If earning a world-class PhD or MPhil degree in Australia — fully funded — has been your dream, the University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarship (UQGSS) is one of the most powerful opportunities you can pursue right now. With a tax-free living stipend of $37,500 per year (2026 rate), full tuition coverage, and health insurance for international students, this scholarship lets you focus 100% on your research without financial stress.
Open to both domestic and international students, the UQGSS incorporates the prestigious Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) — making it one of the most credible and sought-after doctoral funding opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Explore more Australian scholarship opportunities at Gradualin – Scholarships and our complete guide to Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia 2026.
🎓 Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Host University | The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia |
| Scholarship Name | UQ Graduate School Scholarships (UQGSS) incl. RTP |
| Degree Level | PhD, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Research-focused Professional Doctorate |
| Study Areas | All disciplines |
| Eligible Students | Domestic & International |
| Annual Stipend | AUD $37,500 (tax-free, 2026 rate) |
| Duration | 3.5 years (with possible 1-year extension) |
| Tuition Fees | Covered |
| Health Cover | Single OSHC (for international students) |
| Scholarship Focus | Academic excellence & research quality |
🎓 About the University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading research universities and a proud member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) — Australia’s eight top-ranked research universities. Located in Brisbane, Queensland, UQ consistently ranks among the top 50 universities in the world. It is home to globally recognized research centres, Nobel Prize-winning researchers, and a vibrant international community of over 50,000 students.
Pursuing your PhD at UQ means working at the forefront of your field, in a country known for its exceptional quality of life, world-class infrastructure, and multicultural, welcoming environment.
🎓 Benefits & Funding
The UQGSS is a genuinely comprehensive scholarship. Here is exactly what you receive:
- 💰 Tax-free living stipend of AUD $37,500 per year (2026 rate) — indexed annually so it grows with cost of living
- 🏛️ Full tuition fee coverage for your entire research degree program
- 🏥 Single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students
- 📅 Duration of 3.5 years with the possibility of one extension in line with UQ and RTP Scholarship Policy
- 🔬 Access to world-class research facilities, supervision, and UQ’s global research network
For domestic students with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition, or a disability, part-time scholarship study may be available on a case-by-case basis.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the UQGSS scholarship, you must:
- 🏫 Be nominated by an enrolling school or institute at UQ — this nomination comes through your chosen supervisor
- ✅ Be assessed by the UQ Graduate School as meeting all conditions for admission into a higher degree by research (HDR) program
- 🚫 Not be receiving another living allowance award, or a scholarship providing a benefit greater than 75% of the RTP living allowance rate to undertake your HDR program
- 🎓 Meet the academic entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil, or research-focused professional doctorate at UQ
There is no separate scholarship application — your scholarship is considered automatically when you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) for your program.
🎓 Who Should Apply
Apply if you are:
- A high-achieving student planning to pursue a PhD or MPhil in Australia
- Able to identify a UQ supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposed research project
- A domestic OR international student with a strong academic and research background
- Passionate about contributing to original research in any discipline
- Committed to full-time study in Brisbane, Australia (part-time available for eligible domestic students)
Do NOT apply if:
- You are already receiving a scholarship or living allowance worth more than 75% of the RTP stipend rate from another source
- You have not yet identified or contacted a potential UQ supervisor
- You cannot meet UQ’s academic admission requirements for HDR programs
- You are applying for a coursework (non-research) degree
🎓 Available Programs
The UQGSS supports research degrees across all study areas at UQ, including:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Research-focused Professional Doctorates
UQ offers research opportunities across a broad range of disciplines including engineering, science, medicine, public health, law, social sciences, business, humanities, agriculture, the environment, and more.
🎓 Required Documents
Before submitting your Expression of Interest, prepare the following:
- 📄 Academic transcripts (current, even if results are pending)
- 🎓 Evidence of prior qualifications (honours degree, master’s, or equivalent)
- 📝 Research proposal or project outline
- 👨🏫 Confirmation of supervisor interest/support from a UQ academic
- 🌐 English language proficiency evidence (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE — for international applicants)
- 🧾 Any additional supporting documents requested by your school or institute (e.g. publications list, referee contacts)
- 🩺 For part-time requests: evidence of carer’s responsibilities, medical condition, or disability (domestic applicants only)
If you have pending results (such as honours or master’s), you can still apply — simply upload your current transcript and provide the complete transcript as soon as it becomes available.
