Dean's Scholars Program

The Dean’s Scholars streams cater for students who want to do our degrees – and do well.

The degree program provides a facilitated path through the Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Media Studies and International Studies degrees with ‘value-adding’ along the way. The program enriches your education through additional seminars, workshops and academic mentoring and encourages the completion of honours and research degrees. It provides leadership opportunities through the Faculty’s Peer Mentoring Program as well as through optional committee membership of the Faculty’s Student and Staff Association. Students enrolled in the Dean's Scholar streams fulfil the same requirements for their respective course but have to maintain a distinction average to remain in the Dean’s Scholars program.

Being a Dean’s Scholar offers a challenge to high-achieving students. With the approval of Program Heads, Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first year students, and to perform above the level normally expected at first year. They will be granted extended subject loads, enabling them, if they choose, to complete the degree in under the normal three years.

Whilst the Dean’s Scholars streams of the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies and the Bachelor of International Studies degrees are not attached to a scholarship, students who wish to be considered for the program are encouraged to apply for the University’s Undergraduate, Residential, Foundation or Equity and Merit Scholarships. Find out more at our Scholarships site.

Students also benefit from:

• Access to shared study and work space
• Yearly textbook/resource allowance for full-time students
• Limited printing privileges
• Dean’s Scholars fortnightly lunch time seminar series; seminars are conducted by high profile academic staff as well as visiting fellows
• Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars
• End of year Dean’s Scholars Annual Dinner
• Extended library privileges

The Sub Deans oversee the program and have regular meetings with the scholars. Dean’s Scholars are assigned an academic mentor – a member of academic staff who nominates to advise the student on matters concerned with the degree. On successful completion of the Degree, Dean’s Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours, provided the Faculty can provide supervision for the proposed topic.

The Dean’s Scholars streams are available to high-achieving single degree students enrolling in the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (Dean’s Scholar) 702A
• Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean’s Scholar) 324
• Bachelor of International Studies (Dean’s Scholar) 323
• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean's Scholar) 
• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of International Studies (Dean's Scholar)
• Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies / Bachelor of International Studies (Dean's Scholar)

Admission

HSC Applicants

An ATAR of at least 90 (or equivalent for non-HSC admissions) is required for admission to the Dean’s Scholars programs. Students must maintain a Distinction (75%) average to remain in this degree program. If, at the end of the academic year, the average is below 75, students will be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts; Communications and Media Studies or International Studies degrees.

Admission to this course is on the basis of application and interview and there is a limited intake to the course.  

Application

In addition to applying through UAC, candidates must complete the online Dean's Scholar application form and attend an interview in December. 

Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholar (702A) Application form
Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Dean’s Scholar (324) Application form
Bachelor of International Studies Dean’s Scholar (323) Application form
Double Degrees Dean's Scholar Application forms

Applications close 31 October

Non-HSC and International Applicants

Entry Requirements: ATAR or Weighted Average Mark deemed equivalent to entry requirements for domestic students and interview.

Other Acceptable Qualifications:

• an Australian Year 12 certificate (in Australia or overseas) and  interview
• an International Baccalaureate (IB) (in Australia or overseas) + interview
• the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 + interview
• Students who have completed relevant post-high school studies can apply directly for a place in this degree.  These can include: Foundation Studies courses offered by Australian universities (including Wollongong College Australia), either in Australia or overseas One or more semesters of study at a recognised university either in Australia or overseas. A diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree gained in Australia or overseas .
• Applicants must have an ATAR or Weighted Average Mark deemed equivalent to entry requirements for domestic students and attend an interview.

Application 

Please complete the online application form for the Dean's Scholar Program 
(for non HSC and International applicants).

Applications close 31 October

Current Students

Current students should visit the transfer to the Dean's Scholar program page.