University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 in Australia

The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 offer an excellent opportunity for domestic and international students who want to pursue a research-based Master's degree or PhD in Australia.

The scholarships are offered by the University of Melbourne to high-achieving graduate researchers and can provide a combination of full tuition fee remission, a living allowance, relocation support and Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international students.

For eligible new applicants, there is generally no separate scholarship application. Students who apply for an eligible graduate research degree by the scholarship closing date are automatically considered for the relevant Graduate Research Scholarships.

University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 – Overview

Host country: Australia
Host institution: University of Melbourne
Study level: Master's by Research and Doctoral/PhD
Eligible applicants: Domestic and international students
Scholarship type: Tuition fee remission and/or stipend
Number of scholarships: Approximately 600
Study location: Melbourne, Australia
Application method: Online
Current scholarship deadline: 31 October 2026
Scholarship consideration: Automatic for eligible new applicants who apply by the relevant deadline

The scholarship is intended for students undertaking graduate research rather than ordinary coursework Master's programmes.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The University of Melbourne's Graduate Research Scholarships can provide substantial financial support.

1. Full Tuition Fee Remission

Students receiving the relevant fee-remission scholarship can have their tuition fees fully offset.

For a Master's by Research, the fee offset can cover up to two years.

For a doctoral degree, the fee offset can cover up to four years.

2. Living Allowance

The current published full-time living allowance rate is AUD 39,500 per year pro rata for 2026.

The university notes that the living allowance may be indexed annually, so applicants for 2027 should check the official scholarship page for the applicable rate for their commencement year.

The allowance can be provided for up to:

Two years for a Master's by Research
3.5 years for a doctoral degree

The scholarship also includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave under the applicable conditions.

3. Relocation Grant

Eligible students relocating to Melbourne may receive relocation support.

The current published amounts are:

AUD 2,000 for students moving from another Australian state or territory
AUD 3,000 for students moving from outside Australia

4. Overseas Student Health Cover

Eligible international students who require an Australian student visa can receive single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) under the scholarship conditions.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is available to domestic and international students who are applying for, or already enrolled in, an eligible graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

For new applicants, you must apply for and meet the admission requirements of an eligible graduate research course.

The university's graduate research programmes include options such as:

Master of Philosophy
Master's by Research
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Other doctoral research degrees

The exact academic requirements depend on the particular course and faculty.

Academic Requirements

International graduate research applicants generally need a qualification assessed as at least equivalent to an Australian honours degree or demonstrate comparable research experience.

The specific requirements vary by course.

Many graduate research programmes also expect strong academic performance and a substantial research component in previous study. Some courses may require the equivalent of a four-year Bachelor's honours degree, a relevant Master's qualification, or another combination of qualifications and research experience.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not automatically guarantee admission or a scholarship.

Scholarship selection considers factors including academic performance and research potential.

Research Areas

The University of Melbourne offers graduate research opportunities across a wide range of disciplines.

Potential areas include:

Agricultural and veterinary sciences
Architecture, building, planning and design
Arts and humanities
Social sciences
Business and economics
Education
Engineering
Environment
Health and medical sciences
Information technology and computer science
Law
Music and performing arts
Science

The availability of specific research projects depends on the faculty, department and supervisors.

Do You Need an IELTS Certificate?

International applicants must meet the University's English language requirements for their particular graduate research course.

However, IELTS is not necessarily the only way to satisfy the requirement.

Depending on your circumstances, previous study conducted and assessed entirely in English may satisfy the University's English requirement, subject to its conditions. Otherwise, an approved English language test may be required.

Applicants should therefore check the English requirements of their specific course before booking a test.

Documents Required

The exact documents depend on the graduate research programme, but applicants should generally prepare:

Academic transcripts
Degree certificates or evidence of completion
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Research proposal, where required
Evidence of English proficiency, where required
Details of previous research experience
Publication details, where applicable
Two referee details
Supervisor support, where required
Other documents specified by the chosen course

The University states that most graduate research applications require applicants to identify an appropriate supervisor and provide evidence of support where the course requires it. Most programmes also require a research proposal.

Do You Need a Research Proposal?

For most graduate research programmes, yes.

A research proposal is an important part of the application because it helps demonstrate your research readiness, the significance of your proposed research and the suitability of your project for the University's academic environment.

