The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 offer an outstanding opportunity for domestic and international students seeking to pursue a Master’s by Research or PhD in Australia.
Approximately 600 scholarships are awarded each year, providing substantial financial support to high-achieving graduate researchers. Depending on the degree and scholarship benefits received, the total value of the funding can reach approximately AUD 135,000.
The program brings together funding available through the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.
One of the major advantages is that many eligible applicants are automatically considered for the scholarship when they apply for an eligible graduate research course, meaning a separate scholarship application is generally not required.
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027
The scholarships are designed to support talented researchers undertaking advanced study at the University of Melbourne.
Funding is available across a broad range of academic fields, making the program suitable for students with different research interests and professional backgrounds.
Eligible areas may include:
- Engineering
- Health and medical sciences
- Information technology
- Environmental studies
- Law
- Business and economics
- Education
- Agriculture and veterinary sciences
- Science
- Architecture and design
- Arts and humanities
- Music and performing arts
Both international and domestic students may be considered, depending on the specific scholarship and eligibility requirements.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Successful recipients can receive several forms of financial assistance throughout their research degree.
1. Full Tuition Fee Waiver
The scholarship can cover tuition fees for:
- Up to two years for a Master’s by Research
- Up to four years for a doctoral degree
This can significantly reduce the cost of undertaking postgraduate research in Australia.
2. Annual Living Allowance
Stipend recipients may receive a living allowance of approximately AUD 39,500 per year based on the 2026 full-time study rate.
The allowance is available for:
- Up to two years for eligible Master’s by Research candidates
- Up to 3.5 years for eligible PhD candidates
The stipend may also be indexed annually.
Additional provisions can include limited paid sick leave as well as maternity and parenting leave.
3. Relocation Allowance
Students moving to Melbourne for their studies may qualify for relocation assistance.
The available amount can include:
- AUD 2,000 for students relocating from another Australian state or territory outside Victoria
- AUD 3,000 for students relocating from overseas
4. Overseas Student Health Cover
Eligible international students who require an Australian student visa may receive single membership Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
This can help cover eligible healthcare expenses during the study period.
Who Can Apply?
The Graduate Research Scholarships are intended for students undertaking or seeking admission to an eligible graduate research program at the University of Melbourne.
Applicants generally need to:
- Apply for an eligible graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne; or
- Already be enrolled in a graduate research course at the university.
Admission to the graduate research program is an important part of the scholarship consideration process.
Because the program is competitive, applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement and research potential.
How Are Applicants Selected?
Selection is based primarily on academic performance and research capability.
Factors that may be considered include:
- Academic results from the applicant’s most recently completed qualification
- Research experience
- Research potential
- Relevant professional experience
- Academic publications
- Specialist qualifications
- Other scholarly or creative achievements
For creative disciplines, relevant outputs such as original compositions or other substantial creative work may also be taken into account.
Applicants with a strong academic record and evidence of research ability may be more competitive during the selection process.
Do You Need a Separate Scholarship Application?
For many applicants, no separate scholarship application is required.
Students who apply for an eligible graduate research course by the applicable closing date are generally automatically considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship.
The university states that eligible applicants should receive confirmation that a scholarship application has been added to their admission record.
This makes the process more straightforward because applicants can be assessed for the funding alongside their graduate research admission.
What About Current or Deferred Students?
There are different arrangements for students who are already enrolled or who have deferred their course commencement.
Students who have:
- Deferred their graduate research course; or
- Already commenced a graduate research program at the University of Melbourne
may need to submit a separate online scholarship application.
For consideration for funding in the following academic year, the relevant application deadline for these students is 31 October, according to the scholarship information provided by the university.
Applicants should always confirm the applicable deadline on the official scholarship website because dates and requirements can change.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
The University of Melbourne awards approximately 600 Graduate Research Scholarships each year.
The number makes the program a significant source of postgraduate research funding for students interested in studying in Australia.
However, receiving admission to the university does not automatically guarantee a scholarship. Candidates are assessed competitively according to the university’s selection criteria.
Why Consider the University of Melbourne?
The University of Melbourne is one of Australia’s major research universities and offers graduate researchers access to extensive academic and research resources.
Students can benefit from:
- Research facilities and infrastructure
- Experienced academic supervisors
- International research networks
- Industry connections
- Multidisciplinary research opportunities
- A diverse university community
- Opportunities to collaborate with researchers from different fields
For students planning an academic or research-oriented career, studying at a major Australian research institution can also provide opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and international academic experience.
Who Should Consider This Scholarship?
The opportunity may be particularly relevant to:
- International students looking for funded postgraduate study in Australia
- Students planning to pursue a research-based master’s degree
- Prospective PhD candidates
- Researchers with strong academic records
- Applicants with previous research experience
- Students whose proposed research aligns with available University of Melbourne programs
Before applying, candidates should identify an appropriate graduate research course and carefully review its admission requirements.
How to Apply for the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship
The application process depends on whether you are a new applicant, a current student, or a deferred student.
For new applicants, the first step is generally to apply for an eligible graduate research course at the University of Melbourne.
Eligible applicants are then considered for the relevant Graduate Research Scholarship.
Students who fall into categories requiring a separate scholarship application should complete the university’s online scholarship application before the stated deadline.
Application Steps
- Find a suitable graduate research program at the University of Melbourne.
- Check the academic and research admission requirements.
- Prepare your academic documents and research materials.
- Submit your graduate research course application.
- Follow the university’s instructions regarding scholarship consideration.
- Monitor your application and email for further communication from the university.
Because research programs can have specific requirements, applicants should carefully review the individual course information before submitting an application.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
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