University of Melbourne Scholarships for International Students 2026: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

If you are an international student looking at the University of Melbourne for 2026, the scholarship question is not whether funding exists — it is which of the university’s very different funding systems applies to you. Melbourne runs three distinct worlds of support. Undergraduate coursework students are mainly served by automatic fee-remission scholarships such as the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship. Graduate coursework students rely on a mix of university-wide excellence awards and faculty merit scholarships that change from year to year. Graduate research students — Master’s by Research and PhD candidates — compete for the university’s flagship funding: the Graduate Research Scholarships, an umbrella that covers the Melbourne Research Scholarship and the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, which together can cover your full tuition fees plus a living stipend.

This guide walks through every major route, using only figures published on the university’s official scholarship pages at the time of writing. Where a figure changes between the 2026 and 2027 intakes — and several important ones do — we show you both numbers and explain which one applies to you. Before you start, it helps to read the University of Melbourne profile on StudyGraduate for courses, rankings context and campus information, and to browse the full StudyGraduate scholarships directory to compare Melbourne with other Australian options.

University of Melbourne Scholarships at a Glance

Two warnings belong at the top of any honest Melbourne guide. First, coursework scholarships at Melbourne are almost always partial: a 20% or 25% fee remission is valuable, but you must still fund the remaining tuition and all of your living costs, and you will need to show the Australian Government that you can do so when you apply for your student visa. Second, one program you will still see promoted on older websites, Destination Australia, is closed — its funding ceased on 1 July 2024 and it is not open to new applicants, so do not build a plan around it. For the wider national picture, read our guide to scholarships in Australia alongside this article.

The Main Awards, Explained

1. Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (MIUS)

The Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship is the university’s signature undergraduate award for students from countries where financial disadvantage limits access to international education. It is not open to every international applicant: eligibility is tied to citizenship of a country with a Gross Domestic Product per capita of US$10,000 or less, based on World Bank data, and the university publishes the eligible-country list on the scholarship page. Many of StudyGraduate’s core readers — including students from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan — should check that list carefully, because citizenship, not your country of residence or schooling alone, is the test.

The value is changing. Scholarships awarded before 2027 provide a 25 per cent fee sponsorship for the duration of the course. From 2027, the scholarship provides a 20 per cent fee sponsorship for the duration of the course, and the number of scholarships increases to 225. The official page currently lists the quantity as “at least 110,” which reflects the pre-2027 scheme. In other words, from 2027 more students will receive the award, but each award covers a slightly smaller share of fees. There is a full deep-dive in our companion guide to the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship, including worked examples of what the remission means in practice.

2. Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate)

From 2027, Melbourne adds a second undergraduate route that is not tied to the GDP-per-capita country list. The Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate) is awarded to high-achieving international students enrolling in a bachelor’s degree, provides a 20 per cent tuition fee sponsorship for the duration of the course, and lists at least 140 scholarships. To be considered, you must have received an offer for an Overseas Fee place in a bachelor’s degree for commencement in 2027 and not have previously undertaken tertiary studies (excluding extension studies completed as part of a Year 12 program). Selection is based on your course entry score, with the highest-ranked students receiving offers. Like MIUS, it is open for automatic consideration — there is no separate scholarship form.

3. Graduate Research Scholarships: Melbourne Research Scholarship and RTP

For research students, Melbourne’s offer is genuinely fully funded for the strongest candidates. The Graduate Research Scholarships page covers two awards with near-identical benefits: the Melbourne Research Scholarship, funded by the university, and the Research Training Program Scholarship, supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the university. The stipend-and-fee-offset version provides a full fee offset for up to two years for a Master’s by Research or up to four years for a doctoral degree; a living allowance of AUD 41,100 per year pro rata at the 2027 full-time rate (AUD 39,500 per year was the published 2026 rate), paid for up to two years for Master’s by Research students and up to 3.5 years for doctoral students; a relocation grant of AUD 2,000 if you move from another Australian state or territory, or AUD 3,000 if you move from outside Australia; and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership if you need a student visa. A fee-offset-only version also exists. The umbrella page lists around 600 scholarships, with the Melbourne Research Scholarship and RTP pages each listing around 350 — treat those quantities as indicative, as the university itself notes.

One number needs careful reading. The Australian Government’s national RTP base stipend rate is AUD 34,315 for 2026 and AUD 35,550 for 2027. Melbourne’s published living allowance is higher than that base rate because the university sets its scholarship rate above the government minimum. When you compare universities, always compare the rate the university actually publishes for its stipend scholarships — AUD 39,500 (2026) and AUD 41,100 (2027) at Melbourne — not the national base figure alone. Our dedicated guide to the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships explains rounds, ranking and stipend indexation in detail.

4. Graduate coursework and faculty scholarships

Melbourne’s scholarships database lists well over a thousand scholarships, bursaries and prizes across the university, and graduate coursework students will find faculty-level merit awards among them. These awards are real but unstable: values, eligibility and even availability change between intakes. A clear example is the Business and Economics Graduate Merit Scholarship, officially listed as a 25% fee remission for high-achieving international students in the Faculty of Business and Economics — with an explicit note that it is not available for students commencing in 2027. The lesson is not that coursework funding has disappeared; it is that you must check the live official listing for your exact faculty and intake year rather than relying on a blog post (including older versions of guides like this one) written for a previous cycle.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on the award, but the patterns are consistent. For MIUS, you must be a citizen of a listed country with GDP per capita of US$10,000 or less on World Bank data; have received an offer for an Overseas Fee place in a bachelor’s degree for commencement in the year the scholarship is offered; and not have previously undertaken tertiary studies, excluding extension studies completed as part of a Year 12 program. For the International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate), the country restriction does not apply, but the 2027 commencement and no-prior-tertiary conditions do. For Graduate Research Scholarships, you must have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at Melbourne, or be currently enrolled in one; both domestic and international students are eligible, and selection panels rank candidates on academic results for prior study and research potential in their field.

Across all awards, you must also meet the university’s course entry requirements, including English language requirements for your course, and — as an international student — hold or obtain a student visa and OSHC for your stay. Scholarship eligibility never replaces admission eligibility: a scholarship offer follows a course offer, not the other way around.

Benefits and Coverage: What Is (and Is Not) Paid

Read the coursework row honestly: even a generous 25% remission leaves 75% of international tuition fees — which at a university of Melbourne’s standing is a very large sum over three or four years — plus Melbourne living costs, OSHC, visa charges and airfares. Build a full budget before you accept any offer, and treat any website promising that a coursework remission makes Melbourne “free” as unreliable.

How to Apply, Step by Step

The single most important fact about Melbourne scholarships is that the flagship awards have no separate scholarship application. If you apply for a course by its closing date, you are automatically considered. The steps are therefore about getting the course application right and on time.

1. Choose your course and check entry requirements. Confirm academic prerequisites, English requirements and the application closing date for your intake on the official course page. For research degrees, identify a potential supervisor and research area first — research potential is part of scholarship ranking.
2. Prepare your documents early. Gather academic transcripts and certificates, evidence of English proficiency where required, a CV, and — for research applications — a research proposal and referee details. Documents in languages other than English need certified translations.
3. Submit your course application by the closing date. For graduate research, submitting by the closing date is what triggers automatic scholarship consideration. Melbourne confirms this in writing: new research applicants receive notification that a scholarship application has been added to their record within about ten business days of submitting the course application (the Melbourne Research Scholarship page says within seven days for confirmation of automatic consideration).
4. Watch for the scholarship outcome with, or soon after, your course offer. For MIUS, successful candidates are notified within five working days of receiving a course offer — and unsuccessful candidates are not notified, so silence after that window means you should plan on the full-fee place. Graduate research stipend offers are made separately but around the same time as course offers.
5. Accept, arrange OSHC and apply for your visa. Accept your offer by the deadline in your offer letter, pay any required deposit, arrange health cover if it is not included in your scholarship, and lodge your student visa application with evidence of funds for the costs your scholarship does not cover.

