Best Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Research Degree in Australia for Pakistani Students

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are fully funded awards for a Master’s by Research or a PhD at the University of Melbourne in Australia. They cover your full tuition fees, give you a living allowance of AUD 41,100 a year, pay a relocation grant, and cover your health insurance. Around 600 awards are offered each year, and Pakistani students can apply.

What makes this scholarship easy to apply for is that there is no separate scholarship form. If you apply for a graduate research course at Melbourne by that course’s closing date, you are automatically considered for the scholarship. You do not fill in a second application, and you do not write a separate essay for the scholarship. Your course application is your scholarship application.

1. Introduction

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne. The awards combine two funding sources: the Melbourne Research Scholarship, which is funded by the University, and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, which is funded by the Australian Government.

The University of Melbourne is Australia’s number one ranked university, and it is one of the best universities in the world for research. It has a large graduate research community, with students from more than 100 countries, and it offers research degrees in every field, from science and engineering to medicine, law, business, and the humanities.

Each year around 600 Graduate Research Scholarships are offered. That is a large number, and it means the scholarship is more accessible than many other fully funded awards. The selection is based on your academic results and your research potential, and the best-ranked applicants are offered a scholarship that includes both a fee offset and a living stipend.

For a Pakistani student, this scholarship is a clear path to a fully funded research degree in Australia. You do not need a separate scholarship application, you do not need to be nominated by anyone, and you do not need to meet a nationality quota. If you are offered a place on a graduate research course at Melbourne, and you are ranked highly enough, you will be offered a scholarship. The total value of the award can reach up to AUD 135,000.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships: what they cover, who can apply, the documents you need, how the selection works, and the deadlines. Every fact here comes from the official University of Melbourne scholarships website, and the official link is at the end of the article.

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Quick Facts

Scholarship Name	Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
Host Country	Australia
Host University	University of Melbourne
Study Level	Master’s by Research and PhD (research degrees only; not taught Master’s)
Funding Type	Fully funded: 100% fee remission and up to AUD 135,000, including a living allowance of AUD 41,100 per year (2027 rate), a relocation grant, and Overseas Student Health Cover
Eligible Nationalities	Domestic and international students from all nationalities, including Pakistan
Study Duration	Fee offset up to 2 years (Master’s by Research) or 4 years (PhD); living allowance up to 2 years (Master’s) or 3.5 years (PhD)
Number of Awards	Around 600 awards per year
Application Deadline	No separate scholarship form; you are automatically considered when you apply for a graduate research course by that course’s closing date. Next rounds: 31 January 2027 (Round 2), 15 May 2027 (Round 3, MDHS)
Scholarship Year	2027
Official Website	scholarships.unimelb.edu.au – Graduate Research Scholarships

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are fully funded awards. The total value can reach up to AUD 135,000, which includes a full fee offset, a living allowance, a relocation grant, and health cover. The living allowance is AUD 41,100 a year at the 2027 full-time study rate, and it is paid fortnightly. The allowance is tax-free, and it includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.

The fee offset covers 100% of your tuition fees for up to two years if you are doing a Master’s by Research, or up to four years if you are doing a PhD. The living allowance is paid for up to two years for a Master’s by Research, or up to three and a half years for a PhD. If you are moving to Melbourne from outside Australia, you also receive a relocation grant of AUD 3,000.

2. Types of Scholarship

The Graduate Research Scholarships at Melbourne have two parts, and the best-ranked applicants receive both. There are also fee offset only awards for applicants who do not receive a stipend.

• Stipend and fee offset scholarships: These are the full awards. They include a full fee offset and a living allowance. They are offered to the applicants who are ranked highest by the selection panels, based on their academic results and their research potential. This is the award that most Pakistani applicants should aim for.
• Fee offset scholarships: These cover the full tuition fee offset for up to two years for a Master’s by Research, or up to four years for a PhD, but they do not include a living allowance. All domestic students who are offered admission to a Master’s by Research or a doctoral degree receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

The two parts come from two funding sources. The Melbourne Research Scholarship is funded by the University of Melbourne, and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government. When you apply, you do not choose between them. The University decides which award you receive, based on your ranking.

3. Degree Level

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships fund graduate research degrees only. That covers two levels:

• Master’s by Research: A research Master’s degree, which normally takes up to two years. The scholarship covers the fee offset for up to two years, and the living allowance for up to two years.
• PhD (Doctoral degree): A research doctorate, which normally takes three to four years. The scholarship covers the fee offset for up to four years, and the living allowance for up to three and a half years.

