How to get a full scholarship to study nursing in Australia as an international student

Ezekiel Denis April 04, 2025 0

 

Many people in Nigeria want to study nursing in Australia because the schools are very good and the hospitals are well equipped. But the problem is that it costs a lot of money. As an international student, the school fees and cost of living in Australia can be too much. That is why getting a full scholarship is very important. A full scholarship will pay your school fees, give you money to live and even support you with health insurance and other needs.

Some people think that getting a scholarship is only for very brilliant students or those who know somebody abroad. But that is not true. Anybody can get a scholarship if you follow the right steps and prepare well. In this post, I will explain how you can get a full scholarship to study nursing in Australia as an international student. I will break it down in a way that even a secondary school student can understand.

Follow these steps to successfully secure a full scholarship to study nursing in Australia as an international student

1. Research scholarship opportunities

2. Choose the right nursing program and university

3. Prepare your academic documents and certificates

4. Write a strong personal statement or motivation letter

5. Get your recommendation letters ready

6. Meet the English language requirement

7. Apply before the deadline

8. Prepare for interviews and wait for the result

Research scholarship opportunities

The first step to get a full scholarship is to look for the scholarship itself. There are many scholarships in Australia for international students, but you have to find the ones that support nursing programs. Some scholarships are from the Australian government, some are from the universities and some are from private organizations. The most popular one is the Australia Awards Scholarship. It is a government scholarship and it covers everything you need to study. Other universities like University of Sydney, Monash University, Deakin University and University of Queensland also give scholarships for nursing students. So you have to go online and search well. Visit the websites of these schools and also check Australian scholarship portals. When you find the one you like, read all the details and make sure you are qualified before you move to the next step.

Here is a list of trusted scholarship links where you can apply to study nursing in Australia as an international student

1. https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards
2. https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/international/postgraduate.html
3. https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/monash-international-merit-scholarship-6010
4. https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship
5. https://scholarships.uq.edu.au
6. https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/scholarships-finance/scholarships

Choose the right nursing program and university

After finding the scholarship, you need to choose the nursing program that you want to study. Nursing has different areas like general nursing, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing and so on. You must decide which one you want to focus on. Also, choose a university that offers that course and is known for good nursing education. Check the ranking of the university and see if they have experience teaching international students. This is very important because some scholarships are only for some selected schools. When you choose the right school and program, it will help you write a better application and you will have more chances to get the scholarship.

Prepare your academic documents and certificates

To apply for any scholarship, you must show your school results. The most important document is your secondary school certificate or your WAEC result if you are applying for undergraduate nursing. If you are applying for postgraduate nursing, you must submit your university transcript and your certificate. Make sure your documents are clear and complete. If they are not in English, translate them properly. Some schools also ask for your birth certificate and international passport. Keep all your documents ready so that when it is time to apply, you will not rush.

Write a strong personal statement or motivation letter

This part is very important. Your personal statement is where you tell them who you are, why you want to study nursing, why you chose Australia and that particular school, and why you need the scholarship. You must write it from your heart. Use simple English and be honest. Talk about your dreams of becoming a nurse and how you want to help people. If you have any experience like volunteering in hospitals or helping in your community, add it. They want to see that you are serious and you are not just applying because you want to travel abroad. A good personal statement can make you stand out even if your results are not the best.

Get your recommendation letters ready

You will need to submit two or three recommendation letters. These are letters from people who know you well and can say good things about your character and your academic ability. You can ask your teachers, lecturers, or people you have worked with. Tell them to write the letter in formal English and make it short and straight to the point. The letter should talk about how hardworking and disciplined you are. It should also show that you are serious about your education and will do well if given the opportunity. Some universities have a format for the letter so check their website before you collect it.

Meet the English language requirement

Since Australia is an English speaking country, you must prove that you can speak and understand English very well. The most common test is IELTS. Some schools also accept TOEFL or PTE. They usually ask for a minimum score of about 6.5 in IELTS with no section below 6.0. This test is very important because even if you get the scholarship, they will not allow you to start if you do not meet the English requirement. So you should prepare well and register for the test on time. There are many free materials online to help you. If you cannot afford a tutorial center, you can join YouTube classes and practice every day.

Apply before the deadline

This is where many people make mistake. They will see the scholarship and say they will apply later until the deadline passes. Do not do that. Always apply early. When you apply early, you will have time to correct any mistake. You will also get a reply faster. When you are applying, make sure you follow all the instructions. Attach all the documents they asked for. Check your email every day in case they ask you for something else. Also, keep a copy of everything you submitted so that you can refer to it later.

Prepare for interviews and wait for the result

If your application is selected, they may invite you for an interview. The interview may be online or through phone. This is your chance to talk more about yourself and show that you are serious. Before the interview, practice how to answer common questions like why do you want to study nursing, why Australia, and what will you do after you finish school. Be calm and speak with confidence. If you pass the interview, you will get the scholarship offer. Sometimes they will send it by email and also post the letter to your address.

Now, let me give you some extra advice. Do not put all your hope in only one scholarship. Apply to many scholarships and many schools. The more you apply, the more chance you have. Also, join Facebook groups and online forums where people share scholarship tips. You can learn from others who have already gotten the scholarship. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you see something you do not understand on the school website, email them. They usually reply fast.

Remember that patience is very important. Sometimes it takes months before you hear back from the school or the scholarship body. Use that time to keep preparing. Read more about nursing in Australia and what the work environment looks like. If possible, try to volunteer in a clinic or hospital in Nigeria while waiting. It will give you more experience and help you when you finally get there.

Let me also explain a bit about life in Australia. It is a peaceful and beautiful country. The people are friendly and they respect nurses. If you get your degree there, you can work in their hospitals or come back to Nigeria and work in big hospitals. Some students also stay back to work after school and later apply for permanent residency. So it is a big opportunity that can change your life forever.

Conclusion

I want you to know that getting a full scholarship to study nursing in Australia is not impossible. Many Nigerians have done it before and you too can do it. You do not need to know anybody or pay anybody. All you need is to follow the right steps, be patient and put in your best. Start your journey now and do not give up. Your dream of becoming a nurse in Australia is valid.