Tu Khanh Phuong, a student from class 12A1 at the High School for Gifted Students in Foreign Languages under the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University Hanoi, has won a full-tuition scholarship from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia - the only scholarship awarded globally for the July 2026 intake.

Vietnamese student earns full scholarship to Australian university

The University of Technology Sydney is currently ranked among Australia’s top nine universities and the world’s top 100 according to the QS rankings. Its 100% tuition scholarship is considered highly competitive, as only one applicant worldwide receives the award in each admission round, with two rounds held annually.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Khanh Phuong said she was overwhelmed with surprise and happiness upon receiving the news. The university had long been her dream destination and top goal.

“When I received the admission and scholarship notification, I was in class. I randomly checked my phone and could not believe my eyes. I had to ask my teacher for permission to step outside so I could carefully read the congratulatory letter again to make sure I had really received the scholarship,” she said.

Prior to this achievement, Khanh Phuong maintained outstanding academic performance throughout high school, including a remarkable grade point average of 9.8 in her final year. She also earned an SAT score of 1570, including a perfect 800/800 in Math, along with an IELTS overall band score of 8.0 and a perfect 9.0 in Listening.

An essay about failure and community contribution

Khanh Phuong believes her application stood out to the admissions committee not only because of her academic achievements but also thanks to her highly personal essay and impressive extracurricular activities.

Among them were theatrical performances staged at her high school, serving as an inspirational speaker at TEDx Marie Curie Ha Dong Youth, and participating in the Anh Moc volunteer project aimed at promoting English learning and supporting children in mountainous areas with school supplies.

“Through these extracurricular activities, I think the admissions committee saw my desire to contribute to the community,” she shared.

Most notably, in her essay, Phuong reflected on how her personal growth began with failure.

“I was not an outstanding student at the beginning. I failed the entrance exams to several high-quality secondary schools and even received a zero in Math during one sixth-grade entrance exam,” she recalled.

According to the student, those experiences helped her recognize her own limitations, change her learning methods and view failure as an opportunity to create a new direction for herself. Her efforts eventually paid off when she became the valedictorian of her middle school graduation class and was later admitted to a specialized high school.

In her essay, Phuong also discussed how she faced challenges while participating in extracurricular activities and expressed her determination to turn words into concrete actions that could bring value to the community - especially by inspiring children in disadvantaged areas to learn English.

“From those experiences, I learned that a leader must dare to fail, acknowledge personal limitations, and be willing to change and innovate in order to find new paths. I believe that aligns with the core values the university is looking for,” she said.

Speaking about her study methods, Khanh Phuong said she always prepares lessons carefully before class. During lessons, she stays focused and actively asks teachers and classmates about anything she does not fully understand. She also manages her time carefully and sets specific goals for each subject.

Beyond schoolwork, she expands her knowledge through hobbies and activities such as reading, playing the piano, drawing and tutoring English and Math.

The student said she feels fortunate to always receive support from teachers and friends, as well as care and understanding from her family.

“Most importantly, I’m deeply grateful to my parents for always listening to me, supporting me and creating opportunities for me to develop my strengths throughout my studies and preparations for studying abroad. Especially my mother, who has always been there encouraging and helping me,” she shared.

Khanh Phuong plans to move to Australia in July to begin her studies and intends to pursue a business-related major. For now, however, she is devoting all her time and effort to the national high school graduation exam, aiming for the best possible results.

At the same time, she has been proactively preparing essential life skills such as cooking and independent living in preparation for her overseas journey.

“In the future, I will continue striving to perform well at university in order to maintain the scholarship while actively participating in social activities and student clubs. I want to make the most of my study-abroad experience to strengthen my knowledge and professional skills, then return home and contribute to the country’s development,” she said.

Thanh Hung