Good news for aspiring international researchers! Applications are now open for the prestigious Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS) for the academic years 2025-2026. In this article, we provide a detailed explanation of the scholarship, its numerous benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
What is the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS)?
The Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) 2025-2026 is a fully-funded opportunity for international students seeking to pursue postgraduate research degrees at the University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s leading academic institutions. With about 350 scholarships available for both Master's and Doctoral research programs, the MRS provides financial support to help students focus on their research without financial burden.
Benefits of the Melbourne Research Scholarship
The MRS offers a comprehensive financial package to support students throughout their research journey:
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Living Allowance: A generous stipend of $37,000 per year (2024 full-time study rate), which is available for up to two years for students pursuing a Master's by Research, or up to 3.5 years for Doctoral candidates. The living allowance is indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.
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Full Fee Offset: The scholarship covers full tuition fees for the duration of the course. This offset is provided for up to two years for students undertaking a Master’s by Research degree and up to four years for those pursuing a doctoral degree.
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Relocation Grant: To help students relocating to Melbourne from interstate or overseas, the scholarship includes a relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from within Australia (other than Victoria), or $3000 for international students.
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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): International students requiring a student visa to study in Australia will also receive a Single Membership for Overseas Student Health Cover, ensuring their healthcare needs are met.
About the University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a globally renowned, government-funded institution that is committed to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact on society. It is ranked as number 1 in Australia and 31st in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2021). The university has a strong focus on research, science, learning, and teaching, offering students world-class facilities and academic resources.
Courses and Programs Available for MRS
The Melbourne Research Scholarship is open to students pursuing postgraduate research degrees in a wide range of disciplines across various faculties at the University of Melbourne. The following schools and faculties are offering eligible courses for the MRS:
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
- Melbourne Business School
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
- Melbourne Graduate School of Education
- Melbourne Dental School
- Melbourne Law School
- Melbourne School of Design
- Melbourne Medical School
- Melbourne School of Engineering
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
- Melbourne School of Health Sciences
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
- Online Graduate Courses
- Office for Environmental Programs
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- School of Melbourne Custom Programs
- Victorian College of the Arts
You can explore more about the available courses on the official university website.
Scholarship Coverage
As mentioned earlier, the Melbourne Research Scholarships offer the following benefits:
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Full Fee Offset: Complete coverage of tuition fees for up to 2 years for Master’s by Research students or up to 4 years for Doctoral students.
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Living Allowance: A stipend of $37,000 per year, available for up to two years for Master’s by Research students or up to 3.5 years for Doctoral students.
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Relocation Grant: A grant of $2000 for students moving from other Australian states or territories, or $3000 for international students.
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OSHC: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for international students.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Melbourne Research Scholarships, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be international students from all countries.
- Program Admission: Applicants must have applied for and met the entry requirements for a Master’s by Research or Doctoral program at the University of Melbourne.
- Enrolled Students: Current graduate research students at the University of Melbourne are also eligible to apply.
How to Apply for the Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)?
The application process for the Melbourne Research Scholarships is straightforward. Here’s how you can apply:
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New Applicants: If you are a new student applying for a graduate research course, you will automatically be considered for the Melbourne Research Scholarships once you submit your application by the closing date for that course. You will receive a notification confirming that a scholarship application has been added to your record within seven days.
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Current/Deferred Students: If you already have an offer for a graduate research course, have deferred your course commencement, or are currently enrolled in a graduate research course and wish to apply for the scholarship, you need to submit an online application form.
Key Dates
Deadlines for the Melbourne Research Scholarships vary by course. Make sure to check the specific course page for precise application deadlines.
How to Learn More
For more detailed information about the Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS), visit the official University of Melbourne website.
Conclusion
The Melbourne Research Scholarships offer a unique opportunity for international students to pursue postgraduate research at one of the top universities in the world. With a comprehensive range of benefits, including full tuition fee coverage, living allowances, relocation grants, and health insurance, this scholarship makes studying in Australia a feasible and rewarding experience. Apply now and take your research career to the next level at the University of Melbourne.
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