Required Documents

• Academic transcripts and completion certificates for all previous study (with certified English translations where applicable)
• Evidence of English language proficiency if your course requires it and your prior study does not already satisfy the requirement
• Passport and citizenship evidence — essential for MIUS, where eligibility turns on citizenship of a listed country
• For graduate research: a research proposal, CV, and referee reports or referee contact details as your faculty requires
• For currently enrolled or deferred research students wishing to be reconsidered: the separate scholarship application form your faculty specifies, submitted by its deadline (commonly 31 October for the following year)

Deadlines and Timeline

Selection Criteria and How to Improve Your Chances

Melbourne is explicit about how its major awards are ranked. MIUS goes to the students ranked highest on their final secondary school or foundation studies results — selection is not based on predicted results, and selection scores are reviewed annually and may vary between years. Graduate Research Scholarships with a stipend are offered to the eligible candidates ranked highest by the relevant selection panels, based on academic results for prior study and research potential; factors such as completing a degree at the same level as the research course, relevant professional experience, refereed publications and specialist qualifications may also be considered.

Practically, that means: finish with the strongest final results you can (predicted grades will not win MIUS); for research, invest in your proposal, choose a supervisor whose work genuinely fits yours, and evidence research potential through a thesis component, publications or research experience; and apply in the earliest round you can complete properly. There is no essay that can compensate for a weak academic record in these schemes — and no agent can change your ranking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using outdated MIUS figures. Older pages describe a $10,000 one-off remission or 50%/100% tiers. Those are superseded arrangements. The current official position is 25% for awards before 2027 and 20% from 2027.
• Assuming a separate scholarship form exists. For the flagship awards, there is none — missing the course closing date is what actually excludes you.
• Counting on Destination Australia. It is closed to new applicants. Any plan that includes it is out of date.
• Budgeting as if a remission were full funding. Coursework remissions do not pay living costs, OSHC or the remaining fees.
• Holding incompatible awards. MIUS cannot be held with another scholarship or sponsorship that provides a fee sponsorship or discount.
• Waiting for a rejection letter. For MIUS, unsuccessful candidates are not notified. Plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Melbourne offer fully funded scholarships for international students?

Yes, at graduate research level. The Graduate Research Scholarships (Melbourne Research Scholarship and RTP Scholarship) can provide a 100% fee offset plus a living allowance of AUD 41,100 per year at the 2027 full-time rate, relocation grant and OSHC single cover. They are highly competitive and ranked on academic merit and research potential. Undergraduate and graduate coursework scholarships are partial fee remissions, not full funding.

How much is the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship worth in 2026?

Scholarships awarded before 2027 provide a 25 per cent fee sponsorship for the duration of the course. From 2027 the rate becomes 20 per cent, with the number of scholarships increasing to 225. The rate that applies to you is the one for your award year, as stated in your scholarship offer.

Do I need a separate application for Melbourne scholarships?

For MIUS, the International Excellence Scholarship and the Graduate Research Scholarships, no: you are automatically considered when you apply for your course by its closing date. Exceptions exist — currently enrolled or deferred research students may need to submit a scholarship form by their faculty’s deadline — so check the official page for your situation.

Am I eligible for MIUS if I studied in Australia?

MIUS eligibility turns on citizenship of a listed country with GDP per capita of US$10,000 or less (World Bank data), holding an offer for an Overseas Fee place in a bachelor’s degree, and not having previously undertaken tertiary studies (excluding Year 12 extension studies). Check the official eligible-countries list, because it is the authoritative test.

What stipend do Melbourne PhD scholarship holders receive in 2027?

