Carey Lyon Scholarship

For full-time architecture students who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $37,500.

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Applications now closed

This scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for a maximum of up to five years (up to three years for a Bachelor of Architectural Design, immediately followed by up to two years for a Master of Architecture degree).

To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa holder
  • be enrolling full-time in Semester 1 2025 (48 credit points per semester) in the Bachelor of Architectural Design (BP250) or the Master of Architecture (MC163) 
  • be able to demonstrate circumstance(s) that impact your ability your ability to study, or be from an RMIT priority group, including:
    • living with a disability, long-term medical condition, or identify as neurodivergent
    • have experienced or currently experiencing significant personal or life difficulties
    • have relocated/will be relocating from interstate or a rural or regional area to Melbourne to study at RMIT (check eligibility using the Regional Adjustment Calculator)
    • are experiencing financial hardship, for example if you:
      • receive a Centrelink/Department of Veterans' Affairs low-income support payment, or
      • hold a low-income Centrelink Health Care Card
    • are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    • are an early school leaver, mature-age student, or you entered university via a TAFE pathway
    • are a current or former refugee
    • are from a low socioeconomic (low SES) background
    • have recently completed secondary schooling at a SNAP (School Network Access Program) school
  • not have completed the same level of program or higher, for example, if you plan to study a Bachelor of Architectural Design, you should not have previously completed another bachelor's degree

Preference will be given to students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander*.

*Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander must be able to meet RMIT's Indigenous Eligibility requirements by providing documentation that confirms you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage by the application close date. Please see the RMIT Indigenous Eligibility page for what supporting documentation is required. For further information contact the Ngarara Willim Centre at iap@rmit.edu.au or on (03) 9925 4885. 

It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.

Direct to RMIT applications

The online application form will be made available here when applications open.

VTAC applications

Apply online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website (www.vtac.edu.au).

Supporting documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you will need to provide different types of evidence and material to support your scholarship application. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you will need:

  • To meet RMIT's Indigenous Eligibility requirements by providing documentation that confirms you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage by the application close date.

Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.

Application questions

If you are shortlisted for the scholarship, you will be contacted to answer further application questions. Please check the email address you nominate in your scholarship application form at least twice per week. It is expected that the online application will take approximately thirty minutes to complete. The questions are listed below to allow you time to prepare your answers in advance.

  • What motivated you to choose your RMIT program? Include the steps you have taken to achieve your educational goals.
  • What are your future plans and career aspirations?
  • What current challenges do you face in your studies and how will a scholarship help you to overcome this?

Find out more about applying for scholarships.

Applications are now closed.

This scholarship is not yet confirmed for future application rounds.

Applications are now closed.

This scholarship is not yet confirmed for future application rounds.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).

Carey Lyon headshot.

This scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from Mr. Carey Lyon. He is a Director of one of Australia's leading architectural practices and is an alumnus of RMIT, completing his Master of Architecture in 1994.

Mr. Lyon is responsible for two major capital works at RMIT – the SAB (Swanston Academic Building – Building 80) and the NAS (New Academic Street) Project.

Quotes from past recipients:

"I have confidence you exceptionally understand the assistance which the scholarship provides me with. I would still like to express my continuous gratitude for the many opportunities and experience you have granted me. I know that architecture school has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I have pursued; furthermore it has been made much more rewarding as a direct result of the grant." - Master of Architecture student

Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.

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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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples