The RMIT University Scholarships 2027 support international students undertaking a full-time master’s by research or PhD degree at RMIT University in Australia. Through its central scholarship round, RMIT considers applicants for the Australian Government-funded RTP Stipend Scholarship and the university-funded RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship, both of which provide a full international tuition-fee scholarship, a living allowance currently valued at AUD 36,245 per year, and relocation support of up to AUD 1,540. Exceptional PhD applicants can also compete for the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship, which increases the annual stipend to AUD 48,299, provides an additional AUD 5,000 research allowance each year, and covers Overseas Student Health Cover. Unlike scholarships with a single application stage, RMIT requires applicants to first secure support from a proposed supervisor and submit an Expression of Interest before invited candidates can complete the full admission and scholarship application. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the RMIT University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The main RMIT University Scholarships covered in this guide are:
- RTP Stipend Scholarship
- RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship
- Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship
Applicants submit one central research scholarship application and are automatically considered for the standard stipend and international tuition-fee scholarships for which they are eligible. However, candidates seeking the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship must complete an additional VCPS Expression of Interest form during the same application period.
Related Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
RMIT University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s by Research / PhD
- Institution: RMIT University
- Study Destination: Australia
- Courses Offered: Eligible Higher Degree by Research programmes
- Standard Scholarship Period: Two years for a master’s by research and three and a half years for a PhD
RMIT offers research degrees across areas including architecture, art, business, communication, design, education, engineering, health and biomedical sciences, information technology, law, media, science and social sciences. Applicants may propose their own research topic or apply for an available funded research project, depending on the requirements of the relevant school.
Application Deadline
The 2027 RMIT University research scholarship round for international applicants follows this schedule:
- Expression of Interest applications opened: June 1, 2026
- Expression of Interest deadline: August 30, 2026
- Full application deadline: September 30, 2026
- Successful applicants begin receiving offers: November 23, 2026
- All outcomes finalised: March 2027
- Expected scholarship commencement: March 2027
The Expression of Interest deadline is the last day on which international applicants can submit the documents required for the initial assessment. Applicants invited to proceed must then submit their full admission and scholarship application by September 30, 2026.
Applicants should not wait until August to contact a supervisor. RMIT states that an Expression of Interest may take up to four weeks to assess, and every scholarship applicant must submit evidence that an academic member of staff has agreed in principle to supervise the proposed research.
Applicants seeking the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship follow the same international deadlines:
- VCPS Expression of Interest deadline: August 30, 2026
- Full application deadline: September 30, 2026
The separate VCPS form must be completed at the Expression of Interest stage. Completing only the standard research application does not automatically place an applicant in the VCPS competition.
RMIT may accept applications outside the central scholarship round for separately funded research projects, school scholarships, industry-sponsored projects and other externally funded opportunities. These awards have their own eligibility conditions and deadlines.
RMIT University Scholarship Coverage
The benefits depend on the scholarship awarded to the applicant.
RTP Stipend Scholarship
The RTP Stipend Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government through the Research Training Program.
Based on the published 2026 benefits, international recipients receive:
- A tax-free living stipend of AUD 36,245 per year
- Annual stipend indexation
- An RTP International Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship
- Full tuition-fee coverage for the approved scholarship period
- Relocation support of up to AUD 1,540
- Paid sick leave
- Paid maternity and parenting leave
- Up to two years of support for a master’s by research
- Up to three years and six months of support for a PhD
The relocation allowance provides up to AUD 515 for each adult and AUD 255 for each child, subject to the overall maximum of AUD 1,540.
RMIT has not yet published the final 2027 stipend rate. The AUD 36,245 amount is the published 2026 rate and is subject to annual indexation, so successful applicants should check their scholarship offer for the amount payable in 2027.
RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship
The RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship is funded directly by RMIT University rather than the Australian Government.
Based on the current published benefits, it provides:
- A tax-free stipend of AUD 36,245 per year
- Annual stipend indexation
- An RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship
- Full international tuition-fee coverage
- Relocation support of up to AUD 1,540
- Paid sick, maternity and parenting leave
- Funding for up to two years for a master’s by research
- Funding for up to three and a half years for a PhD
The value and standard duration of the RRSS are currently the same as the RTP Stipend Scholarship. The main difference is the source of funding and the accompanying international tuition-fee scholarship.
