A range of scholarships are available for postgraduate students undertaking a higher degree by research. A scholarship provides financial assistance to support you while you study. Some scholarships provide a stipend that covers fees and living allowances, while others only provide partial funding.

Scholarships are usually provided for two years for a Masters by Research degree, and three years for a doctoral program, although previous study credited towards the award will be deducted from the scholarship.

Eligibility for scholarships varies depending on the scholarship, and whether you are an Australian student (defined as an Australian citizen/permanent resident) or an international student.  

Research scholarships for Australian and international students

We offer the following scholarships for Australian students:

1. Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships (incorporating Australian Postgraduate Award) -  2012 stipend rate: $30,000 per annum
2. Australian Postgraduate Awards - 2012 stipend rate: $23,728 per annum
3. VU Postgraduate Research Scholarships - 2012 stipend rate: $23,728 per annum
4. VU Postgraduate Research Diversity Scholarships - 2012 stipend rate: $23,728 per annum.

We offer the following scholarships for International students:

1. International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (incorporating VU living allowance)  - 2012 stipend rate: $23,728
2. VU Postgraduate Research Scholarships – 2012 stipend rate: $23,728

Applications are ranked on the basis of merit with preference given to students undertaking research projects in one of the areas of research strength at Victoria University (VU).

Faculty and other research scholarships

Faculties, Research Centres and Institutes also offer scholarships. These scholarships are announced on the VU website and the Joint Academic Scholarships Online Database(JASON) as they become available. In some cases these scholarships are tied to specific research projects. Others are funded through the Australian Postgraduate Award Industry program, or by a VU industry partner organisation.

Scholarship rounds - commencement and closing dates

The main VU scholarship round for Australian and International applicants opens in August and closes in October each year. The mid-year scholarship round opens in April and closes in May each year. Faculty and other research scholarships may be offered at various times throughout the year.

Scholarship applications are currently closed, and will reopen for the midyear round in April 2012. 

For more information and tips on how to apply, please download the 2012 Scholarship Guide for Local Students or the 2012 Scholarship Guide for International Students.

VU scholarship applications must be submitted to the Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator by 25^th May 2012 for the midyear round and 31st October 2012 for the end of year round.

We will write to you to confirm the outcome of your application. If you do not receive a first round offer you will be placed on a reserve list in order of merit.

Collaborative Research Network Scholarships

A number of opportunities are currently available at VU as part of the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) initiative. For more information, or to download an application form or project description, visit the CRN page or contact the Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator.

External scholarships

There are many external scholarships available at VU. Some provide opportunities for VU research students to undertake part of their research program at another university.

You can search for a scholarship using the Joint Academic Scholarships Online Database (JASON). JASON is a postgraduate scholarship search engine for Australian students wanting to study in Australia or overseas, and international students wanting to study in Australia.

Endeavour Awards 

Endeavour Awards are  internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships for Australian and international students from the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe and the Americas. For Australian students the awards provide opportunities for high-achieving students, researchers and professionals to undertake study, research and professional development in a broad range of disciplines in participating countries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. International students can use an Endeavour Award to study at a Masters or PhD level by coursework or research in any field in Australia.  

German Academic Exchange Service - Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)

The German Academic Exchange Service is offering scholarships and funding programs for postgraduate students and academics in Australia in all fields of science, humanities, music and art. The aim of the program is to promote relations between higher education institutions in Germany and abroad through the exchange of students, academics and scientists.

See DAAD Scholarships and Funding Programs for Australia for full details on eligibility, selection, conditions and benefits of the program.

Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA) Scholarships

The Water Quality Research Australia is inviting applications for the following scholarships:

• Nancy Millis PhD Scholarship and WQRAPhD Scholarships are open to domestic and international students with an Australian primary scholarship or IPRS.
• WQRAHonours Scholarships are open to students with Australian and New Zealand citizenship and permanent residency.

Applications for WQRA scholarships open in August. For more information on WQRA scholarships or to download an application form, visit the WQRA website.

International Council for Canadian Studies Scholarship

This program is designed to assist full-time graduate students whose dissertations are related in substantial part to Canada. The purpose is to increase knowledge and understanding and to support the development of Canadian Studies.

For more information, visit the International Council for Canadian Studies website.

Finnish Government Scholarship Pool

The Finnish Government offers scholarship opportunities to doctoral students and researchers who wish to study at Finnish universities. For more information, visit the Study in Finland website.

Other external scholarships

VU International (VUI) has arrangements with a number of scholarship programs in other countries which support participation in a PhD, Masters or Doctoral study by research at VU. Contact Victoria University International for further information or see International students.

Funding to present a paper at a conference

The Secomb Conference and Travel Fund assists postgraduate research students attend conferences to present a research paper in Victoria, interstate or overseas. You can apply for up to one-third of the cost of travel and conference registration fees if, at the time you submit your application and on the date the conference occurs you:

• are enrolled in a PhD, Masters by Research or the research component of a research Professional Doctorate at VU
• have satisfactorily completed at least six months of full time enrolment (or its equivalent) from the date your candidature is approved
• are attending the conference for the purpose of delivering a research paper by oral presentation (poster presentations will not receive funding)

Applications for funding must be submitted and approved before you attend the conference (retrospective applications will not be considered).

You must submit your Application Form for Secomb Conference and Travel Fund to your Head of School, Institute or Research Centre at least 6 months prior to the date scheduled for review on either 31 March, 31 July and 31 October each year. 

The application form provides full details on the conditions of the grant and how to apply.

Contact us

If you have any questions please contact the Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator in the Office for Postgraduate Research.