International scholarships

Academic achievement

International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

The International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) assists international students who wish to participate in postgraduate research programs in Australia.

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Competition is intense and only those applicants with outstanding academic results are likely to be successful.

Study level: postgraduate research
Eligibility: academic achievement
Value: $26,288 (annual stipend)
How to apply: apply for a graduate research scholarship

VU College Diploma Merit Scholarship

The VU College Diploma Merit Scholarship recognises and rewards international student achievement.

Study level: higher education diploma in Business (Enterprise), Information Technology or Engineering
Eligibility: academic achievement with a distinction average in their first semester
Value: $2,000 grant for the second semester of studies
How to apply: no application is required, students are automatically assessed upon completion of their first semester

VU International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

The VU International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (VUIPRS) is for international students with excellent academic qualifications who wish to participate in postgraduate research programs in Australia.

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Competition for this scholarship is intense and only those applicants with outstanding academic results are likely to be successful.

Study level: postgraduate research
Eligibility: academic achievement
Value: $26,288 (annual stipend)
How to apply: apply for a graduate research scholarship

Australian government-funded

Australia Awards fellowships

Australia Awards fellowships are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These fellowships provide opportunities for fellows to undertake short-term study and professional development in Australia.

Study level: short-term study and professional development
Eligibility: nomination by an Australian organisation, citizen of and residing in an eligible country
Value: up to $25,000
How to apply: refer to Australia Awards fellowships for further information about applications, deadlines and funding

Australia Awards scholarships

Australia Awards scholarships are long-term development awards, offered by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's partner countries.

Study level: all
Eligibility: citizen of an participating country
Value: varies, but generally covers tuition fees, living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover and other assistance financial assistance and practical support
How to apply: refer to Australia Awards scholarships for application processes and deadlines

Endeavour scholarships & fellowships

Endeavour scholarships & fellowships are internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships provided by the Australian Government. The awards support overseas citizens to undertake study, research or professional development in Australia.

Study level: TAFE, postgraduate
Eligibility: citizen of a participating country
Value: Endeavour awards values vary based on degree level
How to apply: refer to Endeavour scholarships and fellowships for application processes and deadlines

International government-funded

Kuwait – Ministry of Higher Education scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait offers a range of scholarships to eligible Kuwaiti nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Kuwaiti Cultural Office in Canberra.

Study level: various
Eligibility: Kuwait national
Value: generally covers tuition fees and living allowance, refer to the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education for more information
How to apply: apply to VU and liaise with the Kuwaiti Cultural Office regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

1. name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
2. your name and student number
3. name of course and duration of sponsorship
4. details of scholarships entitlement.

Malaysia – Ministry of Higher Education scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia offers a range of scholarships to eligible Malaysian nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

Study level: master or PhD
Eligibility: citizen and resident of Malaysia, refer to MyMaster or MyPhD for further requirements
Value: varies but generally assist with tuition fees and living allowance
How to apply: apply to VU and, upon receiving an offer, apply to the Ministry of Higher Education. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

1. name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
2. your name and student number
3. name of course and duration of sponsorship
4. details of scholarships entitlement.

Saudi Arabia – Ministry of Higher Education scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia offers a range of scholarships to eligible Saudi Arabian nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Canberra.

Study level: refer to Ministry of Higher Education
Eligibility: refer to Ministry of Higher Education
Value: refer to Ministry of Higher Education for scholarship value and benefits
How to apply: apply to VU, and, upon receiving an offer, apply to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

1. name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
2. your name and student number
3. name of course and duration of sponsorship
4. details of scholarships entitlement.

Vietnam – Ministry of Education & Training scholarships

The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam offers a range of scholarships to eligible Vietnamese nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

Study level: refer to Ministry of Education and Training
Eligibility: refer to Ministry of Education and Training
Value: refer to Ministry of Education and Training for scholarship value and benefits
How to apply: apply to the relevant sponsoring body approved by Ministry of Education and Training and, upon receiving an offer, apply to VU. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

1. name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
2. your name and student number
3. name of course and duration of sponsorship
4. details of scholarships entitlement.

Joint programs

China – VU-Trace Foundation

The Victoria University (VU)-Trace Foundation joint scholarship program is offered to eligible Chinese nationals with a Tibetan ethnic background. The scholarship is available to students interested in a postgraduate research degree at VU’s College of Education.

Applications to VU, including confirmation from supervisors, must be submitted to VU by 15 January. Applicants will be notified of an outcome by VU and Trace at the end of March.

Study level: Master of Education, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Eligibility: Chinese nationals with a Tibetan ethnic background, proficient in written Tibetan, one year of teaching experience, proficiency in English
Value: tuition fees, living allowance and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for Master of Education (two years) or PhD (three years)
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to Trace simultaneously

China – VU-China Scholarship Council

The VU-China Scholarship Council (CSC) joint scholarship program supports eligible Chinese nationals who wish to complete a research degree at VU.

Applications to VU, including confirmation from supervisors, must be submitted to VU by 31 January. Applicants will be notified of an outcome by VU at the end of February and by CSC in June.

Study level: PhD in a VU research focus area
Eligibility: citizen or permanent resident of China, currently living in the People's Republic of China, satisfy CSC requirements
Value: varies, but generally covers tuition fees, living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover and return airfare
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to CSC, refer to CSC for further information

Colombia – VU-Colfuturo

The VU-Colfuturo joint graduate loan-scholarship program supports eligible Colombian nationals to study a postgraduate research degree (master or PhD) at VU. Applications to Colfuturo are open between 10 January to 28 February, with results announced 14 May.

Study level: master by research or PhD
Eligibility: for Colombian nationals, academic achievement based on undergraduate score, ranking position within the graduating class and an essay
Value: full tuition fee coverage (first two scholarships) or half tuition fee coverage (next eight scholarships) for two years (master) or four years (PhD)
How to apply: apply to VU and, upon receiving an offer, apply to Colfuturo

Indonesia – VU-DGRSTHE

The VU-Directorate General of Resources for Science, Technology and Higher Education (DGRSTHE) joint scholarship program offers scholarships to eligible Indonesian nationals. The Beasiswa Unggulan Dosen Indonesia (BUDI) scholarships are available for research degrees (master or PhD) at VU.

Study level: master by research or PhD
Eligibility: Indonesian nationals. Please refer to BUDI 
Value: varies, but generally covers tuition fees, living allowance and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
How to apply: apply to VU and apply to BUDI, applications open between August-October

Contact the International Scholarships Team

If you have questions or need assistance in applying for a scholarship as an international student please contact us.

Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
Email: vuischolarships@vu.edu.au
Location: City Flinders Campus, 300 Flinders St, Melbourne