International applicants do not need to choose between the RTP Stipend Scholarship and the RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship. One central application is used to assess candidates for the available stipend and tuition-fee scholarships.
The published standard RSS and RRSS benefits do not separately list international airfare, accommodation, visa application charges, Overseas Student Health Cover or dependant support. Applicants should budget for expenses that are not expressly included in their individual scholarship offer.
Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship
The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship is RMIT’s highest-value central research scholarship. The university normally offers ten VCPS awards each year to outstanding commencing PhD candidates.
Based on the published 2026 benefits, the scholarship provides:
- A tax-free stipend of AUD 48,299 per year
- Possible annual stipend indexation
- An annual research support allowance of AUD 5,000
- An RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship
- Full international tuition-fee coverage
- Overseas Student Health Cover for the visa period
- Relocation support of up to AUD 1,540
- Paid sick, maternity and parenting leave
- Funding for up to three years and six months
The AUD 48,299 stipend includes an RMIT top-up of approximately AUD 12,000 above the standard RTP stipend rate. The AUD 5,000 annual research allowance can be used for approved activities supporting the recipient’s research.
The final 2027 VCPS stipend has not yet been published. The values above are based on the 2026 scholarship round and may be adjusted before the 2027 awards begin.
The VCPS cannot be deferred to another scholarship year. A recipient unable to commence during the applicable 2027 commencement period would generally need to apply again in a future scholarship round.
Eligibility Criteria for RMIT University Scholarships
To qualify for the RMIT University research scholarships, applicants must meet the following general requirements:
- Eligible Countries: International applicants from all countries may apply.
- Applicants must apply for or be enrolled in an eligible RMIT master’s by research or PhD programme.
- Applicants must be primarily based at an RMIT campus in Australia.
- International applicants must enrol full-time.
- Applicants must meet the academic admission requirements of their selected research programme.
- Applicants must satisfy the relevant English-language requirement by the scholarship deadline.
- Applicants must identify a suitable senior supervisor.
- Applicants must submit evidence that the proposed supervisor supports the application.
- Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement and research potential.
- Selection considers academic results, research publications, research experience and relevant professional experience.
- Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
RMIT gives priority to applicants who achieved a high distinction in the final two years of their qualifying programme. At RMIT, a high distinction generally represents an academic result of 80% or higher. Applicants with lower grades may still be considered where publications, relevant employment and substantial research experience demonstrate an equivalent level of achievement.
Academic Requirements for a Master’s by Research
The minimum admission requirements for a master’s by research normally include:
- A relevant four-year bachelor’s degree with honours;
- A research component equivalent to at least 25% of one full-time academic year; and
- At least a credit average in the final year.
RMIT may also consider applicants with other appropriate qualifications or experience where the university is satisfied that they have sufficient knowledge and research potential to undertake the proposed programme. At RMIT, a credit normally represents a result of 60% or higher.
Scholarship selection is more competitive than admission. Applicants seeking RSS or RRSS funding should normally present stronger results than the minimum credit-level admission standard, particularly in the final two years of study.
Applicants for a master’s by research are ineligible for a stipend scholarship if they already hold a research master’s, PhD or an equivalent research qualification.
Academic Requirements for a PhD
Applicants for an RMIT PhD normally need one of the following:
- A relevant four-year bachelor’s degree with honours, including a research component equivalent to at least 25% of one academic year and a distinction average in the final year;
- A master’s degree containing a research component equivalent to at least 25% of one academic year, with an overall distinction average;
- A master’s degree without a substantial research component, completed with a high distinction average; or
- Other academic qualifications and research experience assessed by RMIT as providing sufficient preparation for doctoral research.
Admission also depends on the availability of an appropriate supervisor, research resources and a suitable proposed project.
PhD stipend applicants are not eligible if they already hold a research doctorate or an equivalent qualification.
Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship Eligibility
To be considered for the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship, applicants must be commencing an RMIT PhD programme from January 1, 2027 and apply for full-time doctoral study. Current students who have already commenced their RMIT PhD are not eligible.
Applicants must normally hold or be completing one of the following:
- A master’s by research;
- A master’s by coursework with a significant research component completed at high distinction level;
- A first-class honours degree; or
- A four-year bachelor’s degree with a GPA equivalent to 80% or above.
Applicants without one of these qualifications are considered only when they demonstrate substantial previous publications or significant research experience.
