Applications open for Australia Awards Scholarship Program in Cambodia

Australia’s international development assistance in Cambodia helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty, and enhance political stability. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Cambodia. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability, people living and working outside of Phnom Penh, indigenous and ethnic minorities, LGBTIQA+ and other marginalised groups.

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 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 masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants from Cambodia must also meet the following country specific conditions:
  • be a citizen of Cambodia, with no dual or additional citizenship
  • be a resident in Cambodia for a period of 24 months as at the day applications close other than for short absences related to employment, professional development or holidays
  • have at least 24 months’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience as at the day applications close
  • declare all previous study undertaken irrespective of whether it is complete or incomplete or undertaken within Cambodia or another country
  • provide all of the required supporting documents
• In addition, Master’s by Coursework level applicants must:
  • have English language proficiency of at least the following (with strong preference given to applicants with higher English language scores), at the time of application:
    • IELTS Academic result with an overall score of at least 6.0, with no band less than 5.52, or
    • an internet-based TOEFL score of at least 60, or
    • PTE Academic overall score of 50; and
  • obtain an English language test result after 1 January 2024; and
  • satisfy the admission requirements of the selected university of study:
    • in most cases, the applicant must hold a Bachelor degree, considered equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree; or
    • in some exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be able to satisfy admission requirements without a Bachelor degree. If this is the case, the applicant must provide a Letter of Offer (for study in 2026) for their first preferred course and university. This must be submitted as part of their Australia Awards Scholarship application.
• In addition, Master’s by Research and PhD level applicants must:
  • have an English language proficiency of at least:
    • an IELTS Academic result with an overall score of at least 6.5, with no band less than 6.04, or
    • an internet-based TOEFL score of at least 84, with a minimum of 21 in all subtests, or
    • PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50
    • obtain an English language test result after 1 January 2024.
  • provide evidence (e.g. letter or email communication) of extensive correspondence with the proposed supervisor or faculty, demonstrating serious progress on thesis development over a period of time and that the applicant has received in-principle support for their research topic from a potential supervisor.
  • provide two referee reports.

Selection Criteria

• The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
  • academic competence
  • professional and personal leadership attributes, including relevant work experience
  • potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Cambodia.

For more information, visit Australian Government.