The Study Tour takes place from around mid-October to the end of November each year, taking Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander university students and graduates to visit leading universities in the US and the UK.

The group of successful Study Tour applicants will spend approximately 3 weeks in the US visiting Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, NYU and Harvard, and approximately 10 days in the UK at Cambridge, Oxford, London School of Business, and the London School of Economics. 

The Study Tour not only offers invaluable opportunities for students to gain insight into the realities of undertaking postgraduate study at these leading institutions but also provides the opportunity to travel with a group of like-minded students. The Study Tour involves meetings with key academics and administrators at each university, as well as current students in the areas of participants' interest.

It is possible to join for one, or both, parts of the tour. Costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals are covered.


​To be eligible applicants must:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander;
• Have graduated from your first degree, or have completed at least two years of your undergraduate degree;
• Have a distinction average or an Honours degree;
• Have a strong interest in postgraduate study overseas;
• Be willing to act as an ambassador of the program while overseas and on your return to Australia, committing to 5 Outreach events with school and university students.

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Application Dates:

Applications for the Study Tour open from March - May annually.

For further information on the Aurora Study Tour, please visit the Aurora Indigenous Scholarships Portal or email the Aurora Scholarships Team on scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au.

Every step in the process of the Study Tour ... was a journey of massive self-growth for me.
I told myself to embrace the unknown and the discomfort.  I reminded myself, Aurora has selected me, I'm meant to be here and I even made a speech at an event.  Now, when I'm feeling unsure about myself, I think about that night... 'I can do this' was my mantra.

- Danika Watson, 2019 Study Tour Participant

The 2019 Aurora Scholars at Berkeley

Visiting these leading institutions in the US and the UK has had a profound effect on the direction I want to take my postgraduate research... Meeting with people from such diverse backgrounds, including my peers on the Tour, other graduates and the Professors themselves, has opened my eyes to the potential I have and the paths I can take to ensure that I take full advantage of my knowledge and abilities...

- Sarah Bourke, 2012 Study Tour Participant
Sarah went on to study an MPhil then DPhil in Anthropology at Oxford University as a Roberta Sykes Scholar

You can read more about the experience in the words of participants by clicking below:

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2019 Study Tour Reflections

2018 Study Tour Reflections

2017 Study Tour Reflections

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