Co-curricular Excellence Scholarships
Scholarships for sporting and cultural excellence.
Brisbane Boy’s College is proud to offer its students an extensive suite of co-curricular opportunities, including numerous sports, musical, intellectual activities and the performing arts. Exposure to sporting activities and the arts is vital to a boy’s educational experience, and BBC places considerable importance on our offerings in those areas to ensure that each student has the chance to find their passion and thrive. Our Co-Curricular Excellence Scholarships speak to the College’s commitment to this crucial aspect of childhood development.
We offer a variety of scholarships designed to strengthen our sporting and cultural offerings and ensure that BBC continues to be able to provide the high-quality educational experience that every boy deserves.
The College prioritises co-curricular scholarships in areas where our data suggests they are needed most and can create the best possible experience for the recipient, other students and the broader school community. By adapting our approach to consistently identify and enrol boys with unique talents and exceptional abilities, we are able to offer a bespoke approach to development and wellbeing that allows them to unlock their full potential. This, in turn, benefits our entire school community by further expanding our diverse and multi-talented student body, fostering the teamwork and collegial spirit that make our school so special.
2027 Music Scholarship applications are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Tuesday 5 May 30 2026 at which time applications will be shortlisted by the Scholarship Assessment Committee with auditions being held on Wednesday 27 May 2026.
2027 Pipe Band Scholarship Applications are now open and will close on 5.00pm on Monday 31 August 2026 at which time applications will be shortlisted by the Scholarship Assessment Committee with the date of auditions to be confirmed.
2026 Sporting Scholarships will now be accepted by Invitation only, applications will be shortlisted by the Scholarship Assessment Committee once received.
The College reserves the right to interview candidates and award scholarships at any time. Once accepted, the terms and conditions of a scholarship are final. The amount awarded and the conditions it is subject to cannot be renegotiated.
As part of their scholarship, students are required to adhere to a high standard of behaviour and academic and co-curricular involvement. These expectations will be discussed and made clear prior to the student’s acceptance of an offered scholarship. The College awards a limited number of scholarships each year, the Scholarship Assessment Committee annually review the progress and participation of each student to ensure that they are meeting the necessary standards. If a student’s behaviour or participation is unsatisfactory, their scholarship may be withdrawn.
Please note:
- Students applying for a sporting scholarship will need to supply a video demonstrating excellence and may be asked to trial.
- A one-time fee of $150 is required when registering for scholarship consideration. In addition, successful applicants will also be required to pay the remainder of the Application Fee – $400.00, and the Confirmation Fee of $2,250.00 These fees are applicable to all College applicants.
Selection Criteria
Scholarship Obligations
Brisbane Boys’ College welcomes applications from candidates who meet the following selection criteria:
- Demonstrates a high standard of effort and behaviour
- Demonstrates sound academic achievement as noted in past school reports
- Demonstrates a high level of achievement in one (or more) of the below sub-categories:
Competitive: Sports, Debating, Chess, Robotics
To be considered the applicant must achieve the following:
Student is a State or National Level representative in their chosen sport(s) or activity; which must be offered by the relevant College / GPS competition and participates or competes at a high level in at least one other sport or activity (regional representative or above) offered by the College.
Cultural and Performing Arts: Music, Pipe Band, Theatre
To be considered the applicant must be able to demonstrate or be achieving at the following level :
for Music & Pipe Band
| Strings | Woodwind | Brass | Percussion | Vocals | Rock band | Pipe Band | |
| Year 7 | AMEB Grade 4 | AMEB Grade 3 | AMEB Grade 3 | AMEB Grade 4 | AMEB Grade 2-3 | Extensive experience and completion of relevant AMEB exams | Solo piping or drumming ‘C’ grade |
| Year 8 | AMEB Grade 5 | AMEB Grade 4 | AMEB Grade 4 | AMEB Grade 5 | AMEB Grade 3-4 | ||
| Year 9 | AMEB Grade 6 | AMEB Grade 5 | AMEB Grade 5 | AMEB Grade 6 | AMEB Grade 4-5 | Solo piping or drumming ‘B’ grade | |
| Year 10 | AMEB Grade 7 | AMEB Grade 6 | AMEB Grade 6 | AMEB Grade 7 | AMEB Grade 5-6 | ||
| Year 11 |
Participation at a high level in a least one other co-curricular activity offered by the College.
