The Public Education Foundation’s Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship is for students with a refugee background who intend to study film, television or radio studies at a tertiary level in 2023. This scholarship is for study at the prestigious Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS).  Applicants for this scholarship must also apply for the Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production course, commencing study in 2023.

This scholarship has been established to encourage greater understanding across the Australian community of the refugee experience. It is intended to help the scholarship holder develop their talents and gain a qualification as a story-teller in film, television or online media.  This scholarship is valued at over $75,000.

The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:

  • Full Tuition for the Bachelor of Arts program (3 years full time) at the AFTRS ($45,000)
  • Some living expenses such as transport, technology costs and equipment ($10,000 pa)
  • Vocational pathways and internship opportunity at Australia for UNHCR

If a student leaves AFTRS before completion of the course, the scholarship will lapse.  Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.

Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY

  • A Refugee
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Year 12 student or older
  • Demonstrated interest in film, television, creative writing, radio
  • Willingness to engage in Australia for UNHCR and Public Education Foundation events
  • Commitment to report on progress during course and after graduation

SELECTION CRITERIA

To be considered for this scholarship the applicant should demonstrate the following criteria:

  • Experiencing personal or socioeconomic disadvantage
  • A commitment to a career in the creative industries
  • Creative thinking in the form of storytelling
  • An ability to produce and communicate thoughts and feelings within a piece of creative work
  • A willingness to give voice to the refugee experience and how it impacts their perspective as a storyteller
  • A capacity for study

SELECTION PROCESS

There is a two-phase selection process for the scholarship. In the first phase, a selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria. The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation, Australia for UNHCR and the donor.  After considering all applications, the selection panel will recommend a shortlist of applicants for the second phase of the selection process, to be conducted by the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).

Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email. If successful, where applicable, the scholarship recipient’s school principal or equivalent will also receive notification directly.

BACHELOR of ARTS at AFTRS

This course is designed for students with a passion for storytelling and an aspiration to have a career in the screen industries. AFTRS is eager to work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds who are imaginative, collaborative and keen to develop their voices as Australian storytellers.

For more information: https://www.aftrs.edu.au/award-course/bachelor-of-arts-screen-production/

Scholarship applicants who have not commenced an application for the AFTRS Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production degree by 30 August 2022 may not be considered for this scholarship.

APPLICATION FORM AND ATTACHMENTS

All applications for the Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarship must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form.

Prior to starting your application, you should compile the following information ready to submit:

  • Applicant details including:
    • full name
    • gender
    • date of birth
    • phone number
    • address
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • Residence status (copy of residency Visa or Citizenship certificate is a requirement)
  • Number of years in formal education before coming to Australia
  • Parent/guardian details where applicable or if applicant is under 18 years old.
  • School details, (if the applicant is in year 12 or equivalent at the time of application):
    • name of school or educational institution
    • address
    • principal name
    • email
  • Basic information about you and your family:
    • who is the primary caregiver at home
    • highest education qualification of your immediate family
    • non-English-Speaking Background
    • country of origin of your parents and yourself
    • which languages you speak and are spoken at home
    • whether you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
    • whether you have been in out-of-home care
    • socio-economic background
    • how you found out about the scholarship
  • A copy of all pages of your most recent academic record
  • A personal reference from someone who knows you. It could be a teacher, coach, family friend or an employer.  (PDF or Word format, maximum 400 words)

AFTRS Applications Tasks

https://publiceducationfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AFTRS-APPLICATION-GUIDANCE-NOTES.pdf

  • Your Story
    • In no more than 1,000 words, or a 3 minute audio or video recording, tell us your story in two parts:
      • Tell us who you are, what you love to do; your goals, experiences and values.
      • Let us know a bit about what you have accomplished so far: include details of any activities, awards or achievements that demonstrate your abilities or commitment to creating screen content.
    • Creative Work
      • In no more than 1,000 words in the form of a script or short story, a 6-7 minute video, a portfolio of photos or drawings of 4-6 pages/images, or other creative piece of work (eg a piece of music, interactive work) showcase your best work and demonstrate your ability to tell an engaging and imaginative story.
  • Review of a Creative Piece
    • In 300-500 words or in a 1 minute audio or video recording, review an Australian film, play, book, television series, painting, music or other significant work of art that has strongly resonated with you in a positive or negative way.

Note: You will not be judged on the technical proficiency of the work or on the quality of the equipment but on your creative storytelling abilities. For video/audio pieces please include a Vimeo or Youtube link.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once you have finalized your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 August 2022. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au