How to apply

Fee information - local applicants

If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen your place is automatically funded by the Research Training Program (RTP) by an RTP Fee Offset scholarship

Local candidates are not required to pay tuition fees for the maximum duration of their program.This means a maximum of 2 years for a full-time Master by Research or 4 years for a PhD (or the equivalent part-time).

Other fees

The student services and amenities fee (SSAF) is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. In addition to the SSAF there may be other expenses associated with your program.

Fee information - international applicants onshore

International onshore HDR fees

Fees information for international candidates studying at RMIT's Melbourne campuses.

Fee information - international applicants offshore

International offshore HDR fees

Fees for international candidates studying PhD and Masters by Research offshore with RMIT.

Scholarship types

There are two basic types of stipend scholarship that are made available through the research scholarship rounds. These are:

Stipend scholarships

• RTP Stipend Scholarship (RSS)
• RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship (RRSS)

International tuition fee scholarships

• RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship (RIFOS)
• RMIT International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS)

Scholarship applications from international applicants are automatically considered for both a stipend and the Tuition Fee Offset Scholarships.

When applying for a scholarship you will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible, including the Vice-Chancellor's PhD Scholarship (VCPS). You do not need to submit separate applications. 

RMIT Research Indigenous Scholarship

If you identify as an Indigenous Australian, you are eligible to apply through the RMIT Research Indigenous Scholarship category. Please note, evidence is required if you are awarded a scholarship in this category.

RMIT Research Equity Scholarship

Additional scholarship consideration is given if you are affected by a Disability or long term medical condition.

If applying for this scholarship category, you are required to provide a detailed statement of your circumstances indicating how your past academic achievement has been affected by your condition. You are also required to attach to your application evidence of your condition from a health practitioner, by the scholarship closing date.

Scholarship rounds

Please note:

There will be no RMIT scholarships available through the usual scholarship rounds for new commencing research candidates in 2021.

An update regarding scholarships will be provided by end of June 2021 for candidates intending to commence their research in late 2021 or 2022.

It is recommended that you check the range of scholarships made available through funded projects, which are still available.

Eligibility

Applicants for an RMIT research scholarship must:

• meet the entry requirements for a graduate research program at RMIT University; or
• be currently enrolled in a graduate research program at RMIT

Additionally, international applicants must meet English requirements by the advertised scholarship application deadline.

Competitive Selection

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to their academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

Priority is given to applicants who:

• have achieved a high distinction in the final two years of the qualifying program(s). At RMIT a grade of high distinction represents an academic achievement of 80% or higher
• may be considered by RMIT as having an equivalent level of academic attainment, taking into account previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience
• are able to take receipt of a scholarship for a minimum 12 months duration on a full time basis (or part time equivalent) because of prior enrolment in a graduate research program
• have not already completed a graduate research program at the same or higher course level.  For example Masters by Research applicants should not have already completed a Masters by Research or PhD
• have not previously held an RMIT or Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship’s payments commencing
• are or will be enrolled and primarily based at an RMIT Australian campus

Additionally:

• Vice-Chancellors PhD Scholarship recipients must not have undertaken prior higher degree by research candidature in the last three years

Terms and conditions

See the HDR Scholarship Terms and Conditions for more information.

The application process

The process has two stages:

• Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Stage 2: Application

The EOI gathers just enough information about you for the University to assess your eligibility and consider the research you will undertake as part of your research program.

Creative practice schools may want to see your portfolio and interview you. The school to which you are applying will contact you if this is the case.

If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to complete and submit the rest of your application.

It may take up to four weeks for an outcome on your EOI, so make sure you submit your EOI well in advance of when you expect to commence study.

Admission to research program only:

• You may apply throughout the year for available monthly intake periods.

Admission to research program and scholarship:

• You are expected to submit your EOI and full application by the advertised deadlines.

Scholarship only:

• Available only if you are already enrolled in or have an offer of admission to an RMIT research program

You must submit your application by the advertised scholarship application deadline.

I want to transfer to RMIT from another University

To apply:

• Apply online using the standard form
• Indicate that you wish to transfer to RMIT from another university
• Provide a statement from your previous university which outlines the details of your previous enrolment and status of your candidature
  

Transfers with remaining periods of candidature of less than 12 months are only approved in exceptional circumstances.

If admitted, you will be asked to complete the RMIT milestones such as  Confirmation of Candidature or the Mid-Candidature Review. You may be exempt from completing these milestones at RMIT if you can provide evidence that you have already completed these milestones and they are deemed equivalent to the standard of milestones completed at RMIT.

Required documentation checklist

1. CV
2. Complete transcripts for all academic qualifications
3. Research proposal or statement of interest in an available research project
4. A letter of financial guarantee if you are an international applicant being sponsored to come to RMIT to complete your research degree.

I am already enrolled in a research degree at RMIT and want to transfer to another research degree

To apply:

• Apply online using the standard form
• Indicate that you are already enrolled at RMIT and wish to transfer to another degree.

I intend to complete my study as part of a CRTA

Collaborative Research Training Agreements (CRTA) – Cotutelle Agreements and Collaborative PhD Agreements

Joint PhD partnerships involve co-enrolment and supervision of HDR candidates leading to a joint award, or awards, from both partners.

RMIT Collaborative PhD partnerships involve partner organisation hosting and co-supervising RMIT research candidates with single enrolment in the RMIT PhD.

View the full list of CRTA’s here