- Published: August 2026
- Last Updated: August 2026
- Host Country: Australia
- University: University of Melbourne
- Degree Level: Master’s by Research & Doctoral
- Eligible Students: Domestic & International
- Scholarship Status: Open for automatic consideration
- Scholarship Type: Stipend + Tuition Fee Offset
- Application Deadline: Varies by graduate research course; see course-specific deadlines
- Scholarship Value: 100% fee remission + living allowance of AUD $39,500/year at the 2026 full-time rate
2. Quick Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| University | University of Melbourne |
| Scholarships | Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) & RTP Scholarship |
| Degree | Master’s by Research & Doctoral |
| Students | Domestic & International |
| Tuition | Full fee offset |
| Living Allowance | AUD $39,500/year pro rata — 2026 rate |
| Master’s Stipend Duration | Up to 2 years |
| Doctoral Stipend Duration | Up to 3.5 years |
| Master’s Fee Offset | Up to 2 years |
| Doctoral Fee Offset | Up to 4 years |
| Relocation Grant | $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia |
| OSHC | Single membership for eligible international students |
| Awards | 600 |
| Application | Automatic consideration for eligible applicants |
3. Introduction
The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 support high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking graduate research at the University of Melbourne. The scholarship category includes the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.
For eligible students, the scholarship can provide a full tuition fee offset, a living allowance, and additional benefits such as relocation support and Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international students.
The current published living allowance is AUD $39,500 per year pro rata, based on the University’s 2026 full-time rate. The University states that this allowance may be indexed annually.
A major advantage is that eligible applicants are generally automatically considered for Graduate Research Scholarships when they apply for an eligible graduate research course by that course’s application closing date. There is normally no separate scholarship application for a new applicant.
4. Why Choose the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships?
Key Advantages
- 100% tuition fee remission for eligible stipend-and-fee-offset scholarships.
- AUD $39,500/year living allowance at the published 2026 full-time rate.
- Available to international and domestic students.
- Supports Master’s by Research and doctoral degrees.
- Up to 3.5 years of stipend support for doctoral students.
- Up to 4 years of doctoral tuition fee offset.
- AUD $3,000 relocation grant for students moving from outside Australia.
- OSHC single membership for eligible international students requiring an Australian student visa.
- Around 600 scholarships are listed on the University’s current scholarship page.
5. Scholarship at a Glance
| Item | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Provider | University of Melbourne / Australian Government RTP |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Study Type | Graduate Research |
| Master’s | Master’s by Research |
| Doctoral | PhD / Doctorate by Research |
| International Students | Yes |
| Domestic Students | Yes |
| Tuition Support | Full fee offset |
| Stipend | $39,500/year pro rata, 2026 rate |
| Scholarship Quantity | 600 |
| Selection | Academic merit and research potential |
| Application | Automatic consideration for eligible new applicants |
| Deadline | Course-specific for new applicants |
6. What the Scholarship Covers
Tuition Fee Offset
Eligible Graduate Research Scholarships can provide a full fee offset:
- Master’s by Research: up to 2 years
- Doctoral degree: up to 4 years
Living Allowance
The current published rate is:
AUD $39,500 per year pro rata
This is the University’s 2026 full-time study rate and may be indexed annually. The stipend is available for:
- Up to 2 years for Master’s by Research
- Up to 3.5 years for doctoral students
Relocation Grant
International students moving from outside Australia may receive a AUD $3,000 relocation grant.
Students relocating from another Australian state or territory to Victoria may receive AUD $2,000.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Eligible international students who require an Australian student visa receive OSHC single membership under the stipend-and-fee-offset scholarship.
7. Eligibility Requirements
To be considered, an applicant must either:
- Have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne; or
- Already be enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University.
Eligible Study Levels
The University identifies graduate research options including:
- Master’s by Research
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctorate by Research
Academic Requirements
There is no single university-wide GPA cutoff published on the scholarship page.
Selection for stipend scholarships is based on:
- Academic achievement in the applicant’s last completed degree
- Research potential in the proposed field
The University may also consider:
- Professional experience
- Refereed publications
- Specialist medical qualifications
- Completion of a qualification at the same level
- Original music composition, where relevant.
8. English Language Requirements
There is no single IELTS requirement for the scholarship itself.
English-language requirements are determined by the graduate research course you are applying for. Course requirements can differ, so applicants must check the specific course’s entry requirements.
This distinction is important:
The Graduate Research Scholarship does not establish one universal IELTS score; the academic program determines the applicable English-language requirement.
9. Required Documents
The exact documents vary by graduate research course, but the University states that applicants must provide supporting documentation.
Common Requirements
- Academic transcripts
- CV
- Evidence of previous study
- Research proposal, where required
- Two referees
- Evidence of supervisor support, where required
- Research publication details, where applicable
- English-language evidence, where required
- Additional course-specific materials
Research Proposal
Most graduate research courses require a research proposal.
The University says proposals should address areas such as:
- Research problem
- Research objectives or hypotheses
- Significance of the research
- Proposed research methodology
10. How to Apply
Step 1: Choose a Graduate Research Course
Select an eligible Master’s by Research, MPhil, PhD, or Doctorate by Research program.
Step 2: Check Course Requirements
Review the specific course page for:
- Academic requirements
- English requirements
- Research proposal requirements
- Supervisor requirements
- Application deadline
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Prepare your:
- Transcripts
- CV
- Research proposal
- Referee information
- Supervisor support, if required
- Other course-specific documents
Step 4: Submit the Course Application
International graduate research applications are submitted directly to the University through its online application portal.
