StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship exists to foster research in the field of human rights and to encourage work that advances and protects human rights at national and international level. It funds graduate research — a Master’s by Research or a PhD — for students whose proposed research sits in the human rights field, and it is open to domestic and international students alike.
The package is fully funded: a living allowance of AUD $44,500 a year at the 2026 rate, a full tuition fee offset, a relocation grant of AUD $2,000 for students moving from within Australia or AUD $3,000 for international students, and single Overseas Student Health Cover for international students who need a student visa. The total package is valued at up to AUD $94,200. What sets this award apart is its selection focus: alongside academic excellence and research potential, the university looks for a demonstrated commitment to human rights beyond academic study, through voluntary work or professional experience.
Eligibility
- Domestic and international students of all nationalities.
- Apply for, and meet the entry requirements of, a Master’s by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne starting in 2027.
- Your proposed research must be in the area of human rights.
- You must not have completed a research degree at the same or higher level.
- You must not have previously received a similar graduate research scholarship.
- You should be able to show a commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights beyond academic study — voluntary work or professional experience are given as examples.
Benefits
- A living allowance of AUD $44,500 a year (2026 rate, full-time, pro-rata), for up to 2 years (Master’s by Research) or 3.5 years (PhD), including paid leave.
- A full tuition fee offset — up to 2 years (Master’s) or 4 years (PhD).
- A relocation grant of AUD $2,000 (within Australia) or AUD $3,000 (international).
- Single Overseas Student Health Cover for international students who need a student visa.
- Total package valued at up to AUD $94,200.
Documents to prepare
- The graduate research course application and the scholarship application through the University of Melbourne Scholarships Portal.
- Secondary sources report the course application needs academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, a personal statement, a valid passport and a CV — treat this as a secondary-source list, not an officially confirmed checklist.
- Evidence of your commitment to human rights beyond academic study (voluntary work or professional experience).
- English proficiency: Melbourne accepts evidence through previous English-medium study or an approved English test, depending on the course requirements — do not assume an IELTS waiver applies to you.
How to apply
- Apply for a graduate research degree (Master’s by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne in the human rights field, and receive an offer for a degree commencing in the scholarship year.
- Submit the scholarship application through the University of Melbourne Scholarships Portal by 31 October 2026.
- Outcomes are expected by email in February 2027. Individual feedback is not provided to unsuccessful applicants.
FAQs
31 October 2026. Applications opened 1 April 2026, and outcomes are expected by email in February 2027.
A living allowance of AUD $44,500 a year (2026 rate), a full tuition fee offset, a relocation grant of AUD $2,000–$3,000 and single OSHC for international students who need a visa — a total package valued at up to AUD $94,200.
Domestic and international students applying for a Master’s by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne starting in 2027, whose research is in human rights, who have not completed a research degree at the same or higher level and have not previously held a similar graduate research scholarship.
No. It is for graduate research degrees only — a Master’s by Research or a PhD. Taught Master’s programmes are not eligible.
Yes. The eligibility rules state you must have received an offer for a graduate research degree commencing in the scholarship year.
Not necessarily, but the proposed research must genuinely fall within the field of human rights — your application should make that connection explicit rather than assuming the selection panel will infer it.
The university asks applicants to address their commitment to human rights beyond academic study, giving voluntary and work experience as examples. In practice, you should provide concrete evidence of that commitment wherever possible.
Applicants for graduate research courses are reported to be exempt from the university’s international application fee.
Verified 28 Oct 2026 from multiple independent sources agreeing on the deadline, the package and the research-only scope — EngineersJob (deadline 31 October 2026; living allowance $43,500/year; full fee offset up to 2 years Master's / 4 years PhD; relocation $2,000–$3,000; OSHC; no previous graduate research scholarship; must not have completed a research degree at the same or higher level), Olainfo (applications open 1 April 2026; deadline 31 October 2026; value up to $94,200; living allowance $43,500/year at 2025 rates; Master's 2 years / PhD 3.5 years), LegalMaestros (living allowance $44,500 per annum, 2026 rate; full tuition fee offset up to 2 years Master's / 4 years PhD; deadline 31 October 2026; commitment to human rights beyond academic study), Scholarship Union (deadline 31 October 2026; $43,500/year; relocation $2,000/$3,000; OSHC; fully funded), DAADScholarship (deadline 31 October 2026; outcomes by email February 2027; offer required; research must genuinely fall within human rights; commitment evidence expected) and a YouTube guide (living allowance AUD $44,500/year; deadline 31 October 2026; research scholarship not a taught Master's; graduate research applicants exempt from the international application fee; English via previous English-medium study or an approved test). CONFLICTS: (1) The living allowance is reported as AUD $44,500 (2026 rate, LegalMaestros quoting the official page and the YouTube guide) and AUD $43,500 (2025 rate, EngineersJob, Olainfo, Scholarship Union) — the article uses the 2026 rate of $44,500. (2) The fee-offset duration is 4 years for a PhD (LegalMaestros, EngineersJob) while the living allowance runs 3.5 years for a PhD — both are stated separately in the article. (3) The official Melbourne scholarships page was not fetched verbatim this run; the official-page wording is quoted via LegalMaestros.
