International research scholarships

Victoria University welcomes international students to apply for a research scholarship.

The international postgraduate research scholarships provide financial assistance to students with excellent academic qualifications who are participating in postgraduate research programs in Australia. These scholarships support high-quality research and are awarded on the basis of academic merit and research potential.

You're considered an 'international' student if you don't have Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian Permanent Residency.

Applications for Research Period 1 2025 are now open.

About the scholarships

: RTP Stipend Scholarships – International are awarded to graduate researchers on the basis of academic merit and research potential.
RTP Stipend Scholarship – International includes:
overseas student health cover (single cover)
a living allowance of $34,320 per year (2024 rate)
an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship exempting the recipient from paying tuition fees.
The scholarship doesn't cover other costs such as:
English-language testing
bridging programs or English-language programs
travel costs from overseas
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) which is payable every semester.
A separate application is not required. Your eligibility is assessed as part of your course application for admission.
: The Tony Kruger Education for Social Justice Research Scholarship has been established in memory and honour of Associate Professor Tony Kruger.
Tony Kruger was a Teacher in Education at Victoria University, 1987-2020, and the Head, School of Education, Victoria University, 2006-2011. He was an inspirational leader in education who was committed to supporting the learning needs of all students. His approach to the education of the next generation of teachers was that all preservice teachers should be concerned about their own professional development and pedagogy and committed to the democratic goals of education.
Annual stipend value: $39,320 (2024 rate)
Tuition fees: covered by the Research Training Program (RTP)
Overseas Student Health Cover: Single cover only.
To be eligible for the Tony Kruger Education for Social Justice Research Scholarship applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and conduct research within an area of social justice in Education.
: Industry Supported scholarships relate to specific PhD projects agreed with our industry partners, who contribute at least half the funds for the stipends.
Stipends and fee offset are also supported through the Australian Government Research Training Program.
The Award includes:
annual stipend
overseas student health cover (single cover only)
an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship exempting the recipient from paying tuition fees.
The scholarship doesn't cover other costs such as:
English-language testing
bridging programs or English-language programs
travel costs from overseas
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) which is payable every semester.
For more details on Industry Supported Scholarships and associated projects, see Project and Industry Research Scholarships
Note: Domestic applicants will be given preference for Industry Supported Scholarships.
: Victoria University offers scholarships to undertake a PhD or Masters on a specific topic as part of an externally funded research project.
As a minimum, each scholarship includes:
annual stipend
overseas student health cover (single cover only)
an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship exempting the recipient from paying tuition fees.
The scholarship does not cover other costs such as:
English-language testing
bridging programs or English-language programs
travel costs from overseas
tuition fees
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) which is payable every semester.
Find out more about our Project and Industry Research Scholarships.

Eligibility

To be eligible for one of these scholarships, you must:

be a citizen of any country other than Australia or New Zealand
meet the University’s academic entrance requirements for enrolment into a research degree

Applicants for a RTP Stipend International Scholarship must also:

have achieved an average grade of H1 (above 80% VU Standard) in the Honours or final year
meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements for enrolment in a research degree
be commencing a research doctoral degree
enrol as a full-time student

You are not eligible for an RTP Stipend Scholarship – International if you are currently studying, or have recently studied, on an AIDAB or AUSAID scholarship and are applying for an IPRS immediately following the AIDAB/AUSAID funded studies.

Priority will be given to applicants who:

have not already obtained a PhD degree or equivalent if they are proposing to undertake another one
have not previously held an IPRS, VUIPRS or OPRS (unless it was for a masters by research degree, and you are applying for an IPRS to undertake PhD studies).

How to apply

Applications for Research Period 1 2025 are now open.

Applications close: 15 September 2024 (11.59pm AEST).

Please read the application guide then refer to the Apply for a graduate research page and follow the steps outlined to submit your application.

2025 Graduate research stiped scholarship application guide (International applicants) (PDF, 291.88 KB)

Notification of outcomes

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

We receive a large number of high-quality applications and are not able to provide all eligible applicants with a scholarship. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications or advise on what scores applicants received against each of the criteria.

Successful applicants will normally be notified of outcomes within two months of the application closing date.