaration Form
- International Sponsored Student Agreement Form (ISSA) Form
- Financial Guarantee Letter
- Copy of Legal Guardian’s ID
- Nominate your welfare arrangement: As a sponsored student under 18, UNSW Sydney must ensure appropriate welfare arrangements are in place. You must choose one of the following:
- Living with a parent or DHA-approved relative
- Requesting a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) from UNSW
- If a CAAW is required:
- Book and pay for accommodation with an approved provider. Live in UNSW approved accommodation at either New College @ UNSW Campus, Iglu Redfern, Iglu Central, Scape Darling House, Scape Darling Square or Scape Kingsford.
- Once confirmed, UNSW will issue the CAAW letter alongside your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
The CAAW period begins 14 days before the program start date and ends when the student turns 18.
- Apply for CAAW and Under 18s Care Program via Under 18 International Students for UNSW Current Students.
- If your offer includes University English Entry Course (UEEC) package, please refer to Under 18 Student Visa Requirements & Care Arrangements.
- Accept your offer manually: Upload the following documents via the Apply Online portal.
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To maintain applicant equity and improve access for high quality students, UNSW will be implementing a new grouped offer round process for our most in-demand programs. In 2026, this will apply to applicants for:
- Bachelor of Commerce and associated programs
- Bachelor of Exercise Science/Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology
- Master of Laws
- Master of Information Technology and associated programs
What this means for your students
The attainment levels for our grouped offer rounds will apply to your students, subject to the below:
- Where possible, UNSW will issue offers to your students on a rolling basis. UNSW will only issue offers to students who achieve an academic result equivalent to the entry requirement in the most recent previous grouped offer round.
- UNSW will consider students who do not meet this threshold alongside all other applicants in the next grouped offer rounds, where UNSW will make offers based on academic merit and program capacity.
This change ensures a fair, equitable and transparent process for all applicants, while continuing to recognise exceptional academic achievement.
Offer acceptance deadline
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Accept Online Part 1 close date | Last day to upload sponsorship documents |
| Term 3 2025 | 4 August 2025 | 4 August 2025 |
- Payment of fees
- Academic attainment
- Educational support
- Academic reporting
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Payment of fees
If you are set up as a sponsored student, no fees will appear in your myUNSW portal. The Sponsor Accounts Receivable team will liaise directly with your sponsor and issue Sponsor Billing Statements/Invoices approximately one week after the Census date of each term (three times per year). Please note that students are financially responsible for any tuition fees or other charges that remain unpaid by the sponsor.
Academic attainment
As a sponsored student, you are required to maintain satisfactory academic progression during your program. Monitoring your academic progress provides you with the opportunity to get the support you need. For general enquiries about academic progression, please email academic.progression@unsw.edu.au.
Additionally, you must complete your program no later than the published maximum time to complete your program.
If you have repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted the same course, please seek academic advice at the earliest opportunity. Consequences may differ depending on the number of fails for the same course. See maximum repeat fails for more information.
Educational support
If you require educational support, our Student Support Team can help you. Our team can provide you with personalised advice, information about life at university, student visas, academic performance, study skills, UNSW procedures and financial management. Our Student Support Advisors work with all students to guide you on how to succeed at university. Visit student support for more information.
Academic reporting
You can access your transcripts via myUNSW.
UNSW will also provide your sponsor with access to information relating to academic studies (e.g. academic transcripts and research progress reports).
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
As an international student in Australia, you must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your studies. UNSW’s preferred OSHC provider for international students is Medibank.
If your sponsorship includes OSHC, UNSW can purchase the required coverage on your behalf, which will be paid by your sponsor. Please ensure you select the appropriate OSHC level in the ISSA form. If you have dependents and your sponsor does not cover their OSHC, select Single OSHC in the ISSA form. You may then contact Medibank directly to upgrade to Couple or Family coverage at your own expense.
Enrolment changes
As a sponsored student, it’s important to be aware of the procedures and requirements for making changes to your enrolment. Whether it’s a program transfer, academic extension, extending your student visa or taking a leave of absence, each process requires specific steps and documentation. Below, you'll find detailed information on how to navigate these changes effectively. Note that you may also need to seek approval from your sponsor.
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To change degrees as a sponsored student, you must obtain approval from your sponsor and provide an updated Financial Guarantee letter along with a completed International Sponsored Student Agreement (ISSA) form.
You can apply for an Internal Program Transfer via the webform and must also request a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) here. Please note that your request will be rejected if you do not provide a new Financial Guarantee letter from your sponsor.
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To apply for an extension, you must obtain approval from your sponsor and provide an updated Financial Guarantee letter along with a completed International Sponsored Student Agreement (ISSA) form.