🎓 Application Process
The UQGSS has a straightforward but time-sensitive two-stage process:
Step 1 — Find a Supervisor (Start This First) Search UQ’s academic staff and research centres to identify a supervisor with expertise relevant to your proposed research project. Contact them early and confirm their support before submitting your EOI. This step is critical — your EOI will only proceed if supported by your nominated supervisor.
Step 2 — Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Submit your EOI via the UQ Apply portal at apply.uq.edu.au. In the Scholarship/Sponsorship section of your EOI:
- Select “No” for advertised project
- Select “No” for non-UQ scholarship or sponsorship
- Domestic students: indicate whether you wish to be considered for a living stipend scholarship in addition to a tuition fee scholarship
You do NOT need to apply separately for the UQGSS scholarship — it is considered as part of your HDR program application.
Step 3 — Final Application (Stage 2) If your EOI is supported by your supervisor and progresses, you will be invited to submit a final application with complete documentation.
Step 4 — Selection Applications are assessed against the UQ Scholarship Selection Rubric, which evaluates:
- Academic performance and research capability
- Quality and originality of the proposed research project
- Strength of your proposed research environment and resources
- Quality of your advisory team, supervisory track record, and complementary expertise
Step 5 — Offer & Acceptance Successful applicants receive an offer by email and must accept by the stipulated deadline.
🎓 Important Application Dates
🌏 International Applicants — For Research Quarter 4, 2026 or Early 2027
| Milestone | Date |
| EOI Opens | Monday, 3 November 2025 |
| EOI Submission Deadline | Monday, 15 December 2025 |
| Final Application Deadline (if invited) | Friday, 30 January 2026 |
| Offers Sent From | Tuesday, 28 April 2026 |
| Acceptances Due | Sunday, 31 May 2026 |
🇦🇺 Domestic Applicants — Research Quarter 3 or 4, 2026 (Round 1)
(Also for onshore international students who completed a UQ program in Semester 1, 2026. Must be in Australia when offers are sent.)
| Milestone | Date |
| EOI Opens | Monday, 19 January 2026 |
| Recommended EOI Submission | Monday, 16 February 2026 |
| Final Application Deadline (Stage 1 + Stage 2) | Monday, 23 March 2026 |
| Offers Sent From | Monday, 15 June 2026 |
| Acceptances Due | Monday, 20 July 2026 |
🎓 Why Study at the University of Queensland?
- 🏆 Ranked in the global top 50 universities consistently across QS, Times Higher Education, and ARWU rankings
- 🔬 Member of the Group of Eight (Go8) — Australia’s elite research university network
- 🌍 A truly global campus with students from over 140 countries
- ☀️ Located in Brisbane, Queensland — a vibrant, subtropical city with exceptional quality of life, recently named a host city for the 2032 Olympic Games
- 💡 UQ researchers have contributed to transformative breakthroughs in areas ranging from the cervical cancer vaccine (HPV) to quantum computing
- 💼 Strong industry partnerships, a powerful alumni network, and excellent graduate employment outcomes
- 🌱 A strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and research that drives real-world impact
🎓 Official Source
For full scholarship details, program eligibility, and to begin your application:
👉 Official UQGSS Scholarship Page 👉 Submit Your Expression of Interest 👉 How to Find a UQ Supervisor
📧 Graduate School Contact: graduateschool@uq.edu.au 📞 +61 7 3346 0503
🎓 Scholarship Summary
| Feature | Detail |
| University | University of Queensland (UQ), Australia |
| Degree Level | PhD / MPhil / Research Professional Doctorate |
| Annual Stipend | AUD $37,500 (tax-free, 2026 rate) |
| Tuition Fees | Covered |
| Health Cover | Single OSHC (international students) |
| Duration | 3.5 years + possible 1-year extension |
| Study Areas | All disciplines |
| Eligible Nationalities | Domestic & International |
| English Requirement | Yes (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) |
| International Deadline | 15 December 2025 (EOI) |
| Domestic Deadline | 23 March 2026 (Final Application) |
