University of Sydney Australian Government RTP Scholarships 2027

The University of Sydney Australian Government RTP Scholarships 2027 are awarded through the Australian Government Research Training Program and the University of Sydney in Australia. They support international students at master's by research and PhD level, and the funding is fully funded, covering a living stipend and tuition costs.

They are open to international students in any research field at the University of Sydney. The package includes an A$44,293 yearly stipend, a 100% tuition-fee offset for up to 14 research periods, Overseas Student Health Cover, relocation and thesis allowances. The deadline is 18 December 2026. Read the sections below for eligibility, benefits and how to apply.

Successful international RTP scholarship recipients can receive:

• A$44,293 per year stipend for 2027.
• 100% tuition-fee coverage through the RTP Fee Offset for up to 14 research periods.
• Overseas Student Health Cover under the international RTP Fee Offset.
• Relocation allowance.
• Thesis allowance.
• Financial support for living expenses through the stipend.
• Up to 14 research periods of stipend support for eligible doctoral students.
• Up to 7 research periods of stipend support for eligible research master's students.

The A$44,293 amount is the University of Sydney's published 2027 RTP stipend rate.

The tuition-fee component is particularly important for international students because international HDR students normally pay tuition fees. The University of Sydney's international RTP scholarship package combines the stipend scholarship with a tuition-fee scholarship.

The University of Sydney RTP Scholarships – International are available for higher degree by research programs, including:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Research master's degrees
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Other eligible higher degree by research programs

The RTP Stipend Scholarship can be held for up to 14 research periods for a research doctorate or up to 7 research periods for a research master's degree, subject to the applicable conditions. Previous periods of study toward the degree are deducted from the maximum scholarship tenure.

The RTP is not restricted to one academic discipline. International students can apply for eligible higher degree by research programs offered across the University of Sydney. The University of Sydney Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships support eligible higher degree by research students across a broad range of disciplines. Available research areas include architecture and design, arts and humanities, social sciences, business and economics, education, engineering and computer science, law, medicine and health, music, science, environmental studies, agriculture, and interdisciplinary research. Specific research topics depend on the research programs and supervisors available at the University of Sydney.

Depending on the available research degree and supervisor, fields can include:

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Information Technology
• Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Business
• Economics
• Finance
• Accounting
• Management
• Education
• Law
• Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Sciences
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Psychology
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Science
• Climate and Sustainability
• Agriculture and Food Sciences
• Architecture
• Design
• Arts and Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Media and Communications
• Linguistics

The exact research opportunities depend on the higher degree by research program, faculty, available research projects and supervisor availability.

The RTP International Scholarships are available to international students.

Applicants must be classified as international students at the time of the scholarship award. The University of Sydney does not restrict the RTP International Scholarship to a particular nationality.

Students from countries around the world can therefore be considered if they meet the University of Sydney's admission and scholarship requirements.

Applicants must satisfy both the University's higher degree by research admission requirements and the scholarship requirements.

Generally, applicants must:

• Be an international student at the time of the scholarship award.
• Apply for a higher degree by research at the University of Sydney.
• Have an outstanding academic record.
• Have previous research experience.
• Demonstrate research potential.
• Meet the academic requirements of the selected research degree.
• Obtain the support of an appropriate research supervisor, except where the relevant faculty follows a different process.
• Submit the required scholarship application form.
• Provide all required admission and scholarship documentation.
• Meet the English-language requirements where applicable.
• Be able to undertake the research degree according to the University's enrolment requirements.

The University of Sydney states that postgraduate research applicants generally need a high academic record and previous research experience. Depending on the degree, applicants may typically need a bachelor's degree with first-class honours, a high-performing master's degree with a substantial research component, or an equivalent qualification demonstrating research capability.

Preference may be given to applicants intending to undertake a PhD, applicants who have not previously received an equivalent Australian Government or University scholarship, and applicants who have not previously completed an equivalent higher degree by research.

Applicants generally need to provide documents for both the University of Sydney HDR admission application and the scholarship assessment.

Required documents may include:

• Research proposal.
• Official academic transcripts.
• Degree certificates or evidence of qualifications.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required.
• Evidence that a primary supervisor has agreed to supervise the research.
• Two referee reports.
• Passport or other proof of identity.
• Evidence of previous research experience.
• Research publications or other research outputs, where applicable.
• Portfolio, audition or other programme-specific material where required.

The University of Sydney normally asks research applicants to submit a research proposal of up to 2,000 words covering the objectives and significance of the proposed research.

Applicants should check the specific HDR course page because additional faculty or programme requirements may apply.

Research Supervisor Requirement

Finding an appropriate supervisor is an important part of the University of Sydney research application process.

Applicants should identify an academic whose research interests closely match their proposed project. The University recommends using Sydney Profiles to identify academics with research supervision opportunities.

When contacting a potential supervisor, applicants should provide:

• Academic background.
• Research interests.
• CV or résumé.
• Academic transcripts.
• Initial research proposal.
• Explanation of how the proposed research aligns with the supervisor's work.

Except for certain Sydney Law School and Business School processes, applicants generally need to secure supervisor support before submitting their HDR application.

Research Proposal

The research proposal is an important part of the application.

A strong proposal should explain:

• Research title.
• Research problem.
• Research objectives.
• Research questions.
• Proposed methodology.
• Significance of the research.
• Expected contribution.
• Research feasibility.
• Proposed timeline.
• Alignment with the potential supervisor's research.

The University of Sydney generally recommends a proposal of no more than 2,000 words, although individual faculties or degrees may have different requirements.

International applicants should generally follow these steps:

• Choose an eligible higher degree by research at the University of Sydney.
• Review the admission and scholarship requirements.
• Identify potential supervisors whose research aligns with the proposed project.
• Contact a potential supervisor with your CV, transcripts and research proposal.
• Obtain confirmation that the supervisor is willing to supervise the project.
• Prepare the required academic, research and identity documents.
• Apply for admission to the HDR program through the University of Sydney.
• Complete the additional scholarship application form.
• Submit the scholarship application by the applicable RTP deadline.
• Wait for the scholarship assessment and admission outcome.
• If successful, complete the remaining admission and visa requirements.

The scholarship application is separate from simply submitting an HDR admission application. Commencing students must apply for admission and submit the scholarship form by the relevant deadline. Currently enrolled HDR students can also apply by submitting the scholarship application form by the applicable deadline.

Important Dates

For international students commencing research in 2027, the University of Sydney currently lists:

• Research Period 1 and 2, 2027 deadline: September 11, 2026
• Outcomes for Research Period 1 and 2: from November 10, 2026
• Research Period 3 and 4, 2027 deadline: December 18, 2026
• Outcomes for Research Period 3 and 4: from March 2, 2027
• Final outcomes for offshore applicants: May 18, 2027
• Final outcomes for onshore applicants: June 30, 2027

The September 11, 2026 deadline has passed. The next listed international RTP scholarship deadline is December 18, 2026, for Research Period 3 and 4, 2027.

The University notes that some dates, particularly final outcome dates, are estimates and may change.

RTP and equivalent University of Sydney research scholarships are competitively awarded.

The University considers factors such as:

• Academic achievement.
• Previous research experience.
• Research potential.
• Quality and significance of the proposed research.
• Research outputs and experience where applicable.
• Suitability of the proposed research environment.
• Academic and research alignment with the University.
• Strength of the overall HDR application.

The University states that RTP applicants should have an outstanding record of academic achievement and previous research experience.

Preference may be given to applicants intending to undertake a PhD and to applicants who have not previously received an equivalent Australian Government or University scholarship or completed an equivalent HDR degree.