Monash Scholars Program

Monash Scholars Program

If you're a high-achieving secondary school student based in Victoria, the Monash Scholars program will help you explore and pinpoint your passions, develop a broad suite of study skills, and gain the confidence to make great course and career choices.

Program and application information

In its 14th year, the Monash Scholars Program provides students with a unique head start to develop and excel academically and personally.

Events

The Monash Scholars program runs events for students from years 10-12, giving you an opportunity to build networks, enhance learning, define personal aspirations and explore career ambitions.

Monash Scholars Program Terms and Conditions

Before accepting your offer to the Class of 2026-2028, you'll need to read and accept these Terms and Conditions.

Hear from our scholars

I attended Tintern Grammar in Ringwood East and was part of the 2018-2020 Monash Scholars cohort (yes, the COVID year).
I am in my fourth (and penultimate) year of a double degree in Commerce (majoring in Economics and minoring in Management) and Law. I was drawn to Law as I always loved communicating – both in writing and verbally – and felt that this degree would leverage my skills and interests in this space (which it has!). Commerce appealed to me as an opportunity to broaden my understanding of the world, as money sort of does make the world go around…
I caught a glimpse of the opportunities on offer at Monash through the Monash Scholars program – and the opportunities I have had over the past four years of study have only exceeded what I thought or imagined! For example, I recently had the opportunity to speak at the World Trade Organisation Public Forum in Geneva through my involvement with the Monash Law Clinical Program.
Undertaking a semester exchange at King’s College London is no doubt the highlight of my degree so far. I got so much out of learning the law from a different perspective and – you guessed it – building a network internationally! I am still in touch with the friends and professionals I met and dream of returning to work in London one day.
Being involved in societies has also enriched my university experience greatly. I have been involved with the Law Students’ Society since my first year and the Monash Christian Union since my second year. Both experiences have helped me to meet like-minded people and led to formal and informal leadership opportunities, which are a great way to build your employability.
I am planning to pursue a career in commercial law, hopefully with the chance to make an impact by advising innovative companies and governments. I have not decided on my specific practice area yet but hope to have the opportunity to rotate through a couple of different areas to find where I am best suited.
Alongside my law career, I hope to continue investing in my passion for writing and sharing poetry. I currently run a small poetry Instagram page and would love to publish a poetry collection in the next couple of years.
Often, the most valuable takeaway from an event will be a connection that you form with someone else. Sometimes you might hear something very profound and perspective-altering – but often, relationships will outlast insights, so make the most of the networking opportunities that the Monash Scholars program has to offer.
It was great to enter Monash University with the beginnings of a Monash network as well as the skills and confidence to continue developing professionally. Being a Monash Scholar also meant that I had the opportunity to apply for the Monash Minds program in my first year of university, which was another valuable experience for me, refining my leadership skills.
Do not compare your journey to those of others. Everyone has different strengths, interests, and callings. Seek to celebrate the successes of your peers, take the time to reflect upon and be thankful for your own, and do not worry when your timeline might look different to someone else’s.
I think it’s important to have a personal mission statement. What do you consider the main purpose of your life to be? Huge question, I know – but maybe the answer can be simple. Remind yourself of this whenever you feel overwhelmed or disheartened in the face of adversity. Remind yourself of this when you are faced with a decision to make – both simple decisions like whether to apply for the Monash Scholars Program and bigger ones, like whether to undertake a semester abroad. If we know clearly what our priorities values are, we are more likely to become the people we want to be in life.
Equally, do not spend too long dwelling on mistakes. Forgive yourselves and move forward and recognise that often our mistakes can be turned around for good.

Strathcona Girls’ Grammar; Monash Scholars 2020-2022 Cohort.
I'm currently studying the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine. I’ve always been drawn to biology—VCE biology was one of my favourite subjects—and I really enjoy working with people. Medicine felt like the perfect way to combine my love for science with helping others.
I chose Monash because it offered the opportunity to study undergraduate medicine, which only a few universities provide. It was the perfect choice since I could jump straight into medicine after school, and Monash’s strong reputation in medical research and training made it an easy decision.
The best part of my degree so far has definitely been the friends I’ve made and the uni events I’ve been part of. I’ve had the chance to go on overseas trips and camps, which have been incredible experiences and helped me bond with so many people. It’s made uni life really fun and memorable.
Another highlight has been starting my own podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts using professional radio equipment. It’s been an amazing way to share knowledge and connect with others, all while learning new skills along the way.
After graduating, I hope to be working as a doctor in a hospital. I’m not sure which specialty I’ll choose yet, but I’m excited to explore the different areas during my training!
If you're thinking about joining the Monash Scholars program, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s an awesome chance to get a feel for uni life, way before you actually start. You’ll meet people who you’ll keep bumping into once you’re here, which makes starting uni a lot less daunting. It’s not just about academics—you get to try things you might never have considered, and it really opens up new paths. Plus, the friendships and connections you make can last well beyond the program. It’s a great way to push yourself, explore your interests, and get a head start on your uni experience.
Being a Monash Scholar really helped my transition to university. I kept running into people I met during the program, which made the huge campus feel a lot smaller and more familiar. Having those connections from day one made settling in easier and gave me a strong support network from the start.
Don’t miss out on any opportunities to have fun! These are some of the most valuable years of your life, so it’s important to balance studying with all the social events and extracurriculars that can make school exciting.
Also - if you can - choose subjects you like so you enjoy studying too :)
My advice for students considering the Monash Scholars program, or even just life in general, is to be open to meeting new people and trying new things. It might take a few months to feel fully settled, and that’s completely okay. Don’t worry if it doesn’t happen right away—just keep putting yourself out there, and you’ll find your rhythm!

Westbourne Grammar School; 2021-2023 Scholars Cohort.
I am a first year studying a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Education/ Bachelor of Arts.
I chose this course because Monash Education is ranked #1 in Australia. From the start of my degree, I have felt supported by the Education faculty especially as all teaching placements are organised by Monash and they take into consideration your location and method of transport to find the closest schools. The combination of passionate and experienced lecturers and education students that truly want to make a difference constantly inspires and encourages me to pursue a career in education.
One of the greatest aspects of being a student at Monash University is the campus that even has its own postcode! Especially after COVID, what I really enjoy about Monash is the social aspect of the campus. Even when walking to class, you’re surrounded by other students and academics going about their day whether that be buying a coffee at Campus Centre, using the gym at Monash Sport, traversing the steps at the Learning and Teaching Building or listening to the sounds of keyboards clicking at the Sir Louis Matheson Library, you really feel like you’re part of the Monash community where you can definitely thrive, excel and belong in.
The best part of my uni experience has been living on campus. Being blessed with the opportunity and privilege to live on campus as part of the student accommodation at Monash has been an amazing experience. Living on campus in the Residential Village provides a different perspective of university life as Monash university literally becomes your home away from home where you learn life skills, become more independent and really start to understand yourself while surrounding yourself with new friends. In particular, living with other students, many who are first years like me, has allowed me to meet so many people doing different degrees, studying at different campuses and from so many diverse places such as Japan, the UK, Italy, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands as well as interstate from Queensland and New South Wales to create one big family.
If you are considering joining the Monash Scholars program, I would strongly encourage you to do it. To me, the Monash Scholars program was a way to get my foot in the door of experiencing what being a Monash student feels like in terms of community, teamwork, collaboration and development. Over the duration of the program, you get the opportunity to interact with so many students and speakers that you start to realise that Monash isn’t just a university, it is an experience. An experience to try new things, meet new people, learn new topics and become a new you. The best advice I would give to get the best out of the program is to be open minded. Be open minded when meeting students from schools across Victoria, be open minded when attending the various events and be open minded about the possibilities that being a Monash Scholar will create.
Being a Monash Scholar helped assist in my transition to being a first-year undergraduate student as it opened the door to the Monash Minds Leadership program. Similar in nature to the Monash Scholars program, the Monash Minds Leadership program is available to 150 high-achieving and community-minded students in their first year of their undergraduate studies where you will be provided with an opportunity to learn from highly respected community leaders from diverse professional backgrounds, and Scholars are encouraged to apply once they complete Year 12.
My best tip for getting through the senior years of school is to trust the process and know that everything is going to be alright. I know that sounds really cliché but it is something I wish someone told me when I was in my senior years of school. Trusting the process doesn’t mean you’re not afraid of what the future holds whether that be what you want to study at university, if you even want to go to university or what your ATAR is going to be. Instead, it means having faith in the journey of your life especially during the challenges, the setbacks, the failures or even when you don’t know what your destination looks like.
How do you have faith?
Imagine if, in the midst of all the worry, the sleepless nights and hours wasted procrastinating, future you walks into the room, informing you that everything worked out in the end. Your future has been secured and therefore you can enjoy the senior years of school, as though you have already made it. Wouldn’t you be able to fully trust the process because you knew that everything was going to be alright?
My general life advice is to live in the present. As the wise Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda once said: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present”. High school doesn’t have to be the best times of your lives but make the most of the opportunity, enjoy the small things, appreciate your friends, respect your teachers and try your best before it all becomes a distant memory. Even if things don’t turn out how you planned it to, rejection is just redirection so continue to have something to look forward to after high school, make your parents/ guardians proud in whatever you do and live a life that makes the world a better place for yourself and others.

