We offer a variety of graduate research scholarships at Victoria University (VU) to help make postgraduate study more accessible.

The purpose of these scholarships is to support high-quality research by assisting graduate researchers, also called Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates, with excellent academic qualifications who wish to participate in postgraduate research programs.

A scholarship provides financial assistance during your study. Some scholarships provide a stipend that covers tuition fees and living allowances, while others provide only partial funding.

All scholarship applicants must meet VU's academic entry requirements for graduate research, in addition to any eligibility requirements for their scholarship.

Prior to lodging an application, please refer to the information on applying for graduate research.

Scholarships & priority areas

VU is building a community that is committed and contributing to place-based planetary health initiatives. Planetary health addresses the relationship between the health of the planet and the health of communities, understanding that each profoundly impacts the other. We are driving this commitment through our research, teaching and learning, and our own university operations.

Our research degrees are situated in two key research institutions.

The Institute for Health & Sport specialises in mechanisms and interventions; healthy, inclusive communities; clinical and community health and wellbeing; sport performance and business. It supports:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Master of Research
  • Master of Applied Research
  • Master of Research Practice.

Priority areas for the Institute for Health & Sport are:

  • exercise and lifestyle medicine (mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, public health, gait, exercise is medicine, exercise science)
  • health and disease research (COVID-19 drugs and vaccines, cancer, nutrition and metabolism, cardio-metabolic and muscle disorders)
  • big data analytics (sport, integrity, health)
  • sport, diversity, inclusion and social change
  • clinical and community health and wellbeing
  • sport performance and business.

The Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities incorporates a broad range of disciplines, including arts, education, engineering, law, science and economics. It supports:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Master of Research
  • Master of Applied Research
  • Master of Research Practice.

Priority areas for the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities are:

  • transport and infrastructure
  • tourism, events, hospitality (aligning with the School for the Visitor Economy)
  • waste, an emerging area for ISILC: packaging, anaerobic digestion (water), regulation and policy
  • cultural diversity: violent extremism, social inclusion.

Related

When to apply

Research Training Program Applications for Semester 1, 2023 are now CLOSED.

All applicants who are made an offer and accept must present in Melbourne by the stipulated enrolment date.

All research degree – coursework units

Commencing candidates must complete compulsory coursework units aligned to the enrolled degree, unless Advanced Standing has been approved prior to enrolment.

Coursework units are delivered face to face at Footscray Park Campus.

Domestic students are all Australian residents. This includes Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent Australian humanitarian visas.

Applications

We offer five research degrees with varying durations and coursework requirements (three master research degrees, PhD Integrated and PhD). Victoria University will assess your qualifications and disciplinary background and make an offer for the course that applies to your situation.

The Institute for Health & Sport specialises in sport, medical, social and policy research:

The Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities incorporates a broad range of disciplines, including arts, business, education, engineering, law, science and economics:

You will need to meet the minimum academic entry requirements for admission for:

  • project-based research scholarships
  • industry-supported scholarships
  • Lisa Bellear Indigenous Research Scholarship
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research scholarships
  • diversity scholarships.

You will need average grades of at least H1 (above 80% VU Standard) for the final year, and to demonstrate capacity to undertake significant research in your chosen field for:

  • Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPSS)
  • VU Postgraduate Research Scholarship (VUPRS)
  • VU International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (VUIPRS).

If your previous qualifications are from an overseas institution, your application will be assessed for equivalence to Australian Higher Education Degrees.

Scholarship eligibility

Assess your HDR and scholarship eligibility with our online self-assessment tool.

Applications are ranked on the basis of merit with preference given to applicants who pursue a research degree in one of Victoria University’s areas of research focus.

