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Students walking through the sandstone archways at UQ

InspireU Scholars

Get the guidance, skills and knowledge you need to confidently transition through your final years of high school to university and secure your place at UQ.

InspireU Scholars is a 2-year program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior school students who are committed to attending university.

2-year support program

If you're in Year 10 in 2026 and are expecting to graduate with an ATAR, this is your chance to get intensive academic and personal support through your senior years.

Key activities include:

  • tutoring, webinars and one-on-one check-ins
  • two 5-day residential camps
  • help to transition to UQ during and after Year 12.

Guidance activities in Year 11 and 12

Science and maths tutoring

Access online tutoring for science and mathematics subjects. 

Regular check-ins

Attend one-on-one check-ins with an InspireU team member to chat about your studies.

Tailored webinars

Topics will be tailored so you get information that's important, at the best time in your uni journey.

Adjustment points

We'll talk you through our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme – through the scheme you’ll receive 5 adjustments to your ATAR.

Advice

Receive personalised advice should your circumstances change due to finances, health or family responsibilities.

Scholarships

You'll benefit from a dedicated Scholars scholarship and support to apply for other UQ scholarships to reduce financial stress during your studies.

Camps

The program includes 2 residential camps in the holidays before Year 11 and Year 12,  where you will stay at UQ’s St Lucia campus for 5 days (4 nights).

Year 11 camp

Participate in goal setting, career planning and academic profiling.

Year 12 camp

We'll check in on your progress and help you prepare for your university journey.

More detail on the camps is included in the program timeline.

Transitioning to UQ

Continue to build relationships and establish support networks during the end of Year 12 and into your first weeks at UQ.

Scholars Ball

Join us for a special event on campus at UQ St Lucia to celebrate your graduation from Year 12 and the InspireU Scholars Program.

UQ Orientation

Join the ATSIS Unit for a welcome event with your peers right before your classes start at UQ. Reunite with your friends from the Scholars program as you start your university journey together.

Program timeline: camps and activities

See how the program is structured. More detail will be shared with successful applicants.

Key dates

  • Applications open: 20 October 2026.
  • Applications close: 8 November 2026.
  • Outcome email sent to applicants: 16 November 2026.
  • First Year 11 residential camp: Monday 18 January – Friday 22 January 2027.

The dates for other online and in-person experiences within the 2-year Scholars program will be shared with successful applicants. 

Cost

UQ offers InspireU at no cost to students. 

The program is fully inclusive of travel, meals and accommodation for all on-campus experiences to ensure finances are never a barrier to participation. 

Webinars, tutoring and personalised advice are all provided free of charge. 

Transport

We encourage Indigenous students from all over Queensland to participate in the Scholars program. This includes multi-day experiences at UQ’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane.

  • Regional and rural students (further than 1.5 hours away from Brisbane): we will arrange your transport, which may be via bus, train, or plane depending on where you live. Shuttles between major transport hubs in Brisbane (like the airport) and campus will be provided.
  • Local students (within 1.5 hours of Brisbane): please make your own way to UQ St Lucia for on-campus experiences if you are able. However, if you need assistance with transport, we’re happy to help.

How to apply

Check your eligibility, what documents you'll need and the steps to follow to submit your application.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

You're eligible if you're:

  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person 
  • in Year 10 in 2026 and commencing Year 11 in 2027
  • intending to take an ATAR pathway through senior school
  • aiming to studying at UQ after high school 
  • committed to participating in the full 2-year Scholars program, including on-campus experiences in Brisbane
  • maintaining a high (90%+) attendance rate at school 
  • maintaining B average grades or higher (consideration will be given to students achieving lower than a B if they can show progressive improvement in their grades).

Step 2: Prepare your application

When you submit the online application, you'll need to include:

  • your own and your parent or guardian’s contact details 
  • a letter of support from your teacher
  • a copy of your latest Year 10 report card 
  • total number of unexplained absences during the past term 
  • written responses to a series of short questions about why you'd like to participate in the InspireU Scholars program and your study interests. 

Please speak to your parent or guardian before commencing the application. If you are successful, they will be sent a consent form (we cannot secure your place in the program without this). 

Teacher's letter of support

The letter of support can be written by a teacher or the head of your year. 

It should answer the following questions: 

  • How would you describe the student’s commitment to their education?
  • What leadership qualities or positive contributions has this student demonstrated within the school community?
  • How likely is this student to actively engage in and benefit from a 2-year pathway program, and would they be committed?
  • What areas (if any) does this student have challenges or barriers in? 

Step 3: Submit your application

The application is in 2 steps:

  1. complete the short contact form and provide us with your own and your parent/guardian’s contact details
  2. continue your application by clicking on the application link we send to you by email. This is where you will answer some short questions and upload documents. 

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 8 November 2026. You can edit your application until then. 

Next steps 

You’ll receive an email to confirm we have received your application. 

We will review your application and email successful applicants with the outcome on Monday 16 November 2026. 

Continue to check your emails as further details will be shared about the upcoming January camp and overall 2-year Scholars program. 

Contact us

If you have any questions, you can email our friendly team: inspireu@uq.edu.au.