The scholarships do not cover taught Master’s degrees. If you want to study a coursework Master’s at Melbourne, such as an MBA or a taught Master’s in engineering, this scholarship does not apply. It is only for research degrees, where you do original research and write a thesis.

You must have applied for a graduate research degree at Melbourne, or be currently enrolled in one. If you are a new student, you apply for the course, and you are automatically considered for the scholarship. If you are already enrolled, or if you have deferred your start date, the process is different, and you should check the Graduate Research Scholarship Applications page for the exact steps.

4. Available Subjects

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are open to every field of research at the University of Melbourne. There is no fixed list of subjects, and there is no quota for any one field. The University lists the study areas that are covered:

• Agricultural and veterinary sciences
• Architecture, building, planning and design
• Arts, humanities and social sciences
• Business and economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Environment
• Health
• Information technology and computer science
• Law
• Music, visual and performing arts
• Science

That covers almost every field a Pakistani student might want to research. If you want to do research in public health, water, energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, or education, you will find a supervisor and a research group at Melbourne. The key is to find a research project that fits your interests and your background, and to show in your course application that you have the academic results and the research potential to do it well.

5. Scholarship Benefits

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are fully funded awards. The benefits for a stipend and fee offset scholarship are:

• Full fee offset: 100% of your tuition fees are covered for up to two years if you are doing a Master’s by Research, or up to four years if you are doing a PhD.
• Living allowance: AUD 41,100 a year at the 2027 full-time study rate, paid fortnightly, for up to two years for a Master’s by Research, or up to three and a half years for a PhD. The allowance is tax-free, and it may be indexed each year. It includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.
• Relocation grant: AUD 2,000 if you are moving to Melbourne from another Australian state or territory, or AUD 3,000 if you are moving from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Single membership of OSHC for international students who need a student visa to study in Australia. This covers your health insurance while you study.

The total value of the award can reach up to AUD 135,000. That figure includes the fee offset, the living allowance, the relocation grant, and the health cover. The exact value depends on your course, the length of your degree, and whether you receive a stipend as well as a fee offset.

If you receive a fee offset only scholarship, you get the full fee offset but no living allowance. In that case you would need to find another source of funding for your living costs. That is why the stipend and fee offset scholarship is the award to aim for.

6. Eligible Nationalities

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are open to domestic and international students from all nationalities. That includes Pakistan. There is no list of eligible countries to check, because the rule is simple: if you are applying for a graduate research degree at Melbourne, you can be considered for the scholarship, whatever your nationality.

There is no quota for Pakistan, and there is no limit on how many Pakistani students can win in a year. The selection is based on your academic results and your research potential, and the best-ranked applicants are offered a scholarship. That is good news, because it means a strong Pakistani applicant has the same chance as a strong applicant from any other country.

You do not need to be living in Pakistan to apply. If you are a Pakistani citizen studying or working in another country, you can still apply. What matters is that you have applied for a graduate research degree at Melbourne, and that you meet the requirements for that degree.

7. Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships, you must meet these conditions:

• You must have applied for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, and you must meet the requirements for that degree.
• Or, you must be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.
• You must have a strong academic record. The selection panels rank applicants on their academic results for prior study and their research potential.
• You must meet the English language requirement for your course, if the University asks for one.

There is no age limit, and there is no work experience requirement. What matters is your academic results and your research potential. The selection panels look at your grades, your research experience, and the quality of your research proposal. They also look at whether your research fits with the work of the faculty you are applying to.

All domestic students who are offered admission to a Master’s by Research or a doctoral degree receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer. International students, including Pakistanis, are considered for both the fee offset and the stipend, and the best-ranked international applicants receive the full stipend and fee offset award.

8. English Language Requirements

The University of Melbourne sets an English language requirement for admission to its graduate research degrees. The requirement applies to your admission to the course, not to the scholarship itself. If you meet the English requirement for your course, you meet it for the scholarship too.

If you have not studied in English before, you will normally need to take an approved test such as IELTS or TOEFL and meet the score required by your course. The required score varies by faculty and by course, so check the course page for the degree you want to apply for.

If you have already studied a degree in English, you may not need to take a test. The University decides this when it reviews your application. You should check the Melbourne English language requirements page for the exact rules that apply to you.

For Pakistani applicants, the practical advice is simple. Take the IELTS or TOEFL early, so you have your score before the course closing date. Do not leave it to the last minute, because test dates fill up and results take time to arrive. You will need your score for your course application, and the course closing date is also your scholarship closing date.

9. Required Documents

There is no separate scholarship application form for new students. You apply for a graduate research course at Melbourne, and you are automatically considered for the scholarship. That means your documents are the documents that the course asks for.

