University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)
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The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded Australian Government scholarship for domestic and international graduate research students. It covers full tuition through a fee offset and provides a living stipend of A$39,500 per year for PhD and Master’s by Research candidates.
INTRODUCTION
If research is your path forward and Australia is where you want to pursue it, the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship at the University of Melbourne is one of the most generous funded opportunities available to graduate researchers today. It’s offered through the University of Melbourne, funded jointly by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the university itself, and it’s open to both domestic and international students.
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked as Australia’s top university and among the best in the world, and its Research Training Program scholarship reflects that standing — covering full tuition fees and a substantial annual living stipend for students undertaking a PhD or a Master’s by Research.
This scholarship isn’t tied to one faculty or subject; it’s available across virtually every discipline the university offers graduate research in, from science and engineering to the humanities and creative arts. This guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility, benefits, required documents, and the step-by-step process for applying to the RTP Scholarship for 2027.
University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
QUICK OVERVIEW TABLE
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship |
| Host Country | Australia |
| Host University | University of Melbourne |
| Degree Level | Master’s by Research, PhD |
| Funded By | Australian Commonwealth Government and University of Melbourne |
| Scholarship Type | Fully Funded |
| Coverage | Full tuition fee offset, living stipend, relocation grant, health cover |
| Eligible Countries | Open to domestic (Australian/NZ) and international students worldwide |
| Application Deadline | 31 October (recommended, for scholarships starting the following year) |
| Study Mode | Full-time (part-time enrollment with pro-rata stipend also possible) |
| Duration | Up to 2 years (Master’s by Research); up to 3.5–4 years (PhD) |
| IELTS Required | Yes, for non-native English speakers, alongside your course admission requirements |
| Application Fee | None |
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Commonwealth Government initiative that funds graduate research training at universities across the country. At the University of Melbourne, the RTP Scholarship sits alongside the university’s own Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) as part of a broader package known as the Graduate Research Scholarships — together, these are the primary funded pathways into a research master’s or PhD at the university.
Domestic students are typically automatically considered for these scholarships when they apply for or are already enrolled in a graduate research course, while international students who are applying for or enrolled in a graduate research degree are equally eligible for full fee remission and stipend support. Because the University of Melbourne is Australia’s top-ranked university, competition for these scholarships is significant, and selection weighs both academic achievement and research potential.
University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
RTP Scholarship recipients at the University of Melbourne receive:
✔ Full fee offset — covering tuition for up to two years for a Master’s by Research, or up to four years for a PhD
✔ Living stipend — A$39,500 per year (2026 full-time rate, indexed annually), paid fortnightly, for up to two years (Master’s by Research) or up to 3.5 years (PhD)
✔ Limited paid leave — the stipend includes provisions for limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave
✔ Relocation grant — A$2,000 for students relocating from another Australian state or territory, or A$3,000 for students relocating from outside Australia
✔ Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — single membership provided for international students who need a student visa
✔ Work rights while studying — international students on a student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester, and unlimited hours during breaks
Doctoral students who complete their stipend period also automatically receive an additional six months of fee-offset-only support to help finish their thesis.
University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
The RTP Scholarship at the University of Melbourne supports:
- Master’s by Research — a research-focused postgraduate degree (not to be confused with coursework/taught master’s programs, which are not covered under this scholarship)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — across the university’s full range of faculties, including science, engineering and IT, medicine, health and biomedical sciences, arts, law, business, and the creative arts
Because this is a research degree scholarship, coursework master’s programs are explicitly excluded — applicants need to be pursuing a genuinely research-based degree to qualify. (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the RTP Scholarship at the University of Melbourne, applicants generally must:
- Be applying for, or already enrolled in, a Master’s by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne
- Not already hold a research qualification at the same or higher level as the one they’re applying for
- Meet the academic entry requirements for their chosen graduate research course
- Provide evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) if English is not their first language
- Be assessed on academic merit and research potential — factors considered include prior research experience, publications, professional experience, and (in relevant fields) specialist qualifications or creative outputs (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
Both domestic and international students are eligible; there’s no nationality restriction on applying for the RTP Scholarship itself, though domestic and international applicants are assessed through slightly different administrative pathways.(University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Applicants generally need to prepare:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- CV / academic resume
- A detailed research proposal outlining your intended project
- Evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/equivalent), if applicable
- Letter of support from a nominated supervisor (strongly recommended, and often expected for competitive consideration)
- Evidence of research outputs, where relevant — publications, conference presentations, creative works, or portfolio material depending on your field
- Any additional documents required for your specific graduate research course application
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Identify a potential supervisor Before applying, reach out to an academic at the University of Melbourne whose research interests align with yours. Applications backed by a confirmed or interested supervisor are significantly more competitive.