Applicants are ineligible for VCPS if they:
- Have already commenced an RMIT PhD;
- Already hold a research doctorate;
- Receive another scholarship, award or research-related salary worth more than 75% of the RTP base stipend; or
- Have not met the required English-language standard by the scholarship deadline.
English-Language Requirements
International applicants must meet the English-language requirements of their selected research programme by the published scholarship deadline. The exact score varies by research degree and discipline.
For many RMIT research programmes, the standard English requirement is:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5, with no component below 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 79, including the required minimum component scores
- PTE Academic: Overall 58, with no communication skill below 50
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall 176, with no component below 169
Some programmes require a higher English score. Applicants must check the admissions section of the specific research programme rather than assuming that the standard IELTS 6.5 requirement applies to every degree.
RMIT may recognise certain previous qualifications completed in English. However, applicants relying on previous study must satisfy the university’s country, qualification and recency requirements. For programmes requiring IELTS 7.0 or higher, an approved English test may still be compulsory even when the applicant’s previous degree was taught in English.
You can review our guide to scholarships without IELTS, but RMIT makes the final decision on whether an applicant’s previous education or English test satisfies the selected programme’s requirements.
How to Apply for RMIT University Scholarships?
Please follow the instructions below to apply for the RMIT University Scholarships:
(1) Review RMIT’s research degree programmes and select a master’s by research or PhD programme that aligns with your academic background and research interests.
Check the academic requirements, English-language score, campus and any school-specific selection requirements. International scholarship applicants must be enrolled primarily at an RMIT campus in Australia.
(2) Decide whether you will propose your own research topic or apply for an available RMIT research project.
Applicants proposing their own topic should ensure that it aligns with RMIT’s research strengths and that the relevant school has the expertise, facilities and supervision capacity required for the project. Applicants applying for an advertised project must follow any additional instructions given in the project description.
(3) Identify a suitable academic supervisor through RMIT’s research staff and project directories.
Contact the academic with a concise email explaining:
- Your academic qualifications;
- Previous thesis and research experience;
- Proposed research topic;
- Relevant publications or professional experience;
- Why your work aligns with the academic’s expertise; and
- Your intention to apply for the 2027 RMIT scholarship round.
Attach your academic transcripts, preliminary research outline and a focused academic CV.
Every scholarship applicant must obtain in-principle support from a proposed senior supervisor. From June 2026, both the applicant and supervisor must complete the official In-Principle Supervisor Supporting Statement form, which must be uploaded with the Expression of Interest.
(4) Prepare a research proposal or statement explaining your interest in an advertised research project.
For a self-developed project, RMIT recommends a proposal of approximately two to five pages containing:
- Research title and topic;
- Research questions;
- Context from the existing literature;
- Significance and expected impact;
- Proposed methodology and research tasks; and
- Required facilities, equipment, fieldwork or other resources.
The proposal should demonstrate both the value of the research and your suitability to undertake it. Discuss the proposal with your intended supervisor before submitting it.
(5) Prepare the documents required for the Expression of Interest.
The initial application should include your identification, CV, academic records, research proposal or project statement, English-language evidence and completed supervisor supporting statement.
Applicants from certain countries may also need to complete RMIT’s Simplified Student Visa Framework Statement of Purpose template. Sponsored applicants may need a financial guarantee letter.
(6) Submit the Expression of Interest through the RMIT research application portal by August 30, 2026.
Select the option showing that you are applying for both admission and scholarship consideration. The Expression of Interest gives RMIT enough information to assess your initial eligibility, proposed project and supervision arrangements.
The university may take up to four weeks to assess an Expression of Interest. Successful applicants will receive an invitation to proceed to the complete application.
(7) Applicants seeking the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship must also complete the VCPS Expression of Interest form during the same application period.
The VCPS form is additional to the standard RMIT research Expression of Interest. Applicants must complete both processes to be considered for the Vice-Chancellor’s award.
(8) If your Expression of Interest is approved, complete the full research admission and scholarship application by September 30, 2026.
Upload any additional documents requested by RMIT and confirm that your academic records, English evidence, supervisor details and research proposal are complete and consistent.
International scholarship applications are automatically considered for:
- RTP Stipend Scholarship;
- RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship;
- RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship; and
- RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship.