The documents you will need for your course application include:

• Online application for the course: You apply through the University of Melbourne online application system for the graduate research degree you want to study.
• Academic transcripts: Transcripts from every university you have studied at, showing your grades and the courses you took.
• Degree certificates: Proof of any degree you have already completed.
• Research proposal: A proposal for the research you want to do. Check your faculty page for what it should contain, and how long it should be.
• References: Letters from people who know your academic work well and can speak about your research potential.
• CV or resume: A summary of your education, research experience, and any publications.
• English language test result: Your IELTS or TOEFL score, if the University requires one for your course.

If you have deferred your commencement, or if you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course and you want to be reconsidered for a scholarship, the process is different. In that case you need to submit a separate form, and the steps vary by faculty. Check the Graduate Research Scholarship Applications page on the Melbourne website for the exact steps that apply to you.

Do not invent or exaggerate anything in your application. The University checks your documents, and a false claim will end your application. If a document is not ready yet, say so honestly and explain when it will be available.

10. Selection Criteria

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and research potential. The selection panels rank all the applicants, and the best-ranked applicants are offered a scholarship. The criteria are:

• Academic results: Your grades and your academic record from your prior study. The panels look at how well you did in your previous degrees, and whether your record shows that you can do research at a high level.
• Research potential: Your ability to do original research. The panels look at your research proposal, your research experience, and your references. They look for evidence that you can ask a good research question, design a study, and carry it out.

There is no interview for the Graduate Research Scholarships. The selection is based on your application alone. That is why your transcripts, your research proposal, and your references matter so much. They are the only evidence the panels have.

The scholarships that provide a stipend as well as a fee offset are offered to the applicants who are ranked highest by the relevant selection panels. If you are not ranked highly enough for a stipend, you may still be offered a fee offset only scholarship. The offers for the stipend scholarships are made separately from the course offers, but around the same time.

11. How to Apply – Step by Step

Follow these steps to apply for the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships. Remember that there is no separate scholarship form for new students. Your course application is your scholarship application.

• Step 1: Choose your graduate research course. Go to the University of Melbourne Study website and find the graduate research degree you want to study. It must be a Master’s by Research or a PhD. Check the course page for the entry requirements, the English language requirement, and the application closing date for that course.
• Step 2: Find a supervisor. For a research degree, you need a supervisor who agrees to supervise your research. Contact the faculty or the school that runs your course, and find out how to find a supervisor. Some faculties ask you to contact a supervisor before you apply, and some match you with a supervisor after you apply. Check the faculty page for the exact process.
• Step 3: Prepare your documents. Gather your transcripts, degree certificates, research proposal, references, CV, and your English language test result. Ask your referees early, because they need time to write.
• Step 4: Apply for the course. Submit your application for the graduate research course through the University of Melbourne online application system, by the closing date for that course. You do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. You will be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships.
• Step 5: Wait for confirmation. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of submitting your course application. That confirms that you are being considered for the scholarship.
• Step 6: Wait for the outcome. Offers for the Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend and fee offset are made separately from the course offers, but around the same time. Domestic students receive their Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

12. Deadline

There is no separate deadline for the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships. You are automatically considered for the scholarship when you apply for a graduate research course by that course’s closing date. That means the deadline that matters is the closing date for the course you are applying for.

Course closing dates vary by faculty and by course. Most faculties run their applications in rounds. Round 1 faculty dates for 2027 entry fell mainly between 30 September and 31 October 2026, and some of those dates have already passed for international applicants. If you missed Round 1, you can still apply in the later rounds.

Stage	Date
Round 1 faculty closing dates	30 September to 31 October 2026 (most have passed for international applicants)
Current and deferred students (separate form)	31 October 2026
Round 2 closing date	31 January 2027
Round 3 closing date (MDHS)	15 May 2027
Scholarship notification	Within 10 business days of submitting your course application, you are told a scholarship application has been added to your record

Because the closing dates vary by faculty and by course, you must check the closing date for the specific course you are applying for. Do not rely on the dates in this article alone. Go to the University of Melbourne Study website, find your course, and check its closing date. Then submit your application well before that date.

The Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are one of the best fully funded awards for research students, and they are open to Pakistani students. They cover your full tuition fees, give you a living allowance of AUD 41,100 a year, pay a relocation grant, and cover your health insurance. There is no separate scholarship form, and around 600 awards are offered each year. If you want to do a Master’s by Research or a PhD in Australia, apply for a graduate research course at Melbourne by that course’s closing date, and you will be automatically considered. For the official information, visit the Graduate Research Scholarships page on the University of Melbourne website. Good luck with your application.

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