FoR codes

As a graduate research scholarship applicant, you are required to name an Area of Research Priority and Field of Research (FoR) Code which most closely aligns with your area of research. Applications across all codes listed will be considered, however priority will be given to Priority FoR codes. You may only select one code from the following list:

Priority FoR codes:

  • 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and historical
  • 4502 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
  • 4504 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
  • 4505 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society and community
  • 5201 - Applied and developmental psychology
  • 3801 - Applied economics
  • 4901 - Applied mathematics
  • 4602 - Artificial intelligence
  • 3101 - Biochemistry and cell biology
  • 3302 - Building
  • 4004 - Chemical engineering
  • 4005 - Civil engineering
  • 5203 - Clinical and health psychology
  • 3504 - Commercial services
  • 4402 - Criminology
  • 4702 - Cultural studies
  • 3901 - Curriculum and Pedagogy
  • 4606 - Distributed computing and systems software
  • 3103 - Ecology
  • 3903 - Education systems
  • 4008 - Electrical engineering
  • 3006 - Food sciences
  • 4303 - Historical studies
  • 4609 - Information systems
  • 4017 - Mechanical engineering
  • 3208 - Medical physiology
  • 4205 - Nursing
  • 3210 - Nutrition and Dietetics
  • 4519 - Other Indigenous data, methodogies and global Indigenous studies
  • 4407 - Policy and Administration
  • 4206 - Public Health
  • 5205 - Social and personality psychology
  • 4410 - Sociology
  • 3904 - Specialist studies in education
  • 4207 - Sports science and exercise
  • 3508 - Tourism

Accreditation FoR codes:

  • 3501 - Accounting, Auditing and Accountability
  • 4801 - Commercial law
  • 4802 - Environmental and resources law
  • 4803 - International and comparative law
  • 4804 - Law in content
  • 4805 - Legal systems
  • 4806 - Private law and civil obligations
  • 4807 - Public law
  • 4409 - Social work

Emerging Priority FoR codes:

  • 4603 - Computer vision and multimedia computation
  • 3902 - Education, policy sociology and philosophy
  • 4009 - Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
  • 3204 - Immunology
  • 3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour
  • 3509 - Transportation, logistics and supply chain

Identifying a supervisor

Supervisors are active researchers working within VU's institutes and research centres. They provide guidance and support throughout your research.

It is important to identify a supervisor that shares an interest in your research topic.

Refer to the find a researcher webpage to search for a supervisor and their contact details.

You must contact a supervisor and receive in-principle approval for your research project. In order to submit evidence of this approval, you will need to include the completed Prospective Supervisor form when you apply for a research degree. Please note the following information before lodging your application:

  • If you do not submit the Prospective Supervisor form, your application will not be considered.
  • The institute makes final determination and approval for appropriate supervision for the proposed research.
  • You must provide a Field of Research Code or your application will not be considered.
  • You will need to meet the minimum academic entry requirements for admission - previous qualifications from overseas institutions. will be assessed for equivalence to Australian higher education degrees.
  • You must meet the English Language Requirements.

The admissions team does not provide assistance to applicants seeking a supervisor.

Research proposal

All Higher Degree by Research applicants are required to prepare a research proposal for submission.
Your research proposal should be 1- 2 pages (typed, A4) containing:

  • nomination Field of Research code
  • title of the research proposal
  • name and institute of your nominated principal and associate supervisor (on the title page)
  • aims and field of research
  • significance of the research
  • methodology and research techniques
  • facilities and equipment required.

CV

Your CV should include:

  • your educational qualifications
  • most relevant and up-to-date professional work experience
  • a list of recent research publications, if applicable
  • contact details of two referees (your referees may contacted to complete a confidential referee report; please ensure that they are aware that they may be contacted by Victoria University).

This initial proposal gives us an understanding of your research interests. Study in the early stages of your research degree may lead to changes. In some cases, your supervisor(s) may suggest a project linked with both of your interests.

Australian Residents

To apply, refer to 'Step1-Select a suitable study level' and click the relevant course link.

