A range of research scholarships for graduates undertaking a higher degree by research are available at Victoria University.

The 2018 Victoria University Graduate Research Scholarship main rounds are open in the following periods:

  • 14 August to 30 September 2017 (5pm AEST) for international applicants

  • 1 September to 31 October 2017 (5pm AEST) for domestic applicants.

If your application is not dependent upon a main round graduate research scholarship you can apply for a research degree at any time throughout the year. In addition to these scholarships there are a range of other options for funding your research degree.

Scholarships available

Applicants only need to submit one application to be considered for all eligible graduate research scholarships.

International applicants will be considered for the:

  • Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPSS) - International 
  • Victoria University International Research Scholarship (VUIPRS)

You do not need to nominate a particular scholarship on your application form.

Domestic applicants will be considered for the:

  • Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPSS) - Domestic
  • Victoria University Post Graduate Research Scholarship (VUPRS)
  • Vice Chancellors Graduate Research Award.

Domestic students are only required to nominate on the scholarship application form if they are applying for the VU Diversity Scholarship.

Please note that all scholarships are for commencement by 31 March 2018.

Apply through the online application system.

Applicants are also advised to read the Graduate Scholarship Application Guide.

Related

Applications

Specify which research degree you applying for and the College you will be studying in.

  • Masters by Research: build on skills and knowledge from an undergraduate degree.
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): conduct research that leads to new knowledge or re-interprets existing ideas, theories and approaches.
  • Professional Doctorates: focus on issues in a particular profession and conduct independent research to make an original contribution to improving practice. Research scholarships are offered for the following Professional Doctorates:

Students within Year 1 of the PhD (Integrated) are not eligible for a scholarship but are able to apply for Year 2 onwards.

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

Information about eligibility is available in the Graduate Scholarship Application Guide.

  • All applicants must meet the University's minimum academic entry requirement of a 70% (Distinction VU standard) average in the most relevant qualifying degree.
  • Applications for graduate research scholarships are always highly competitive. Therefore, applicants are expected to have, at minimum, a 1st class honours (80%+ average) or equivalent.
Degree name Minimum entry requirement
Doctor of Philosophy

A four-year bachelor degree with honours, or an honours degree at H2A/Distinction (above 70% VU standard)
OR/AND
Masters by coursework degree with minor thesis with average grades of at least H2A/Distinction (above 70% >VU standard)
OR/AND
Masters by research degree, or demonstrated exceptional ability during partial completion of a research project in a Masters by research degree.
Master by Research

A three or four-year bachelor degree with average grades of at least H2A/Distinction (above 70% VU standard) in the final year,
OR
Other equivalent qualification or professional experience demonstrating a capacity to undertake a Masters by Research.
Doctor of Business Administration

A Master of Business degree or its equivalent with average grades of at least H2A/Distinction (70% VU standard)
AND
Have completed at least two years' appropriate work experience.

For details on Australian comparability of your overseas qualification(s), please refer to the international academic requirements for a higher degree by research.

English requirements

English language examination method Result
International English Language Test System (IELTS) (academic module): Overall score (no band less than) 6.5 (6.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet: Test score 79 (listening 19, speaking 19, reading 18, writing 22)
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Overall score (with no section score less than): 58-64 (50)
University of Cambridge - Advanced (CAE): Total score 58
VU English - University Preparation UPP (Postgraduate) Achieved
English Language School in Sydney (ELSIS) - EAP 2 (advanced) A grade

In some circumstances we will accept test results from other methods of examination not listed in this table.

If you have completed a qualification where English was the primary language of instruction, you may be eligible for an English language exemption. Check our Guide to English Language Requirements to find out if you qualify for an exemption.

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.

As a graduate research scholarship applicant you are required (within the application form) to name the Areas of Research Priority and Field of Research (FoR) Code which most closely aligns with your area of research.

Areas of Research Priority and Field of Research (FoR) Codes:

  • Applied Economics (1402)
  • Applied Mathematics (0102)
  • Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (0801)
  • Business and Management (1503)
  • Chemical Engineering (0904)
  • Civil Engineering (0905)
  • Cultural Studies (2002)
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy (1302)
  • Distributed Computing (0805)
  • Ecology (0602)
  • Education Systems (1301)
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering (0906)
  • Food Sciences (0908)
  • Historical Studies (2103)
  • Human Movement and Sports Science (1106)
  • Information Systems (0806)
  • Law (1801)
  • Mechanical Engineeering (0913)
  • Medical Physiology (1116)
  • Nursing (1110)
  • Psychology (1701)
  • Public Health and Health Services (1117)
  • Sociology (1608)
  • Specialist Studies in Education (1303)
  • Tourism (1506)

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:

  • title of the research proposal
  • name and College of your nominated supervisor (on the title page)
  • aims
  • 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.

Applicants must nominate a potential supervisor in their online application. All supervisor nominations are subject to confirmation by the relevant College during the scholarship ranking process.

Please look at the relevant Academic College and nominate a potential supervisor in your area.

Apply through the online application system.

Applicants are also advised to read the Graduate Scholarship Application Guide.

Forward the  Graduate Research Scholarship Referee Report PDF form ( or  Graduate Research Scholarships Referee report , Microsoft Word form to your nominated referees. Please ask your referees to complete, sign and submit the forms to researchscholarships@vu.edu.au by the deadline.

Notification of outcomes

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the scholarship round by mid-December 2017. Please note that successful applicants will need to enrol by 31 March 2018.

Contact us

If you have any questions please email researchscholarships@vu.edu.au.