Catalyst Program
Are you a high achiever and want to get the most out of your University experience?
The Catalyst Program combines your Bachelor degree with scholarships, extracurricular experiences, special events, and networking opportunities. It was created for outstanding students, just like you.
A suite of core inclusions for all Catalyst students include scholarships, events and opportunities. From there the experiences are customised towards your particular degree, providing you an expanded educational experience relevant to your area of interest.
If you want to get the most out of your University experience, set yourself apart in your chosen field, and give yourself an edge for future employment, the Catalyst Program is for you.
Read about all the benefits of the Catalyst Program below then check out the course options to see if the degree you're interested in is part of the program.
Program Benefits
Join the Catalyst Community
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels, from University wide events for the whole cohort, to course specific events that provide bespoke study experiences relevant to your desired area of study.
As part of this community you’ll have the opportunity to network with other students and staff, exploring areas of study outside your own and forging connections that may last well beyond your time at University. We’ll also connect you directly to areas of the University who can help facilitate your Catalyst opportunities, like the overseas exchange, Bachelor of Philosophy, and corporate internships.
In addition, you’ll be able to engage with a wide range of special guests at exclusive Catalyst events. Recent speakers have included Dr Alan Finkel (Australian Chief Scientist), Benita Husband (CEO Pitt & Sherry) and David Bartlett (ex-Premier of Tasmania).
Experiences, Opportunities, and Scholarships
The Catalyst Program is all about providing a wide range of study experiences and opportunities to help you get the most out of your University education and give you an edge for future employment.
Up to $8,500 in scholarships can be available to all Catalyst students to help you take advantage of these opportunities, with most of the funding dedicated to supporting your student experiences. See below for more details on each component of the program.
Catalyst Scholarship (Domestic Students)
All commencing domestic Catalyst students receive the $3,000 Catalyst bursary scholarship, delivered as two $1,500 payments over your first two semesters. All you need to do once you’re admitted to the program is to be fully enrolled in your units at census date, and have successfully passed all your units in each semester.
The Catalyst Scholarship is not available to students transferring into the program after their first year, however the Overseas Educational scholarship and Expanded Learning Opportunity scholarship are.
Tasmanian International Scholarship (International Students)
The Tasmanian International Scholarship (TIS) provides commencing international students with a 25% reduction in registered tuition fees for the duration of their course (provided satisfactory grades are maintained). International students who qualify for the Catalyst Program qualify for the Tasmanian International Scholarship.
Overseas Educational Experience + Scholarship
Up to $2,500 is available to support overseas educational experiences relevant to your degree. The full amount is guaranteed to all Catalyst students who successful apply for a semester overseas exchange program. Shorter overseas opportunities, typically with a duration of two to six weeks, are available on a course by course basis. Each provides an experience specifically related to units within your degree, and the amount of scholarship provided is customised based on that experience.
Engineering students Edwina and Zoe set out to investigate making the world a better place when they joined Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a charity that helps link engineers with communities across the world.
Experience Based Learning Opportunity + Scholarship
Up to $3,000 is available to support experience based learning opportunities that are either relevant to your degree or expand your fields of study. The application and amount varies by the experience, and is typically either used to enable an opportunity – such as the preferential placement on the corporate internship for business students – or delivered upon successful application to an opportunity – such as the summer research project for science students.
Business and Economics students may choose to take advantage of preferrential placement in the Corporate Internship Program, while Science, Engineering and Technology students can investigate undertaking a Summer Research Project to put their knowledge into practice.
Bachelor of Philosophy
The Bachelor of Philosophy is a no cost companion degree for high achieving students who are critical and creative thinkers. People who are motivated to become the thought and action leaders of the future, who want to embrace the world around them, expand their university experience to include multi-disciplinary perspectives, and affect positive change wherever their future careers take them.
Entry into the Catalyst Program means you automatically meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil), however it’s your choice if you wish to undertake it. During your Catalyst events and via our Catalyst community, we’ll connect you to staff and students who can help you learn more about the BPhil and if it’s right for you. We also only admit students into the BPhil after they complete their first year of study, so you have plenty of time to explore it as an option.
Eligibility Requirements
Domestic Students
The Catalyst Program is designed for high achieving school leavers who completed secondary education in the past two years.
An automatic assessment is conducted once ATARs are released, and continues until applications close for the coming semester. Eligible students will be contacted directly via email with an offer for the Catalyst Program.
