Introduction
Research degrees (Masters by Research or PhD) are often life-changing — especially when you don’t have to worry about tuition fees, living costs, or health coverage. For countless applicants worldwide, the financial burden can make or break the decision to pursue graduate research.
At the University of Melbourne, the Graduate Research Scholarships (through schemes such as Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) or Research Training Program Scholarship (RTP)) aim to remove those burdens entirely — or at least as much as possible. In recent years, scholarship announcements have mentioned living allowances of about AUD 37,000–38,500 per year, full tuition remission, and relocation and health-insurance support. (Scholarships)
Because of the generosity and competitiveness of these scholarships, many people refer to them informally (and perhaps optimistically) as “ELITE”—to highlight that they represent a top-tier, fully funded package. Even though “ELITE” isn’t official, the underlying support is real.
This post is your friendly, detailed guide to those Graduate Research Scholarships — what they cover, who qualifies, how they compare, and whether you should aim for one.
What the Scholarship Actually Offers (Tuition, Stipend, Relocation & More)
Here’s a breakdown of what you — as an awarded graduate researcher — can expect:
| Benefit | What you get (2025/2026) |
|---|---|
| Tuition / Fees | 100% fee remission (i.e. full tuition waiver) for: up to 2 years if you are doing a Master by Research, or up to 4 years if you are doing a **Doctoral degree (PhD or similar)*. (Scholarships) |
| Living stipend (living allowance) | ~ AUD 38,500 per year (2025 full-time rate) — paid fortnightly. Some sources quote approximately AUD 37,000/year (2024 rate) for earlier cycles. (Scholarships) Coverage spans up to 2 years for Master’s, or up to 3.5 years for a PhD. (Scholarships) |
| Relocation grant | One-time relocation allowance if you need to move to Melbourne to start your studies: AUD 2,000 (if relocating from another Australian state/territory) or AUD 3,000 (if relocating from outside Australia) (Scholarships) |
| Health insurance (for eligible international students) | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students requiring a student visa. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au) |
| Leave entitlements | Limited paid sick leave, maternity/parental leave (if applicable), and parenting leave while you are on the stipend. (Scholarships) |
| Number of awards | The University estimates up to ≈ 600 Graduate Research Scholarships available. (Scholarships) |
Why People Call It “ELITE” (And What That Really Means)
- The package — full tuition, living stipend, relocation assistance, health insurance, and leave entitlements — comes close to what many graduate-scholarship seekers dream of. It removes many financial barriers.
- The stipend, being tax-free and relatively generous by many global standards, allows scholars to focus on research rather than part-time work or living-cost worries.
- The fact that both domestic and international students are eligible (on merit) makes it globally competitive. (scholars4dev.com)
- The automatic consideration (when applying for a graduate research degree) simplifies the process — no separate scholarship form needed (unless deferring or already enrolled). (Scholarships)
Hence the informal — but understandable — designation “ELITE.” It’s shorthand for “first-class fully funded opportunity.”
Who is Eligible & How Selection Works
✅ Basic Eligibility
- You must have applied for — or be enrolled in — a graduate research degree (Master by Research or Doctorate) at University of Melbourne. (Scholarships)
- Both domestic and international students are eligible. (Scholarships)
🎯 Selection Criteria (when stipend + fee remission is awarded rather than just fee waiver)
Because the University cannot give stipend + fee remission to everyone, only those with strong academic merit and research potential are selected. Selection often considers:
- Final degree performance (e.g. equivalent to First-Class Honours or high grades) (Faculty of Business and Economics)
- Relevant research experience — for example, prior research training, publications, conference presentations, or other original work such as creative outputs (music, composition, etc.), depending on discipline. (Scholarships)
- For disciplines with high competition (e.g. STEM, high-demand fields), a strong research proposal and possibly supervisor endorsement may improve chances.
📝 Application Process & Timing
- If you are applying to begin a graduate research degree, you are automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarship (no extra scholarship application required). (Scholarships)
- If you’ve deferred your offer, or are already enrolled, you may need to submit the scholarship form (the deadline often falls around end of October for the following year) to be reconsidered. (Scholarships)
- Scholarship offers (for stipend + fee remission) are usually communicated around the same time course offers are made. (Scholarships)
Does “$37,000 Stipend + 100% Tuition + Relocation” Match Reality?
Yes — broadly speaking, the package often cited (e.g. “100% tuition, USD/AUD 37,000 stipend, relocation support”) is close to real, but with nuances:
- The official stipend rate for 2025 is AUD 38,500/year for full-time researchers. (Scholarships)
- Older or third-party summaries sometimes cite AUD 37,000 (reflecting a previous year’s rate). (Opportunities for Youth)
- Tuition remission is indeed 100% fee waiver, but does not cover ancillary student fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) — you may still be responsible for those if applicable. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au)
- Relocation grant + OSHC (for international students) are included when eligible.
So if you see “ELITE: 100% tuition, ~AUD 37,000 stipend + relocation,” that does reflect the scholarship’s real structure — though actual stipend may be slightly higher (~AUD 38.5k), and as with any scholarship, conditions apply.
What “Fully Funded” Doesn’t Always Mean — Things to Watch Out For
While the scholarship is generous, “fully funded” doesn’t mean zero cost — there are still some caveats:
- SSAF (Student Services and Amenities Fee): Even with a fee remission, certain student-service fees may still be payable, depending on your enrolment. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au)
- Bank account requirements: To receive stipend payments, you need an Australian bank account (BSB code + account number), which may require identity verification in-person if you’re new to Australia. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au)
- Cost of living & exchange rate fluctuations: For international scholars — especially coming from countries with weaker currencies — AUD 38,500 might or might not feel “generous,” depending on Melbourne’s living cost and local exchange rates.
