Graduate Research Management

The information has been prepared for supervisors considering taking on Graduate Research candidates. Scholarship assessments are based on academic merit and depend on the pool of applications being considered in any given year.

  • Scholarship dates are available here and may be subject to change.

    • If the candidate is awarded an RTP scholarship, this will be for the living stipend (2027 stipend is $41,000 p.a. and is indexed annually at approximately 3%).
    • The candidate will also be automatically considered for any Faculty Trust Scholarships which they may be eligible for.

  • If the candidate is awarded a Graduate Research Scholarship (MRS):

    • This scholarship is for the living stipend and other benefits like OSHC. It is funded 30% by the Department and 70% by the Faculty.
    • This scholarship comes with a Fee Offset Scholarship.
    • For 2027, the stipend standard rate is $41,000 p.a. This is indexed annually at approximately 3%.

    Please note: Students receive 4 years of fee offset, and 3.5 years of stipend funding. If a student needs to go from 3.5 to 4 years, Faculty expects the supervisor/Department to cover this extension regarding the stipend.

  • LOCAL CANDIDATES

    If the candidate is unsuccessful in receiving a stipend scholarship:

    • The Supervisor can choose to provide a stipend if they have available funding for 3.5 years. 2027 stipend is $41,000 pa and is indexed annually (approximately 3%).
    • The candidate can still commence in the degree even if they are not receiving a scholarship. Most students undertake course part time to work and support themselves.
    INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
    • If a candidate is unsuccessful for scholarships, but the Supervisor/Department agrees to fund the candidate with a 100% stipend for a minimum of 3.5 years (at the scholarship rate) or the applicant is sponsored with external funding, then the Faculty will provide a Fee Offset Scholarship.

      Please note:       Students receive 4 years of fee offset, and 3.5 years of stipend funding. If a student needs to go from 3.5 to 4 years, Faculty expects the supervisor/Department to cover this extension regarding the stipend.
    • Candidates will not receive an offer if they are unsuccessful for a scholarship, unless the supervisor informs that they will provide the 100% stipend or the applicant is sponsored with external funding.

  • Confidential Information and should not be circulated or provided to applicants.

    Faculty will use the following to determine the AAS (Academic Achievement Score).

    The PY/FY (Penultimate Year/Final Year) method for:

    • 3 year undergraduate followed by an Honours year – PY = level 3 subjects, FY = Honours
    • 4 year undergraduate degree – PY = level 3 subjects, FY = Honours
    • Masters degree ≤ 1.5 years – PY = level 4 UG subjects, FY= masters

    If the Master's degree is ≥ 1.5 years, Faculty will use the Master's degree only.

    Please note: If an applicant was unsuccessful in receiving a scholarship after three rounds in the current year, they will be eligible to submit another application for stipend scholarship for the following year: https://unimelb_admissions_scholarships.formstack.com/forms/graduate_research_scholarships_application


    Unless the student has published more articles or has a significant amount of new work experience, it’s unlikely that their scholarship score will change, so please keep this in mind.

    However, if a student has a completed a masters e.g. MPhil and received a high score, they can apply for the PhD program and the MPhil will be assessed.

Other information on Graduate Research

  • Notes:

    1. The yearly stipend rate for full-time students is stated in the scholarship offer.
    2. The yearly stipend rate for part-time students is 50 per cent of the full-time student rate.
    3. Stipends are paid fortnightly from the commencement date of the scholarship.

  • A fee offset is a fee remission or exemption that covers the course tuition fees for the maximum duration of the Scholarship. Students who remain enrolled beyond the end date of their scholarship may become liable for paying the remaining tuition fees.

  • Unless otherwise specified in the scholarship offer, the University will provide visa length OSHC Single membership for students who require a Student Visa to study in Australia.

    The University will either:

    1. arrange OSHC on the student's behalf with their preferred OSHC provider after the student has accepted their course and scholarship offer, or
    2. reimburse the cost upon provision of a receipt if the student has arranged their own OSHC membership up to the scheduled value used by the University’s preferred OSHC provider.

  • If students are taking a Leave of Absence:

    Students should refer to the Graduate Research scholarship terms and conditions for information about University of Melbourne scholarships and leave of absence.

    In particular, they are not expected to undertake research whilst on leave of absence as such they will:

    * not be provided with access to University facilities (i.e. your department); and

    * retain access to University services (e.g. the library and your student email account).

    • Students with the Faculty 70/30 scholarship (MRS), their scholarship continues to be paid for up to 60 working days of paid leave.  Approved paid leave includes sick leave and maternity leave.

    Students are entitled to 4 weeks annual leave. Annual leave is approved informally by arrangement with their primary supervisor.

    Supervisors providing a 100% stipend

    The paid leave entitlements are up to the supervisor. The leave provisions are what has been agreed by the supervisor when agreeing to take on the student and discussion between both parties must be had to confirm this as outlined in the Terms and Conditions outlined under section 4.6.

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact Ms Hong Nguyen: rhd-infectiousdiseases@unimelb.edu.au