If you are looking to pursue higher education in Australia with financial assistance, the University of Melbourne Scholarship ranks among the most rewarding options open to international students. This scholarship supports fully funded programs across a diverse range of academic disciplines. This article covers everything you need to know about the University of Melbourne Scholarship, from its benefits and eligibility requirements to the required documents and a complete step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
The University of Melbourne Scholarships 2026-2027 are fully funded scholarships open to international students. Awards are available for master’s and PhD candidates. Coverage includes complete tuition fees, a travel allowance, a living stipend of $39,500 per year, and academic costs.
Global independent rankings position the University of Melbourne as the top university in Australia and one of the foremost institutions worldwide. Within Australia, only the CSIRO surpasses the University of Melbourne in research spending. Home to over 100 research centres and institutes, the university draws on expertise from across its faculties and works alongside thought leaders globally to address society’s most pressing challenges through fresh, innovative approaches.
The Melbourne Model is built for international flexibility, sending more than 1,300 students overseas annually on semester-long, year-long, or short-term intensive programs. Graduate students can access funding to carry out overseas research, publish their findings, or connect with peers at major international 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 view all available programs.
- Program Period:
- 2 years for students enrolled in a master’s by research degree
- Up to 3.5 years for students enrolled in a doctoral degree
University of Melbourne Scholarship Application Deadlines
If you have submitted a graduate research course application by the relevant closing date, you will be automatically assessed for the graduate research scholarships. Graduate Research Applications may be submitted at any point during the calendar year. The majority of scholarships are granted in Round 1 for intake the following year. Applicants are strongly advised to lodge their applications before 31 October.
Scholarship Coverage
The University of Melbourne Scholarship offers recipients the following:
- Full tuition offset for up to two years for master’s by research students, or up to four years for doctoral students.
- A living stipend of $39,500 per year pro rata (2026 full-time rate) for up to two years for master’s by research students, or up to 3.5 years for doctoral students. The stipend may be indexed each year and includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.
- A relocation grant of $2,000 for students relocating from other Australian states or territories, or $3,000 for those 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 be considered for the University of Melbourne Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Required Language: English.
- Eligible Countries: All countries.
- Must have applied for and satisfy the admission requirements for a master’s or doctoral research degree at the University of Melbourne, or be currently enrolled in a graduate research program at the university.
How to Apply for the University of Melbourne Scholarship?
Use the steps 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
For full details on the University of Melbourne Scholarship, visit the official website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship for coursework master’s programs, or only research degrees?
This award covers graduate research degrees only — specifically a master’s by research or a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Coursework or taught master’s programs fall outside the scope of the Graduate Research Scholarships/RTP-style package.
How competitive is it, and what do selection panels actually look at besides GPA/WAM?
The stipend and fee offset scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, with academic merit as the primary criterion. Melbourne also weighs your research potential within your field, and may factor in prior study at the same level, relevant work experience, refereed publications, specialist qualifications, or original creative outputs depending on your discipline.
If I apply after 31 October, do I lose my chance for a scholarship?
Not necessarily. Many faculties assess scholarships across several rounds with their own closing and outcome dates, and a later round typically means fewer awards remain available. To maximise your chances, submit a complete graduate research application by the earliest published deadline for your course or faculty.
I’m already enrolled (or I started earlier). When would the scholarship actually start, and how are stipend payments made?
For students who began their course before the offer year, the scholarship start date is generally the later of 1 January in the offer year or the date the offer is accepted. Stipend payments are made fortnightly from the scholarship commencement date.
Everyone mentions a relocation grant, but who actually qualifies, and when is it paid?
Eligibility generally requires that you were living outside Victoria at the time of application, have not been enrolled at a Victorian institution in the 12 months prior to applying, and relocate to Melbourne to begin your program. The relocation allowance is typically disbursed after commencement, commonly with your first stipend payment.
Can I switch to part-time after I start, and what happens to the stipend and end date?
If your request to change study rate is approved, the stipend is adjusted to reflect your updated enrolment status and the scholarship end date is recalculated based on the remaining duration at that rate. Part-time recipients receive 50% of the full-time stipend.
What leave can I take on this scholarship (sick, parental, etc.), and does the scholarship extend?
The scholarship includes paid recreational and personal leave each year, with additional paid personal leave available in certain situations after standard leave is exhausted. Paid maternity, parental, partner, and family violence leave may also apply under defined conditions. Recreational and personal leave do not extend the scholarship end date, but an approved leave of absence or course suspension generally does, while the stipend is paused during any unpaid leave period.
If I transfer projects/faculties, or upgrade/downgrade between master’s by research and PhD, will I lose the scholarship?
Internal transfers require prior approval and do not automatically extend your scholarship duration. Moving from a master’s to a PhD means the total scholarship period is counted from when the master’s commenced. Transferring from a PhD to a master’s reduces your maximum duration to the master’s limit, and the scholarship may end at the point of transfer if you have already received funding beyond that threshold.