University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 in Australia (Fully Funded)

Here is something that surprises a lot of students: you can do a fully funded Master's by Research or PhD at Australia's number-one university without ever filling in a separate scholarship form. The University of Melbourne's Graduate Research Scholarships — the scheme most people know as the RTP (Research Training Program) scholarship — award around 600 places every year to domestic and international students. Winners get their full tuition covered, a living stipend of AUD 39,500 a year, a relocation grant, and health insurance. If you are academically strong and serious about research, this is one of the most generous and most straightforward scholarships in Australia — and the 2027 round is open right now.

In short: The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships (RTP) offer fully funded Master's by Research and PhD places: 100% tuition remission, AUD 39,500 annual living stipend, relocation grant, and Overseas Student Health Cover. New applicants are automatically considered when they apply for a graduate research course; currently enrolled students must submit a separate scholarship application by 31 October 2026.

Quick Overview

• Host Country: Australia
• Host Institution: University of Melbourne
• Degree Level: Master's by Research and PhD (doctoral)
• Program Duration: Up to 2 years for Master's by Research; up to 3.5 years (stipend) / 4 years (fee offset) for doctoral degrees
• Funding Type: Fully funded — full fee remission plus living stipend, relocation grant, and health cover
• Deadline: 31 October 2026 for currently enrolled or deferred students submitting a separate scholarship application. New applicants are automatically considered — they must apply for their graduate research course by that course's closing date.

Benefits of the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship

The official Melbourne Research Scholarship page lists a benefit package worth 100% fee remission and up to AUD 138,000. Here is what that breaks down into:

• Full tuition fee offset — complete fee remission for up to two years of a Master's by Research or up to four years of a doctoral degree. You pay no tuition at all.
• Living stipend of AUD 39,500 per year — paid fortnightly at the 2026 full-time rate, for up to two years (Master's by Research) or up to 3.5 years (PhD). The allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, parental, and partner leave.
• Relocation grant — a one-off AUD 2,000 if you move from an Australian state or territory outside Victoria, or AUD 3,000 if you move from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — single membership for international students who need a student visa to study in Australia.
• Around 600 awards each year — this is not a handful of elite prizes; it is a large-scale programme, which means strong applicants have a genuine shot.
• RTP fee offset for domestic students — Australian domestic research students receive the Research Training Program fee offset together with their course offer, as part of the same package.

Eligibility Criteria for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship

The requirements are simple and published on the official scholarship page:

• Open to domestic and international students — there is no nationality restriction.
• New applicants — you must have applied for and met the entry requirements of a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne. If you are eligible, you are automatically considered for the scholarship. No separate application needed.
• Currently enrolled students — if you are already doing a graduate research degree at Melbourne, you can also apply, but you must submit the online scholarship application form by 31 October.
• Course entry requirements — you must meet the admission requirements of the specific research degree. Typically this means a four-year Australian bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) with a substantial research component — usually a research project worth at least 25% of your final year.
• English language — you must meet the university's English requirements for the course, which vary by faculty.
• Selection is merit-based — scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential: your grades in your last completed degree, research experience and achievements, publications, relevant professional experience, and specialist qualifications.

How to Apply for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship

The process differs depending on whether you are a new or current student:

1. Choose your research degree — browse the University of Melbourne's graduate research courses (Master of Philosophy, PhD, or faculty-specific research degrees) and check the entry requirements for your field. 2. Check whether you need a supervisor first — some faculties expect you to contact a potential supervisor before applying; others assign one. Read the course's admission page carefully. 3. New applicants: apply for the course — submit your graduate research course application through the university's admissions system by the course's closing date. That is it: eligible applicants are automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. There is no separate scholarship form. 4. Current or deferred students: submit the scholarship form — if you are already enrolled or holding a deferred offer, complete the online Graduate Research Scholarship application by 31 October 2026 for consideration in the following year. 5. Prepare your documents early — transcripts, research proposal or statement, CV, referee details, and English test results take weeks to assemble. Start months before the deadline. 6. Wait for the outcome — scholarship offers are made alongside or after admission decisions, based on the faculty's ranked assessment of your application.

Required Documents

The university asks for the standard graduate research admission documents. Exact requirements vary slightly by faculty, but expect:

• Academic transcripts — official records of all previous degrees, with certified English translations where needed.
• Degree certificates — proof that you have completed (or will complete) the qualifying degree.
• Research proposal or statement of intent — your proposed research area, and for many courses a formal proposal. This is where selection panels judge your research potential.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) — highlighting research experience, publications, awards, and relevant work.
• Referee reports — usually two academic referees who can speak to your research ability.
• English language test results — IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, if you have not studied in English previously.
• Passport copy — for international applicants.

University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship Deadline

Here is the honest version, because this is where people get confused. There is no single "scholarship deadline" for everyone:

• New applicants: you are automatically considered when you apply for admission to an eligible graduate research course — so your effective deadline is your course's closing date. Many faculties have rolling or multiple intakes, so check your specific course page.
• Currently enrolled and deferred students: you must submit the separate online scholarship application by 31 October 2026 for 2027 consideration. Miss it and you wait a full year.

Since today is 30 September 2026, currently enrolled students have exactly one month left. New applicants should check their faculty's course closing dates now — some close well before the end of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really fully funded?

Yes. The package combines 100% tuition fee remission with a AUD 39,500 annual living stipend, a relocation grant, and OSHC for international students. It is one of the few scholarships that genuinely covers both your fees and your living costs.

What does RTP actually mean?

RTP stands for the Australian Government's Research Training Program. At Melbourne, domestic students receive an RTP fee offset as part of their offer, while international and domestic high achievers can receive the broader Melbourne Research Scholarship (stipend + fee offset). People use "Melbourne RTP Scholarship" as shorthand for the whole Graduate Research Scholarship scheme.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?

Only if you are already enrolled or holding a deferred offer. New applicants are automatically considered when they apply for a graduate research course — there is no extra form and no application fee.

How many scholarships are available?

Around 600 Graduate Research Scholarships are awarded each year across the university, including both the stipend and fee-offset components.

What is the stipend worth in real terms?

AUD 39,500 per year (2026 rate), paid fortnightly — roughly AUD 1,519 per fortnight before tax. It is tax-free for full-time students in most cases, and it is indexed annually.

Can I apply with a three-year bachelor's degree?

Generally no — Melbourne typically requires a four-year honours-level degree or equivalent, including a research project worth at least 25% of your final year. Some pathways (like a master's with a research component) can qualify you. Check your faculty's exact entry requirements.

Does it cover my family's health insurance or travel?

The OSHC provided is single membership for the student only. Family members' cover and their travel costs are not included, and the relocation grant is a fixed amount (AUD 2,000–3,000) regardless of family size.

Can I work while holding the scholarship?

Yes, within limits — research students in Australia can work part-time, and the stipend is designed to be your main support. Check the scholarship conditions and your visa's work limits if you are international.

What if my faculty requires a supervisor before admission?

Then finding one is effectively part of your scholarship application. Email potential supervisors with a concise research idea and your CV months before you apply — a supervisor who wants you is your strongest asset in the selection ranking.

If I miss the 31 October deadline, what happens?

For currently enrolled students, you lose consideration for the following year and must wait for the next cycle. New applicants are not bound by 31 October — but your course's own closing date still applies, so do not treat this as unlimited time.

Final Words

A fully funded research degree at a top-15 world university, with no separate scholarship application to wrestle with — the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are as close to a fair shot as elite funding gets. But "automatic consideration" does not mean "automatic award": the selection is a hard merit ranking, and the strongest proposals, transcripts, and referee reports win. Give yourself the time to make yours excellent.