• What is the closing date for applications?
• Can I make a late application?
• Do I need to make a separate application to UAC?
• Does the UNSW Co-op Program need to know about my UAC Preferences?
• What is the ACCESS Scheme?
• Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarship and DIRECT Program
• Interested in more than one Co-op Program?
• Applying for programs in more than one faculty?
• Can I study a combined (double) degree with the UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship?
• Can I defer my UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship?
• What additional information should I include with my application?
• How will I know my application has been received?
• When will I know if I have an interview?
• How many UNSW Co-op Scholarships will be offered next year?
• What is Recommended /Assumed Knowledge?
• How are Co-op Scholars selected?
• Is HSC Plus recognised by the Co-op Program?
• How many and what type of bonus points will be considered for the purposes of my Co-op Scholarship application
• Can I accept more than one scholarship?
• What is expected on Industrial Training (IT)?
• Will I have to study at UNSW whilst on IT?
• Do scholars incur HECS debt?
• Paid employment during vacations, other work experience programs
• Am I guaranteed a job with a sponsor company when I graduate?

What is the closing date for applications?

It's the same as UAC - Wednesday 30 September 2009. (Check other key dates).

Can I make a late application?

No. All applications must be submitted online or received at the UNSW Co-op Office by 5:00pm on the 30th September.

Do I need to make a separate application to UAC?

Yes. You do need to apply to UAC for admission to programs at UNSW. Once you have obtained your UAC number you need to ensure the number is entered in your UNSW Co-op Program application form.

Does the UNSW Co-op Program need to know about my UAC Preferences?

No. The UNSW Co-op Program does not need to see or discuss your UAC preferences. If you are offered a UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship, you need to ensure that your preferences are such that you will be offered a position in that program.

What is the ACCESS Scheme?

The ACCESS Scheme is an alternative entry scheme available to Australian school leavers whose Year 11 and/or Year 12 studies have been seriously affected by circumstances beyond their control. The types of disadvantage considered include disability, financial hardship, language difficulties, rural isolation and chronic illness. Further information is available by contacting the Admissions Office on 02 9385 3228, or visit the website (click here).

Also see HSC PLUS.

What is the Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarship or the Electrical Engineering DIRECT Program?

RURAL - There will be a number of scholarships offered to students who live in rural and isolated areas of Australia who are interested in undertaking a program in the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW. Your UNSW Co-op Program Application can be used to apply for these - but you also need to complete pages 1 and 2 and answer Question 11 of the Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarships Program Application Form. Submit both application forms to the UNSW Co-op Program.

DIRECT - A new scholarship offered by the School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications which is not co-operative in nature but is a direct offer from one company to one scholar for the full term of the scholarship i.e. all work experience during the program is done with the one direct sponsor company (other conditions apply) . All students who apply for an Electrical Engineering Co-op Scholarship are automatically also considered for a Direct Scholarship. In the case of being offered both, the student will be asked to decide between the two.

For more details on both scholarship alternatives see Rural Engineering and Other UNSW Scholarships.

What if I am interested in more than one Program offered by the UNSW Co-op Program?

You can apply for up to four Programs in your application, but only apply for Programs you are actually interested in studying. Nominate the Programs in order of preference.

If I want to apply for a combination of Programs in Business, Science or Engineering do I use the same application form?

Yes, however you can only list a maximum of four Programs. Just nominate the Programs in order of preference and only list those you are seriously interested in studying.

Can I study a combined (double) degree and have a UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship?

Through consultation with academics and leading industry employers, the UNSW Co-op Program has discovered that a single degree combined with industry experience is of far greater benefit to both students and graduate employers. Employers are searching for graduates with professional development and a proven commitment to their chosen industry which makes Co-op graduates ideal candidates and highly sought after. For this reason, UNSW Co-op Program Scholarships are available for single degrees only. However, Co-op Programs do allow students the opportunity to combine a major in the chosen field of study with a major or minor in a broad range of other disciplines.

Can I defer my UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship?

No. Whilst you can defer your university enrolment, you cannot defer a UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship. You can re-apply the following year but you must complete another application and be available for interview.

What additional information should I include with my application?

YOU NO LONGER NEED TO SEND IN SCHOOL REPORTS TO COMPLETE YOUR CO-OP APPLICATION.

If you complete and activate your application ONLINE, you only need to post the back page ('School's Assessment' section) of your application to the Co-op Program by C.O.B. 30 September.

