Victoria University (VU) is proud support around 400 international scholarship recipients and sponsored students.

We host students from a range of externally-funded and university-funded scholarships schemes to support students Our range of courses for international students includes TAFE through undergraduate and postgraduate coursework to higher degrees by research.

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.

If you already hold a scholarship, or if you are sponsored, remember to note it when you submit your international online application.

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

Academic achievement

Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship

The Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship assists international students who wish to participate in postgraduate research programs in Australia. It replaces the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS).

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Competition is intense and only those applicants with outstanding academic results are likely to be successful.

Study level: postgraduate research
Eligibility: academic achievement
Value: $27,082 (2018 annual stipend)
How to apply: apply for a graduate research scholarship

VU College Diploma Merit Scholarship

The VU College Diploma Merit Scholarship recognises and rewards international student achievement.

Study level: higher education diploma in Business (Enterprise), Information Technology or Engineering
Eligibility: academic achievement with at least a distinction in each unit in first semester of a diploma at VU College in Melbourne
Value: $2,000 grant for the second semester of studies (please note this is not applicable for sponsored students)
How to apply: no application is required, students are automatically assessed upon completion of their first semester

VU International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

The VU International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (VUIPRS) is for international students with excellent academic qualifications who wish to participate in postgraduate research programs in Australia.

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Competition for this scholarship is intense and only those applicants with outstanding academic results are likely to be successful.

Study level: postgraduate research.
Eligibility: academic achievement.
Value: $27,082 per annum (2018 annual stipend).
How to apply: apply for a graduate research scholarship.

Australian government-funded

Australia Awards fellowships

Australia Awards fellowships are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). These fellowships provide opportunities for fellows to undertake short-term study and professional development in Australia.

Study level: short-term study and professional development.
Eligibility: nomination by an Australian organisation, citizen of and residing in an eligible country.
Value: up to $25,000.
How to apply: refer to Australia Awards fellowships for further information about applications, deadlines and funding.

Australia Awards scholarships

Australia Awards scholarships are long-term development awards, offered by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's partner countries.

Study level: all.
Eligibility: citizen of an participating country.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover and academic support.
How to apply: refer to Australia Awards scholarships for application processes and deadlines.

Endeavour scholarships & fellowships

Endeavour scholarships & fellowships are internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships provided by the Australian Government. The awards support overseas citizens to undertake study, research or professional development in Australia.

Study level: various.
Eligibility: citizen of a participating country.
Value: Endeavour awards values vary based on degree level.
How to apply: refer to Endeavour scholarships and fellowships for application processes and deadlines.

International government-funded

Kuwait – Ministry of Higher Education scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait offers a range of scholarships to eligible Kuwaiti nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Kuwaiti Cultural Office in Canberra.

Study level: various.
Eligibility: citizen of Kuwait.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please refer to the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education for more information.
How to apply: apply to VU and liaise with the Kuwaiti Cultural Office regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

Saudi Arabia – Ministry of Higher Education scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia offers a range of scholarships to eligible Saudi Arabian nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Canberra.

Study level: various.
Eligibility: citizen of Saudi Arabia.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Refer to Ministry of Higher Education for more information.
How to apply: apply to VU, and, upon receiving an offer, apply to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

Joint programs

China – VU-Trace Foundation

The Victoria University (VU)-Trace Foundation joint scholarship program is offered to eligible Chinese nationals with a Tibetan ethnic background. The scholarship is available to students interested in a postgraduate research degree at VU’s College of Arts & Education.

Applications to VU, including confirmation from supervisors, must be submitted to VU by 15 January. Applicants will be notified of an outcome by VU and Trace at the end of March.

Study level: Master of Education, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Eligibility: citizen of China with a Tibetan ethnic background, proficient in written Tibetan, one year of teaching experience, proficiency in English.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for Master of Education (two years) or PhD (three years).
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to Trace simultaneously.

China – VU-China Scholarship Council

The VU-China Scholarship Council (CSC) joint scholarship program supports eligible Chinese nationals who wish to complete a research degree at VU.

Applications to VU, including confirmation from supervisors, must be submitted to VU by 31 January. Applicants will be notified of an outcome by VU at the end of February and by CSC in June.

Study level: PhD in a VU research focus area.
Eligibility: citizen of China.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover.
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to CSC.

Guatemala – VU-Guatefuturo

The VU-Guatefuturo joint graduate loan-scholarship program supports eligible Guatemala nationals to study a postgraduate research degree (master or PhD) at VU. Please refer to Guatefuturo website for more information about the application timelines.

Study level: master by research or PhD.
Eligibility: citizen of Guatemala.
Value: full tuition fee coverage (two per academic year) and 50% tuition fee scholarships (three per academic year) for two years (master) or four years (PhD).
How to apply: apply to VU and, upon receiving an offer, apply to Guatefuturo.

Indonesia – VU-DGRSTHE

The VU-Directorate General of Resources for Science, Technology and Higher Education (DGRSTHE) joint scholarship program offers scholarships to eligible Indonesian nationals. The Beasiswa Unggulan Dosen Indonesia (BUDI) scholarships are available for research degrees (master or PhD) at VU.

Study level: master by research or PhD.
Eligibility: citizen of Indonesia.
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to BUDI.

Contact our international scholarships team

If you have questions or need assistance in applying for a scholarship as an international student please contact us.

Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
Email: vuischolarships@vu.edu.au
Location: City Flinders Campus, 300 Flinders St, Melbourne