You can submit a new CoE request here. Your request will not be approved unless you can provide a new Financial Guarantee letter that covers the extended period.
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If you do not complete your program by the end of the sponsorship end date as outlined in the Financial Guarantee, you must contact your sponsor organisation to lodge a request for an extension. Once the extension request has been approved, a new Financial Guarnatee is required for the extended period by your sponsor.
To renew your student visa, you will need to apply for a new CoE here. Once you receive the new CoE, you can renew your student visa. Visit here for more information about student visas.
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International students on student visas may apply for program leave, but specific conditions apply. Sponsored students must first obtain approval from their sponsor before submitting a program leave request. This approval must be provided as an updated Financial Guarantee letter that covers the extended study duration.
Please note that program leave may impact your student visa, as UNSW is required to report changes in enrolment to the Department of Home Affairs. In many cases, students will need to leave Australia during their leave period. If you have exceptional circumstances and need to remain in Australia, supporting documentation will be required.
We recommend speaking with a Student Support Advisor before applying to ensure you understand the process and any visa implications. For more information, visit here.
Hear from sponsored students
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UNSW's Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office provides assistance to sponsored students by:
- Acting as a liaison between faculties, students, and sponsor organisations
- Helping students understand sponsorship regulations and obligations
- Monitoring academic progress and reporting to sponsor organisations
- Providing information and facilitating access to services
- Coordinating financial arrangements and third-party invoicing services (with assistance from the UNSW Finance Office)
At UNSW, support for sponsored students is delivered through a shared model, coordinated via a central Sponsored Students inbox with contributions from key university teams. This ensures timely and efficient assistance across all aspects of a student’s journey, from pre-admission to graduation. These teams include, but are not limited to:
- Future Students International: New sponsor registration, Offer and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) follow-ups, Course and program-related queries.
- Admissions: Issuance of offer letters, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) processing.
- Sponsor Accounts Receivable: Tuition fees and invoicing, Financial Guarantee letter renewals, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) fees and refunds.
Nucleus Student Service: Issuance of letters for sponsored students, Course and program enrolment queries, Enrolment variation requests and CoE extension.
Sponsored students can contact the relevant teams through the central inbox: sponsoredstudents@unsw.edu.au. This collaborative approach ensures that sponsors and students receive consistent and comprehensive support throughout their time at UNSW.
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A 'Financial Guarantee Letter' is an official declaration from the sponsor organisation that they will sponsor the student. It needs to be written on the sponsor organisation’s letterhead and include:
- The sponsor organisation’s name and contact details
- The student's name
- The university’s name (UNSW Sydney)
- The course name
- Details of sponsorship (i.e. tuition fees, overseas student health cover for single/family)
- Invoicing contact (name, position, address)
- The signature and date of the authorised representative
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Alongside educational support, a dedicated point of contact will be assigned to you and your sponsor organisation. They will be available for virtual and in-person meetings to ensure continuous support every step of the way.
In the lead up to your arrival, you can attend exclusive online webinars to learn about life and study in Sydney. With insights and guidance from current students, you will feel empowered to start your academic journey at UNSW.
We also have a range of on-campus support, such as airport pick-up services from Sydney Airport during Orientation (O-Week), accommodation support, tailored orientation for sponsored students and employability support services and initiatives.
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Yes, but you will be treated as a self-funded student. You will be solely responsible for providing your own records to your sponsor organisation and arranging payment.
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If your scholarship application wasn’t successful, you can still pursue your studies at UNSW Sydney as a self-funded international student. Here’s how to make that transition:
- Request for a funding status change to UNSW admissions team by completing an enquiry form available in this Admission Enquiry Online Form.
- Admissions will review the request for approval. Once approved, admissions will send a revised offer letter with adjustment to a self-funded student.
- Proceed to accept through Accept Online Part I and pay the deposit as required as part of the acceptance process.
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Students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for UNSW could be eligible for study with UNSW College where you could study a range of pathway programs designed to help you gain entry into UNSW degrees. These programs provide additional academic support, preparing students for a seamless transition into university study.
Please note: If you meet the direct entry requirements for your desired UNSW degree, you should apply directly to UNSW, not through a pathway program.
Pathway programs include:
- Academic English – For students who need to improve their English language skills before entering a degree program.
- Foundation Studies – Academic preparation for entry into a wide range of UNSW undergraduate programs.
- Diplomas – For students seeking a direct pathway into the second year of their chosen degree at UNSW.
- Pre-Masters – Supporting postgraduate students in meeting entry requirements for UNSW master's degrees.
For those seeking pathways, learn more about the options available through UNSW College on their website.