In order to be eligible you need to have:
- Completed secondary education within the past two years and achieved an ATAR of 90 or greater, and
- Received an offer for one of the courses included in the Catalyst Program (double degrees where at least one degree is in the Catalyst Program is also fine), and be admitted into and enrolled by the commencement of the first study period.
If you are a non-school leaver or current student
You can apply to join the Catalyst Program after your first year of study if you:
- Achieve a GPA of 6.0 in your first year of study,
- Are enrolled as a full time student at census date of your second year of study, and
- Are studying one of the courses included in the Catalyst Program.
Note, students transferring into the Catalyst Program can access the Overseas Educational Experience and Experience Based Learning Opportunity scholarships but not the Catalyst Scholarship.
If you are interested to know more please enquire now.
International Students
Admissions information for international applicants, including English language requirements, is available from the International Future Students site. You can also enquire online to check your eligibility.
Course Options with the Catalyst Program
Below are all the single degrees that are currently included in the Catalyst Program.
Students studying double degrees are also eligible if both components of their double degree are included in the program.
- Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Accelerated)
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours
- Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology
- Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness
- Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science
- Bachelor of Medical Research
- Bachelor of Pharmacy with Applied Honours
- Bachelor of Science
- Skema Business School, France
- EM Strasbourg Business School, France
- Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU), Germany
- The Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
- University of Sussex, UK
- Mendel University of Brno, Czech Republic
- Thompson Rovers, Economics
- Skema Business School, France
- EM Strasbourg Business School, France
- Otto Beisheim School of Management (WHU), Germany
- The Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
- University of Sussex, UK
- Mendel University of Brno, Czech Republic
- Thompson Rovers, Economics
- Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy
- Postgraduate Clinical Redesign
- Research degree
Science
Catalyst Ambassador: Stas Shabala
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students can access up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Summer Research Project
You will have the chance to apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic. Past projects have covered a wide range of subjects such as health care modelling of bed in intensive care units, supercomputer simulations of a black hole in distant galaxies and chemical analysis of heavy metals in Tasmanian fish. Through negotiation with your supervisor, you will have the opportunity to align your project with a research topic that interests you. As a Catalyst Student, you'll access a scholarship up to $3,000 to support your project.
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Science will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and the Student Research Seminar Series.
Further Study
Bachelor of Science with Honours
Further studies in a specialised area of Science. Your honours year is a chance to gain valuable training in research as preparation of employment in research organisations or for postgraduate study in Master's or PhD programs.
Architecture and Built Environments
Catalyst Ambassador: Louise Wallis
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Catalyst students can access up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
The New Colombo Plan High Achievers Scholarship Program
Connecting culture and tradition through bamboo architecture + agriculture
The New Colombo Plan Scholarship is a prestigious Australian Government program that provides opportunities for high achieving students enrolled in undergraduate programs to undertake a semester of study overseas within 40 approved countries within the Indo-Pacific region.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Industry Projects
Usually undertaken over a 2-week intensive unit, Learning by Making projects focus on the collaborative design, fabrication, assembly and installation of an object or space, often located in a public setting. You will have the chance to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, engineers and local authorities. Past projects have supported MONA FOMA, Dark MOFO and Junction Arts festivals, Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, state and local governments and not-for-profit organisations.
Cohort events
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments will connect you with an innovative group of like-minded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits, design exhibitions.
Further Study
Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture degree is an accredited professional degree that provides advanced education in architecture and is the principal pathway to registration as a practising architect.
Bachelor of Environmental Design with Honours
Further studies in a specialised area of Environmental Design. Your honours year is a chance to gain valuable training in research as preparation of employment in research organisations or for postgraduate study in Masters or PhD programs.
Design
Catalyst Ambassador: Louise Wallis
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Industry Projects
Usually undertaken over 2-week intensive unit, Learning by Making projects focus on the collaborative design, fabrication, assembly and installation of an object or space, often located in a public setting. You will have the chance to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, engineers and local authorities. Past projects have supported MONA FOMA, Dark MOFO and Junction Arts festivals, Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, state and local governments and not-for-profit organisations.
Cohort events
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Design will connect you with an innovative group of like-minded staff and student through guest speaker sessions and networking events.
Further Study
Bachelor of Environmental Design with Honours
Further studies in a specialised area of Environmental Design. Your honours year is a chance to gain valuable training in research as preparation of employment in research organisations or for postgraduate study in Masters or PhD programs.
