The University of Melbourne opens multiple scholarship pathways for international students aiming to reduce the cost of studying in Australia. Flagship research awards like the Graduate Research Scholarships and Melbourne Research Scholarship offer full tuition fee coverage plus a stipend of around AUD 37000 per year which is about INR 23.72 lakh at 64.11 rate, along with OSHC and relocation support. Most of these are automatically assessed with your admission application, making academic merit and early timing critical.
At the coursework and undergraduate level, key options include the International Postgraduate Coursework Award and the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship, typically offering 25 to 50 percent tuition fee remission. While full funding is limited outside research programs, strong scores such as 90 percent plus significantly improve chances. In a merit driven system, performance opens the door and early application strengthens it.
Also Check: University of Melbourne Admission 2026
University of Melbourne Graduate Scholarships
For Indian students planning postgraduate studies at the University of Melbourne, scholarships are largely merit-based and seriously competitive. The university awards 600+ Graduate Research Scholarships each year, with nearly 300 allocated to international students, making it one of Australia’s strongest research funding hubs. The biggest advantage is that most of these are automatically considered when you apply for admission, so there is usually no separate scholarship form to chase. Funding can include full tuition fee waivers, an annual stipend of around AUD 37,000 (INR 23.72 lakh), relocation grants, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
That said, research degrees receive the bulk of funding, while coursework scholarships are more limited. Even then, awards can range from 25% to 100% tuition fee remission, with a few options specifically tailored for Indian students. Since scholarship deadlines align with Semester 1 (Feb/Mar) and Semester 2 (July) intakes, applying early is not just smart but strategic. In a system where merit decides everything, timing quietly decides the rest.
Scholarships for Graduate Research Degrees
| Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
Application Process |
Key Notes for Indian Students |
| Graduate Research Scholarships (includes Melbourne Research Scholarship & RTP) |
High-achieving international students enrolling in Master’s by Research or PhD |
Full tuition fee offset (up to 2 yrs Master’s, 4 yrs PhD) + AUD ~37,000 (INR 23.72 lakh) annual stipend + AUD 3,000 (INR 1.92 lakh) relocation + OSHC |
Automatic consideration with research admission application |
~600 awarded yearly; highly competitive; strong academic & research profile required |
| Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA) |
Indian students undertaking joint PhD with UniMelb + IITs/IISc/partner institutions |
Funded via Graduate Research Scholarships (fees + stipend + research funding) |
Apply for research admission; supervisors submit joint proposal |
Ideal for Indo-Australian research collaboration in STEM, medicine, engineering |
Scholarships for Graduate Coursework Degrees
| Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
Application Process |
Key Notes for Indian Students |
| International Postgraduate Coursework Award (IPCA) |
High-performing international students admitted to eligible Master’s programs |
25%–100% tuition fee remission |
Automatic consideration with course application |
Around 100 awards annually; strong UG scores (80%+ equivalent) help |
| Alex Chernov Scholarship |
Indian students admitted to 1-year Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) |
Full tuition + AUD 20,000 (INR 12.82 lakh) living allowance |
Separate application (300-word statement required) |
India-specific; very competitive; law only |
| Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship |
Exceptional postgraduate students (coursework or research) with leadership impact |
Up to AUD 120,000 (INR 76.93 lakh) over 2–3 years |
Separate application via Westpac Scholars Trust |
Leadership-focused; open to Indians; only ~2 awards annually |
Explore: Popular Scholarships to Study in Australia
University of Melbourne Undergraduate Scholarships
Scholarships for undergraduate programs at the University of Melbourne are available for international students. However, they are fewer and less generous than graduate research awards. Most scholarships are merit-based. Strong academic scores such as 90%+ in CBSE/ICSE or high IB/ATAR equivalents are usually required. The main advantage is that most awards are automatically considered when you apply for admission. No separate application is needed unless clearly stated. While India is eligible for general international scholarships, there are no major India-exclusive undergraduate awards.
The coverage is usually partial. Most scholarships offer 25–50% tuition fee remission. Full tuition or living stipends are rare at the bachelor’s level. Living expenses remain the student’s responsibility. Some residence-based awards may help with accommodation costs. Eligibility and country criteria can change by intake. So applying early and checking the official scholarship page for your course is essential. Strong academics matter but early action makes the difference.
| Scholarship Name |
Eligibility (Brief) |
Benefits |
Application Process |
Notes for Indian Students |
| Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship |
High-achieving international students from eligible countries (based on World Bank GDP criteria); strong academic record |
25% tuition fee remission for full course duration (3–4 years) |
Automatic upon admission offer |
India often eligible (subject to criteria). Competitive; dozens awarded annually. |
| Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship |
Top percentile academic achievers in bachelor’s programs |
50% tuition sponsorship + up to AUD 2,500 (INR 1.60 lakh) Global Scholars Award + pathway to select master’s degrees |
Automatic if merit threshold met |
Prestigious; strong chance with 95%+ academic results. One of the most valuable UG awards. |
| Commerce Undergraduate International Merit Scholarships |
High-achieving students entering Bachelor of Commerce |
25–50% tuition remission (varies by cohort) |
Automatic with BCom application |
Strong option for Indian commerce/business aspirants. |
| AG Whitlam International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship |
Talented BCom students from designated countries (rotational eligibility) |
Partial tuition remission (often 25–50%) |
Automatic upon BCom admission |
India included in some intakes (e.g., Semester 2). Check current cycle eligibility. |
| Commerce Undergraduate International Partner Scholarships |
Students from recognized partner institutions enrolling in BCom |
Partial tuition remission |
Automatic if from eligible partner pathway |
Applicable if studied through an approved partner program in India. |
| International House Scholarships |
Undergraduate residents (merit/need-based) at International House |
Up to AUD 22,500 (INR 14.42 lakh) (mainly accommodation/living support) |
Separate application via residence |
Not tuition-focused; helpful for housing. Limited spots; check residence deadlines. |
University of Melbourne Students Review
As per student reviews on Reddit, Quora, and YouTube, most students say scholarships at the University of Melbourne are competitive but achievable. Many undergraduates mention receiving 25 to 50 percent tuition fee waivers. Full tuition awards are described as rare at the undergraduate level. They are more commonly seen in research programs such as Masters by Research or PhD.
Graduate research students often share that they received full tuition coverage along with a stipend of around AUD 37000 per year. However, several students point out that even with A star grades or 90 percent plus scores, selection is not guaranteed. The number of scholarships is limited. That makes the process highly merit ranked.
Students also highlight that many major scholarships are automatically assessed with the admission application. There is usually no separate form. Outcomes are commonly released within four to eight weeks after applying. Indian students in particular advise applying early and maintaining strong academic consistency. For research programs, connecting with a potential supervisor is often seen as a smart move.
When it comes to managing the cost of studying abroad, the University of Melbourne provides various scholarships designed to support students facing financial strain. These range from partial tuition fee waivers at the undergraduate level to fully funded research packages that cover tuition and offer a yearly living stipend. Many major awards are automatically assessed with your course application, which makes the process simpler. However, competition is strong and full funding is limited, especially for coursework programs. Students with excellent academics who apply early tend to stand out. In short, with the right strategy and planning, Melbourne’s scholarships can significantly ease the financial burden of an international degree.
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