Australian universities compete heavily for strong international applicants, and nearly all major institutions now run dedicated scholarship programs covering both coursework and research degrees.
The ten universities below each have a well-established scholarship offering worth researching directly.
1. University of Melbourne
Melbourne funds research-based students through the [Melbourne Research Scholarship](/melbourne-research-scholarship/), covering a living stipend and tuition fee offset for doctoral and research master’s candidates.
2. UNSW Sydney
UNSW runs the [Scientia PhD Scholarship](/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarship/) and the [Global University Award](/unsw-global-university-award/), covering both doctoral and undergraduate international applicants.
3. University of Sydney
The [Sydney Research Training Program Scholarship](/sydney-rtp-scholarship/) funds doctoral candidates with a full tuition fee waiver and living stipend.
4. Macquarie University
Macquarie offers a range of awards, including the [Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship](/macquarie-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) and the [International Research Training Program Scholarship](/macquarie-irtp-scholarship/).
5. Deakin University
Deakin funds international students through both the [Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship](/deakin-vice-chancellors-scholarship/) and the [20 Percent Merit Scholarship](/deakin-international-20-percent-merit-scholarship/).
6. RMIT University
RMIT supports international students through both the [International Excellence Scholarship](/rmit-international-excellence-scholarship/) and its own [Research Training Program Scholarship](/rmit-research-training-program-scholarship/).
7. University of Adelaide
The [Adelaide Scholarships International](/adelaide-scholarships-international/) program funds research-based master’s and doctoral candidates with a tuition offset and living stipend.
8. Australian National University
ANU’s [Chancellor’s International Scholarship](/anu-chancellors-international-scholarship/) offers a tuition fee reduction to high-achieving incoming international undergraduates.
9. Monash University
Monash funds students through both the Monash International Leadership Scholarship for coursework students and the Monash Graduate Excellence Scholarship for doctoral candidates.
10. University of Queensland
UQ offers both undergraduate merit scholarships and Research Training Program-funded doctoral places, covering a broad range of academic levels for international students.
Because most Australian university scholarships are assessed automatically from the admission application, submitting a complete academic transcript alongside a well-documented English test score usually matters more than a separate scholarship essay.
Comparing scholarship terms across these universities is easier when applicants request a clear, written breakdown of what each award actually covers, since some combine tuition offsets with a living stipend while others apply to tuition alone.
Because research scholarships are generally allocated alongside a confirmed supervisor, reaching out to a specific academic at the target university well before the formal application opens remains one of the most effective early steps.
Checking each university.’s scholarship closing date against the relevant intake, whether February, July, or a trimester start, avoids the common mistake of missing a funding deadline while still well within the general admissions window.
Students should also factor in Australia.’s mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover when budgeting overall costs, since this requirement sits separately from any tuition scholarship received from the university itself.
Applicants weighing offers from several of these universities should compare the real net cost after scholarship, not just the headline tuition figure, since fee structures and payment schedules differ noticeably between institutions.
Applicants should also check whether a scholarship requires maintaining a minimum full-time study load each semester, since dropping below that threshold can affect both visa compliance and continued funding eligibility at any of these universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all of these universities offer scholarships at every degree level?
Most offer scholarships across undergraduate, coursework postgraduate, and research levels, though the specific scholarship name and terms differ by level.
Are these scholarships awarded automatically?
Most coursework scholarships are assessed as part of the standard admission process, while research scholarships usually require a distinct application alongside a confirmed supervisor.
How much can these scholarships reduce tuition by?
Reductions vary by university and program, ranging from modest percentage discounts to full tuition waivers for research-based scholarships.
Is a minimum academic average required across all of these universities?
Yes, each university sets its own minimum grade threshold from the applicant’s prior academic record as the main eligibility test.
Can international students combine scholarships from different Australian universities?
No, since scholarships are tied to enrollment at a specific university, students can only hold the scholarship linked to where they are actually studying.
Do these scholarships cover living costs as well as tuition?
Research scholarships generally include a living stipend, while many coursework scholarships are tuition fee reductions only.
Is English test score required alongside academic scores at all of these universities?
Yes, IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting the university’s general admission threshold are required in addition to academic qualifications across all of these institutions.