Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship

Asia offers unmatched opportunities for growth, innovation, and cultural exploration—where tradition meets cutting-edge progress. It also accounts for most of Australia’s global trade – it’s the hub of our economy, a tech innovation powerhouse, and a place where bold, forward-thinking leaders are shaping tomorrow’s world. With the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship, our scholars will gain first-hand experience in this dynamic region—opening doors to global trade, technology, innovation, and leadership like nowhere else.

The Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship includes:

• $12,700 to cover travel costs, accommodation, cultural immersion activities and other overseas expenses for up to two-semesters. Plus, participation in the Leadership Development Program
• A one-week residential experience in Singapore to enhance cultural-competency, establish support networks and connect with Australia-Asia thought leaders
• Access to opportunities beyond the classroom to experience the local culture, build life-long connections and develop scholars as Asia-capable leaders
• Lifelong membership of the W100 Scholars Network – a diverse and growing community of inspiring Aussies ready to collaborate, challenge and offer support. Plus, hard-to-access networking and professional development opportunities.
• Attendance at the Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you need to:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be studying full-time at one of our 14 participating Australian universities.
• Be an undergraduate student (including Honours students) enrolled in second year or beyond when commencing the exchange.
• Hold a minimum of a credit average.
• Be intending to complete a university-approved exchange program for one to two semesters in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan, pending no travel restrictions.
• Be intending to commence exchange in semester 2, 2025, for the start of semester at your host university in Asia, pending no travel restrictions. Please note, most universities in our selected destinations refer to this as the ‘Fall semester’.
• Not currently hold citizenship (including dual citizenship), permanent residency, or have resided 5+ years in your intended exchange destination. 
• Meet UOW exchange requirements and applicant criteria.
• Intend to study a one or two semester exchange.
• Not hold or intend to hold another merit-based scholarship for the purpose of tertiary study in Asia.
• Be eligible for or have received approval to undertake a semester-long exchange program at one of the below locations.

Eligible locations

China

• Beijing Jiatong University
• Central China Normal University
• Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
• University Jinan
• Wuhan University
• Shanghai International Studies University
• Shanghai University
• Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
• Tianjin University
• Tongji University
• University of Science and Technology of China
• Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Hong Kong

• City University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Baptist University
• The Education University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• UOW College Hong Kong

Japan

• Aichi Prefectural University
• Aoyama Gakuin University 
• Doshisha University 
• Hiroshima Shudo University 
• Kobe University
• Kwansei Gakuin University 
• J.F. Oberlin University 
• Oita University 
• Otaru University of Commerce 
• Shinshu University
• University of Electro-Communications 
• Toyo University

Singapore

• Nanyang Technological University
• Singapore Institute of Management

South Korea

• Chung-Ang University
• Seoul National University
• Kyung Hee University School of Management
• Pohang University of Science and Technology
• Sogang University

Taiwan

• Soochow University
• National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
• National Tsing Hua University

Before you submit your application, you need to: 

• Check your eligbility for student exchange.
• Discuss your exchange options with a member of the Study Overseas team.

Apply now:

1. Apply for the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship: applications will be open from 2nd October 2024. Scholarship guidelines and other useful information can be found at the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship site.
   
   
2. Apply for the UOW Exchange program in Spring 2025: submit your application by 1 December 2024. 

Note:

• Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their scholarship application in February/March 2025. 
• Once applications close for the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation, they will contact the candidates to complete a video interview. The Westpac Bicentennial Foundation will convene selection panels to determine successful candidates. 
• For information about UOW exchange programs to the Universities listed under the eligibility tab, please contact our team at study-overseas@uow.edu.au.