Step 2: Develop a strong research proposal Your proposal is central to both course admission and scholarship assessment — it should clearly explain your research question, methodology, and how it fills a gap in existing knowledge.
Step 3: Apply for your graduate research course Submit your course application through the University of Melbourne’s application system. If you apply by the relevant closing date, you’ll be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships, including the RTP.
Step 4: Submit supporting documents Provide your transcripts, CV, English proficiency evidence, and supervisor support letter as part of your application.
Step 5: Submit before 31 October While graduate research applications can technically be lodged year-round, most scholarships are awarded in the first assessment round, and the university strongly recommends applying by 31 October for the best chance of being considered.
Step 6: Await your outcome Scholarship offers, when they include a stipend and fee offset, are generally made around the same time as your course offer.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Year-round for course applications |
| Recommended Scholarship Deadline | 31 October (for scholarships commencing the following year) |
| First Assessment Round | Shortly after the October deadline |
| Later Rounds | Available in some areas, though with fewer scholarships remaining |
| Scholarship Commencement | Must generally begin by 31 October of the offer year, or the offer may be rescinded |
IMPORTANT LINKS
- RTP Scholarship official page: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/research-training-program-scholarship
- Graduate Research Scholarships overview: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships
- RTP Scholarship Policy: https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships/research-training-program-rtp-scholarship-policy
- Melbourne Research Scholarship (domestic students): https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/melbourne-research-scholarship
- University of Melbourne graduate research courses: https://study.unimelb.edu.au
Always apply directly through the University of Melbourne’s official scholarships and course application portals — never through third-party agents claiming to guarantee a scholarship. (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
SELECTION PROCESS
- Course application review — your graduate research course application is assessed for admission eligibility
- Automatic scholarship consideration — eligible applicants are automatically considered for Graduate Research Scholarships, including RTP
- Merit ranking — applicants are scored and ranked based on academic achievement and research potential
- Supervisor and proposal assessment — the strength of your research proposal and supervisor support factor into ranking
- Scholarship offer — offers including stipend and fee offset are typically made around the same time as your course offer
- Acceptance and commencement — you must commence your scholarship by the specified date or risk losing the offer
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES
- Contact and secure interest from a potential supervisor before applying — this consistently strengthens applications
- Invest real time in your research proposal, since it’s the primary basis for both admission and scholarship assessment
- Clearly explain how your research fills a genuine gap in the existing literature
- Highlight any publications, conference presentations, or research outputs relevant to your field
- Submit your application well before 31 October, since most scholarships are awarded in the first round
- Make sure your English proficiency evidence is submitted on time — delays here can hold up your entire assessment
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Applying without first identifying or contacting a potential supervisor
- Submitting a vague or overly broad research proposal without clear methodology
- Missing the 31 October recommended deadline and being assessed in a later, more limited round
- Forgetting to submit English language proficiency evidence, which delays assessment
- Applying for a coursework (taught) master’s program, which isn’t covered by this scholarship
- Already holding a research qualification at the same or higher level, which makes you ineligible
- Failing to commence the scholarship by the required date after accepting an offer
LIVING IN MELBOURNE
- Cost of living: Higher than many other Australian cities, though the RTP stipend is designed to meaningfully offset this
- Accommodation: A mix of on-campus colleges, shared housing, and private rentals; the relocation grant helps with initial settling-in costs
- Food: A wide range of affordable options, from university cafeterias to Melbourne’s famously diverse food scene
- Transport: Extensive tram, train, and bus network across the city
- Weather: Four distinct seasons, known for changing quickly within a single day
- Healthcare: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is provided for international students as part of the scholarship
- Safety: Melbourne consistently ranks among the world’s more livable and safer major cities
- Student life: A large, genuinely international student community with strong research culture across disciplines (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
VISA INFORMATION
- International students need a Student Visa (subclass 500) to study at the University of Melbourne
- Required documents typically include your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), proof of financial capacity, health insurance (OSHC), and passport
- Processing time varies by country, so it’s wise to apply for your visa as soon as you receive your offer
- The RTP Scholarship’s stipend and fee offset can help demonstrate financial capacity for the visa application
- Working rights under the student visa allow up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during breaks
WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA
- Home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities, including the University of Melbourne
- Strong government investment in research through programs like the RTP
- High quality of life and a large, welcoming international student community
- Access to post-study work visa options for many graduates
- A genuinely multicultural society with strong support systems for international students
IMPORTANT FAQs
1. Is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship fully funded? Yes, it covers full tuition through a fee offset and provides an annual living stipend.
