Australia Scholarships for International Students

Are you planning to study in Australia? If so, are you worried about how to finance your studies? Don’t worry! Australia provides numerous scholarships to international students, making it easier to pursue your academic dreams without the stress of high tuition fees.

Did you know over 1,000 Australian scholarships are available for international students at top Australian universities for the 2023-2024 academic year? These scholarships can provide up to AUD 20,000, covering not just tuition fees but also monthly stipends, travel allowances, health insurance, and more.

With such considerable funding options available, it’s the perfect time to start exploring your study options in Australia. Take that first step toward achieving your academic goals – who knows what’s in store for you in the future?

Open Scholarships

Types Of Scholarships

Scholarships in Australia can be categorized in many ways, from government-funded to private and external scholarships. Here’s a curated list of scholarships for international students:

Government-Funded Scholarships

• Australia Awards Scholarship : The Australia Awards Scholarship is one of the only scholarships that offer a 100% tuition fee award to international students. The scholarship applies to students from developing countries, especially the Indo-Pacific region like India and Sri Lanka. It is given to students who undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian Universities or TAFE institutions. You must be 18 years old and should not achieve the academic level to which you are applying. Applicants can apply online or by mail. The application dates are – The opening date is in the month of February and the closing date is in April. Application Link

• Australia For ASEAN Scholarships : The Australia for ASEAN scholarship program is funded by the Australian government, targeting students from ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The scholarship is offered to students who will pursue postgraduate studies at Australian universities. It covers full tuition fees, living allowance, return air travel, health insurance, academic support, and additional benefits. 
  
  Applicants must be citizens of one of the ASEAN countries, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam. Additionally, they must meet the English language requirements set by the university they are applying to. When applying, the students must apply online. The application deadline is tentatively set for April.  
    
  
• Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP): The Australian Government Research Training Program is a program that offers scholarships to international students who are interested in pursuing postgraduate research degrees, such as PhD. The scholarship is offered for one or more of the following: tuition fees, a stipend for general living costs, and allowances related to ancillary costs of HDRs.
  
  To be eligible, applicants must have an outstanding record of achievement in their prior level of education. Additionally, they should submit proof of English proficiency like IELTS or TOEFL. The application deadline is tentatively set for August, October, and December. To apply, students need to contact their respective universities.

University-Specific Scholarships

• The University Of Sydney International Scholarship : This scholarship is for international students pursuing either undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD studies. The scholarship amounts to around AUD 40,000 per year and covers various aspects of studies including tuition fees and living costs. When it comes to the duration of the scholarship, it covers a maximum of three years and an extra year if it is a PhD.
  
  The University Of Sydney offers several scholarships, including government and university-funded scholarships. One of the university-funded scholarships is the University Of Sydney Honours Scholarship, which awards a $6000 scholarship for international students who are pursuing an Honours program. To be eligible, applicants must have an undergraduate degree from the University Of Sydney. The application deadline is around the month of February, every year. Application Link
  
  
• University Of Melbourne International House Scholarships:  The International House Scholarships are available to domestic and international undergraduate students who are either returning or new residents of the International House. The scholarship amounts to $22,000 per year and is given to domestic and international students. 
  
  The scholarship was conceptualized by former members of the International House to support the House’s vision of bringing domestic and international students to live together. To be eligible, international students must demonstrate financial need, academic performance, and potential community contribution. The application deadline for scholarships is tentatively set for January and September. Application Link
  
  
• The Australian National University Chancellor’s International Scholarship: The ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship is for international students who are looking to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at The Australian National University. The scholarship is divided into 9 categories where at least one category applies to any international student. 
  
  The scholarship covers 25% or 50% of the tuition fees for the entire period of study. The selection is based on academic merit. There is no need to apply for the scholarship. All the students who are applying for admission at the university will be automatically considered based on merit.

Private And External Scholarships

• The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship: The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship is given to students from developing countries, like India, to pursue postgraduate studies. The scholarship is for those students who have excellent academic backgrounds, hold a Bachelor’s degree, and are indeed in financial need. The award covers tuition fees and student living expenses and does not cover international travel expenses, clothing, furniture, or living costs of family members. The application deadline is around March, every year. The application process is handled by the local units of the Aga Khan Foundation.