Engineering
Catalyst Ambassador: Sarah Lyden
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Humanitarian Design Summit
The Engineers Without Borders Humanitarian Design Summit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an immersive learning experience. Over 14 days, you’ll push your boundaries and gain insight into best practice community development.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
You will have the chance to apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic. Example projects could be investigating small-scale wind turbine viability in Tasmania, assessing intelligent smart home simulators or designing a mobile aquatic drone for collection of waste in bodies of water. Through negotiation with your supervisor, you will have the opportunity to align your project with a research topic that interests you. As a Catalyst Student, you'll access a scholarship up to $3,000 to support your project.
Cohort events
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. You’ll be able to engage with a wide range of special guests at exclusive Catalyst events. Recent speakers have included Dr Alan Finkel (Australian Chief Scientist), Benita Husband (CEO Pitt & Sherry) and David Bartlett (ex-Premier of Tasmania).
Further Study
As part of your Engineering degree, you'll complete Honours in your final year of study. You'll undertake a two-semester project within your engineering specialisation. This involves an analysis of requirements, assessing the feasibility of an advanced engineering project, and designing a prototype. Your honours year is a chance to gain valuable training in research as preparation of employment in research organisations or for postgraduate study in Masters or PhD programs.
Natural Environment and Wilderness
Catalyst Ambassador: Emma Pharo
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Summer Research Project
You will have the chance to investigate environmental change in Tasmania’s landscapes through a Summer Research Project. Under the supervision of an experienced academic, you will contribute to research that investigates genuine issues in Tasmania. Example projects could be assessing bushfire management in urban bushland, investigating impacts of bush walkers on tracks in wilderness areas, or assessing social change in mountain bike track developments. Through negotiation with your supervisor, you will have the opportunity to align your project with a research topic that interests you. Upon being accepted for a project you'll be supported by a $3,000 scholarship
Cohort events
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies will connect with like-minded staff and student through networking events, and field trips, as well as the opportunity to accompany staff on research trips across Tasmania’s wilderness areas.
Further Study
Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies with Honours
Further studies in a specialised area of Natural Environment and Wilderness. Your honours year is a chance to gain valuable training in research as preparation of employment in research organisations or for postgraduate study in Masters or PhD programs.
Marine and Antarctic Science
Catalyst Ambassador: TBC
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students can access up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Summer research project
You will have the chance to apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic. Past projects have covered a wide range of subjects such as Climate-driven changes in ocean oxygen, Reconstructing dust deposition and biological productivity in the polar frontal region, and sampling for paleoceanographic reconstructions of ocean circulation and productivity. Through negotiation with your supervisor, you will have the opportunity to align your project with a research topic that interests you. As a Catalyst Student, you'll receive a scholarship of $3,000 to support your project.
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and the Student Research Seminar Series.
Further Study
This degree provides a clear pathway for students to undertake postgraduate and PhD study and can lead to employment with local industry connections. The Australian Antarctic Program Partnership between the University of Tasmania, CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Antarctic Division employs PhD students, early-career researchers and technicians working with senior scientists.
If you successfully complete the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, you may also be eligible to apply for a 1-year Honours program, which provides students with advanced knowledge and scientific training in a specialised area of marine and antarctic science; training in research as preparation for employment in a research organisation or for postgraduate study in Masters or PhD programs.
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Accelerated)
Catalyst Academic Ambassador for Business and Economics: Dr Dugald Tinch
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their current degree. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Examples of current partner institutions for Business and Economics include:
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Corporate Internship Program
Be considered first for industry placements in the Corporate Internship Program during your final year of study. Through an internship, you’ll gain invaluable industry experience and exposure to some of Tasmania’s top business minds.
Catalyst Research Projects
High-achieving Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for research assistant experience in exciting research projects led by the College of Business and Economics investigators. These could involve data collection, quantitative or qualitative analysis of data, literature reviews, etc. Current relevant research projects can be found in the following sites and further research opportunities can be explored:
Behavioural Economics for Policy - Catalyst Research Project
High-achieving Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for a research project opportunity in the new experimental lab being established as part of the Behavioural Economics for Policy Unit. These highly sought-after WIL placements will provide students with research support roles in the application of behavioural insights to policy challenges Projects could involve designing interventions to combat these challenges, and conducting experiments (both in the lab and in the field) to test and evidence their effectiveness.