During the application you will need to include

  • academic transcripts
  • qualification certificates
  • research proposal – including supervisor's name and priority FoR (as above)
  • 200-word personal statement – include your reasons for wanting to undertake this research, and your academic path or trajectory
  • up-to-date CV including bibliographic reference of your top five publications with an ORCID ID
  • two written academic references - letters from previous lecturers or supervisors, including their titles, institutions and contact details (no template available)
  • signed Prospective Supervisor form

*You are required to seek in-principle support of supervision. The signed Prospective Supervisor form must be uploaded in your application.

All domestic research applicants will be considered for an Australian government funded place under the Research Training Program (RTP). Please then proceed to Step 6.

International applicants - NOW CLOSED

Submit your application through Victoria University International.

As part of our admissions guidelines for all applicants, we ask that you contact a supervisor and receive an in-principle approval from that supervisor before you submit your application.

In order to submit evidence of this approval, you will need to include the Prospective Supervisor form when you first contact a supervisor.

You will also need to supply the following when you apply:

  • academic transcripts
  • qualification certificates
  • research proposal – including supervisor's name and priority FoR (as above)
  • 200-word personal statement – include your reasons for wanting to undertake this research, and your academic path or trajectory
  • up-to-date CV including bibliographic reference of your top five publications with an ORCID ID
  • two written academic references – letters from previous lecturers or supervisors, including their titles, institutions and contact details (no template available)
  • evidence of correspondence with VU registered academics – in which you seek in-principal support of supervision (include any responses).

If your application is successful, you will receive a formal Letter of Offer sent by VU International. Please then proceed to Step 6.

All Applicants - Admission with Advanced Candidature

If you are currently enrolled in a higher degree by research with another institution, and would like to transfer to VU, you may be eligible for admission with advanced candidature. See more information on applying for advanced candidature.

Applicants must upload the advanced candidature supervisor form, completed by their prospective supervisor, as part of their application for admission. Applications will not be considered if this is incomplete or not submitted as part of the application process.

Semester 1, 2023 Enrolment dates to be advised

VU Research will not accept a deferral of an offer for Semester 2, 2023. If successful, you must enrol for Semester 1, 2023 or reapply for the Semester 2, 2023 intake.

Master Research Degrees

For domestic Master Research degree applicants, initial admission is to the pre-candidature phase, which usually continues for the first 6 months effective full-time (EFT) enrolment.

Timely duration for:

  • Master of Research Practice is 1 year (EFT)
  • Master of Research is 1.5 years (EFT)
  • Master of Applied Research is 2 years (EFT).

Your candidature must be approved before you become an official candidate for the degree. Your ongoing enrolment is also provisional until your candidature is approved.

Doctor of Philosophy

For PhD applicants, initial admission is to the pre-candidature phase, which usually continues for 6-9 months effective full-time (EFT) enrolment. Timely duration for a Doctor of Philosophy is 4 years EFT.

Your candidature must be approved before you become an official candidate for the degree in which you are enrolled. Your ongoing enrolment is also provisional until your candidature is approved.

You will be required to enrol in and complete two (2) core coursework units in the first semester (effective full-time). Find out more about our PhD coursework units.

Notification of outcomes

Scholarship rounds are competitive and we estimate that applicants will require the equivalent of 80 and 85 on the VU grading scale for a PhD and research masters degree scholarship.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the scholarship round by mid December 2022.

  • Applicants who are eligible for entry into a research degree, but not competitive for stipend scholarship, will offered a research training place (tuition scholarship) by mid December 2022
  • Applicants who are successful in their application will be offered a tuition and stipend scholarship by late December 2022.

Acceptances for a scholarship and direct entry must be received as per the letter of offer by close of business. Acceptances not received by this date will result in the offer being withdrawn and Victoria University reserving the right to offer the place to another eligible applicant. Please note, offers cannot be deferred.

Successful applicants for a stipend scholarship and successful applicants for direct entry will be advised in due course of the enrolment date and coursework commencement date.

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