The University of Sydney offers a wide range of scholarships for international students who want to study in Australia. These opportunities cover undergraduate degrees, postgraduate coursework programs and higher degree research programs. Depending on the scholarship, financial support may include full or partial tuition-fee coverage, living stipends, research funding and other study-related allowances.
For 2027, one of the major research funding opportunities is the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP), together with equivalent University of Sydney research scholarships. The university also offers scholarships such as the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme and the Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship.
The University of Sydney is one of Australia’s leading universities and provides scholarship opportunities for international students across multiple levels of study. The university states that more than A$135 million in scholarships are awarded each year. International students can explore funding for bachelor’s and honours degrees, postgraduate coursework and postgraduate research programs.
Scholarship availability, eligibility requirements, award values and application procedures vary depending on the specific scholarship. For 2027 research applicants, the RTP and equivalent University of Sydney scholarships can provide particularly substantial financial support. The 2027 RTP stipend rate is A$44,293 per year.
Degree Level
University of Sydney scholarships are available across several study levels, including:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Honours programs
- Postgraduate coursework
- Master’s by research
- PhD and other higher degree by research programs
Not every scholarship is available at every level, so applicants should check the individual scholarship requirements before applying.
Available Subjects
Scholarships are available across a broad range of academic disciplines offered by the University of Sydney.
Depending on the scholarship and degree, applicants may study subjects such as:
- Business and economics
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Architecture and design
- Arts and social sciences
- Law
- Medicine and health
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Science
- Education
- Music
- Environmental and related fields
- Research and interdisciplinary subjects
Applicants should check the individual scholarship and degree page because some awards are restricted to particular courses, faculties or research areas.
Benefits
The benefits depend on the scholarship selected. Current University of Sydney opportunities include:
- Up to 100% tuition-fee coverage for eligible undergraduate scholarship recipients
- Student Services and Amenities Fee coverage for selected undergraduate scholarships
- Up to A$60,000 through the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme
- A$44,293 per year 2027 stipend for eligible RTP and University of Sydney international research scholarships
- 100% tuition-fee coverage for eligible international RTP recipients for up to 14 research periods
- Relocation and thesis allowances for eligible research scholarship recipients
- Overseas Student Health Cover under the international RTP fee-offset arrangement
The Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship, for example, covers 100% of tuition fees and the Student Services Amenities Fee for the published full-time duration of an eligible undergraduate degree, up to four years. However, it does not cover living expenses, accommodation, textbooks, flights or Overseas Student Health Cover.
The Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme offers awards of A$60,000, A$40,000, A$20,000, A$10,000 or A$5,000, depending on ranking and eligibility.
Eligible
University of Sydney scholarships are available to eligible international students from different countries around the world. However, some scholarships are restricted to specific nationalities, regions or priority markets.
For example, the Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship is designed for exceptional international students from diverse priority markets, while the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme is open to eligible international students commencing qualifying coursework degrees.
Applicants should therefore confirm their nationality eligibility for the specific scholarship before submitting an application.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies according to the scholarship. Common requirements may include:
- Being classified as an international student.
- Meeting the academic requirements of the chosen University of Sydney degree.
- Applying for an eligible undergraduate, postgraduate coursework or research program.
- Meeting the admission requirements of the selected course.
- Demonstrating strong academic performance for merit-based scholarships.
- Receiving an unconditional offer where required.
- Meeting the relevant scholarship deadline.
- Maintaining satisfactory academic performance after receiving an award.
For the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme, applicants must be international students who have applied for, but not yet commenced, an eligible bachelor’s or postgraduate coursework degree and must receive an unconditional offer by the relevant closing date. Selection is based on academic merit.
For the Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship, applicants must not have previously undertaken tertiary studies, must have completed secondary school or an eligible foundation program, and must enrol full-time in an eligible undergraduate degree.
Research Scholarships for International Students:
- International students applying for a Master’s by Research, PhD or another higher degree by research can also be considered for major research scholarships.
- The University of Sydney’s RTP and equivalent University scholarships include the RTP Stipend Scholarship, RTP Fee Offset, University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship and University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship.
- For 2027, the stipend is A$44,293 per year. Eligible international students receiving the RTP Stipend Scholarship are automatically awarded the corresponding RTP Fee Offset, which provides 100% tuition-fee coverage for up to 14 research periods. Similarly, recipients of the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship automatically receive the University’s Tuition Fee Scholarship.
- Preference may be given to applicants intending to undertake a PhD and to applicants who have not previously received an Australian Government or University scholarship for an equivalent higher degree by research.
Application Procedure
The application process depends on the scholarship.
For coursework scholarships such as the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme, eligible students do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. Instead, eligible applicants who secure an unconditional admission offer by the relevant deadline are automatically considered.
For the Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship, applicants need to complete the relevant scholarship application in addition to applying for an eligible undergraduate degree.
For RTP and equivalent research scholarships, commencing students must first apply for admission to a higher degree by research and submit the required documentation. They must then submit the scholarship application form by the applicable deadline.
Applicants should carefully check the scholarship page because application procedures and deadlines are not identical across all University of Sydney awards.
Important 2027 Deadlines:
For international research scholarship applicants, the University of Sydney currently lists the following 2027 RTP and equivalent scholarship deadlines:
- Research Period 1 and 2, 2027: 11 September 2026
- Research Period 3 and 4, 2027: 18 December 2026
- Research Period 1 and 2, 2028: 10 September 2027
For the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme, the listed 2027 Semester 1 closing dates are 17 August 2026, 5 October 2026 and 16 November 2026. Semester 2 deadlines are 15 February, 22 March, and 3 May 2027.
Because different scholarships have different closing dates, applicants should always verify the deadline on the specific official scholarship page.
