University of Sydney Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded

If you are planning to study in Australia with financial support, the University of Sydney Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the University of Sydney Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

The University of Sydney Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded master’s and PhD scholarship for international students. This scholarship covers tuition fees, a living allowance of $42,754 per annum, a relocation allowance, and a thesis allowance.

The University of Sydney ranked 1st in Australia (US News 2025-2026) overall and across a wide range of disciplines; our excellence in research, teaching, and sustainability makes us one of the top universities in Australia.

For 175 years, the University of Sydney has been the starting point for bold ideas, big ambitions, and lasting impact. Generation after generation, students have stepped onto campus ready to challenge, create, and lead – not just for themselves, but for their communities and the world.

This is a place where leadership for good begins, shaped by the energy, curiosity, and courage of those who’ve found their place here. Today, that legacy continues, as new students add their stories to a tradition of making a difference that stretches back to our very first days in 1850.

University of Sydney Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
• Institution(s): University of Sydney
• Study in: Australia 
• Courses Offered: Any of the University of Sydney courses.
• Program Period: Two to four years, depending on the course taken.

University of Sydney Scholarship Application Deadline

The application deadlines for the University of Sydney Scholarship are September 11, 2026, for research periods 1 and 2, and December 18, 2026, for research periods 3 and 4. Click here for more details.

University of Sydney Scholarship Coverage

The University of Sydney Scholarship will cover tuition fees and a living allowance for up to 3.5 years, with a possibility of one semester’s extension for PhD students.

RTP Stipend Scholarship

• $42,754 per annum stipend (2026 rate)
• Relocation and thesis allowance

University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS)

• $42,754 per annum stipend (2026 rate)
• Relocation and thesis allowance

Eligibility Criteria for the University of Sydney Scholarship 2026

To be eligible for the University of Sydney Scholarship, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Required Language: English.
• Eligible Countries: All countries.
• Be a student undertaking study in a subject area identified by the university as within the areas of its current and emerging research strengths.
• Not have held an Australia Award scholarship within two years before commencing the RTP Fee Scholarship.
• Be an international student commencing full-time enrollment in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at this university. Students may also be considered up until they have consumed a maximum of six months of course candidature.
• Not previously received an RTP Fee Scholarship, unless the previous scholarship was for a master’s by research degree that you have completed, and you are now applying for a doctoral research degree.
• Not hold a research qualification regarded as equivalent to an Australian Research Doctorate, or, if undertaking a research master’s degree, not hold a research qualification regarded as equivalent to or higher than an Australian Research Master’s degree.
• Not have previously been considered for the scholarship up to 3 times within the last 5 years.
• Not receiving a scholarship for which course tuition is a component under any other scholarship scheme to which the Australian Government makes a substantial contribution.

How to Apply for the University of Sydney Scholarship 2026?

Please follow the application instructions below to win the University of Sydney Scholarship:

(1) Choose a degree and check your eligibility:
Admission is highly competitive. Start by reviewing the types of degrees offered by the university and checking the eligibility requirements for the research degree you would like to apply for.

(2) Develop your research ideas:
Carefully consider the subject of your research and find out if your interests align with any academic members of staff.

(3) Find a supervisor:

Student visa guides

• You’ll need a staff member whose academic interests align with yours and who has agreed to mentor you for the duration of your course. Finding the right supervisor is just as critical as selecting a research topic.
• Use the Research Supervisor Connect database to search for current research supervisors and research projects. Use the “Contact Research Expert” button on the project page to submit an inquiry to a supervisor. They need to understand:
  • Your academic background and research experience.
  • The topic or area you would like to research.
  • Why would you like them to supervise your project?
  • How does your proposed research project align with their background and experience?
• To help support your research inquiry, you should include the following documents:
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Academic transcripts for all your completed degrees.
  • An initial research proposal. In no more than 2000 words, demonstrate how your research experience aligns with the supervisor’s and why you’re interested in this opportunity. You’ll need to tailor your research proposal to each opportunity you inquire about. Refer to the university Research Proposal Guidelines.

(4) Submit your application

(5) Assessment of your application 

The university will assess your application and advise you of one of the following outcomes.

• Acceptance to the program (an unconditional offer).
• A conditional offer. For example, if you don’t have all your academic results or if you didn’t meet the English language requirements, we may make you a conditional offer.
• An alternative offer. For example, if the faculty you’d applied to can’t offer a doctoral program, we may give you an alternative offer. You can apply to upgrade this qualification at the end of your research program if you satisfy the minimum academic requirements for the course as outlined in the faculty handbook.

The university will not make any offers if you haven’t supplied sufficient documentation

• English proficiency: If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can enroll at the University of Sydney. Please check the full details for the English-language requirements for admission.

Website

To know more about the University of Sydney Scholarship, please visit the official website:

Apply for Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scholarship for taught/coursework master’s programs, or only research degrees?

It is for higher degree by research (HDR) programs only (research master’s and PhD). It does not apply to coursework/taught master’s degrees.

What are “Research Periods 1–4”, and which intake should I actually aim for?

The University runs HDR intakes in Research Periods across the year (RP1–RP4). Most HDR starts are typically in Research Period 2 (March) and Research Period 3 (July), and the scholarship deadlines are tied to these research periods rather than standard semesters.

Can I defer my scholarship start date if I’m not ready to commence in the first intake I applied for?

Yes, you can usually defer to a later research period as long as the start is still within the same calendar year the scholarship was offered (and your admission offer is also deferred accordingly).

If I get a conditional offer or a “to be finalised” scholarship outcome, what happens next?

You need to provide the required documents listed in the university’s correspondence (for example, final transcripts or other missing items). If you don’t supply what is requested, your application cannot progress to finalisation.

What exactly is the thesis allowance, how much is it, and when can I claim it?

It is a reimbursement for eligible direct costs of producing your thesis. The RTP stipend terms set the maximum at up to $420 for research master’s candidates and up to $840 for PhD candidates, and you must lodge the claim within one year of thesis submission (and no more than two years after the scholarship ends). Printing costs are generally not eligible.

Can I do fieldwork or research overseas while on the stipend, or do I have to stay in Australia the whole time?

You normally cannot conduct research overseas within the first six months of the award. After that, you may be able to conduct part of your research overseas (up to 12 months in total for most candidates) if it is essential for completion and you obtain the required approvals while remaining enrolled.

What leave can I take on this scholarship (annual, sick, parental), and does the stipend stop?

The RTP stipend terms include recreation leave (up to 20 working days per year), sick leave (including potential additional paid sick leave in certain cases), and paid parental leave (up to 12 weeks once you have completed 12 months on the award). These leave periods can be added to the scholarship duration under the terms, and longer interruptions are handled via the scholarship suspension rules.

If I change supervisor/faculty, or upgrade from a research master’s to a PhD, will I lose the scholarship?

Within the University of Sydney, changing supervisor or faculty does not automatically extend the scholarship duration. A change between research master’s and PhD may be possible with approval, but a downgrade from PhD to research master’s can trigger termination under the terms. If you move to a different university, the scholarship does not transfer with you.