Home Scholarships Top Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship

Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship - The Insider Guide

University of Melbourne (University)  ·  Updated June 14, 2026

This is the University of Melbourne's internal version of the federal RTP scholarship. Because UniMelb is widely considered the top university in Australia, they aggressively supplement the government's block grants with their own endowments to attract elite global talent for Master's by Research and PhD programs.

Quick Overview

Scholarship Name
Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship
Host Country
Australia
Eligible Countries
Degree Level
Masters, PhD
Financial Coverage
Full
Application Window
August - October (Variable)

Full Requirements & Details

Academic Requirements

Min. CGPA
3.8
Offer Degrees
Masters, PhD
Subjects
Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
Seats Available
600+ annually
Study Gap Allowed
No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
Research Publication
Yes
Work Experience
No
Age Range
No Age Limit

Language Requirements

IELTS
Min. 7.0
TOEFL
Optional
GRE
Not Required
Local Language
English
Local Lang Test
No
Study Languages
English

Financial Details

Type
Full
Fund Details
See Description
Monthly Stipend
AUD 3200/mo
Tuition
Full
Living Costs
Full
Travel & Health
Yes / Yes
Application Fee
120
Spouse Allowed
Yes

What Matters Most

Statement of Purpose 9/10

Motivation Letter 9/10

Recommendation Letter 9/10

Interview 8/10

Required Documents

CV Passport Transcript Certificate Research Proposal

Why You Should Apply

It completely waives your international tuition fees (which are astronomical at UniMelb). It also provides a living stipend that is usually topped up slightly above the federal base rate (currently around AUD 38,500+ per year), pays for your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and offers a modest relocation grant if you are moving from overseas.

Application Process

You do not submit a separate application. When you apply for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, you are automatically considered for this scholarship. However, you must apply before the specific scholarship deadlines, which are usually months earlier than the general admission deadlines.

How to Win This Scholarship

The selection is entirely quantitative. The university calculates a 'scholarship score' based on your undergraduate grades, the prestige of your previous university, and your research output. A flawless GPA is expected.

The tie-breaker is always publications. If you do not have at least one peer-reviewed article in a Q1 journal, you will likely be beaten by someone who does. You also must secure a supervisor who strongly advocates for your funding allocation at the faculty level.

Benefits After Completing Study

Graduating with a PhD from UniMelb opens academic and corporate doors globally, especially in Asia-Pacific markets.

The cost of living in Melbourne is brutal. Even with the generously topped-up stipend, you will likely be spending 40% to 50% of your income just to rent a decent room in a shared house near the Parkville campus.

Official Source

For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.

Visit Official Source