Women in STEM

At the University of Newcastle, we acknowledge, value and engage with the rich diversity of our communities, and seek to remove systemic barriers which contribute to inequity.

We are proud to foster a vibrant and extensive community of staff, students and researchers within STEM based disciplines and are continually working to provide a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for all individuals that identify as women.

We are always seeking opportunities to nurture, support and inspire the next generation of women in STEM.

Indigenous Women in STEM 3:30

This Indigenous Women in STEM event was facilitated by Aunty Bronwyn on our Ourimbah campus.

27th in the world ? for gender equality
3rd in Australia ? for tackling gender equity

Societies, clubs and programs

Scholarships

Don't rule yourself out by not applying for scholarships. We offer a number of scholarship opportunities, including scholarships on offer specifically for women.

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and its largest footprint outside of the United States. With a world-class team of 3,500 employees, BDA works alongside the Australian Defence Force and the Commonwealth of Australia to support some of the largest and most complex defence projects across the nation. The successful recipient of The Boeing Engineering Scholarship for Women will be offered the opportunity to apply for a Boeing Defence Australia internship where you can put your university studies into practice before graduating.

  • $6,548

Learn more

The College of Engineering, Science and Environment has developed the Industry Placement Stream within some undergraduate programs, providing students with an opportunity to gain real world experience as part of their studies with the University, and to apply the theory and skills learned while studying in a professional workplace.

  • $40,000

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The Shaping Futures Scholarship Program was established in 2011 with the aim of helping those students who are most in need.

To be eligible for a Shaping Futures Scholarship students need to be managing their academic progress alongside personal circumstances such as:

  • Carer responsibilities
  • Financial disadvantage
  • Long term medical condition/disability or ongoing effects of abuse
  • Regional or remote disadvantage
  • Sole parent responsibilities
  • Additional attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having Refugee status, or an Out-of-Home Care experience.
  • $5,000

Learn more

The Ma & Morley Scholarship Program is a transformative experience offered to students at the University of Newcastle who want to change the world.

This revolutionary scholarship program was born to honour the life-changing and enduring friendship between the successful Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma and respected Novocastrian Ken Morley.

The program aims to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders and is only made possible by a generous US$20 million philanthropic commitment by the Jack Ma Foundation.

    Learn more

    With our High Performers Scholarships, the University of Newcastle recognises the exceptional academic achievements of students commencing an undergraduate program. Understanding that academic excellence can be demonstrated in a number of ways, the scholarships are available to students who commence undergraduate studies through a range of pathways.

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    All scholarships


    Student highlights

    Dreams, Design, and Discovery
    24 Oct 2025 • Kajal Rajkumar Lakhani

    Dreams, Design, and Discovery

    For Kajal, studying at the University of Newcastle has been a journey of growth, friendships, volunteering, and unforgettable memories.

    Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma
    09 Jul 2025 • Kristen Troy

    Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma

    Kristen is using her Diploma studies to help prepare for the changes in her industry and to stay ahead. And as a bonus, it's also helped her grow professionally.

    Upskilling builds confidence in current role
    09 Jan 2024 • Claudia Colquhoun

    Upskilling builds confidence in current role

    When Claudia was presented with the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Information Technology at her workplace, she seized it with enthusiasm.

    Hands-on learning in Fiji
    16 May 2023 • Maeve Smith

    Hands-on learning in Fiji

    Maeve recently took part in a two-week Psychology Tour of Fiji as part of the New Colombo Plan.

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    Researcher highlights

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