Experience a taste of university life
The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program is designed to support you as a secondary school student in achieving your personal best.
Join an exciting two-year program of events and activities that will expand your academic and personal horizons to prepare you for success at university and beyond.
Each year, ambitious Year 10 students from Victoria and select schools in the border regions of New South Wales or South Australia are encouraged to apply for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.
Benefits of being a Young Scholar
Personal development workshops and academic events
Develop the academic, professional and communication skills to set you up for success for your studies and beyond.
Join a community of ambitious students
Young Scholars come from diverse backgrounds. You’ll form a close bond with your peers throughout the two-year program, taking part in numerous events and activities including personal development workshops and overnight adventures on campus.
Help at every step of the way
We are committed to helping you achieve your academic and personal best. Our team are on hand to offer you assistance any time you have questions about the program, events, University resources or future study at Melbourne.
VCE Unit 3/4 revision lectures
Access lecture slides, handouts and sample essays to help prepare you for your upcoming exams during Term 2/3 school holidays (for Year 11 and 12 students studying Unit 3/4 subjects).
Largest library collection in the southern hemisphere
Access more than 3.5 million books and study resources to help you to achieve your best. Our library network includes specialist resources in law, business, chemistry, physics, architecture, biomedicine, fine arts and music.
Celebration event
Join your community of Young Scholars and their families to celebrate the end of the program and secondary school with this final hosted event.
Young Scholar alum benefits
Once you finish your secondary studies and graduate from the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program you could be eligible for guaranteed place in an undergraduate course, financial assistance to move to Melbourne and an overseas scholarship if you decide to study at the University of Melbourne.
Learn moreHow to apply
To be eligible to apply for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, you must be in Year 10 and attend school in Victoria or the border regions of New South Wales. Student applications are open from 20 July to 28 August 2026.
As well as submitting your student application, you’ll need to be endorsed by your school. School endorsements for the Class of 2028 are open from 2 September to 23 October 2026.
Year 10 students interested in applying need to speak with their year-level coordinator, career adviser or principal to obtain the application form.
Key dates for Class of 2028 applications
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Monday
20 July 2026 -
Applications open for current Year 10 students
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Friday
30 August 2026 -
Student applications close
Student applications to be submitted by 11.59pm on this day
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Wednesday
2 September 2026 -
School endorsements open
Principals and/or careers advisers endorse up to 5 selected students
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Friday
23 October 2026 -
School endorsements close
School endorsements need to be submitted by 11.59pm on this day
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Monday
9 November 2026 -
Notification of outcomes
Schools and students notified of application outcomes
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TBC
January 2027 -
Welcome event for Class of 2028
Successful applicants welcomed into the program
About Professor Kwong Lee Dow
Professor Kwong Lee Dow is a former University Vice-Chancellor, a distinguished education scholar, and an active contributor to curriculum reforms.
He was appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 1984 and in 2012, was made an Officer of the Order. He has received various awards and recognition for his achievements and leadership.
In 2007, the University of Melbourne welcomed 700 of Victoria's most talented secondary students as the inaugural Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. Today, the number of Young Scholars who have participated in the program has reached more than 8000 students from 500 participating schools.
Need further support?
Send your questions about the program with an email to young-scholars@unimelb.edu.au