• The ASHA Scholarships: The ASHA scholarship is primarily aimed at Indian students who are going to study at the University Of Sydney. The scholarship is given to students who come from economically weaker backgrounds. The value of the scholarship is around $100,000 and will cover costs such as tuition fees, living expenses, flights, textbooks, and health coverage. To be eligible, the student must be Indian, a new student, and have applied but not yet commenced a postgraduate degree at the university. Application is not required. Nominations to the scholarship will be made by the ASHA Community Health and Development Society.

Other Scholarships

• International Research Training Program Scholarship: The International Research Training Program Scholarship is for international students who are looking to pursue PhD or Master’s by Research at Australian Universities. The scholarship is funded by the Australian Government to highly ranked, research degree students. The duration of tuition fees covered is up to 3.5 years for PhD and up to 2 years for a Master’s by Research course. The scholarship includes tuition fees, the cost of a standard Overseas Student Health Cover, and a living stipend. The application opens around December and closes by January. Currently, the application is closed. Application Link

• The Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship: The Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship is for UK students who want to undertake a higher degree at an Australian university. The award is offered to students on behalf of Northcote Trust. The Trust accepts those applicants who are UK residents and are applying for PhD and Master programs at Australian universities. The scholarship covers visa costs, airfare to Australia, and university fees, and offers a generous living allowance. The application deadline is tentatively set for August, every year. Application Link

• US Fullbright Scholarship: The Fullbright scholarship is for American citizens who come from diverse academic and career backgrounds. The scholarship is given to leading US academics to undertake research at an Australian university. Plus, senior-level academics or appropriately qualified professionals to undertake research at an Australian university. And also to those students who want to pursue post-doctoral research or graduate studies at an Australian university.  
  
  To be eligible, the applicants must have a record of high achievement in their field, including academic records, publications, public lectures, or presentations. Applicants must apply via the official website. Currently, the applications are closed but when the application opens, you will see a “Apply” button at the bottom of the page. Click and apply.

How To Apply For Scholarships In Australia?

Applying scholarship may vary depending on the scholarship type. That said, there are some common steps to keep in mind while applying:

1. The first step is to start researching scholarships early. By researching early, you will know the deadlines, requirements, and documents needed for the scholarship. The best way to begin your research is by accessing resources provided by the Australian Government and external websites.
2. Once you have identified the scholarship, check the eligibility. Carefully read the eligibility sections and ensure that the academic, English proficiency requirements and resident status match your profile.
3. Start collecting documents. Documents are needed as part of the application process.
4. Create an account on scholarship platforms. Every scholarship type has its own website or is available on the university website. Visit the website, and create an account.
5. Begin the application form. Enter all the required details such as academic records, and personal information, and answer scholarship-specific questions.
6. Submit the form. Before submitting, ensure all the details are accurate, and then submit the form.
7. Sometimes the scholarship review committee may ask for additional documents or information, so keep track of the application.
8. Some universities or external scholarship providers may ask for an interview. Be prepared for such interviews.

Documents For Scholarships

• A completed scholarship application form.
• A copy of all your academic transcripts.
• A copy of your passport.     
• A statement of purpose.
• A recommendation letter.
• Proof of English Proficiency test.
• Passport-size photos.

Tips For Winning Scholarships

• Engage in extracurricular activities. Although scholarships are mainly given on merit, many Australian universities consider volunteer or community work as an important criterion when deciding on scholarships. So, engage in volunteer work to strengthen your application.

• A personal statement is a critical component of scholarship applications. A strong personal statement can persuade committee members to award the scholarship to you. That said, the personal statement should be free of errors and be presented well. Consider seeking help from professional instructors or family members who are fluent in English to proofread your personal statement. Remember, while writing your personal statement, to highlight your goals, achievements, and why you deserve the scholarship.

• Apply for multiple scholarships. Don’t subscribe to the idea of submitting one application at a time. Instead, apply for multiple scholarships at a time as this may increase your chances of matching the criteria at least once.

Conclusion

Did you get all the information that you needed? If so, start exploring scholarship options and secure the needed funding for your Australian study adventure. From government-funded scholarships to private and external scholarships, Australia has something for every student. Happy studying!

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