Monash University, a top-ranked institution in Melbourne, Australia, offers generous scholarships to support international and domestic students. This guide focuses on three key scholarships: the Monash International Merit Scholarship, the Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence, and the Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend. Whether you’re aiming for an undergraduate degree or advanced research, these opportunities can help fund your education. Below, we outline the benefits, eligibility, and application process for each.
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Why Study at Monash University?
Ranked #42 globally (QS World Rankings 2024), Monash University is renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. With multiple campuses in Australia and abroad, it provides world-class facilities and a supportive environment for students. These scholarships make studying at Monash more accessible by covering tuition fees, living costs, and more.
1- Monash International Merit Scholarship (for Undergraduate Students)
This scholarship supports high-achieving international students pursuing an undergraduate degree at Monash University.
Benefits
- Financial Support: AUD $10,000 per year for the duration of your degree (based on 48 credit points of study annually).
- Leadership Opportunity: Invitation to apply for Monash Minds, a leadership program for first-year students.
- Total Value: Up to AUD $50,000 over the course of your degree.
Eligibility
- You must be an international student (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or humanitarian visa holder).
- You must have received a full Monash undergraduate course offer with no conditions.
- You must intend to enroll full-time at a Monash campus in Australia.
- Not eligible if you are:
- A current Monash student.
- Studying Australian Year 12 (you may qualify for the Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence).
- Commencing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) or Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Selection Criteria
- Based on academic achievement (e.g., high school grades or equivalent qualifications).
- To retain the scholarship, you must:
- Maintain a distinction average (70% or above) each semester.
- Provide a student profile for Monash marketing, recruitment, or promotional activities.
How to Apply
- No separate application required. You are automatically considered when you receive a full undergraduate course offer from Monash.
- The scholarship can be deferred within the same calendar year only.
- Apply for a Monash undergraduate course via the Monash Application Guide or through VTAC for Australian-based applicants.
- For more details, visit the Monash International Merit Scholarship page.
Number Offered
- 31 scholarships per year.
See Also: AAUW International Fellowships for Women 2026-2027 (MS and PHD)
2- Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence (for Undergraduate Students)
This prestigious scholarship is designed for top-achieving international students completing Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia.
Benefits
- Financial Support: AUD $10,000 per year for up to four years (based on 48 credit points of study annually).
- Leadership Opportunity: Invitation to apply for Monash Minds, a leadership program for first-year students.
- Total Value: Up to AUD $40,000 over four years.
Eligibility
- You must be an international student studying Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate in Australia.
- You must have an ATAR of 98.00+ or equivalent.
- You must intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate degree at a Monash campus in Australia.
- Not eligible if you are commencing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) or Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Selection Criteria
- Based on academic excellence (e.g., ATAR of 98.00+ or equivalent).
- To retain the scholarship, you must:
- Maintain a distinction average (70% or above) each semester.
- Participate in Monash marketing, recruitment, or promotional activities if requested.
Also Check: FAPESP Masters Scholarship in Brazil 2025-2026
How to Apply
- No separate application required. Eligible students are automatically considered when applying for a Monash undergraduate degree through VTAC or the Monash Application Guide.
- The scholarship can be deferred within the same calendar year only.
- For more details, visit the Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence page.
Number Offered
- 10 scholarships per year.
3- Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS) & Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend (for MS and PHD)
Funded by the Australian Government, the RTP Stipend supports both domestic and international students pursuing Research Master’s or PhD degrees at Monash University.
Benefits
- Living Allowance: Up to AUD $36,063 p.a (2025 rate) to cover living costs.
- Relocation Allowance: AUD $1,500 (one-time payment, if eligible).
- Tuition Support: International students may receive a Monash International Tuition Scholarship (MITS) to cover tuition fees. Domestic students receive an RTP Fees Offset to cover course fees.
- Health Insurance: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students, if packaged with a tuition scholarship.
Eligibility
- You must be one of the following:
- Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian humanitarian visa holder, or international student.
- You must meet Monash’s competitive scholarship selection requirements, including:
- A bachelor’s degree with a research component (e.g., honours 1 or 2A in a relevant field) or equivalent qualifications.
- English language proficiency:
- General: IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or TOEFL 79+ (Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18, Writing 21).
- Arts, Business, Economics: IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) or TOEFL 94+ (Reading 19, Listening 20, Speaking 20, Writing 24).
- You must not have held an Australian Government or Monash-funded Postgraduate Research Award for more than six months.
- Available for Joint Research Awards where Monash is the home institution.
Selection Criteria
- Based on academic record, research outputs, and prior research experience.
- Scholarships are highly competitive, with priority given to candidates with strong academic and research backgrounds.
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How to Apply
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
Review Monash’s academic entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. - Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Contact the relevant faculty to submit an EOI and secure an invitation to apply. Find faculty-specific EOI processes for - Step 3: Submit Application
Apply through the Monash Applicant Portal. Indicate you wish to be considered for scholarships (no separate scholarship application needed). Required documents include academic transcripts, research proposal, CV, proof of English proficiency, and degree certificates.
Before starting your application, please review the Faculty preferred commencement dates and Application Submission Guide, which detail all required supporting documentation and provide further useful information. - Key Deadlines:
- International Round 1: September 1 – March 31 (for July–December enrollment).
- Domestic Round 2: November 1 – May 31.
- International Round 3: April 1 – August 31 (for January–June enrollment).
- Domestic Round 4: June 1 – October 31.
- For more details, visit the RTP Stipend page or contact the Graduate Research Admissions team at mgro-apply@monash.edu or +61 3 9905 1538.
See Also: 13 Fully-Funded PhD Positions at KTH Royal Institute of Technology Sweden
Number Offered
- Varies based on funding and applicant pool (over 800 research scholarships awarded annually across all Monash programs).
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start Early: Gather documents like transcripts, English test results, and research proposals well in advance.
- Meet Eligibility: Confirm you meet academic and English language requirements for your chosen scholarship.
- Contact Supervisors: For RTP Stipend, connect with a potential supervisor via your faculty’s EOI process.
- Check Deadlines: Note the specific scholarship round deadlines (e.g., March 31 or August 31 for international students).
- Polish Your Application: Ensure your academic CV and research proposal highlight your achievements and potential.
Why Apply for a Monash Scholarship?
- Financial Relief: Covers tuition, living expenses, or both, easing financial burdens.
- Global Recognition: Study at a top-tier university ranked #42 worldwide.
- Leadership Development: Access programs like Monash Minds to build skills and networks.
- Research Opportunities: RTP Stipend recipients join a vibrant research community with world-class facilities.
Ready to Apply?
- For Monash International Merit Scholarship and Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence, apply for an undergraduate course via VTAC or the Monash Application Guide and Monash Application Submission Guidelines. No separate scholarship application is needed.
- For RTP Stipend, submit an EOI to your faculty and apply through the Monash Applicant Portal.
- Visit the Monash Scholarships page for full details and updates.
Note: Always verify eligibility and deadlines on the official Monash website, as terms may change.
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