Professional Development
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for financial support of up to $500 to fund professional development opportunities such as leadership development, advanced software training (e.g. GIS) or industry seminars, workshops or events that will enhance their learning.
Catalyst Work Placement
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for a range of Catalyst work placement opportunities including preferential access to highly-valued work-experience opportunities on key projects with industry partners and paid summer work placements in firms. You will be told more about these opportunities during your College Catalyst welcome events.
Membership of Industry Associations
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for College financial support to cover membership of relevant industry associations such as the Economics Society of Australia (Tasmania). This will provide an opportunity to meaningfully engage and network with practising professionals.
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Business and Economics will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and special seminars.
Further Study
Bachelor of Economics
Catalyst Academic Ambassador for Business and Economics: Dr Dugald Tinch
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their current degree. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Examples of current partner institutions for Business and Economics include:
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Corporate Internship Program
Be considered first for industry placements in the Corporate Internship Program during your final year of study. Through an internship, you’ll gain invaluable industry experience and exposure to some of Tasmania’s top business minds.
Catalyst Research Projects
High-achieving Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for research assistant experience in exciting research projects led by the College of Business and Economics investigators. These could involve data collection, quantitative or qualitative analysis of data, literature reviews, etc. Current relevant research projects can be found in the following sites and further research opportunities can be explored:
Behavioural Economics for Policy - Catalyst Research Project
High-achieving Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for a research project opportunity in the new experimental lab being established as part of the Behavioural Economics for Policy Unit. These highly sought-after WIL placements will provide students with research support roles in the application of behavioural insights to policy challenges Projects could involve designing interventions to combat these challenges, and conducting experiments (both in the lab and in the field) to test and evidence their effectiveness.
Professional Development
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for financial support of up to $500 to fund professional development opportunities such as leadership development, advanced software training (e.g. GIS) or industry seminars, workshops or events that will enhance their learning.
Catalyst Work Placement
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for a range of Catalyst work placement opportunities including preferential access to highly-valued work-experience opportunities on key projects with industry partners and paid summer work placements in firms. You will be told more about these opportunities during your College Catalyst welcome events.
Membership of Industry Associations
Business and Economics Catalyst students can apply for College financial support to cover membership of relevant industry associations such as the Economics Society of Australia (Tasmania). This will provide an opportunity to meaningfully engage and network with practising professionals.
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Business and Economics will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and special seminars.
Further Study
Bachelor of Pharmacy with Applied Honours
Catalyst Academic Ambassador for Pharmacy: Dr Mackenzie Williams
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their current degree. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
For Pharmacy students this could include an international clinical pharmacy placement with our UK/Canada partners.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Enhance your study experience with a Scholarship (up to $3,000 HECS waiver) to support any approved unit in the field of medication management that provides RPL relevant to Graduate Certificate. Eg CAM554 Clinical Redesign (part of Graduate Certificate (Clinical Redesign) (M5V) or new Postgraduate Pharmacy Specific Unit (Masters/Specialisation).
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Pharmacy with Applied Honours will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and special seminars.
Further Study
Bachelor of Medical Research
Catalyst Academic Ambassador for Medical Research: Dr Renee Ross
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Enhance your study experience with a Summer research project opportunity (locally or interstate) in your first or second year.
Cohort events
The Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over as a graduate. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Medical Research will connect with likeminded staff and student through networking events, guest speaker visits and special seminars.
Further Study
Bachelor of Medical Research with Honours
Postgraduate Clinical Redesign
Research degree
Information and Communication Technology
Catalyst Ambassador: Erin Roehrer
Overseas Educational Experience
The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience as part of their second year of study. With 150 partner institutions, there is a program for everyone. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students up to $2,500 in additional scholarship funds to assist with costs.
Expanded Learning Opportunity
Summer Research Project
You will have the chance to apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic. Through negotiation with your supervisor, you will have the opportunity to align your project with a research topic that interests you. As a Catalyst Student, you'll receive a scholarship of $3,000 to support your project.
Cohort events
When you join the Catalyst Program, you’ll be joining a growing community of high achieving students from a wide range of study areas. We run a range of activities each year that connect our Catalyst students together at all levels. Experiences in the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology will connect with like-minded staff and student through networking events guest speaker visits.
Further Study
If you successfully complete Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research.