If you dream of studying in Melbourne, Australia at a top 30 university in the world, the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are one of the best ways to do it. These scholarships support high-achieving students who want to pursue a Master’s by Research or PhD in almost any discipline, with full tuition coverage and a generous living stipend.
Quick Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Country / City | Australia – Melbourne |
| University | The University of Melbourne |
| Study Level | Master’s by Research & Doctoral (PhD) |
| Scholarship Type | Fully funded (fees + stipend + extras) |
| Student Type | Domestic & International |
| Number of Awards | 350+ awards per year (combined RTP & Melbourne Research Scholarships) |
| Application Mode | By applying to a graduate research degree (automatic consideration) |
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to both domestic and international students who
- Want to pursue a Master’s by Research or a PhD at the University of Melbourne.
- Have applied for a graduate research degree at the university or are already enrolled in one.
- Have a strong academic record and research potential (good grades, publications, relevant research/industry experience, etc.).
You can be from any country and from almost any academic field, including engineering, IT, health sciences, business, law, social sciences, and more.
Eligibility & Requirement
To be considered for the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships, you typically need to:
- Academic Background
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a strong result, or
- A master’s degree with a significant research component.
- Many successful applicants have 75%+ equivalent grades or higher.
- Research Proposal / Interest
- A clear research topic or area that fits a Melbourne supervisor or research group.
- Strong statement of purpose / research proposal (as required by the course).
- English Language
- Meet the University of Melbourne’s English language requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
- Supporting Documents
- Academic transcripts & degree certificates
- CV / Resume
- Research proposal (if required by the program)
- Referee reports / recommendation letters
Selection is competitive and based on:
- Previous academic performance
- Research experience and outputs (publications, projects)
- Professional/research experience related to your field
Application Process & Deadline
How to Apply
The key point: you do not usually submit a separate scholarship form.
- Choose your graduate research course
- Find a suitable Master’s by Research or PhD program on the University of Melbourne websit
- Submit your course application
- Apply online for the graduate research degree.
- If you apply by the program’s deadline, you are automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships (Melbourne Research Scholarship & RTP).
- Current or deferred students
- If you are already enrolled or you deferred, you may need to submit a separate online scholarship application by the scholarship deadline.
Important Deadlines (Typical Pattern)
- For many rounds, 31 October 2025 is a key deadline for applications / scholarship reconsideration for the 2026 intake.
⚠️ Always double-check the exact deadline for your faculty and course on the official University of Melbourne website, because specific programs may have slightly different timelines.
What the Scholarship Offers
The Graduate Research Scholarships (which include the Melbourne Research Scholarship and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship) are fully funded and can include:
1. Full Tuition Fee Remission
- 100% fee offset for:
- Up to 2 years for a Master’s by Research
- Up to 4 years for a PhD (Doctoral)
2. Living Stipend
- Living allowance (stipend) of about AUD $38,500 per year (2025 rate)
- Paid for:
- Up to 2 years for Master’s by Research
- Up to 3.5 years for PhD
- Indexed annually and usually includes paid sick, parental, and maternity leave.
3. Relocation Grant
- AUD $2,000 for students moving from other Australian states/territories (outside Victoria)
- AUD $3,000 for international students moving from outside Australia.
4. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Single membership OSHC for international students who need a student visa.
5. Research & Career Benefits
- Access to world-class labs and supervisors.
- Opportunities to publish, present at conferences, and build a global network.