What is the Humanitarian Scholarship Program?

The UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program (HSP) removes barriers to higher education for students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds by combining financial assistance with academic, professional and community connections that support success at university and beyond.

The HSP combines practical support with meaningful opportunities for connection and professional growth through:

  • assistance with tuition fees and educational costs
  • academic mentoring and peer tutoring
  • career coaching and industry mentoring
  • paid internships opportunities
  • peer mentoring and social connection
  • alumni engagement and networking opportunities
  • access to community support services.

This holistic approach helps our students to build confidence, develop professional capabilities and create lifelong networks.

Creating pathways to education

Established in 2017, HSP has grown from a small pilot supporting two students into the largest refugee and asylum seeker scholarship program at any Australian university. As of 2026, it has supported more than 160 students across UTS and UTS College.

The program responds to the significant barriers students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds can face in accessing and succeeding in higher education, including financial hardship, interrupted schooling, limited professional networks and restricted access to government-supported study pathways.

By combining financial support with academic mentoring, career development, community connections and lifelong engagement, HSP helps students overcome these barriers and achieve lasting educational, professional and personal outcomes.

 

 

 

A video thumbnail of the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program.
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You know moving to a new country and starting university can be challenging.

Education is a fundamental human right and one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity, inclusion and social mobility.

Since launching in 2017, with just two students, the program has grown into the largest cohort of students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds studying at any Australian university.

What makes the program distinctive is its wrap-around approach. It's about feeling seen, valued and supported. We want our students to pursue passion and ambition on their own terms.

The program gave me the opportunity to study, gave me the opportunity to succeed in the study, and that also gave me the confidence to knock doors, to ask for help, and that eventually led me here where I pursued becoming a Chartered Accountant.

So our Glow Up coaching program in partnership with the Humanitarian Scholarship Program at UTS gives the students the tools to empower them to find and navigate their own career pathway into meaningful work that is long-term for them.

Through the program I've had the opportunity to connect with other students. The Academic Mentoring Program has also been valuable, because I can discuss my goals with my mentors and get guidance from them.

Our task, our job, our mission is not to create or show them a path. Our responsibility is to help them build their confidence in the new society and create their own path to future.

The program also helped shape me to see that things don't always have to be linear. It is valid for me to grow where I am now and it's also valid to aspire a different career in the future.

98%

progression and retention rate between 2024 and 2026

90%

secured professional graduate roles upon completion

160+

students supported across UTS and UTS College

Apply for a Humanitarian Scholarship

Discover if you’re eligible, how the selection process works, and key scholarship dates.

Learn more

Donate to the Humanitarian Scholarship Program

Everyone deserves an education. Where barriers to study exist, we support people in realising their potential.

Donate here

Our community and industry partners

The program’s impact comes from its collaboration with more than a dozen community and industry partners, alongside academics, alumni and professional staff.

Partners include CareerSeekers, Glow Up Careers, TQN Personnel, STARTTS, House of Welcome, Arab Council Australia, the Asylum Seeker Centre, and many others contribute mentoring, internships, career development and critical community connections. 

Mutaz Harara, a UTS humanitarian scholarship recipient.
Humanitarian Scholarship Program

Achieved the Dean’s List 2026 for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Engineering and Information Technology, and my projects nominated for both the Interaction Design and Software Engineering Showcases 2026. The HSP has given me that chance, helping me regain confidence, build skills and develop potential business ideas. 

Mutaz Harara

Master of Interaction Design

Mahishah Om Prakash from the Humanitarian Scholarship Program at UTS
Humanitarian Scholarship Program

A year ago, I never would have imagined I’d be where I am today, with so many opportunities and inspiring people encouraging me to work towards my dreams.  Through the scholarship, I've had the opportunity to attend events, build meaningful connections and experience so much beyond the classroom, while always feeling welcomed and included at UTS.

Mahishah Om Prakash

Bachelor of Psychology

Tsoler Nazarian, UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program
Humanitarian Scholarship Program

Being part of the program has been a valuable experience, helping me build meaningful connections and feel more supported throughout my university journey. It has given me a greater sense of belonging at UTS and reminded me of the importance of community, collaboration and supporting one another.

Tsoler Nazarian

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Business