Depending on the course, your proposal may need to explain:

Research problem
Research objectives or hypotheses
Significance of the research
Proposed methodology
Expected contribution
Relevant academic literature

Requirements differ between courses, so applicants should follow the instructions on the specific course page.

Do You Need a Supervisor Before Applying?

For most University of Melbourne graduate research programmes, applicants are expected to identify an appropriate supervisor and, where required, obtain their support before submitting the application.

Applicants can search for academics whose research interests match their proposed project and contact them to discuss their research idea.

Some faculties may have advertised research projects that applicants can apply for directly.

How to Apply for the Scholarship

The application process is slightly different from many scholarship programmes.

Step 1: Choose a Graduate Research Degree

Find a Master's by Research, MPhil, PhD or other eligible research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Step 2: Check the Entry Requirements

Review the academic, English language, research and faculty-specific requirements for your selected course.

Step 3: Identify a Supervisor

Where required, identify a potential supervisor whose research interests align with your proposed research.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your academic transcripts, CV, research proposal, referee details and any other documents requested by the course.

Step 5: Submit Your Course Application

Apply directly to the University of Melbourne through its online graduate research application portal.

Step 6: Automatic Scholarship Consideration

Eligible new applicants who apply for a graduate research degree by the relevant scholarship deadline are automatically considered for eligible Graduate Research Scholarships.

In most cases, there is no separate scholarship application for new applicants.

Current university information states that applications for the relevant scholarship round should be submitted by 31 October 2026 for 2027 consideration.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 31 October 2026

Because the University of Melbourne's graduate research course deadlines can vary by faculty and course, applicants should not wait until the final day.

International students are particularly encouraged to apply early because they may need additional time for admission processing, scholarship assessment and visa arrangements.

Important Note for International Students

Being eligible for a scholarship does not mean you automatically receive admission to a graduate research programme.

You must first satisfy the academic and course-specific admission requirements.

If you are successful, the University will issue an offer. International students then need to complete the relevant visa and enrolment requirements before commencing their studies.

Why This Scholarship Is Worth Considering

The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of postgraduate research in Australia.

For eligible recipients, the combination of tuition fee remission, living allowance, relocation support and health insurance can make full-time research study considerably more manageable.

The programme is particularly relevant to students who already have strong academic records and want to develop careers in research, academia, industry, government, technology, healthcare, policy or other research-intensive fields.

Final Tips for Applicants

Before applying, make sure you:

Choose a research programme that matches your academic background.
Check the specific course entry requirements.
Identify potential supervisors early.
Prepare a strong research proposal.
Update your CV.
Obtain official academic transcripts.
Contact your referees before submitting your application.
Check the English language requirements.
Submit your application before 31 October 2026.
Monitor your email and application portal after submission.

Do not rely solely on third-party scholarship websites for final requirements. The University can change scholarship conditions, application dates and course requirements, so always confirm the information on the official University of Melbourne website before submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship fully funded?

Some Graduate Research Scholarships provide both full tuition fee remission and a living allowance, while other scholarship arrangements may provide fee remission only. Applicants should check the specific scholarship offer and conditions.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The University of Melbourne offers Graduate Research Scholarships to eligible international and domestic graduate researchers.

Is there a separate scholarship application?

For most new applicants, no. Eligible applicants who apply for a graduate research degree by the relevant scholarship deadline are automatically considered. Some scholarships require separate applications.

Can I apply for a PhD?

Yes. Doctoral candidates are eligible for the Graduate Research Scholarship, subject to meeting the admission and scholarship requirements.

Can I apply for a Master's degree?

Yes, but the relevant programme must be a research degree, such as a Master's by Research. This scholarship should not be confused with scholarships for ordinary Master's by coursework programmes.

What is the scholarship deadline?

The current University of Melbourne scholarship listing gives 31 October 2026 as the deadline for the relevant 2027 scholarship consideration.

Where can I apply?

The graduate research course application is submitted directly through the University of Melbourne's online application system. Eligible applicants are then automatically considered for applicable Graduate Research Scholarships.

Apply Now

Conclusion

The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 provide a major opportunity for talented students seeking research-based postgraduate study in Australia.

With potential tuition fee remission, a living allowance, relocation support and OSHC for eligible international students, the scholarship can provide substantial financial support throughout a research degree.

If you are interested in a Master's by Research or PhD, start preparing your academic documents, CV, research proposal and supervisor contacts early.

The current scholarship deadline is 31 October 2026.