Victoria University International Research Scholarships in Australia

Victoria University offers international research scholarships to students who want to complete a postgraduate research degree in Australia. These scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential, and most cover full tuition fees along with a yearly stipend to help with living costs. If you do not qualify for a specific scholarship, you can still get a 20% tuition fee reduction for your entire research degree through the VU Global Research Scholarship.

You are considered an international student if you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and do not hold Australian permanent residency. Applications for Research Period 1, 2027 are now open and close on Sunday, 13 September 2026. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host University: Victoria University, Australia
• Degree Level: PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and Masters by Research
• Host Country: Australia
• Open For: All nationalities, except Australian and New Zealand citizens
• Application Deadline: Sunday, 13 September 2026, 11:59 pm (AEST)

About the Scholarships:

International RTP Stipend Scholarship:

The Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship is awarded to graduate researchers based on academic merit and research potential. It includes:

• Tuition fees: fully covered through the RTP Fee Offset Scholarship.
• Living allowance: $35,707 per year (2026 rate).
• Health cover: single overseas student health cover.

This scholarship does not cover:

• English language testing
• Bridging or English language preparation programs
• Travel costs from overseas

You do not need to apply separately. Your eligibility is checked automatically when you apply for admission to your course.

Tony Kruger Education for Social Justice Doctoral Research Scholarship

This scholarship is named in honour of Associate Professor Tony Kruger, a former Head of the School of Education at Victoria University, who was known for his dedication to teacher education and student learning.

• Annual stipend: $40,707 (2026 rate).
• Tuition fees: covered through the Research Training Program (RTP).
• Health cover: single overseas student health cover only.

Applicants must show strong academic results and plan research in the area of social justice in education. This scholarship will next be awarded for Research Period 1, 2027.

Also Check: Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Excellence Scholarship (Fully Funded)

China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarship:

This scholarship is jointly funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Victoria University. It is open to citizens of the People’s Republic of China who are enrolling in a PhD at Victoria University. Current Chinese PhD students in their first year who pay full fees can also apply. If successful, any time already studied is subtracted from the scholarship period.

Victoria University provides:

• A fee offset scholarship covering tuition fees for all four years of the degree
• An additional living allowance, bringing the total stipend up to VU’s standard rate

The CSC provides:

• A living allowance
• One return airfare, subject to scholarship policy
• Coverage of visa application fees

Find out more about the CSC Scholarship.

Also Check: KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027, in South Korea

Project Based Scholarships

Victoria University also offers scholarships to complete a PhD or Masters by Research on a specific topic, linked to an externally funded research project. Each scholarship includes at least:

• An annual stipend
• A fee offset scholarship covering tuition fees

These scholarships do not cover:

• English language testing
• Bridging or English language programs
• Travel costs from overseas

Find out more about Project and Industry Research Scholarships.

Who Can Apply:

To apply for any of these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand
• Meet the university’s academic entry requirements for a research degree
• Meet the university’s English language requirements for a research degree

If you are applying for the International RTP Stipend Scholarship, you must also:

• Have a weighted average mark (WAM) or Honours grade of H1, that is 85% or above at VU, or an equivalent result in your most recent qualification
• Be starting a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Include a Research Focus Outline with your application
• Enrol as a full time student

Please note, you are not eligible if you are currently on, or have recently completed, an AIDAB or AUSAID scholarship and are applying right after.

Priority is given to applicants who:

• Have not already completed a PhD or an equivalent degree
• Have not previously held an IPRS, VUIPRS, or OPRS scholarship, unless it was for a Masters by Research and you are now applying for a PhD

Also Check: Czech Government Scholarships for MS & PhD 2027

How to Apply

1. Choose your Research Focus Outline
2. Contact the Principal Supervisor to talk about the research topic
3. Read the Application Guide for Graduate Research Stipend Scholarships
4. Follow the steps on the Apply for Graduate Research page to submit your application
5. Use the RFO number, supervisory panel, Institute, course code, and Field of Research (FoR) code from your chosen Research Focus Outline

• Application deadline: Sunday, 13 September 2026, 11:59 pm (AEST).

Make sure you include all the documents needed for both admission and the scholarship.

Notification of Outcomes

• These scholarships are competitive. Applicants usually need a score of around 85 to 90 on the VU grading scale to be considered for a PhD stipend.
• The number of scholarships given out depends on the funding available each year, so not every eligible applicant will receive one.
• Because of the high number of applications, individual feedback is not provided.
• Successful applicants are normally notified within two months of the application closing date.

Also Check: Graduate Research Scholarships at University of Melbourne, Australia