Step 5: Automatic Scholarship Consideration
If you’re a new applicant and submit your graduate research course application by the relevant course closing date, you’ll automatically be considered for eligible Graduate Research Scholarships.
11. 2027 Deadlines
This section needs special care.
There is no single University-wide deadline for every Graduate Research Scholarship applicant.
The University states that application closing dates and intake dates are listed on individual graduate research course pages. Some faculties accept applications throughout the year, while others use fixed rounds.
Example: Engineering and IT
For the Master of Philosophy – Engineering and IT, the published 2027 scholarship rounds include:
| Round | Commencement | Application Deadline | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Jan–Jun 2027 | 19 July 2026 | 18 Sept 2026 |
| Round 2 | Jan–Jun 2027 | 11 Oct 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| Round 3 | Jul–Dec 2027 | TBC | TBC |
| Round 4 | Jul–Dec 2027 | TBC | TBC |
These dates are specific to Engineering and IT, not the entire University.
Important 31 October Date
The scholarship page specifies 31 October for:
- Students who accepted a graduate research offer and deferred commencement to be reconsidered for a scholarship.
- Current graduate research students applying for scholarship consideration for the following year.
12. Selection Process
Graduate Research Scholarships providing a stipend and fee offset are awarded based on academic merit and research potential. Eligible applicants are scored and ranked.
Main Factors
- Academic achievement
- Research potential
- Relevant professional experience
- Refereed publications
- Specialist qualifications
- Other relevant achievements
The exact assessment can vary by faculty and discipline.
13. How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The University describes these scholarships as being for high-achieving students.
For example, the Faculty of Engineering and IT states that successful scholarship applicants will typically:
- Have strong supervisor support
- Rank around the top 5% of their graduating class
- Demonstrate research potential through a research project
- Hold a qualification from a university with a well-recognised research profile.
However, the top-5% figure is faculty-specific guidance, not a universal University-wide scholarship cutoff.
14. Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Build a Strong Research Profile
Demonstrate:
- Relevant research experience
- Publications where available
- A substantial undergraduate/master’s research project
- Clear research objectives
Find the Right Supervisor
The University states that most graduate research applicants need to identify an appropriate supervisor and, where required, provide evidence of their support.
Prepare a Strong Research Proposal
Your proposal should clearly establish:
- What problem you want to investigate
- Why it matters
- What you intend to discover
- How you will conduct the research
Apply Before the Relevant Deadline
Don’t rely on a generic “Melbourne scholarship deadline.” Check your specific course/faculty deadline before submitting.
15. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship fully funded?
For eligible stipend-and-fee-offset awards, the scholarship can provide full tuition fee remission plus a living allowance, along with relocation support and OSHC for eligible international students. The University’s published living allowance is AUD $39,500 per year at the 2026 full-time rate.
Can international students apply?
Yes. Graduate Research Scholarships are available to domestic and international students.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
For a new applicant, generally no. If you apply for an eligible graduate research course by its closing date, you are automatically considered for eligible Graduate Research Scholarships.
Is there one deadline for the 2027 scholarship?
No. Deadlines can vary according to the graduate research course and faculty.
How much is the stipend?
The current published rate is AUD $39,500 per year pro rata, based on the University’s 2026 full-time rate.
Does it cover tuition?
Eligible stipend-and-fee-offset scholarships provide a full fee offset for up to two years for Master’s by Research and up to four years for doctoral study.
16. Official Resources
Use these as the primary sources in the final article:
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
- International Graduate Research Applications
- University of Melbourne Scholarship Search
17. Final Thoughts
The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 are a strong option for high-achieving international students seeking Master’s by Research or doctoral study in Australia.
The biggest advantage is the combination of full tuition fee offset, living allowance, relocation support, and OSHC for eligible international students. However, applicants should not treat the scholarship as having one universal deadline or one universal admission standard. The correct requirements and deadline depend on the specific graduate research course and faculty.
Scholarship Types: MRS vs RTP
The University of Melbourne’s Graduate Research Scholarships include the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. Both can provide stipend and fee-offset support to eligible high-achieving domestic and international research students.
Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS)
The MRS is offered by the University of Melbourne to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a graduate research degree.
For the stipend-and-fee-offset version, the current published benefits include:
- Full fee offset for up to 2 years for Master’s by Research.
- Full fee offset for up to 4 years for doctoral study.
- Living allowance of AUD $39,500 per year pro rata at the 2026 full-time rate.
- Stipend for up to 2 years for Master’s by Research or 3.5 years for doctoral study.
- Relocation grant of AUD $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia.
- Single OSHC membership for eligible international students requiring a student visa.
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
The RTP Scholarship is supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne.
Its stipend-and-fee-offset version provides:
- Full fee offset for up to 2 years for Master’s by Research.
- Full fee offset for up to 4 years for doctoral study.
- Living allowance of AUD $39,500 per year pro rata at the 2026 full-time rate.
- Relocation support of up to AUD $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia.
- OSHC single membership for eligible international students requiring a student visa.
Which One Should You Apply For?
For new graduate research applicants, you generally don’t choose between MRS and RTP through separate scholarship applications. If you apply for an eligible graduate research course by the relevant closing date, the University automatically considers you for applicable Graduate Research Scholarships.
Important: The University states that scholarship information, including amounts and quantities, is subject to change. The AUD $39,500 figure is the published 2026 rate, so don’t present it as a guaranteed 2027 rate.
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