The official Graduate Research Scholarships and Melbourne Research Scholarship pages publish a living allowance of AUD 41,100 per year pro rata (2027 full-time rate), for up to 3.5 years for doctoral students, with a full fee offset for up to four years. The 2026 rate was AUD 39,500. The rate may be indexed annually.

Can I defer a Melbourne scholarship?

MIUS is subject to the Coursework Scholarships Conditions and can be deferred to the following academic year, according to its official page. Research scholarship arrangements for deferred students vary by faculty, and deferred students commonly must submit a scholarship application form by 31 October to be reconsidered — confirm your position with your faculty.

Will a scholarship help my student visa application?

A scholarship can reduce the funds you need to show, but you must still demonstrate capacity to cover remaining tuition and living costs. A fee remission is not a substitute for the financial evidence the Australian Government requires, and no scholarship guarantees a visa.

Planning Your Melbourne Budget With a Scholarship

A scholarship decision is only useful if it survives contact with a real budget, so work through the arithmetic for your own course before you accept any offer. Start with the annual Overseas Fee tuition published on your course page, then apply your scholarship honestly: a 25% MIUS sponsorship on a 2026 award, a 20% sponsorship for a 2027 MIUS or Excellence award, or no tuition at all if you hold a Graduate Research Scholarship with a fee offset. Add Melbourne living costs for the full year — accommodation, food, transport, books and personal expenses — your OSHC premium if your scholarship does not include it, the Student Services and Amenities Fee where it applies, visa charges and airfares. Graduate research stipend holders should then subtract the stipend (AUD 39,500 in 2026; AUD 41,100 in 2027) from the living-cost side of the ledger, not from tuition, because the fee offset already handles tuition separately. The gap that remains is the amount you and your family must evidence for your student visa and actually hold across the degree. Students from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria and Indonesia should also stress-test the budget against exchange-rate movement: a remission fixed as a percentage of fees scales automatically with fee increases, which is one quiet advantage of percentage awards over fixed-dollar ones, but your living-cost exposure in Australian dollars still grows if your home currency weakens.

Where should you verify all of this? On the official pages themselves: the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship page for MIUS values and the eligible-country test; the Graduate Research Scholarships page for the combined MRS and RTP package; the Melbourne Research Scholarship page for stipend mechanics and ranking factors; and your faculty’s graduate research pages — for example, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences application deadlines page — for the round dates that will actually govern your application. Bookmark those four and re-check them in the month you apply, because they are the pages the university itself updates when figures change.

Finally, think beyond year one. A coursework remission that runs for the duration of your course is worth far more than a one-off payment of a similar first-year size, and it is predictable: you can model your whole degree today. A research stipend, by contrast, runs for a fixed maximum duration (two years for a Master’s by Research, three and a half years for the stipend within a four-year fee offset on a doctorate), so your completion plan is part of your funding plan — drifting beyond those windows means self-funding the remainder. Whichever route you are on, the students who fare best are those who read the official terms before accepting, keep copies of their scholarship offer letters, and diarise the conditions (enrolment load, progress and, where relevant, re-application deadlines) that keep the award alive.

Sources & Verification

This article was prepared from the University of Melbourne’s official scholarship pages, accessed in October 2026: the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship page (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au), the Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate) page, the Graduate Research Scholarships page, the Melbourne Research Scholarship page, the Research Training Program Scholarship page, the Business and Economics Graduate Merit Scholarship page, and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences graduate research application deadlines page (mdhs.unimelb.edu.au). Figures for the Australian Government RTP base stipend rate (AUD 34,315 for 2026; AUD 35,550 for 2027) are the national base rates referenced in the StudyGraduate program brief; Melbourne’s published stipend rates are higher, as explained above. Scholarship details change yearly — always confirm deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the official University of Melbourne website before applying. StudyGraduate is an information portal, not an agency: we do not charge for applications and we cannot promise selection, admission or visa approval.