What is the Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship?

Westpac Young Technologists Scholarships are undergraduate scholarships designed specifically for high school graduates who are passionate about technology and eager to explore its potential for good.

They are looking for curious young minds, open to new ideas and untapped opportunities.

Recipients receive $5,000 per year over three years to go towards any costs associated with your studies. But that’s just the start. Westpac Scholars Trust will help you develop into a stronger leader, provide internships and introduce you to unique networking opportunities; including a 5 day leadership program in Singapore (pending no travel restrictions).

How many people will receive the scholarship?

There are 35 scholarships up for grabs each year across five universities.

This means each university will award seven scholarships. The universities include; University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University, Queensland University of Technology, RMIT, and Murdoch University.

Which courses are the scholarships offered for?

University of Wollongong

  • - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Information Technology,
  • - Bachelor of Business Information Systems,
  • - Bachelor of Information Technology (International),
  • - Bachelor of Computer Science Global (Honours),
  • - Bachelor of Business - Bachelor of Information Technology,
  • - Bachelor of Computer Science - Bachelor of Law,
  • - Bachelor of Computer Science - Bachelor of Science,
  • - Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Mathematics - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance (Honours),
  • - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) majoring in Electrical/Computer/Mechatronics/Telecommunications,
  • - Bachelor of Data Science and Analytics.

Queensland University of Technology

  • - Bachelor of Information Technology,
  • - Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments,
  • - or a double degree including one of these degrees.

Western Sydney University

  • - Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology (ICT),
  • - Bachelor of Information Systems,
  • - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Cyber Security and behaviour, Bachelor of Design and Technology,
  • - Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Game Design and Simulation),
  • - Bachelor of Creative Industries,
  • - Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Creative Industries,
  • - Bachelor of Data Science,
  • - Bachelor of Construction Technology.

RMIT University

  • - Bachelor of Business (Information Systems), Bachelor of Business (Information Systems),
  • - Bachelor of Computer Science,
  • - Bachelor of Engineering (Computer and Network Engineering),
  • - Bachelor of Engineering,
  • - Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming),
  • - Bachelor of Software Engineering,
  • - Bachelor of Technology (Computing Studies).

Murdoch University

  • - Bachelor of Science (any major)
  • - Bachelor of Engineering (any major),
  • - Bachelor of Creative Media (Games Art and Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Screen Production, Sound).
What does the application process involve?

You will need to apply directly to the university you wish to attend via their website.

While each university application might differ slightly, you will be required to prepare a personal statement selling your eligibility, a resume and a written reference.

We are here to help you with this.

Want to start immediately? If you have an account on The Careers Department, simply log in and…

  • Use our CV builder here,
  • Use our personal statement builder here.

If you don’t have an account, that’s fine too, we’ll be sending you all helpful tips for your application. You can also sign up to the online information session here. Where we will be discussing what to include in your personal statement and in a resume.

What can I spend the $5,000 per year on?

You are able to spend the $5,000 on anything that is related to your studies or that inspires your thinking. For example, you could buy a new laptop or programming equipment, you could attend a conference or event that you are interested in, you could travel to meet a mentor or for a work experience opportunity.

What is the “Disruptive Leaders Program”?

We cannot emphasise how rare and valuable it is to have the opportunity to be mentored and supported by such a big organisation. In our opinion, this is the real beauty of the scholarship.

Westpac Scholars Trust is backing you to live up to your full potential. Working closely with Westpac, they are going to nurture your leadership potential, introduce you to a strong network of thought leaders and help you build opportunities for yourself. Successful recipients will also be invited to attend a five-day (expenses paid) trip to Singapore for a leadership and networking program (pending no travel restrictions).

What have other people done who’ve been successful in the scholarship?

You could end up working in Westpac GroupTech (think hands on engineering or cyber security), at Google, at Tik Tok – at Disneyland! The opportunities are as diverse as the degrees you can choose. You could be interested in pursuing a creative technology career (think website design, UX design, video production or media); or a programming career (think game design, website and app development or product development); or a business technology career.

You don’t need to have a future career in mind when you choose to apply. You just need an appetite to work in technology and be excited about its potential impact to change we way that we live and work.

What are my next steps:

Sign up to the online information session here. Where we will be discussing:

  • What do these degree names mean?
  • What career could I have in technology?
  • What is the Westpac Scholars Trust and how are they involved?
  • How to build an application.
In the meantime, you can start working on your application here.