International research students

When you complete a research degree at VU you have an opportunity to specialise in one of our research focus areas or pursue cross-disciplinary research opportunities. Enhance your research career by undertaking a PhD, Professional Doctorate or Masters by Research and contribute to new developments in your area of expertise.

Our graduate researchers become part of a research community committed to excellence in research and the development of the next generation of researchers. You will enjoy quality research supervision and mentoring, English language support and participate in a research training program to help you develop advanced and practical research skills.

Find out about the scholarships available to support you while you study.

Our International Student Support team will help you settle into life in Melbourne as you enjoy everything VU has to offer.

Academic and research student exchange

Academic and research student exchange is at the centre of our international research strategy. Researcher exchange enables us to share expertise with researchers in other countries and develop new knowledge.

We invite researchers and research students to visit VU and work along side our researchers on short term research projects (up to 6 months in duration).

Find out about scholarships for research students and funding schemes to support academic exchange.

If you would like to find out more about how you can work with our research teams, please telephone or email the contact person in your research focus area. 

Joint international PhD programs

A joint PhD program (or 'cotutelles') enables PhD students to simultaneously enrol in a research degree at VU and a university with similar research focus in another country. Students must meet the academic requirements of both institutions and complete a significant component of their candidature, and be supervised and mentored, at both universities.

Joint PhD programs provide opportunities for students to establish research and academic networks outside their home country and receive a qualification that is recognised by both universities.

If you would like to find out how we can work with your university in one of our research focus areas to deliver a joint international PhD program, please contact the Senior Advisor (International Research and Research Training).

International collaborative research projects

Our research institutes and centres and academic colleges work on collaborative research projects that bring VU together with other research organisations. We have established extensive research partnerships in specialised research focus areas with benefits for industry and communities in Australia and overseas.

If you would like to find out more about VU research networks or working in partnership with us, please telephone or email the contact person in your research focus area.

Australian grants for international research projects

The Australian government promotes international research by providing financial assistance to support the development of international research partnerships and networks.

• Australian – China Special Fund for Science and technology: provides up to AUD $200,000 for short international visits or activities, as well as complex collaborative research activities between Australia and China.
• French - Australia Science and Technology program: financial assistance to support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and French researchers in the public and private sector. Assistance is provided for short international visits or activities, as well as complex collaborative research projects up to 2 years in duration.
• Australia–India strategic Science and Technology Fund: supports collaborative research activities and workshops through projects that build productive alliances, enhance opportunities for Australian and Indian expertise, and create opportunities for researchers in both countries. Projects may range from short international visits or activities, as well as complex projects up to 3 years in duration.
• Victoria's Science Agenda Investment Fund: provides competitive grants to business and research organisations for co-investment in partnerships that develop and use science and technology based solutions to make Victoria more productive, sustainable and healthy.
• International Science Linkages - Science Academies program: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering offer assistance for targeted scientific and technological missions and workshops to promote science and technology collaborations.
• Swiss Australian Academic Network: provides opportunities for Australian and Swiss academics and institutions to build bilateral collaborative research links.
• Australian Academy of the Humanities, International Science Linkages - Humanities and Creative Arts program: supports international collaborative research activities in the humanities and creative arts.
• Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, International Science Linkages program: provides targeted support for international collaborative research in social sciences and the humanities to fulfil the objectives of the International Science Linkages program.

Contact us

Mr Bhanuka Wanasinghe
Senior Advisor (International Research and Research Training)
Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor - Research and Research Training
Phone: +61 9919 5911
Email: bhanuka.wanasinghe@vu.edu

Ms Sandy Superina
Research Grants Manager
Office for Research
Phone: +61 9919 4936
Email: sandy.superina@vu.edu