Deadline: 30-Apr-21
The Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders for development. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
Australia’s international development assistance in Samoa helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance political stability.
Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Samoa.
Priority Fields of Study
The priority areas of study for Samoa are:
- Education (focus on Inclusive Education and Early Childhood Education)
- Health (focus on Allied Health and specialised technical fields)
- TVET
- Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries
- Community and Social Development (focus on gender and rural development)
- Commerce and Industry
- Information Communication Technology
- Infrastructure, Utility and Transport
- Public Administration
- Tourism
- Law and Justice (focus on specialisations in areas such as Maritime, Environmental, Commercial and International Law, Forensics and Drafting).
Level of Study
- Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Samoa with the opportunity to obtain an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters) qualification at an Australian or regional tertiary institution.
- The program will offer a mix of Australia Awards scholarships for study in Australia, in the region, and online.
Australia Awards Benefits
- Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.
- Scholarship recipients will receive the following:
- return and reunion air travel
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- full tuition fees
- contribution to living expenses
- introductory academic program
- overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship
- supplementary academic support
- fieldwork allowance for research students and master’s by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Eligibility Criteria
- English language proficiency:
- Applicants must have achieved an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score of less than (6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score. Scores must be valid at 1 January 2022.
- Commencement of study:
- All scholarships must be taken up in the year for which they are awarded, this however also depends on travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
- Country-specific conditions:
- In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Samoa must also meet the following conditions:
- Applicant must request a new course of study and not seek support for a course already commenced;
- Applicant must be applying for an upgrade of their highest qualification;
- Samoan citizens holding citizenship of any other developed country (including American Samoa/USA, Australia) are ineligible to apply;
- Must be currently employed and have worked in Samoa for more than 2 years (Open Category);
- Must have completed the Foundation Year at the National University of Samoa (Foundation Category)
- Must be residing in Samoa / have resided for a minimum of 2 consecutive years at the time of application;
- Must sign a Government Scholarship Bond prior to departure for study;
- Applicants must have a valid email address in order to receive notifications on the status of their application.
For more information, visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/samoa-information-for-intake