Applicants do not submit separate applications for each of these standard awards.
(9) Wait for the admission and scholarship assessment.
RMIT expects successful international applicants to begin receiving offers from November 23, 2026. Some eligible applicants may be placed on a reserve list if all available scholarships have initially been offered. Final outcomes, including reserve-list decisions, are expected by March 2027.
Successful applicants are generally expected to commence in March 2027, although an academic school or college may approve another start date based on individual circumstances. VCPS recipients cannot defer the scholarship to another year.
Documents Required for RMIT University Scholarships
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Completed Expression of Interest
- Certified passport or another valid photo identification document
- Academic CV
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Complete bachelor’s degree transcripts
- Master’s degree certificate and transcripts for PhD applicants, where applicable
- Official grading scale used by each previous institution
- Certified English translations of documents issued in another language
- Examiners’ reports for an ungraded research master’s degree
- Research proposal or statement of interest in an advertised project
- Completed In-Principle Supervisor Supporting Statement form
- Evidence of English-language proficiency or an accepted exemption
- Evidence of accepted, in-press or published journal articles
- Copies of relevant book chapters, conference abstracts or creative research outputs
- Proof of scholarships, academic awards or relevant professional experience
- Statement of Purpose using RMIT’s template, where required
- Letter of financial guarantee for sponsored applicants, where applicable
- Portfolio or creative-work evidence for relevant practice-based programmes
- Additional VCPS Expression of Interest form for Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship applicants
RMIT accepts publications in the research CV only when they have been accepted, are in press or have already been published. Applicants should provide evidence such as the acceptance notification, article front page, book contents page or conference abstract.
Academic transcripts must show all subjects attempted, marks and grades. Applicants must also provide the institution’s grading scale or a link to an official page explaining the minimum, maximum and passing grades. Documents not issued in English require certified translations.
You can use the following guides when preparing your application:
- How to Write an Academic CV for Scholarship
- How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Scholarship
- How to Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter
Website
For more information about the RMIT University Scholarships and application process, please visit the official pages:
- RMIT Research Stipend Scholarships
- Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship
- Research Scholarships
- RMIT Research Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the RMIT University Scholarships fully funded?
Yes. The standard RTP and RMIT Research Stipend Scholarships provide a living allowance and an international tuition-fee scholarship. They also include relocation support and specified leave benefits.
The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship provides a higher stipend, a research allowance, tuition coverage, relocation support and Overseas Student Health Cover.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International applicants can apply for the 2027 central research scholarship round and may be considered for master’s by research or PhD funding.
International students must meet their programme’s English-language requirements by the scholarship deadline and must study full-time at an RMIT campus in Australia.
Are RMIT scholarships available for master’s students?
Yes. The RTP Stipend Scholarship and RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship support eligible master’s by research students for up to two years.
The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship is available only for doctoral study.
How much is the RMIT scholarship stipend?
Based on the published 2026 rates:
- RTP and RMIT Research Stipend Scholarships: AUD 36,245 per year
- Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship: AUD 48,299 per year
The 2027 rates have not yet been finalised and may increase through annual indexation.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
Yes. International recipients of the standard stipend scholarships also receive either an RTP International Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship or an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship.
International VCPS recipients receive an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship.
Does RMIT cover health insurance?
The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship covers Overseas Student Health Cover for international recipients for the duration of their visa.
The standard RSS and RRSS benefits do not currently list OSHC as an included benefit, so recipients should check their individual offer and budget for health insurance where necessary.
Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Every scholarship applicant must provide evidence that a proposed senior supervisor has agreed in principle to supervise the research.
The completed In-Principle Supervisor Supporting Statement must be submitted with the Expression of Interest.
Do I need separate applications for RSS and RRSS?
No. One central scholarship application is used to consider applicants for the RTP Stipend Scholarship, RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship and applicable international tuition-fee scholarships.
A separate additional form is required only for candidates seeking consideration for the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not always. RMIT accepts several English tests and may recognise eligible previous study completed in English.
For many research programmes, the standard IELTS requirement is 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0, but some programmes require higher scores. Applicants must check the exact requirement of their chosen degree.
Can current RMIT students apply?
Current research students may apply for standard stipend scholarships when they have enough candidature remaining—at least 24 months for a PhD or 12 months for a master’s by research.
Current RMIT PhD students cannot apply for the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship.