For Pipe Band
Students who demonstrate exceptional musical aptitude, commitment and leadership potential as pipers or drummers are invited to apply for a Pipe Band Scholarship. Successful applicants will benefit from dedicated instruction and mentorship delivered by BBC’s highly experienced Pipe Band staff, comprising leading educators and professional musicians who are committed to upholding and advancing the proud traditions of the BBC Pipe Band.
At least C grade solo competition standard on bagpipes or snare drum with the ability to perform March, Strathspey and Reel at said standard
Outstanding performance ability on bagpipes or snare drum
Leadership qualities and a commitment to contributing to the success and advancement of the BBC Pipe Band
High standard of musicianship, technical proficiency, and musical expression appropriate to Pipe Band performance
Ongoing individual tuition on principal instrument and active participation in rehearsals
Auditions will include performance of two contrasting pieces on the principal instrument
- March, Strathspey & Reel
- Hornpipe & Jig
Participation at a high level in a least one other co-curricular activity offered by the College.
For Theatre
Advanced range of acting skills and an ability to convey a character with dynamism, as demonstrated in an audition
Lead role in school/club/regional drama club production or regional level public speaking
Extensive involvement in school/club musicals, productions or theatre sports
Participation at a high level in a least one other co-curricular activity offered by the College
Co-Curricular Excellence Scholarship recipients are expected to meet certain obligations as part of maintaining their scholarship place at the College. These include the following:
- Maintain a high standard of effort and behaviour, as indicated by a Subject Application Rating (SAR) average of 3.5 or better
- Demonstrated commitment in their awarded co-curricular activity, as well as involvement in a second co-curricular activity at the College
- Demonstrated involvement in at least one cultural or service activity each year
- Financial capability to cover any remaining fees (including any incidentals)
NB Scholarships will be reviewed regularly to ensure the recipient is continuing to meet their obligations
The above applies in addition to any special terms and conditions listed in a scholarship offer. Please note scholarships awarded contribute to tuition fees only – they do not contribute towards uniforms, textbooks, incidentals etc.
Co-curricular Excellence Scholarship Application Process
All Co-curricular Excellence Scholarship applicants are required to submit an Application for Scholarship Form and any additional documents as part of the Portfolio of Accomplishments.
All scholarship applicants who have not already done so must complete a Brisbane Boys’ College Online Enrolment Form as part of their application.
You will be invited to submit the unique code scholarship in the final ‘Review and Payment’ step in your online application for a reduced non-refundable $150 application fee.
You will be required to upload the following documentation as part of your online enrolment application:
- Applicant’s Birth Certificate and/or Passport
- School reports from the last two years
- Most recent NAPLAN and if undertaken, ICAS results
- Application for Scholarship Form, and an accompanying Portfolio of Accomplishments (please upload these documents when invited to submit ‘Additional Supportive Documents’ in the online application)
- A video demonstrating excellence in chosen sport / instrument
Interviews
As a general guide, interviews for short-listed candidates will be held progressively from April. For families who have not yet had the opportunity to visit Brisbane Boys’ College, our Junior and Middle/Senior School College Tours are a wonderful event by which to measure the breadth of opportunity and engagement in learning evident in our boys.
View our upcoming tour dates, and register for the tour of your choice.
Individual tours may also be arranged with Student Admissions. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
Eligibility Criteria
These scholarships are awarded to students who can successfully demonstrate general excellence across a number of co-curricular fields. Awarding of scholarships is determined based on merit and level of achievement and not needs-based. Scholarship places are strictly limited. Scholarships are only open to Australian Residents.
Students who are seeking enrolment, but do not have the financial means to enrol at the College, are welcome to apply for the BBC Bursary Program.