SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)
Southern Cross University RTP Scholarship
full · masters, phd
- Full tuition fee waiverTuition coverage
- ~AU$30,000 / year (est.)Tax-free living stipend
- Up to 3 years (PhD), 2 years (Master's)Funding duration
- Overseas Student Health Cover includedHealth insurance
- Open to all nationalitiesEligibility
- Master's by Research and PhDLevels covered
At a glance
full
Funding
€20k
Max amount
Oct 31, 2026
Deadline
All countries
Country
Southern Cross University (SCU)
Provider
The Southern Cross University RTP Scholarship is a fully funded award supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) for students undertaking a Master's by Research or a PhD at Southern Cross University (SCU). It covers full tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend paid fortnightly and indexed annually, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students. The RTP stipend nationally sits at around AU$30,000 per year (est.), roughly ~€18,000 (est.), though SCU sets and indexes its own rate each year. Funding lasts up to 2 years for a Master's by Research and up to 3 years for a PhD. The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries and supports Higher Degree by Research (HDR) study in fields including marine and environmental sciences, health equity and medical research, digital futures and technology, and social sciences and policy innovation. Applicants must be admitted into an HDR programme, secure an SCU academic supervisor, and commit to full-time, on-campus study; IELTS is not always mandatory. A recent cycle closed on October 31. Because the stipend rate, the number of awards, and the closing date are reset each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadlines on the official SCU research scholarships page before applying.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — A full tuition fee waiver covers the entire cost of the Master's by Research or PhD programme.
- Living stipend — A tax-free living allowance of around ~AU$30,000 per year (est.), paid fortnightly and indexed annually, to support living costs.
- Health insurance — Comprehensive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international scholarship holders.
- Research duration funding — Funding for up to 2 years for a Master's by Research and up to 3 years for a PhD, subject to satisfactory progress.
- Supervision and research support — Mentorship from SCU academics and access to research facilities across the university's HDR priority areas.
How to apply
Applications follow SCU's Higher Degree by Research process, which pairs admission to a research degree with the RTP scholarship assessment.
- Select a research topic — Choose a research area aligned with SCU's research priorities such as marine science, health equity, or digital futures.
- Secure a supervisor — Contact and gain endorsement from an SCU academic supervisor who will support your project.
- Prepare documentation — Assemble transcripts, a CV, a research proposal, and proof of English proficiency if required.
- Submit your application — Complete the HDR and RTP application form with all supporting documents before the deadline.
- Await assessment — Applications are ranked on academic merit, research proposal quality, and supervisor support after the closing date.
Eligibility
AdmissionMust be admitted into a Higher Degree by Research (Master's by Research or PhD) programme at Southern Cross University.
Academic meritStrong academic performance and demonstrated research potential.
SupervisorMust secure a commitment from an SCU academic supervisor before or during the application.
Study modeMust commit to full-time, on-campus study in Australia; part-time study is not eligible.
IELTS is not always mandatory; some applicants can meet English language requirements through alternative qualifications. Selection is merit-based and highly competitive across both domestic and international applicants.
Eligible countries
All countries
Deadlines
2026/2027 RTP round~31 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed and ranked on academic merit, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, and the strength of the supervisor's support. Because the number of RTP places is limited, only the highest-ranked candidates across both domestic and international pools are offered scholarships.
Verified sources
- Southern Cross University Research Degree Scholarshipsscu.edu.auofficial
About the provider
Southern Cross University (SCU) is a public university in Australia founded in 1994, with campuses on the New South Wales North Coast and the Gold Coast. It is known for research in marine and environmental sciences, health, and regional development, and supports Higher Degree by Research students through Australian Government Research Training Program funding.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who is eligible for the Southern Cross University RTP Scholarship?
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Both domestic and international students who meet the Higher Degree by Research admission requirements at SCU are eligible to apply.
Is IELTS mandatory for this scholarship?
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Not always. Some applicants can meet English language proficiency through alternative qualifications accepted by SCU.
What does the scholarship cover?
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It covers full tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students.
How much is the stipend?
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The RTP living stipend is around AU$30,000 per year (est.), paid fortnightly and indexed annually; SCU sets the exact rate each year.
How long is the funding valid?
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Up to 2 years for a Master's by Research and up to 3 years for a PhD, subject to satisfactory progress.
Can I apply for part-time study under this program?
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No. The RTP Scholarship requires full-time, on-campus study at Southern Cross University.
How competitive is the RTP Scholarship?
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It is highly competitive and merit-based; selection depends on academic record, research quality, and supervisor support.
What fields of research does SCU support?
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Fields include marine and environmental sciences, health equity and medical research, digital futures and technology, and social sciences and policy innovation.
Do international students get health insurance?
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Yes. International scholarship holders receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
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Yes. You must secure a commitment from an SCU academic supervisor as part of the application.
When will I know if I am selected?
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Notifications are sent after the review and ranking process that follows the application deadline.
How can I improve my chances of success?
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Submit a strong research proposal, maintain excellent academic records, and secure supervisor support early; confirm current details on the official SCU page.