Macquarie University Graduate Research Scholarships are designed to support outstanding graduate researchers in their academic journey. These scholarships are available to both domestic and international students who are pursuing graduate research courses. The scholarships aim to assist students in advancing their studies at one of Australia’s leading universities, helping them focus on their research without financial burden.
The scholarships are awarded through a competitive selecion process, ensuring that exceptional students receive the necessary support. With various funding options, including tuition fee offsets and living allowances, these scholarships offer significant financial assistance to help students achieve their academic goals.
Scholarship Benefits
Macquarie University Graduate Research Scholarships offer a range of benefits to support students throughout their research journey. These benefits may include:
- Tuition Fee Offset: Coverage of tuition fees for eligible students.
- Living Allowance (Stipend): Financial support to help cover living costs during the research program.
- Top-up Living Allowance: Additional funding on top of the base stipend to further support students.
- Fixed Sum or One-off Payment: A lump sum to assist with specific expenses related to the research.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Health insurance coverage for international students, along with visa application costs.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Macquarie University Graduate Research Scholarships, students must meet certain academic and program-specific requirements. The general eligibility criteria include:
- Academic Merit: Students are assessed based on their academic performance, including their Grade Point Average (GPA) or Weighted Average Mark (WAM).
- Full-time Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled full-time in their graduate research program.
- Specific Program Requirements: Each course may have additional criteria, such as minimum GPA or specific academic qualifications.
- Research Alignment: The proposed research topic should align with Macquarie University’s research priorities and areas of strength.
- Research Experience: A strong background in research may be considered, depending on the scholarship type.
NOTE: Additional eligibility criteria may apply depending on the specific scholarship and whether the student is domestic or international.
Eligible Programs
Macquarie University offers graduate research scholarships for the following programs:
- Graduate Diploma of Research (GradDipRes)
- Available for both domestic and international students.
- Master of Research (MRes)
- Available for both domestic and international students.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Available for both domestic and international students.
- Master of Research and PhD Bundle (MRes + PhD)
- Available for domestic students.
Application Process
To apply for a graduate research degree at Macquarie University, follow these steps to guide you through the application process:
- Choose Your Degree: Explore the available graduate research degrees and review the entry requirements. You should also check the fees and costs associated with your chosen program.
- Find a Research Scholarship: Look into available funding options for your research degree. Use the scholarship search tool to explore all Macquarie University scholarships and also review external scholarships that are funded or co-funded by external partners.
- Find a Supervisor and Develop Your Research Proposal: Find a researcher who is interested in supporting your academic journey. Work with your proposed supervisor to develop a research proposal. Note: This step is not required for Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Research applicants.
- Gather Required Documents and Referee Details: Collect all necessary documents for your application. You will need to provide contact details for two referees (this is not required for Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Research applicants or for those who are currently enrolled at or have graduated from Macquarie University in the past 12 months).
- Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the Macquarie University online application form. If you’re an international applicant intending to reside in Australia, register as ‘Temporary entry permit’ under the nationality field. If you are applying for a scholarship, remember to include the scholarship reference number in the application form. Make sure to review the Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.
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Required Documents
When applying for a graduate research degree at Macquarie University, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Academic Qualifications
- Official academic transcripts for all previous studies (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.). If you are currently enrolled in a program, unofficial transcripts with the university stamp/seal are acceptable.
- Official university grading scale (marking system) for your current and/or prior qualifications, which may be found on the back of your transcript or accompanying document.
- Testamur or official degree/statement of completion for any previous degrees.
- English Proficiency
- English proficiency test result scorecard or evidence that you have met the language requirements.
- Research Documents
- A detailed CV, including all research output such as publications and journal papers.
- For those who completed a thesis (or major research project) as part of a degree, include:
- Abstract of the thesis
- A copy of the thesis
- Examiner reports for the thesis
- The grade awarded for the thesis
- Duration of the thesis component of the degree.
- Identity Documents
- Copy of your passport (or birth certificate if no passport is available).
- Current Australian visa (for Permanent Residents or Humanitarian Visa holders).
- Additional Documents
- Research proposal (for MRes, MPhil, and PhD applications).
- Supporting documentation for any university prizes, scholarships, or publications claimed.
- Proof of enrolment at a partner university, if applying for a cotutelle or joint PhD.
- If transferring from another Australian institution, provide details of your previous enrolment, study mode, scholarships received, and total EFTSL consumed.
NOTE: If any of these documents are not in English, certified English translations must be provided.
Selection Process
Macquarie University selects graduate research scholarship recipients based on a comprehensive evaluation of the following factors:
- Academic Merit
- The primary criterion for selection is academic merit. Applicants are assessed based on their prior academic performance, including their overall academic standing, grades, and relevant research experience.
- Research Proposal Alignment
- The alignment of your proposed research with the University’s research priorities is also considered. The strength and relevance of your research proposal, in addition to its potential impact, will play a key role in the selection process.
- Supervisor Support
- The strength of the supervisory team and their ability to support your research journey is an important factor. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary academic and research expertise from their proposed supervisors.
- Competition
- Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. The top-ranked candidates, based on their academic merit and proposal, will be offered scholarships. This competitive ranking ensures that only the most qualified applicants receive funding.
- Additional Factors
- In some cases, additional factors such as relevant work experience, publications, or prior research outcomes may be considered.
NOTE: Once all applications are reviewed, successful applicants will be notified by the Graduate Research
Scholarship Duration
The scholarship duration depends on the program:
- Graduate Diploma of Research (GradDipRes): 1 year (2 sessions) for full-time students.
- Master of Research (MRes): Up to 2 years for full-time students.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Up to 3 years for full-time students, with possible 6-month extensions.
Application Deadline
The application deadlines for graduate research scholarships at Macquarie University vary depending on the scholarship round:
- International Research Scholarship Round
- Applications open: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
- Applications close: Sunday, 2 March 2025
- International Road to Research Scholarship
- Applications open: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
- Applications close: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
- Domestic Research Scholarship Round
- Applications open: Monday, 3 March 2025
- Applications close: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
- Domestic Road to Research Scholarship
- Applications open: Monday, 3 March 2025
- Applications close: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
