Deakin University offers a variety of scholarships across all levels of study, including substantial support for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic achievements and provide assistance to students from diverse backgrounds and personal situations.1 The university’s broad scholarship offering, spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels, indicates a holistic institutional strategy for talent development and retention. This suggests that Deakin not only focuses on attracting advanced researchers but also invests in nurturing academic talent from earlier stages, potentially fostering an internal pipeline for future research degrees and encouraging long-term academic engagement within the university community.
Benefits of Deakin Research Scholarships
Deakin’s fully funded research scholarships provide significant financial support to enable students to concentrate on their studies.
- Stipend (Living Allowance): Eligible domestic and international students pursuing a higher degree by research may receive a tax-free stipend of $35,550 per year. This substantial annual payment is designed to cover living expenses throughout the duration of their studies.1
- Tuition Fee Coverage: While the general “Higher degree by research scholarships” are stated to “cover tuition fees” 1, other top-tier Deakin scholarships, such as the Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship, explicitly cover “100% payment of your tuition fees”.2 This indicates that full tuition coverage is a standard and expected component of Deakin’s fully funded research awards, ensuring that students are not burdened by course costs.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for International Students: For international students, research degree and PhD scholarships “can cover… overseas student health cover”.1 This is a critical benefit, as OSHC is a mandatory requirement for international students to obtain and maintain their student visa in Australia.4 The coverage of OSHC by the scholarship alleviates a significant financial and administrative concern for international applicants.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for Deakin University’s research scholarships, applicants must meet specific academic and other requirements.
- Academic Requirements: For the strongest chance of securing a research scholarship, applicants generally need to demonstrate an H1 grade average or its equivalent.1 This typically corresponds to a first-class honours equivalent, signifying exceptional academic performance.
- Degree and Research Component: For a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), applicants are required to have completed a degree at Level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This qualifying degree must be in a relevant area and include a research component equivalent to 25% of the final year’s full-time study, with a minimum achievement grade equivalent to a Deakin grade of 70% for both the overall degree and the research component. For Masters by Research degrees, slightly lower but similar requirements apply, typically needing a minimum achievement grade equivalent to a Deakin grade of 65%.4
- Demonstrated Research Capabilities: Beyond formal qualifications, applicants must demonstrate their research capabilities. If their qualifications are older than five years, they can still qualify by submitting a portfolio of recent research or professional experience, which may include workplace achievements, publications, and presentations.4 This flexibility acknowledges diverse career paths and experience.
- English Language Proficiency: If an applicant’s first language is not English, they must provide proof of proficiency. Deakin’s requirements align with international standards such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Specific accepted test scores and minimum requirements can vary depending on the program and level of study.4
- Domestic vs. International Student Considerations: Higher degree by research scholarships are available for both domestic and international students.1 International students must additionally obtain a student visa (primarily Subclass 500), be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course on campus, and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their studies.4
Application Process
Applying for a research degree and associated scholarships at Deakin University involves several key steps.
- General Application Steps for Research Degrees: The overall application process for a research degree involves choosing the ideal course, thoroughly checking the specific entry requirements, gathering and certifying all necessary supporting documents (such as award certificates, academic transcripts, evidence of English proficiency like IELTS results, and proof of identity like a passport). Documents in languages other than English must also be translated and certified.5
- Scholarship Application Integration: Deakin has streamlined its submission process such that submitting a direct undergraduate or postgraduate coursework scholarship application can lead to automatic consideration for all eligible scholarships.3 While this explicitly refers to coursework, for research scholarships, the guidance often includes “Apply now” links 1, suggesting a direct application pathway. Applicants are strongly encouraged to invest time in crafting a strong application, including thoughtful personal statements and providing information about their personal circumstances. It is important to include relevant documentation, such as letters from schools, employers, or sports associations, to highlight achievements and contributions.3
- Guidance: Deakin provides a “find a scholarship tool” on its website, which allows prospective students to narrow their search by level of study and student type.1 The university also offers valuable tips for making a strong application, emphasizing that it is an opportunity for recognition of one’s background and aspirations.1
- Submission: Depending on the applicant’s nationality and country of residence, submission may be required through a Deakin authorised agent. Alternatively, applicants can use the online international student application service, StudyLink Connect, for direct submissions.5
Key Application Dates and Intakes
Understanding the specific timelines for research degrees is crucial for a successful application.
- Research Degree Intake Dates (2025): Deakin University offers multiple intake dates specifically for research students in 2025. These include May 1 (Intake 2), July 1 (Intake 3), and October 27 (Intake 4).6 For PhD courses, general start dates also align with the university’s trimesters: March (Trimester 1), July (Trimester 2), and November (Trimester 3).7
- Faculty-Specific Restrictions: It is important to note that certain faculties may have specific commencement restrictions. For instance, international students applying for a research degree or PhD within the Faculty of Arts and Education may not commence in Intake 1. Similarly, students applying for a research degree or PhD with the Faculty of Business and Law may not commence in Intake 2.6 The existence of distinct “Research Intake Dates” for research students, which differ from the general “Trimester” start dates for PhDs, points to a nuanced and potentially faculty-specific administrative structure for research degrees. This highlights that prospective research students must consult the precise “research degree” key dates rather than relying solely on the broader academic calendar, as misinterpreting these dates could lead to missed application windows or delayed commencements.
Scholarship Application Deadlines: While specific scholarship application deadlines for research scholarships are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the general advice is to “Add each scholarship’s deadline to your calendar or journal to help you submit your application and supporting documents on time”.3 General international student application deadlines for courses are typically late January for Trimester 1, late May for Trimester 2, and late September for Trimester 3.8
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