How will I know my application has been received by the UNSW Co-op Program office?

You will be notified by email or mail by 12 October 2009. If you have not been contacted by close of business on 12 October, it is your responsibility to call us on (02) 9385 5116.

When will I know if I have an interview?

You will be notified by email or mail in November as to whether or not you have been successful in gaining an interview.

How many UNSW Co-op Scholarships will be offered next year?

The number of UNSW Co-op Scholarships offered is directly dependent on the number of Sponsors who choose to participate next year. We will let you know the number & names of the Sponsor companies for your particular Program at the Interview Briefing Day, prior to any interviews taking place.

What is Recommended /Assumed Knowledge?

'Recommended Knowledge' is the level of qualification we suggest students need to be a successful Co-op Scholar in a particular field. This is generally at/or above the level of 'Assumed Knowledge' which is the level the University specifies as desirable to study a particular course.

Students who do not have the respective level of assumed/recommended knowledge are not prevented from enrolling or applying but may be placed at a considerable disadvantage.

The assumed knowledge for all Programs offered by the Australian School of Business is Mathematics. General Mathematics is not considered adequate entry to Programs at UNSW.

How are Co-op Scholars selected?

Following a review of written applications, selection is by face-to-face interview held at UNSW with academics and representatives from the Sponsor companies.

Students selected at the interview stage will receive a conditional offer that is pending until ATARs are released.

Is HSC Plus recognised by the Co-op Program?

For 2010 Co-op Scholarships, HSC Plus bonuses will be considered for applicants completing a 2009 Australian Year 12 qualification or the IB in Australia subject to certain restrictions (see below).

The Co-op Program will not consider HSC Plus points retrospectively for 2008 High School Leavers who have undertaken a GAP Year.

How many and what type of bonus points will be considered for the purposes of my Co-op Scholarship application?

For the purposes of assessing Co-op Program scholarship eligibility, the Co-op Program will consider only* HSC Plus and ACCESS Scheme applicants to a maximum of 10 combined bonus points.

* You may be eligible for bonus points for admission to a program at UNSW on the basis of one of more of the following: ACCESS Scheme, HSC Plus, AAA Scholarships and Elite Athlete & Performers. See also: HSC Plus and ACCESS Scheme.

Can I accept more than one scholarship?

A student who accepts a UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship and is eligible for a Scientia Scholarship may accept both; however they will receive a $5,000 once off Scientia "bonus payment" in first year only. These students will remain eligible for all the other benefits of the Scientia Scholarship.

Where awarded, the student is permitted to accept an Academic Achievement Award (AAA) in conjunction with the UNSW Co-op Program (or UNSW Co-op Program/Scientia Bonus).

What is expected on Industrial Training (IT)?

Each Industrial Training placement is a learning experience, which complements academic studies. During the Industrial Training placements students are expected to conform to professional standards of performance, dress, business hours and undertake appropriate duties and responsibilities.

Scholars are required to work with different Sponsors in subsequent Industrial Training placements. Contact with all Sponsors of the UNSW Co-op Program will be possible, over the duration of the program, through company visits, guest lectures and social events.

Will I have to study at UNSW whilst on IT?

Students studying Business, BIT, Computer Science and Construction Property and Management will be required to complete at least one course whilst on IT. These classes are often attended in the evening.

Do Co-op Scholarships cover HECS fees in part or in full or do Co-op Scholars incur a HECS debt?

Co-op Scholars incur the normal HECS debt related to the degree the student is studying. However, additional time spent at University completing industrial training placements does not incur additional HECS .

Co-op scholarship payments can be spent at the student's absolute discretion and therefore could be used to pay-off all or part of a HECS debt.

Can Co-op scholarship holders take on paid employment during vacations or get involved in other work experience programs?

Co-op Scholars can complete other part-time/vacation work while they on the program BUT only in periods where they do not have Program/work placement commitments. Timing of these commitments will depend on the degree being studied, please refer to the industry training times for the specific Programs

Am I guaranteed a job with a sponsor company when I graduate?

After graduation there is no formal obligation for Co-op Scholars to be employed by any of the Sponsoring companies. Likewise, there is no obligation for Sponsoring companies to offer employment. However, employers recognise that the Program produces the kind of graduates they are very keen to attract for challenging positions in their organisations. It is expected that Scholars will firstly consider employment with a Sponsor organisation.