StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
Deakin University calls this its most prestigious scholarship for international students. The Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship pays 100% or 50% of your tuition fees for the normal duration of your program, for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees. Beyond the fee reduction, scholars join the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP) — a personal and professional development program with career coaching and academic mentoring — and get priority access to on-campus accommodation (at their own cost, subject to availability). A separate scholarship application is required; the 25% Excellence and 20% Merit scholarships are assessed automatically, but this one is not.
Eligibility
- Be a new international student enrolling in a Deakin coursework degree (undergraduate or postgraduate).
- Meet the entry requirements for your program, including English language requirements.
- Have achieved at least an 85% average (or equivalent) in previous studies. Deakin’s official examples: 85% overall in Year 12 (CBSE, ICSE or State Board) for undergraduates, or 80% overall in an undergraduate degree (or in the first four semesters) for postgraduates. GCSE/A Level and IBDP equivalents are also listed.
- Not available to international students in the Doctor of Medicine (H911) program.
- Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection — Deakin says competition is strong and higher results may be required.
Benefits
- 100% or 50% tuition fee reduction for the normal duration of the degree (the outcome determines the band).
- Membership of the VCPEP — Deakin describes it as an exclusive program preparing students for future careers and community contribution.
- Priority access to on-campus accommodation (you pay the accommodation cost yourself; availability permitting).
Documents required
Per the official Deakin scholarship page and tracker summaries of the process:
- Your Deakin course application (the scholarship sits on top of admission — apply for admission first).
- A separate scholarship application form with a personal statement.
- Two letters of reference highlighting leadership skills and community engagement.
- Academic transcripts evidencing the 85%+ average.
- An interview may be required by the university.
How to apply
- Apply for admission to a Deakin coursework degree — you must meet the program’s entry and English requirements.
- Submit the separate Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship application with your personal statement, two references and transcripts.
- Apply at least one month before your course starts — there is no single scholarship deadline; scholarship decisions are made alongside admission for each trimester. Deakin publishes regional closing dates for Trimester 1 2027 (e.g. Pakistan 20 Nov 2026, Africa 4 Dec 2026, SE/NE Asia 22 Jan 2027) — check the date for your country before applying.
- If shortlisted, attend the interview if Deakin requests one.
FAQs
100% or 50% of tuition fees for the normal duration of your undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree, depending on the scholarship outcome. It does not cover extra or repeated units, living costs, accommodation, the visa charge, or health cover.
New international students enrolling in a Deakin coursework degree who meet the program’s entry requirements (including English) and have at least an 85% average — Deakin accepts 85% in Year 12 under CBSE/ICSE/State Boards, or 80% overall in an undergraduate degree for postgraduates. The Doctor of Medicine (H911) is excluded.
No single deadline. Deakin has no fixed closing date for this scholarship — applications are assessed alongside admission for each trimester. The official guidance is to apply at least one month before your course starts, and to check Deakin’s published regional closing dates for your intake.
Apply for admission to Deakin first, then submit the separate scholarship application with a personal statement, two reference letters (leadership and community engagement) and academic transcripts. An interview may be required.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program is a personal and professional development program that all scholars must participate in — Deakin describes career coaching and academic mentoring as part of it.
No. Unlike Deakin’s 25% Excellence and 20% Merit scholarships (assessed automatically from your course application), the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship needs a separate application, and meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee selection.
Verified 20 Oct 2026 against the official Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship page (deakin.edu.au — 100%/50% tuition for normal degree duration; VCPEP requirement; priority on-campus accommodation; new international student + coursework degree + English + ≥85% average with CBSE/ICSE/State Board, GCSE/A Level, IBDP and UG-degree equivalents; Doctor of Medicine H911 excluded; competitive selection; separate application; extra/repeated units not covered) and the official Deakin Trimester 1 2027 closing-dates page (regional dates; no India-specific date listed — not invented). The “no single deadline / apply one month before commencement” rule is per the official and tracker consensus. The 2026 cycle was re-scoped to the open 2027 scholarship.
