Limited places
Close 28 Aug 2026
Scholarship opportunity · IB World School · North Coast NSW
Academy Scholarships
Full IB Diploma tuition remission for exceptional young people in Mathematics, Science or Creative Arts — at Living Academy, Southern Cross University, East Lismore.
Applications close 28 August 2026 · Exam 9 September · Interviews 14–18 September
Limited opportunity · Years 9–12
A rare chance at a full IB Diploma scholarship
We award a small number of Academy Scholarships each year. Successful applicants receive full tuition remission for the two-year IB Diploma — plus mentorship inside our university campus community.
- Close 28 August 2026
- Full IB tuition covered
- Maths · Science · Creative Arts
- First IB Diploma on the North Coast
Full IB tuition
Two-year Diploma covered. Recipients receive full tuition remission for the IB Diploma Programme, plus mentorship and campus access at SCU.
Three pathways
Maths | Science | Creative Arts. We seek outstanding ability -- and the curiosity, courage and kindness to thrive here.
First on the North Coast
IB World School. Living Academy is the first dedicated IB Diploma pathway on the North Coast of NSW.
Who this is for
Some young people are capable of far more than conventional schooling asks of them
They are curious. Independent. Creative. Thoughtful. They want challenge, meaning, adventure and depth -- not simply to “get through school.”
Living Academy offers a small number of Academy Scholarships for students entering Years 9–12 in Mathematics, Science or Creative Arts -- inside Southern Cross University, with expeditionary learning and the globally respected IB Diploma Programme.
Not every student is suited to Living Academy. For the right young person, it can be life-changing.
- Intellectually curious
- Show courage and initiative
- Embrace challenge
- Value kindness and relationships
- Ready to grow
Scholarship pathways
Mathematics. Science. Creative Arts.
Three pathways for exceptional young people whose potential may not always be recognised in conventional systems.
Mathematics
Exceptional mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and intellectual curiosity -- thinking at the edge of what you already know.
Science
Passion for scientific inquiry, experimentation and understanding the world deeply -- evidence, wonder and persistence.
Creative Arts
Outstanding creative potential across visual arts, music, theatre, design or performance -- craft with courage.
Years 9 & 10 | The bridge years
Stage 5 that seeds the Diploma -- and the person
Our Stage 5 programme is designed as a foundation for the IB Diploma, entrepreneurship, university, trades and creative industries.
Students engage in expeditionary learning, outdoor challenge, deep interdisciplinary projects, leadership and service, creative and critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving -- the years where confidence, independence and intellectual maturity take shape.
Through Thriver, nature becomes the classroom and character becomes the outcome: camps, expeditions and modern rites of passage, always with Challenge by Choice.
Years 11–12 | International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma -- more than a credential
Living Academy is the first school in the Northern Rivers to offer the IB Diploma Programme -- recognised by Oxford, Cambridge, Melbourne, ANU and thousands of universities worldwide.
The IB develops students who can think critically, communicate powerfully, conduct independent research, navigate complexity, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
- Global recognition across 5,000+ universities in 100+ countries
- Preferred for critical thinking, research capability and academic independence
- International mindedness woven through TOK, Extended Essay and CAS
- Delivered on our Southern Cross University Academy campus
What recipients receive
Scholarship benefits
Comprehensive support designed to maximise academic potential -- not a discount sticker.
Full tuition remission
Two-year IB Diploma Programme tuition covered. School-wide excursions, camps, guest speakers and incursions included. (Specific optional programmes such as Arnhem Land are separate.)
Academic mentorship
Guidance from experienced IB educators with advanced qualifications -- how you think, not only what you score.
KeyStones curriculum
Identity, Nature, Life & Living, Civilisation, Phenomena, Service -- academic learning held inside bigger human questions.
University campus
Direct engagement with tertiary life through our Southern Cross University Academy campus -- maturity before you leave school.
How we select
Three stages -- we assess how you think
A comprehensive process for exceptional intellectual potential, academic resilience, and alignment with Living School’s philosophy.
Written application
Closes 28 August 2026
Submit via the form on this page: a personal statement (500 words) on your intellectual interests in mathematics, science or the arts, your aspirations, and why Living Academy. Optional portfolio of achievements welcome.
Scholarship examination
9 September 2026
Shortlisted candidates sit a rigorous exam assessing advanced problem-solving, conceptual depth, analytical creativity and communication of ideas. We evaluate how you think -- not what you have memorised.
Academic interview
14–18 September 2026
A scholarly conversation with Academy leadership: the questions that drive you, how you meet challenge and growth, and whether our model is the right stretch.
Application timeline 2026
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 11 February 2026 |
| Applications close | 28 August 2026 |
| Academic entrance examination | 9 September 2026 |
| Scholarship interviews | 14–18 September 2026 |
| Applicants notified by | 25 September 2026 |
Eligibility
Domestic scholarships | international welcome as full-fee
Scholarships are available to Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens (SCV 444), and other visa types permitting domestic enrolment (contact us to confirm).
Students on subclass 500 student visas are not eligible for scholarship under current Australian visa rules. Living School welcomes full-fee international applications -- email enrolments@living.school.
This is not school as usual. This is education designed for the world ahead.Living Academy | Scholarships 2026
Common questions
Scholarship FAQ
What is the IB Diploma?
The International Baccalaureate is a global leader in international education -- developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring young people. The Diploma is an academic pathway known and valued by universities around the world. More at ibo.org.
Are there fees if I win a scholarship?
Successful scholars forego school-wide tuition and related whole-school expenses for two years (excursions, camps, guest speakers, incursions). Optional programmes that are not whole-year focused -- for example Arnhem Land -- are not included.
What are class sizes like?
Very small, personal classes across IB Diploma courses. Every teacher is trained to teach the IB and engages in regular professional development, guided by our IB Coordinator and Director of Academy.
What is distinctive about Living Academy?
Six-week terms with week-long breaks. KeyStone themes across the school. No uniform. Staff known by first names. Circle time, goal-setting, Toddle as the learning portal, and a campus inside Southern Cross University.
Applications open
Begin your application today
If you possess exceptional ability in mathematics, science or the arts -- we invite your application and look forward to meeting you.
(02) 5632 1218 | enrolments@living.school | Closes 28 August 2026
Stage one | Written application
Scholarship application form
Complete all details below. You can save and resume at each stage. Draft longer responses in a document first, then paste into the fields.
Applications close 28 August 2026. Questions? enrolments@living.school | (02) 5632 1218