- Competition is steep: Only a subset of applicants receive stipend + fee remission (not just fee offset), meaning you need a strong academic & research profile.
Should You Target This Scholarship? — Pros & Cons + Who Benefits Most
👍 Strong Reasons to Go For It
- Absolute financial peace: Covering tuition, living expenses, relocation, and health insurance — for many students, this is a dream.
- Focus on research, not survival: You won’t likely need part-time work to make ends meet (depending on living standard), so you can dedicate time to your thesis or research projects.
- Prestige and flexibility: The scholarship applies across nearly all faculties — from Science and Engineering to Arts, Business, Health, Law, etc. (Scholarships)
- International friendliness: Open to both domestic and international students, with support for visa-holders (e.g. health cover). (scholars4dev.com)
- Smooth application process: No separate scholarship application needed when you apply for a graduate research degree — reduces paperwork overhead. (Scholarships)
⚠️ What to Be Mindful Of / Potential Downsides
- Competition is intense — only highest-ranked applicants get full stipend + fee remission.
- Living costs in Melbourne: Depending on your lifestyle and background (e.g. as an international student), AUD 38,500 may stretch differently.
- Non-tuition student fees (e.g. SSAF) still apply. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au)
- Delay in stipend payments: You must have a verified Australian bank account. For incoming overseas students, that can mean waiting until you arrive to receive payments. (gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au)
👤 Who This Scholarship is Best For
- High-achieving undergraduates (or recent graduates) with strong academic records and ambitions for research (Bachelor → Master by Research or direct PhD).
- International students — especially from countries where tuition + living costs (in AUD) would otherwise be prohibitively high.
- Students serious about research: those who can produce a strong research proposal, perhaps with prior research or relevant achievements, publications, or relevant skills.
- Scholars for whom financial stability during study is crucial — for example, people supporting families, or coming from low-resource backgrounds.
“ELITE” vs. Common Misconceptions: Clearing Up Muddled Info
Because people circulate scholarship adverts online, there is some inconsistent information about the “Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship.” Below are some clarifications.
- ❌ “ELITE” is not an official scholarship name.
There is no “ELITE Scholarship” listed on the University’s official site. The term appears to be colloquial (or invented) by third-party scholarship lists/sites to brand the generous offering. What actually exists are MRS, RTP, and Graduate Research Scholarships. - ✅ But the benefits attributed to “ELITE” align with the University’s official scholarship packages.
The 100% fee waiver, stipend, relocation, OSHC, etc., all match published benefit structures. (Scholarships) - ⚠️ Some advertised stipend amounts may lag behind actual rates.
For example, some sources say “AUD 37,000/year” — likely reflecting a previous year’s rate — while the 2025 rate is AUD 38,500/year. Always check the official University’s Scholarships page for the latest figures. - ❓ Guarantee vs. Merit-based: Not all applicants get the full package. Fee remission alone (without stipend) may be offered to many; the full remuneration is merit-based. (Scholarships)
Bottom line: treat “ELITE” as shorthand hype — but the real, official scholarships at University of Melbourne deliver much of what that hype promises.
Practical Steps: If You Are Considering Applying (Especially from Africa / Nigeria)
If you’re reading this from Lagos (or anywhere outside Australia) and considering applying, here’s a rough game plan:
- Check you meet entry requirements for a graduate research degree at University of Melbourne (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, relevant to the field you want to study).
- Prepare a strong research proposal — outline what you aim to research, show why it matters, and demonstrate you have the aptitude (e.g. past projects, coursework, skills).
- Apply for admission to the graduate research program (Master by Research or PhD) — this will automatically put you in the running for the scholarship. (Scholarships)
- Ensure supporting documents — transcripts, reference letters, English proficiency (if required), and any research outputs or evidence of potential.
- Plan for logistics — once accepted, you’ll need to: open an Australian bank account (for stipend payments), arrange visa/OSHC if international, and plan relocation (unless already in Victoria).
- Budget carefully — even with stipend, living in Melbourne has its costs. Think about accommodation, food, transport, visa renewals (if needed), and personal expenses.
- Have backup plans — because stipend + fee remission is not guaranteed for all, consider whether you are comfortable proceeding with only fee waiver or alternative funding (e.g. personal savings, part-time work, external scholarships).
Conclusion: Is “ELITE” Real — And Should You Aim for It?
Yes — the concept behind “ELITE” is real. The Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne offer one of the more generous, comprehensive funding packages available worldwide for graduate research. The combination of full tuition waiver, living stipend, relocation support, health coverage, and leave entitlements makes it a “ready-to-focus-on-research” scholarship.
But it’s not a guarantee. Competition is strong, and the full benefits (beyond fee waiver) are merit-based. The label “ELITE” may be more marketing than official name.
If you’re academically strong, serious about research, and prepared for cross-country relocation and practical commitments, you should absolutely consider applying. For many international students — especially from countries such as Nigeria — this scholarship could make the difference between dreaming of a PhD and actually doing one, without crippling financial stress.
So yes: aim for “ELITE.” Just make sure your application (and expectations) match reality.
Quick Reference Links
- For official details and application instructions, visit the Graduate Research Scholarships page on the University’s website. (Scholarships)
- For a helpful overview aimed at prospective international students, see this summary from a scholarship-information site. (scholars4dev.com)