Academic Merit Scholarship

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Open until all places are filled

Value

20% of the total course fee

Eligibility

See eligibility conditions

Overview

This scholarship supports outstanding students from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam to pursue their academic goals at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2025, RMIT awarded 4616 scholarships to our international students, including 774 Academic Merit scholarships.

Value and benefits

The value of the scholarship is a 20% tuition fee reduction for the duration of the eligible course(s)* as outlined in your offer letter.

Foundation Studies students enjoy the laneways and cultural sites surrounding RMIT's City campus.

Four reasons to apply for the Academic Merit Scholarship

To find out just how much of a difference this financial support can make to an international student's life in Australia, we spoke to three recipients about their experience.

Eligibility for the scholarship

Eligibility

In order to qualify for this scholarship you must:

  • be a citizen of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam 
  • be applying offshore from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam (RMIT Vietnam students who completed cross-campus studies and immediately apply for the same qualification (course) in Melbourne campus are not eligible)
  • be an international student holding a valid student visa or plan to apply for a student visa prior to the course commencement
  • achieve Australian equivalent grade GPA of 2.5 or 70% average or ATAR 75 in your qualifying qualification at the time of application
  • hold a full or conditional offer letter to commence studies in Vocational Education, Associate Degree*, Bachelor’s degree*, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by Coursework degree
  • not be an existing RMIT University student (existing ELICOS or Foundation Studies may be qualified and will be notified after Foundation Studies completion).

* Exclusions apply to the following degrees:

  • AD023 Associate Degree in Aviation (Professional Pilots)
  • BP345 Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot Training)

Terms and conditions

  1. The scholarship is only applicable to tuition fees.
  2. Scholarship selection is based on academic merit.
  3. The scholarship will be revoked if you no longer hold a student visa.
  4. The scholarship is only applicable to the eligible course(s) and duration on your initial offer letter.
  5. Successful applicants will be notified. If you do not receive an outcome, your application has not been successful.
  6. Successful applicants may be invited to participate and get involved in the RMIT Melbourne Open Day.
  7. The scholarship will be revoked if you are granted any other RMIT funded scholarship or Australia Awards scholarship covering tuition fees
  8. Applicants with Foundation Studies packaged offer starting from July 2024 may be qualified and will be notified after completing Foundation Studies.
  9. Applicants should not be in receipt of any other RMIT funded scholarship or Australia Awards scholarship covering tuition fees (applicants under foreign government scholarships e.g. LPDP, MARA are eligible).
  10. It's important to note that this scholarship has limited availability and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your scholarship you must accept your offer and make a deposit payment within 14 days from the date of offer letter.
  11. Students who are already granted the Academic Merit Scholarship are allowed to change course in future semester, the scholarship will continue apply to a new course as long as a new course is not under the exclusion list above.

For full terms and conditions, please view the International Scholarships Terms and Conditions page.

How to apply

Step 1: Select an eligible course

Explore courses for international students.

Step 2: Complete your application

Submit your application to study at RMIT.

Step 3: Accept your offer

Your offer will be issued with the discount applied (subject to availability).

After you apply

If you are successful, you will receive an offer letter with the scholarship details outlined.

Contact Study@RMIT

Ask us a question about scholarships or study options for international students at RMIT University.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures