How to apply

To apply for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars prorgam, you must be in Year 10 and attend school in Victoria or the border regions of New South Wales or South Australia.

Applications open in mid-August each year and selection outcomes are announced in mid-November.

Students apply using an online application form and must be endorsed by their schools to be considered for selection. Please have a conversation with your year level coordinator or careers teacher before you apply or fill out the expression of interest form.

Information on the application process and links to submit applications are sent to all eligible schools in early August each year.

Key dates

Monday
16 August 2021
Applications open for 2022

Current Year 10 students are encouraged to speak with their year advisor, careers counsellor or principal to prepare their application and school endorsement

Friday
17 September 2021
Student applications close for 2022

Student applications need to be submitted by 5pm on this day

Friday
8 October 2021
School endorsements close for 2022

School endorsements need to be submitted by 5pm on this day

Wednesday
17 November 2021
Notification of outcomes

Schools and students will be notified of application outcomes


December
Welcome event for Class of 2023

Successful Year 10 applicants welcomed into the program

Eligibility and conditions

To be eligible to apply for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars program, students must be in Year 10 at a high school in Victoria or select schools on the SA and NSW border region.

The selection panel will consider:

  • Your academic performance – you should be in the top 5 per cent of students in your year level at your school
  • Your leadership potential – you must be able to demonstrate evidence of leadership, active citizenship and community involvement
  • Your school’s statement of endorsement.

Eligibility for guaranteed entry into an undergraduate degree

The University of Melbourne guarantees eligible domestic Young Scholars entry into selected Melbourne undergraduate programs in the year following Year 12 provided they achieve an ATAR or notional ATAR equal to or greater than 95.00; or 90.00 if they have undertaken Year 12 at a Victorian under-represented school in the year prior to entry. Applicants also need to meet the entry requirements for the course, including satisfying prerequisites and any additional course requirements. The guarantee does not include the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship or Graduate Degree Packages.

Conditions
  • The undergraduate selection guarantee is only available to eligible domestic Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. International Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars are subject to the international undergraduate guaranteed entry requirements
  • Eligible Young Scholars must have completed the VCE, SACE, HSC or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in a Victorian secondary school or an approved border New South Wales or South Australian secondary school. Young Scholars must enrol at the University of Melbourne immediately in the year following Year 12 or be granted an approved deferral by the University
  • The undergraduate selection guarantee is available for mid-year entry in the year following Year 12 studies as long as no further study at secondary or tertiary level has been undertaken in the interim
  • The normal University deferral policy applies
  • Young Scholars must not have undertaken previous study at tertiary level (excluding TAFE and extension studies undertaken as part of a Year 12 program)
  • A quota may apply for the Bachelor of Biomedicine at faculty discretion.

Eligibility for relocation allowance

Young Scholars from regional Victoria and border areas of New South Wales and South Australia can receive a $2,500 relocation allowance to assist with the costs of settling into Melbourne. They must complete the VCE, SACE, HSC or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in a Victorian or approved border New South Wales or South Australian secondary school.

A Young Scholar’s permanent home address postcode must be interstate or within one of the Victorian Government's designated rural council areas at the time of applying for and enrolling into a University of Melbourne undergraduate course. Download the spreadsheet and type in your postcode to see if you’re eligible.

Conditions
  • Young Scholars must receive a University of Melbourne undergraduate course offer for entry in the year following Year 12 and either enrol immediately or be granted an approved deferral by the University. The relocation allowance benefit is available for mid-year undergraduate entry in the year following Year 12 as long as no further study has been undertaken since Year 12
  • The relocation allowance will be paid to eligible students after the next Census Date following their enrolment and commencement in their Melbourne undergraduate studies
  • Young Scholars on an approved deferral from a University of Melbourne undergraduate course will be awarded the relocation allowance at the next Census Date after their enrolment and commencement in their Melbourne undergraduate studies.

Eligibility for Melbourne Global Scholars Award

Young Scholars can receive a Melbourne Global Scholars Award in the second or third year of undergraduate study at the University of Melbourne to enable them to participate in an approved international mobility program for credit or to meet a hurdle requirement in their Melbourne undergraduate degree.

Mobility Awards

Funding options for study overseas

Conditions
  • Young Scholars must receive a University of Melbourne undergraduate course offer for entry in the year following Year 12 and either enrol immediately or be granted an approved deferral by the University. Students who commence study at mid-year in the year following Year 12 and under took no further study since Year 12 are also eligible.