2. Who can apply for this scholarship? Both domestic and international students applying for or enrolled in a Master’s by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne.
3. Can European students apply? Yes, the scholarship is open to international students from any country, including Europe.
4. Can African students apply? Yes, African students are eligible to apply.
5. Can Asian students apply? Yes, students from across Asia are eligible.
6. Can Pakistani students apply? Yes, Pakistani students can apply as long as they meet the academic and English proficiency requirements.
7. Can Indian students apply? Yes, Indian students are eligible to apply.
8. Is IELTS mandatory? Yes, for applicants whose first language isn’t English, evidence of proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) is required.
9. Can I apply without an English test? If you meet the university’s specific exemption criteria (for example, prior study conducted fully in English), you may not need to submit a separate test — check current course-specific requirements.
10. Is there an application fee? No, applying for the scholarship itself is free.
11. Can married students apply? Yes, there are no marital status restrictions on the scholarship.
12. Can I bring my family? Family/dependent visa arrangements are handled separately through Australia’s visa system and aren’t part of the scholarship itself.
13. What GPA or WAM is required? There’s no single fixed cutoff, but applicants are ranked competitively based on academic achievement and research potential.
14. Can I work while studying? Yes — international students on the scholarship can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester, and unlimited hours during breaks.
15. How many students are selected each year? The number varies annually based on available funding and the number of qualified applicants across all faculties.
16. Can I apply for multiple research programs at once? Typically, your scholarship application is tied to the specific graduate research course you’re applying for.
17. How competitive is this scholarship? Very competitive, given the University of Melbourne’s top ranking in Australia and the volume of strong applicants each year.
18. What happens if I apply after 31 October? You can still be considered in later assessment rounds, but fewer scholarships are typically available by that point.
19. What expenses are not covered? Personal expenses beyond the stipend, and costs related to a coursework (non-research) master’s degree, are not covered.
20. Can I apply if I already hold a research qualification at the same level? No — applicants who already hold a research qualification at the same or higher level as the one they’re applying for are not eligible.
21. Can I defer my scholarship? Students who accept a course offer and defer can still be reconsidered for a scholarship by submitting an application by the following year’s 31 October deadline.
22. How will I know if I’ve been selected? Scholarship offers, when applicable, are typically communicated around the same time as your graduate research course offer. (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship
FINAL SUMMARY
The University of Melbourne’s RTP Scholarship is one of the strongest funded pathways into graduate research in Australia — combining a fully covered tuition fee offset with a substantial annual stipend, at a university consistently ranked number one in the country. Whether you’re pursuing a Master’s by Research or a PhD, it’s a scholarship worth planning for well ahead of time.
If you’re aiming for the 2027 intake, start reaching out to potential supervisors now, and aim to have your course and scholarship application submitted by 31 October for the strongest chance of being considered in the first assessment round. (University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship)
Official Link
https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/graduate-research/international-applications/applications