University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is a major research funding opportunity supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne for high-achieving graduate researchers.
The scholarship is available to both domestic and international students undertaking eligible research Master’s and doctoral degrees. Depending on the award, students can receive a 100% tuition fee offset, a living allowance, relocation support, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for eligible international students. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
One important point is that the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is not a separate scholarship form for most new applicants. Students normally apply for admission to an eligible graduate research course, and those who meet the requirements are automatically considered for eligible Graduate Research Scholarships. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
The current official RTP page lists a 2026 full-time stipend rate of AUD 39,500 per year, with the university noting that the living allowance may be indexed annually. Because the university has not yet replaced that amount on the dedicated RTP page with a confirmed 2027 figure, applicants should treat the published 2026 amount as the currently confirmed RTP rate and check the scholarship offer for the applicable 2027 rate. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 – Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Melbourne |
| Country | Australia |
| Scholarship | Research Training Program Scholarship |
| Study Level | Graduate research |
| Degrees | Research Master’s and Doctoral degrees |
| Eligible Students | Domestic and international |
| Tuition Support | 100% fee offset |
| Current Published Stipend | AUD 39,500 per year, 2026 full-time rate |
| Doctoral Stipend Duration | Up to 3.5 years |
| Research Master’s Stipend Duration | Up to 2 years |
| Doctoral Fee Offset | Up to 4 years |
| Master’s Fee Offset | Up to 2 years |
| Relocation Grant | AUD 3,000 from outside Australia; AUD 2,000 from other Australian states/territories |
| OSHC | Single membership for eligible international students requiring a student visa |
| Scholarships Listed | 350 |
| Separate Scholarship Application for New Applicants | No |
| 2027 Deadline | Depends on the selected graduate research course/faculty |
| Application Status | Open for automatic consideration |
What Is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship?
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is part of Australia’s Research Training Program, which is supported by the Australian Government.
At Melbourne, the scholarship supports students undertaking graduate research, including research Master’s and doctoral study. The university offers both a fee-offset component and, for selected students, a stipend and fee-offset component. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
The fee-offset scholarship removes eligible tuition fees for the standard scholarship period.
The stipend version adds financial support for living expenses. This stipend is competitively awarded to domestic and international students who are ranked highest by the relevant selection panels based on previous academic performance and research potential. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
This makes the scholarship especially relevant to students applying for a PhD, MPhil, or other research degree, rather than students applying for a standard coursework Master’s degree.
What Does the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship Cover?
The current RTP scholarship page lists several benefits.
Full Tuition Fee Offset
The scholarship provides a full fee offset for up to:
- 2 years for a research Master’s degree
- 4 years for a doctoral degree
The fee offset is intended to cover the tuition component for the eligible research course during the scholarship period. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Living Allowance
For the stipend and fee-offset version, the current published full-time rate is AUD 39,500 per year for 2026.
The university states that the stipend can be indexed annually. The scholarship supports living expenses for up to:
- 2 years for a research Master’s
- 3.5 years for a doctorate
The stipend is paid according to the university’s scholarship terms, and limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave is included under the published conditions. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Relocation Grant
International recipients who move from outside Australia can receive a AUD 3,000 relocation grant under the current scholarship conditions.
Students moving to Melbourne from another Australian state or territory can receive AUD 2,000. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Overseas Student Health Cover
International students who require an Australian student visa can receive single-membership OSHC under the RTP stipend and fee-offset scholarship terms. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
The exact scholarship benefits are stated in the individual scholarship offer and are subject to the University’s current terms and conditions.
Is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship Fully Funded?
For a student who receives the RTP stipend and fee-offset scholarship, the package can reasonably be described as fully funded because it combines full tuition support with a living allowance and additional benefits.
However, not every RTP award includes the stipend.
The University of Melbourne specifically distinguishes between:
RTP Fee Offset: full tuition fee offset without the living stipend.
RTP Stipend and Fee Offset: full tuition fee offset plus the living allowance and, for eligible international students, relocation support and OSHC. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
For international applicants, receiving the stipend and fee offset is competitive. The university states that these awards are offered to the highest-ranked eligible applicants based on academic results and research potential.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the RTP stipend and fee-offset award is fully funded, rather than claiming that every applicant receives a full living scholarship.
