AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Host Country: Australia
• University: Victoria University (VU)
• Study Level: Postgraduate Research
• Main Scholarship: Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship – International
• Research Period: Research Period 1, 2027
• Degree: PhD
• Tuition: Fully covered through an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship
• Living Allowance: AUD $35,707 per year (2026 rate)
• Health Insurance: Overseas Student Health Cover (single cover)
• Eligibility: International applicants from countries other than Australia and New Zealand
• Academic Requirement: H1/WAM of 85% or equivalent for RTP applicants
• Application Deadline: 13 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. AEST

About the Scholarship/Programme

Victoria University welcomes international students to apply for postgraduate research scholarships in Australia. The university states that these scholarships support high-quality research and are awarded primarily on academic merit and research potential. Applications for Research Period 1, 2027 are currently open.

The principal opportunity for international PhD applicants is the Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship – International. It combines an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship with a living allowance and overseas student health cover.

The scholarship is intended for high-achieving international researchers commencing a full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Victoria University. Applicants must identify a suitable research focus and work with the relevant supervisory team as part of the application process.

Victoria University also lists other international postgraduate research funding opportunities, including the Tony Kruger Education for Social Justice Doctoral Research Scholarship, China Scholarship Council–Victoria University PhD Scholarship, and project-based research scholarships. Eligibility and benefits differ between these awards.

Scholarship Benefits

The RTP Stipend Scholarship – International provides three principal forms of support:

1. Full Tuition Fee Offset

The RTP Fee Offset Scholarship exempts the successful recipient from paying tuition fees for the eligible period of the research degree.

2. Living Allowance

The scholarship provides a living allowance of AUD $35,707 per year, based on the university’s 2026 rate. The amount may be subject to future annual rate changes.

3. Overseas Student Health Cover

Successful RTP international scholarship recipients receive single-cover Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

However, the university specifically states that the scholarship does not cover expenses such as English-language testing, bridging or English-language programmes, or travel costs from overseas. Applicants should therefore not treat the scholarship as covering international airfare.

Who Can Apply?

For the international research scholarships, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand.
• Meet Victoria University’s academic entrance requirements for a research degree.
• Meet the university’s English-language proficiency requirements.

For the RTP Stipend Scholarship – International, additional requirements apply. Applicants must:

• Have a weighted average mark (WAM) or Honours year grade of H1, equivalent to 85% or above on the VU scale, or an equivalent qualification.
• Be commencing a PhD.
• Enrol as a full-time student.
• Nominate a Research Focus Outline as part of the application.

Applicants who are currently studying, or have recently studied, under an AIDAB or AUSAID scholarship and are immediately applying after those studies are not eligible for the RTP Stipend Scholarship.

Victoria University also gives priority to applicants who have not already obtained a PhD and those who have not previously held certain Australian postgraduate research scholarships.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Select a Research Focus Outline

Begin by reviewing Victoria University’s available Research Focus Outlines (RFOs) and identify a research topic that matches your academic background and research interests.

Step 2: Contact the Principal Supervisor

Contact the Principal Supervisor associated with your selected research topic to discuss your research interest and suitability for the project.

This step is important because the university specifically instructs applicants to discuss their interest and suitability with the Principal Supervisor before submitting the application.

Step 3: Read the 2027 Application Guide

Review the official Application Guide for Graduate Research Stipend Scholarships – 2027 and ensure that you understand the admission and scholarship documentation requirements.

Step 4: Prepare Your Graduate Research Application

Follow Victoria University’s official Apply for Graduate Research process and prepare all required admission and scholarship documents.

Step 5: Enter the Research Information Correctly

Use the information from your selected Research Focus Outline, including the:

• RFO number
• Supervisory panel
• Institute
• Course code
• Field of Research (FoR) code

These details are specifically identified by Victoria University as information applicants should use when completing the application.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit the complete application, including all required documentation, before the scholarship round closes.

A separate scholarship application is not required for the RTP Stipend Scholarship; eligibility is assessed as part of the course admission application.

Important Deadline

Applications for Research Period 1, 2027 close on:

Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEST.

Victoria University notes that the scholarship round is highly competitive and estimates that applicants may need the equivalent of 85–90 on the VU grading scale to be considered for a PhD stipend scholarship. This is an indication rather than a guaranteed minimum selection score.

Successful applicants are normally notified of the outcome within two months after the application closing date.

Related Opportunities

• Dalarna University Master’s Scholarships 2027 in Sweden
• Swansea University Research Scholarship in the UK
• Khalifa University Graduate Scholarship in the UAE

Official Application Link

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

This opportunity is particularly strong for applicants seeking a fully funded PhD research pathway in Australia. However, applicants should understand exactly what “fully funded” means here.

The RTP Stipend Scholarship covers the tuition fee through the RTP Fee Offset, provides an annual living allowance and includes single-cover OSHC. However, Victoria University expressly excludes costs such as English-language testing, bridging or English-language programmes and travel from overseas.

The application is also research-focused. A strong academic record alone is not enough: applicants must identify an appropriate Research Focus Outline, communicate with the Principal Supervisor and demonstrate suitability for the proposed research area.

Victoria University also states that the scholarship round is competitive and that the number of scholarships depends on available university funding. Applicants should therefore ensure that their academic qualifications, research proposal/focus and supporting documentation are exceptionally well aligned with their selected research area.

At AK Travels LTD, we encourage prospective applicants to begin the process early, particularly the supervisor-contact and research-topic stages, rather than waiting until the final application deadline.

Website: http://www.aktravelsltd.com