I went to Ballarat Clarendon College and was part of the 2020-2022 Scholars cohort.
I'm currently in my second year of the Bachelor of Science Advanced – Global Challenges (Honours), majoring in Biochemistry (which is 90% Biology and only 10% Chemistry—so, not as scary as it sounds!) and minoring in Immunology.
I chose this course because it’s truly one of a kind, blending science education with leadership, policy advocacy, business and entrepreneurship, and social impact. There is simply no other course in Australia like it.
What I love about Global Challenges is how it teaches us to apply science to real-world problems. It’s not just theory; it’s about using that knowledge to drive change, whether through research, influencing policy, or launching start-ups. This program empowers us to become leaders who are capable to tackle global issues like climate change and food insecurity by wearing many hats (scientist, businessperson, leader, policy analyst - you name it!).
We engage in hands-on learning (usually group tasks, which is great for a cohort of less than 40 students!), a built-in internship, and a 12-week consultancy project. Throughout our honours year, we work collaboratively with industry to solve specific real-world challenges, making us effective change-makers equipped to influence business, government, and the wider community.
Choosing a degree at Monash was an easy decision for me, mainly because there’s nothing like Global Challenges offered anywhere else!
Beyond that, I was drawn to the vibrant student life at Monash. There’s always something happening—events, clubs, volunteering opportunities, and chances to meet interesting and friendly people. I can honestly say that the connections I’ve made through my degree have been incredible, and I’ve already formed lifelong friendships.
On top of that, the numerous opportunities for global experiences - like the Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) and exchange programs - were a key consideration for me. Something else I also looked into were practical experiences like internships and research in action units which would give me real-world experience.
Ultimately, it wasn't just about being able to study my dream course; the amazing campus life and the ability to engage in opportunities that broaden my horizons (and enhance my employability) were what drove me to choose Monash.
By far, the best part of my uni experience so far has been the friendships I’ve made along the way—these are people who I know will be my ride or die for life! My tribe who I can truly be myself with and who I can trust to be in my corner.
My degree has given me a much deeper understanding of both myself and the world around me. I’ve also really developed my leadership skills through opportunities coaching, being on a club committee, and working on various in-class assignments—like running interactive seminars, writing blogs, podcasting, and coming up with my own start-up and pitching it.
What excites me most is knowing that it’s only going to get better from here! I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and embrace who I am, and I’m finding balance in my life. I’m filled with overwhelming optimism for the upcoming year, as I’m in the process of securing an internship (hopefully at a biotech company), enrolling in a research unit, and preparing for my exchange to the National University of Singapore next year. I trust that I'm on the right path.
Right now, I’m still figuring things out, and I truly appreciate how my horizons have expanded—sometimes it’s exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming!
I have confidence that I’ll find a career I’m passionate about and where I can thrive, given I’m only halfway through my degree. I want to continue utilising my science skills in a team-oriented environment that focuses on delivering social impact. However, I’m no longer confined to a traditional science pathway; I’m open to exploring career options that allow me to make a meaningful impact and utilise the diverse skillset I’ve picked up so far—whether as a policy advisor, entrepreneur, researcher, doctor, or even something else entirely.
You’ll get out of the program as much as you put in, so make sure to stay curious and take full advantage of the opportunities Monash Scholars offers. This can pay off in so many ways and not just in high school, but even once you get to university. The knowledge you gain, the opportunities you engage in, the resources you acquire and the connections you build now can be a huge asset later on in your life. What I found really useful is learning how to create connections with people I didn't go to school with and getting equipped with the understanding of what university life can look like.
One thing I would have done differently would be putting more effort into hanging out with my fellow Scholars outside of the official events. It’s so worth stepping out of your usual friend group and meeting new people—you never know who you’ll stay connected with! Even now at uni, I still run into Scholars from my cohort.
Being a Monash Scholar really got me thinking about university early, which was super helpful since I didn’t have anyone around me who had gone to uni in Australia. The program gave me a head start in understanding different degree options, what VCE subjects would lead to them, and how to navigate my choices.
Once I got to Monash, it opened doors to unique opportunities like participating in Monash Minds, a leadership program for first-year students, and staying connected as an Ambassador for the Scholars program. It also taught me how to connect with new people, which is essential at uni, where you might not always have friends from school in your classes.
Plus, it was great having familiar faces around campus! Scholars tend to be pretty active in campus life, so I always feel like I’m part of a community.
I’ve broken it down into three tips!
1. Intentionally cultivating friendships and your support network.
  Leaning on my friends during high-stress moments made a huge difference during my Year 11 and 12 and quite honestly kept me sane! My biggest point of advice is here is to prioritise the friendships that give you energy, not the ones that drain it—especially important when your energy is limited! Your support system is essential to keeping you grounded when things get overwhelming.
2. Having an outlet for stress.
  I really wish I had done this more in high school, but I’ve found it crucial at university! Finding some form of exercise or an activity that gets you out of the house—whether it's a ten-minute walk or a gym session—makes all the difference. Even something as small as a walk with music or a podcast can help clear your mind.
3. Changing the way you study
  Using high-yield study strategies like practice questions, flashcards, mind maps, spaced repetition, and active recall made my study sessions way more efficient - think studying smarter rather than harder. This both freed up time and made my study session high-yield.
My final advice for students considering the Monash Scholars program is to give it a shot! I’ve learned just as much from my failures as my successes, so embrace the journey and don’t fear setbacks.
With any opportunity you receive, stay engaged and curious—aim to get the most out of it. Every experience can teach you something valuable.
Please, take care of yourself and focus on understanding how you tick. Build your tribe, strive for balance in your life, and engage in activities that make you happy and healthy (the two are more linked than you might think). Remember, health and happiness are invaluable long-term investments.
Finally, know that you’re young and have your entire life ahead of you. Trust that you’re on the right path. Have no regrets as long as you give everything a fair go—the efforts you put in now are already paying off and will continue to do so well into the future!