Who Can Apply for the RTP Scholarship?
The basic scholarship requirement is straightforward: applicants must have applied for and meet the entry requirements of an eligible graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or already be enrolled in such a degree. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Graduate research options at Melbourne include research Master’s degrees, the Master of Philosophy, PhD programmes, and other doctoral research courses.
However, each course has its own entry requirements. The university states that applicants must check the specific course page because requirements can differ by discipline.
International applicants generally need a qualification assessed as at least equivalent to an Australian honours degree or demonstrate comparable research experience. Many research courses also require evidence of potential supervisor support and a research proposal. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Meeting the minimum course requirements makes you eligible for consideration, but it does not guarantee admission or a scholarship.
Academic Requirements
The University of Melbourne does not publish one universal GPA cutoff for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship that applies to every discipline.
Instead, the scholarship selection process considers previous academic results and research potential. Other factors can also be taken into consideration, including relevant professional experience, refereed publications, a completed degree at the same level as the proposed research course, specialist medical qualifications, or original creative work in applicable fields. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
For admission to graduate research degrees, the university says that applicants generally need a relevant Master’s or a four-year Bachelor’s honours degree containing a substantial research component, although equivalent qualifications and research experience can sometimes be considered. A typical academic standard for many programmes is around a 75% WAM equivalent, but course-specific rules apply. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
This means applicants should check both:
- The entry requirements of their chosen graduate research course.
- The scholarship selection criteria for graduate research scholarships.
Research Proposal and Supervisor
A research proposal is an important part of many Melbourne graduate research applications.
The University says the proposal is used to assess research readiness, alignment with faculty expertise, and supervisory capacity. Most graduate research courses require applicants to identify a suitable supervisor and obtain their support before applying. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Applicants should therefore avoid choosing a research topic only because it sounds interesting.
Your proposal should demonstrate:
- A clear research problem
- Relevant research objectives or questions
- Awareness of existing research
- Appropriate research methods
- Why the project matters
- Why Melbourne is a suitable research environment
For some courses, supervisor support must be provided with the application. The exact requirement depends on the faculty and degree.
English Language Requirements
International applicants must meet the English language requirement for their graduate research course.
The University of Melbourne does not use one universal English score for every graduate research degree. Each course has its own English language standard, and applicants may demonstrate proficiency through an approved test or qualifying previous study in English. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Because different courses can have different requirements, applicants should check the selected course page before booking an English-language test.
Do not assume that one IELTS or TOEFL score applies to every PhD or research Master’s programme at Melbourne.
Eligible Study Levels
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is intended for graduate research.
Eligible study can include:
- Master of Philosophy
- Master’s by Research
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Other eligible research Master’s and doctoral courses
The exact degree title and duration depend on the course and faculty.
The University of Melbourne states that PhD study cannot be completed online or by correspondence, and graduate researchers must complete the required amount of study at the university or an approved outside institution. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Documents Required
There is no single document list for every graduate research course.
The University says all applicants must provide supporting documentation and should check their specific course page for the complete list. At minimum, graduate research applicants generally need academic transcripts and a CV. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Depending on the course, you may also need:
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Research proposal
- English-language evidence
- Research publications
- Two referee details
- Supervisor support
- Writing samples
- Portfolio or creative work, where relevant
- Additional course-specific documents
The university states that applicants must provide the names and contact details of two referees. Referees are contacted online after the application is submitted. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Applicants should prepare verified digital copies of their academic documents before applying.
How to Apply for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027
Step 1: Choose an eligible research degree
Start by selecting a graduate research course at the University of Melbourne.
Review the degree’s academic requirements, research areas, intake dates, English requirements, and supervisor conditions.
Step 2: Find a research supervisor
For most graduate research degrees, applicants should identify a potential supervisor whose research matches their proposed project.
The University provides a Find an Expert database to help applicants identify researchers and potential supervisors. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
When contacting a supervisor, provide a concise explanation of your proposed research together with your academic background, CV, and relevant publications.
