If you are planning to study in Australia with financial support, the University of Melbourne Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the University of Melbourne Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The University of Melbourne Scholarships 2026-2027 are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are offered for master’s and PhD studies. These scholarships cover full tuition fees, a traveling allowance, a living allowance of $39,500 per year, and academic expenses.
Independent world rankings placed the University of Melbourne as number one in Australia and among the leading universities internationally. In Australia, the University of Melbourne’s research expenditure ranks second only to that of the CSIRO. With more than 100 research centers and institutes, the University of Melbourne brings together expertise from across the university and connects with thought leaders worldwide to tackle society’s complex problems in innovative ways.
The Melbourne Model is structured for international flexibility and sends over 1300 students abroad each year on semester, year, or short-term intensive programs. Graduate students can seek funding for their research overseas, to engage in and publish research, or to engage with colleagues at key conferences.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
- Institution(s): University of Melbourne
- Study Destination: Australia
- Opportunity Focus Areas: Please visit the graduate course pages to find all the available courses.
- Program Period:
- 2 years for students undertaking a master’s by research degree
- Up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a Doctoral degree
University of Melbourne Scholarship Application Deadlines
If you have applied for a graduate research course by the application closing date for that course, you will be automatically considered for the graduate research scholarships. Graduate Research Applications may be lodged at any time throughout the calendar year. Most scholarships are awarded in Round 1 for commencement the following year. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application before 31 October.
Scholarship Coverage
The University of Melbourne Scholarship will provide the recipient with the following benefits:
- Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a master’s by research degree or up to four years for students undertaking a doctoral degree.
- Living allowance of $39,500 per year pro rata (2026 full-time study rate) for up to two years for students undertaking a master’s by research degree or up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a doctoral degree. The living allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.
- Relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from states or territories other than Victoria, or $3000 for students moving from outside Australia.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Melbourne Scholarship
To qualify for the University of Melbourne Scholarship, the candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English.
- Eligible Countries: All countries.
- Have applied for and meet the entry requirements for a master’s or doctorate by research degree at the University of Melbourne, or be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.
How to Apply for the University of Melbourne Scholarship?
Please follow the application instructions below to apply for the University of Melbourne Scholarship:
- Step 1. Choose your course
- Step 2. Check eligibility and fees
- Step 3: Prepare your documentation
- Step 4: Apply to Melbourne
- Step 5. Be assessed and wait for offers
- Step 6: Search for a scholarship
- Step 7: Plan for accommodation
Website
To know more about the University of Melbourne Scholarship, please visit the official website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship for coursework master’s programs, or only research degrees?
It is for graduate research degrees only, meaning a masters by research or a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Coursework (taught) master’s programs are not covered under the Graduate Research Scholarships/RTP-style package.
How competitive is it, and what do selection panels actually look at besides GPA/WAM?
Selection for the stipend + fee offset scholarships is competitive and based on academic merit, but Melbourne also considers research potential in your field. They may also take into account things like previous study at the same level, relevant professional experience, refereed publications, specialist qualifications, or original creative outputs, depending on discipline.
If I apply after 31 October, do I lose my chance for a scholarship?
Not necessarily. Many areas assess scholarships in rounds with published closing dates and outcome dates, and being assessed in a later round can reduce the number of scholarships still available. The safest approach is to submit a complete graduate research application by the earliest round deadline listed for your course/faculty.
I’m already enrolled (or I started earlier). When would the scholarship actually start, and how are stipend payments made?
If you commenced your course before the offer year, the scholarship start is generally the later of 1 January in the offer year or the date you accept the offer. Stipends are paid fortnightly from the commencement date of the scholarship.
Everyone mentions a relocation grant, but who actually qualifies, and when is it paid?
You generally qualify only if you were living outside Victoria when you applied, you have not studied at a Victorian institution within the 12 months before applying, and you relocate to Melbourne to commence the course. The relocation allowance is usually paid after you commence, commonly alongside your first stipend payment.
Can I switch to part-time after I start, and what happens to the stipend and end date?
If you receive approval to change your study rate, the stipend rate is adjusted to match your new enrolment status and the scholarship end date is recalculated based on the remaining duration at that study rate. The part-time stipend rate is set at 50% of the full-time rate.
What leave can I take on this scholarship (sick, parental, etc.), and does the scholarship extend?
The terms include paid recreational leave and paid personal leave each year, plus additional paid personal leave in certain circumstances once standard personal leave is used. Paid maternity, parental, partner and family violence leave may also be available under specified conditions. Recreational and personal leave do not extend the scholarship, but approved leave of absence or course suspension normally extends the scholarship end date while the stipend is suspended during unpaid leave.
If I transfer projects/faculties, or upgrade/downgrade between masters by research and PhD, will I lose the scholarship?
Transfers within the University require prior approval and do not automatically extend the scholarship duration. If you transfer from masters to PhD, the maximum scholarship duration is counted from when you started the masters. If you transfer from PhD to masters, your maximum duration is reduced to the masters limit and the scholarship can cease at transfer if you have already received more than that limit.