The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship is a fully funded award in Australia. It funds a research Master’s or PhD at Australia’s top ranked school. There is no separate scholarship form. Many applicants also compare it with other fully funded routes. For example, some look at the Research Training Program Scholarship, another major option in Australia.
Overview
- Host country, Australia
- Host school, University of Melbourne
- Level of study, Master’s by Research and PhD
- Field of study, All research disciplines
- Number of scholars, About 600 awarded each year
- Nationality, Open to domestic and international students
- Funded by, University of Melbourne
Benefits of the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship
First, scholars get a full fee offset. Also, they get a yearly living allowance. Plus, they get help with relocation and health cover. In short, the award covers this.
- A living allowance of about 39,500 Australian Dollars per year
- A full fee offset, covering tuition for the length of the degree
- A relocation grant, for students moving from outside Australia
- Overseas Student Health Cover, single membership
- Funding for up to 3.5 years for PhD, or up to 2 years for a research Master’s
Who Should Apply
This award suits students ready for a research degree, not a taught course. Meanwhile, students who want a taught Master’s instead may prefer the Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship, which funds structured study in Germany.
Eligibility Requirements
Overall, applicants must meet these points.
- Be enrolling in, or applying for, a Master’s by Research or PhD at the school
- Not already hold a research qualification at the same or higher level
- Meet the English language rules, generally IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79
- Show strong academic results in past study
- Show research potential, through past projects or publications where possible
Ranked Against Other Applicants
Notably, the school ranks every candidate on merit. Then, it awards funding to the strongest applicants. This ranking based system is close to the setup used for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, where merit ranking also decides the outcome.
Required Documents
- Completed application for a Master’s by Research or PhD
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English language skill
- A research proposal, where your programme requires one
- Evidence of past research, such as publications or projects, where available
How to Apply
First, choose a Master’s by Research or PhD programme at the school. Next, submit your online admission form by the course deadline. Then, wait for the outcome, since results follow admission decisions. Also, this linked application step is close to the process used for the UNSW Scholarship, where admission and funding also move together.
Application Deadline
The main deadline for the 2027 intake is October 31, 2026. So, this window is still open now, which gives applicants real time to prepare a strong application.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this scholarship gives strong, complete funding for research study in Australia. However, if you prefer a national scheme spread across many universities instead, check other options too. For instance, the Research Training Program Scholarship funds research students at schools across Australia.