Step 3: Prepare the research application
Prepare your academic records, research proposal, CV, referee details, English evidence, and any other documents required by the course.
Your application should be complete because incomplete applications may not enter the scholarship assessment round.
Step 4: Submit the graduate research application
International graduate research applications are submitted directly to the University through its online application portal, unless the University directs the applicant to use an authorised education agent. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Step 5: Automatic scholarship consideration
New applicants who apply for an eligible graduate research course by the relevant course closing date are automatically considered for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship and other eligible Graduate Research Scholarships.
No separate scholarship application is required for this automatic consideration route. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Within seven days of submitting the course application, applicants receive confirmation that they will be considered for a range of graduate research scholarships.
Application Deadlines for 2027
There is no single University-wide RTP scholarship deadline for every graduate research applicant.
The University of Melbourne states that application closing dates and start dates are found on the How to apply section of each individual course page. Some faculties assess applications continuously, while others use fixed selection rounds. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
For example, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has published these 2027 scholarship assessment rounds:
| Round | Complete Application Deadline | Outcome Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 31, 2026 | December 18, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 31, 2027 | March 26, 2027 |
| Round 3 | May 15, 2027 | July 16, 2027 |
These dates apply to that faculty’s published graduate research scholarship rounds and should not be presented as universal deadlines for every University of Melbourne research degree. (mdhs.unimelb.edu.au)
For applicants in other faculties, the deadline can be different.
Scholarship Selection Process
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is competitive for applicants seeking the stipend and fee-offset package.
The University states that the stipend and fee-offset scholarships are awarded to domestic and international applicants ranked highest by the relevant selection panels according to:
- Academic results from previous study
- Research potential in the proposed field
Other factors, such as professional experience and refereed publications, may also be considered where relevant. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
This means admission to a research degree and scholarship selection are related but distinct decisions.
A student can meet the admission requirements but not receive the competitive stipend scholarship.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The University of Melbourne currently lists 350 places for the Research Training Program Scholarship. The university also states that the number and value of jointly run scholarship awards are indicative and may change. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
The international graduate research application page says that more than 300 Graduate Research Scholarships are offered to international graduate researchers each year, although these scholarships represent the broader graduate research scholarship pool and should not all be interpreted as RTP scholarships alone. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
Competition can therefore be strong, particularly for fully funded stipend awards.
A well-prepared research application is important because the selection process looks beyond simple eligibility.
Can Pakistani Students Apply?
Yes. The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is open to international students, and the university does not restrict the RTP stipend and fee-offset scholarship to Australian citizens.
Pakistani applicants can therefore apply for eligible graduate research programmes and be considered for the scholarship, provided they meet the academic, English, course, and research requirements. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
Applicants from Pakistan should pay particular attention to degree equivalency, academic transcripts, English-language evidence, supervisor requirements, and any document-verification procedures that apply to their application.
The university also notes that applicants who most recently studied in certain countries may need to apply through an authorised education agent for document verification. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
What the Scholarship Does Not Automatically Cover
Although the RTP stipend and fee-offset package is comprehensive, students should not assume that every possible personal or research expense is automatically paid.
The scholarship page specifically lists the tuition offset, living allowance, relocation grant, and OSHC for eligible international students.
Students should still review the scholarship offer and course conditions for expenses that may fall outside the award.
The university also notes that additional non-research-related subjects can create extra tuition costs in some circumstances, and living, travel, accommodation, and miscellaneous costs need to be budgeted appropriately. (study.unimelb.edu.au)
RTP Scholarship and Melbourne Research Scholarship
Students sometimes confuse the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship with the Melbourne Research Scholarship.
Both are important graduate research funding routes and both can be available to international students.
The Melbourne Research Scholarship can provide a stipend and full fee offset, while the RTP is supported by the Australian Government and the University of Melbourne. The university’s scholarship system considers eligible students for a range of graduate research scholarships based on their application. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
For a new applicant, the practical approach is usually to submit a strong graduate research admission application and allow the university to assess you for the scholarships for which you are eligible.
