This scholarship is valued at up to $60,000.

About this scholarship

Established in 2020, this scholarship, generously donated by the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, to commencing students enrolling full-time in a Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) degree. 

Who is a Ramsay Scholar? 

An ACU Ramsay Scholar is a future leader committed to the enrichment of society and the promotion of the common good. In pursuit of this endeavour, you will demonstrate a passion for engaging intellectually with the ideas and important questions that have shaped Western civilisation.  

The essential quality of your intellectual engagement is a critical habit of mind demonstrated through debate and discussion of ideas, and careful consideration of different views and perspectives and the dignity of those who hold them.  

Applications

Applications close: 17 August 2026 (Round 1)

Applications for this scholarship must be made through the ACU Course Browser. Applicants who meet the essential requirements for course admission will be considered for the scholarship. 

Click the below links to apply:

Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) | ACU courses

Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws | ACU courses

Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Master of Teaching (Secondary) | ACU courses

Scholarship type

Merit

Value

• The scholarship is valued at up to $60,000. 
• The scholarship will be paid in instalments of $10,000 per semester. 
• Recipients are also eligible to receive one return economy airfare to participate in an approved program of study abroad as part of the course. 
• There are 30 scholarships available. 
• Additional benefits - Up to 10 new Scholarship recipients who are from either a Regional, Rural or Remote Area of New South Wales, or from an Australian state or territory other than New South Wales may be selected to receive additional financial support to assist with relocation, accommodation and living costs, with priority given to those with the evidenced greatest need. The value of this support is up to $12,000 for each year the Scholarship is held (in addition to the value of the Scholarship).

Payment

In the first year of the scholarship, recipients will be paid $3,000 of the first semester payment in the first week of study to help offset start-up costs, with the balance of the first semester payment to be paid after the first semester census date. All further scholarship payments will be made in two equal instalments within six weeks after relevant semester census dates.

Recipients of additional benefits will be paid the total annual value of the additional benefit in two equal instalments within six weeks after relevant semester census dates.

Student type

Future or Commencing Students
  

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to those who meet all the following criteria:

• Citizenship: domestic
• Course: any of the following: 
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/ Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws
• Campus: North Sydney
• Study load: enrolled in 40 credit points in semester 1, 2027* 
• Demonstrated academic ability
• Recipients may not hold any other ACU scholarship in addition to the ACU Ramsay Scholarship.
• Scholarship applicants will also: 
  • have completed Year 12 in the year of application or within the preceding 3 years
  • not have undertaken preliminary study at a tertiary level, other than secondary school advancement programs or first year Bachelor level study.
    

*Recipients enrolled in less than 40 credit points may still be eligible to receive a scholarship payment, subject to approval by Director, Western Civilisation Program.

Application process

Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application:

• Written submission
• Resumé
• Essay
• Evidence of your address in a regional, rural and remote area in New South Wales, or from an Australian state or territory other than New South Wales.
• Interview (shortlisted applicants only).
• Details of most recent academic results  
  

To start your application, visit the application portal.

Selection criteria

Applications are assessed on the strength of the following criteria:

• Academic merit
• Alignment with Ramsay Attributes demonstrated through:
  • leadership qualities
  • commitment to the enrichment of society
  • passion for intellectual engagement with ideas and great questions that have shaped Western Civilisation
  • critical habit of mind demonstrated through capacity to debate and discuss ideas, and to consider different views and perspectives.
• Alignment with the ACU Mission as demonstrated through evidence of commitment to the:
  • pursuit of truth
  • dignity of the human person
  • common good
• Alignment with ACU Strategic Focus Areas of: 
  • opportunity: commitment to enriching society through learning and knowledge,
  • innovation: cultivation of imagination 
  • ethics: willingness to develop the highest ethical standards in self, others and society generally.

Selection process

Applicants will be interviewed and selected by the Ramsay Scholarship Selection Panel comprising of senior ACU and Ramsay Centre staff.

Preference may be given to applicants who can demonstrate as part of their application that they have experienced disadvantage or are from an underrepresented background.

Ongoing requirements

To remain eligible for this scholarship, recipients are required to maintain the following each semester for the duration of the scholarship:

• Enrol in 40 credit points (unless approval to undertake a reduced study load has been granted by the University).
• Enrolment in one of the following:
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws
• Minimum GPA of 4 (on the ACU seven-point scale).
• Maintain a minimum Pass grade for all units in which they have been enrolled in the previous study period.
• Recipients may not hold any other ACU scholarship in addition to the ACU Ramsay Scholarship.
• Recipients consent to their name and application details being used in future promotional activities relating to this scholarship and/or the Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation), Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws, or Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)/Master of Teaching (Secondary) program.