The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship: A Complete Guide

Is This Scholarship Open to Indian and UAE-Based Applicants?

Yes, to both, without restriction. The university's own guidance is explicit: whether you're applying from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, or the Middle East, you're fully eligible to compete for this scholarship. There's no nationality-based exclusion list to check here.

What Is the Graduate Research Scholarship?

This is a research-degree-only scholarship, covering a Master's by Research or a PhD, it does not fund coursework (taught) Master's programmes, which are a genuinely different category at Melbourne with their own separate funding options. Selection is based on academic merit and research potential through a ranking-based system, and because competition is intense, only top-ranking candidates receive the full stipend-based award, while others may still receive a fee-only offset without the living allowance attached.

Who Is Eligible for the Graduate Research Scholarship?

According to the University of Melbourne's official guidance:

• Applied for, and meet the entry requirements for, a Master's by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne, or already be currently enrolled in an eligible graduate research degree there
• Open to citizens of all countries, both domestic Australian students and international applicants
• Typically a four-year Australian Bachelor's degree or its recognised international equivalent, with a completed research project or thesis component worth at least 25% of your final year's coursework
• Full-time enrolment, though limited part-time work such as teaching or research assistance is generally permitted alongside your studies

English language proficiency, demonstrated through IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or another approved test for international applicants, or through prior study conducted in English, subject to the university's own assessment

What Does the Graduate Research Scholarship Cover?

• A full fee offset (tuition waiver), for up to two years for a Master's by Research, or up to four years for a PhD
• A living allowance, A$39,500 a year at the 2026 full-time rate, pro-rated for part-time study, and indexed annually
• A relocation grant, A$2,000 if you're relocating from elsewhere in Australia, or A$3,000 if you're relocating from outside Australia, provided you weren't already living in Victoria or hadn't studied at a Victorian institution in the 12 months before applying
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), single membership, for the duration of your enrolment as an international student
• A thesis allowance, to support research-related costs, with the exact amount varying by faculty
• Maternity, paternity, and sick leave allowances, for eligible candidates during their candidature
• Eligibility to apply for additional travel and conference grants

How Do I Apply for the Graduate Research Scholarship?

1. Identify a research area and, ideally, a potential supervisor at Melbourne whose interests align with your proposed research, contacting a supervisor before applying is explicitly recommended, since applications with supervisor support are considerably more competitive
2. Select "Graduate Research" on your chosen course's page, review the specific program and English language requirements
3. Submit your online admission application, including a strong, clearly defined research proposal, since this is the primary basis for both your course admission and your scholarship assessment
4. No separate scholarship application is required for new applicants. If your admission application is submitted by the relevant round's deadline, you're automatically considered, and you'll receive confirmation that a scholarship application has been added to your record within about seven days
5. If you're already enrolled, or have deferred a previous offer, submit a separate online scholarship application form instead, since the automatic consideration process only applies to new applicants
6. Submit your complete application by 31 October for Round 1, the strongest scholarship consideration happens in this first assessment round, and missing it can mean fewer scholarships remain in later rounds. Graduate research applications can technically be lodged at other points in the year, but Round 1 is where most scholarships are actually awarded

Can I Work While Holding This Scholarship?

Yes, within Australia's standard student visa work rights: up to 48 hours a fortnight during semester, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. The scholarship itself requires full-time enrolment, but limited part-time work, particularly teaching or research assistance roles, is generally compatible with holding the award.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid?

Based on guidance from admissions consultants familiar with the process: applying without first contacting a potential supervisor weakens your application meaningfully, submitting a vague or overly broad research proposal without clear methodology or feasibility hurts your ranking, and missing the 31 October Round 1 deadline is one of the most common and entirely avoidable reasons strong candidates miss out, since the number of available scholarships can shrink considerably in subsequent rounds.

FAQs About the Graduate Research Scholarship

Are Indian and UAE citizens eligible for this scholarship?

Yes. It's open to applicants from any country, with no nationality restriction.

Does this scholarship fund a coursework Master's degree?

No. It's specifically for research degrees, a Master's by Research or a PhD, not coursework (taught) Master's programmes.

Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?

Only if you're already enrolled or have deferred a previous offer. New applicants are automatically considered when they apply for an eligible graduate research course by the relevant deadline.

How many scholarships are awarded each year?

Around 600, across all eligible faculties and research areas combined.

What's the main application deadline?

31 October, for Round 1, which covers commencement the following year and is where most scholarships are actually awarded.

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Sources: Official University of Melbourne scholarships website (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au), cross-referenced with Graduate Research Scholarship guidance summarized by Global Admissions and Scholarship Roar.