Current Status of the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is currently listed as open for automatic consideration.
For new students, there is no separate RTP application. Applicants must submit an eligible graduate research course application by the relevant course closing date to be considered. (scholarships.unimelb.edu.au)
The key deadline for 2027 therefore depends on your chosen degree and faculty.
Applicants planning to start graduate research in 2027 should not wait for a single scholarship deadline. Instead, they should check the exact course deadline, supervisor requirements, scholarship assessment round, and document requirements as soon as possible.
The university’s dedicated RTP page currently lists the 2026 full-time stipend as AUD 39,500 per year and notes that the living allowance may be indexed annually. A confirmed 2027 RTP-specific amount should be taken from the scholarship offer and the university’s updated scholarship page when published.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming every RTP applicant receives a stipend: The stipend and fee-offset award is competitively allocated to the highest-ranked eligible applicants.
Applying to a coursework Master’s: RTP is for eligible graduate research degrees, not ordinary coursework programs.
Looking for a separate RTP application: New applicants are normally considered automatically through their graduate research course application.
Ignoring the supervisor requirement: Many research courses require in-principle support from a potential supervisor.
Using one deadline for all faculties: Course and faculty deadlines vary.
Assuming one IELTS score applies to every course: English requirements are course-specific.
Calling the 2026 stipend the confirmed 2027 rate: The current RTP page still lists AUD 39,500 as the 2026 full-time rate and says the allowance may be indexed annually.
Submitting an incomplete application: Scholarship assessment depends on receiving a complete course application and all required supporting documents.
Official Sources
University of Melbourne — Research Training Program Scholarship
University of Melbourne — Graduate Research Scholarships
University of Melbourne — International Graduate Research Applications
University of Melbourne — International Graduate Research Entry Requirements
University of Melbourne — International Graduate Research Fees and Payments
FAQs About University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027
1. What is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship?
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship is a research scholarship supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne for eligible graduate research students.
2. Is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship fully funded?
The RTP stipend and fee-offset version provides full tuition fee support plus a living allowance and additional benefits such as relocation support and OSHC for eligible international students. However, the fee-offset-only version does not include the living stipend.
3. How much is the RTP stipend at the University of Melbourne?
The current dedicated RTP page lists AUD 39,500 per year as the 2026 full-time rate. The university says the living allowance may be indexed annually, so the applicable 2027 rate should be confirmed from the updated scholarship information or offer.
4. Can international students apply for the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship?
Yes. The RTP stipend and fee-offset scholarship is available to eligible international and domestic graduate research applicants.
5. Do I need a separate application for the RTP Scholarship?
New applicants normally do not need a separate scholarship application. You are automatically considered when you apply for an eligible graduate research course by its relevant application closing date.
6. What degrees are eligible for the RTP Scholarship?
The scholarship supports eligible graduate research degrees, including research Master’s degrees and doctoral programmes such as the PhD. Course-specific entry requirements apply.
7. What is the University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship deadline for 2027?
There is no single deadline for all graduate research courses. The relevant deadline depends on your chosen course and faculty. Applicants should check the course’s official application page and applicable scholarship assessment round.
8. Can Pakistani students apply for the Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027?
Yes. Pakistani students can apply as international applicants for eligible graduate research programmes and can be considered for the RTP scholarship if they meet the University of Melbourne’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Final Thoughts
The University of Melbourne RTP Scholarship 2027 is a significant opportunity for international students planning a research Master’s or PhD in Australia.
The strongest funding package combines a full tuition fee offset, living allowance, relocation support, and OSHC for eligible international students. The current published RTP stipend is AUD 39,500 per year at the 2026 full-time rate, with annual indexing possible.
The most important part of the application is not a separate scholarship form. New applicants are normally assessed for eligible Graduate Research Scholarships through their graduate research admission application.
For 2027 entry, students should begin by selecting the right research degree, finding a suitable supervisor where required, preparing a strong research proposal, and checking the exact course deadline. Because deadlines vary by faculty and course, the official University of Melbourne course page should be treated as the final source for the application date and requirements.