UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship
full · masters, phd
- AUD $43,500 / yearLiving allowance
- Up to 4 years (PhD)Tuition fee offset
- AUD $3,000Relocation grant (international)
- OSHC includedHealth cover for internationals
- Master by Research and PhDStudy levels
- All countries eligibleOpen internationally
At a glance
full
Funding
€26k
Max amount
Oct 31, 2026
Deadline
All countries (open to both international and domestic students)
Country
University of Melbourne
Provider
The University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship supports graduate researchers whose work is directly related to human rights, at either the Master by Research or PhD level. It is open to both international and domestic students across all academic disciplines, provided the research focuses on human rights, and it combines a living allowance with a tuition fee offset and additional support. The living allowance is AUD 43,500 per year (pro rata for part-time study) and is indexed annually. A full tuition fee offset is provided for up to 2 years for a Master by Research and up to 4 years for a PhD. The scholarship also includes a relocation grant of AUD 2,000 for students moving from other Australian states and AUD 3,000 for international students, and single Overseas Student Health Cover for international recipients. Applications usually close on 31 October, with outcomes notified by email by February of the following year. Because the allowance rate, the indexation, and the deadline are confirmed each cycle, check the current-cycle figures and dates on the official University of Melbourne scholarships page before applying.
What's covered
- Living allowance — A stipend of ~AUD $43,500 (est.) per year, pro rata for part-time study and indexed annually, paid for the duration of the scholarship.
- Tuition fee offset — A full tuition fee offset for up to 2 years for a Master by Research and up to 4 years for a PhD.
- Relocation grant — A relocation grant of ~AUD $2,000 (est.) for students from other Australian states and ~AUD $3,000 (est.) for international students.
- Overseas Student Health Cover — Single-membership Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international scholarship holders.
- Research environment — Access to the university's research facilities, supervisors, and an international network of human rights scholars throughout candidature.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the University of Melbourne scholarships portal alongside, or after, applying for the relevant research degree.
- Confirm degree eligibility — Make sure you are applying for or enrolled in a Master by Research or PhD with a research project directly related to human rights.
- Prepare your personal statement — Write a personal statement outlining your commitment to human rights and your proposed research, the central document for assessment.
- Gather supporting documents — Collect academic transcripts, references, and evidence of your human rights work to support the application.
- Submit the online application — Complete and submit the scholarship application form on the University of Melbourne scholarships portal before the deadline.
Eligibility
ProgrammeApplying for or enrolled in a Master by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne.
Research focusResearch must be directly related to human rights, in any academic discipline.
CommitmentA demonstrated commitment to human rights advocacy through academic, voluntary, or professional work.
Prior awardsMust not have completed a comparable research qualification previously, nor previously held a graduate research scholarship from the university.
International recipients receive single Overseas Student Health Cover; individual feedback is not provided to unsuccessful applicants.
Eligible countries
All countries (open to both international and domestic students)
Deadlines
2027 research candidature~31 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed on academic performance and research potential, demonstrated dedication to the promotion of human rights beyond academic work, the relevance and clarity of the personal statement, and the quality of supporting documents including references and previous achievements. A selection committee ranks applicants on these criteria, and the scholarship is awarded to the strongest candidates whose research is genuinely centred on human rights.
Verified sources
- University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarshipscholarships.unimelb.edu.auofficial
- University of Melbourne Scholarships Portalscholarships.unimelb.edu.auofficial
About the provider
The University of Melbourne, founded in 1853, is a public research university and consistently ranks as the top university in Australia. It enrols around 50,000 students from more than 150 countries and supports a broad portfolio of graduate research scholarships across its faculties.
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 can apply for the Human Rights Scholarship?
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Both international and domestic students applying for or enrolled in a Master by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne whose research is directly related to human rights.
What does the scholarship pay?
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It provides a living allowance of about ~AUD $43,500 (est.) per year, a full tuition fee offset, a relocation grant, and OSHC for international students.
How long is the funding provided?
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The tuition fee offset runs for up to 2 years for a Master by Research and up to 4 years for a PhD.
Is the living allowance indexed?
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Yes. The allowance is indexed annually and is paid pro rata for part-time candidates.
Does my research have to be about human rights?
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Yes. The research can be in any discipline, but it must be directly related to human rights to qualify.
Are international students covered for health insurance?
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Yes. International recipients receive single-membership Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Is there relocation support?
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Yes. The relocation grant is about ~AUD $2,000 (est.) for students from other Australian states and ~AUD $3,000 (est.) for international students.
Can I apply if I already hold a research scholarship from Melbourne?
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No. Applicants must not have previously held a graduate research scholarship from the University of Melbourne.
Do I need to have started my degree to apply?
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No. You can apply if you are applying for, or already enrolled in, an eligible Master by Research or PhD.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline is typically 31 October (about 31 October 2026, est.), with results notified by email by around February the following year.
Will I receive feedback if unsuccessful?
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No. The university notifies outcomes by email but does not provide individual feedback to applicants.
Where can I confirm the official details?
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On the official University of Melbourne scholarships page for the Human Rights Scholarship, which lists the current allowance, conditions, and deadline.