Bruce McDonald Accountancy Alumni Scholarship 2026

The Bruce McDonald Accountancy Alumni Scholarship, established by Swinburne Accounting Alumni, provides financial support to a second-year undergraduate student who demonstrates passion for accounting or an allied business discipline and has experienced educational disadvantage. This two-year scholarship is an integral component of the Accounting Futures Fund which aims to inspire and invigorate a pipeline of career-ready, innovative and entrepreneurial graduates in collaboration with business, industry and the community.

Named in honour of Bruce McDonald, the scholarship recognises his remarkable career at Swinburne which spanned more than 50 years and included head of Swinburne's accounting department, and later Swinburne's philanthropy and alumni engagement programs

This scholarship is valued at up to $20,000 with $10,000 paid annually for up to two years.

The following undergraduate business courses (including double degrees) offered by Swinburne University of Technology:

• Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Business (Professional) - Majoring in the following:
  • Accounting
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Accounting and Financial Planning
  • Finance
  • Financial Planning
  • Information Systems
• Bachelor of Accounting 
• Bachelor of Business Information Systems 
• Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional) 
• Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology 

To be eligible for the Bruce McDonald Accountancy Alumni Scholarship, applicants must:

1. Meet the following criteria:
   • Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian permanent resident with Humanitarian Visa.
2. Meet the following enrolment criteria:
   • be a continuing second year student in Semester 1, 2026
   • enrolled full-time in an eligible course (see courses eligible in section above)

3. Provide evidence of educational disadvantage, which may fall under the categories listed below. To assist you, we’ve included a link to the VTAC website for further guidance on preparing your evidence.

   Personal information and location
   Financial hardship
   Living with a disability or medical condition
   Difficult family and life circumstance

4. Provide evidence of community involvement using reference letters, certificate of participation. Examples such as (but not limited to):
   • extra-curricular service to the community
   • sporting participation and/or
   • leadership qualities
5. Submit a personal statement of up to 500 words addressing:
   • why you should be awarded the scholarship
   • outlining your interest in a career in Accounting and/or Business
   • your future aspirations (both career and future career)
6. Provide a written reference from a teacher, community leader, or employer.
   Note: referees cannot be a family member or friend.

This scholarship is valued at $10,000 per year, for up to two years, paid bi-annually.

Applicants should complete an online application form and submit with all supporting documentation by 15 March 2026.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. For assistance when completing your application, please view the Scholarship Help Guide. 

Fees and Scholarships Team, Student Administration.
scholarship@swin.edu.au