Australia, Scholarships

🎓 Fully Funded Deakin University RTP & DUPRS Scholarship 2027 — Open to All Countries

Gradualin

May 29, 2026
One Comment

Australia is calling. If you have been dreaming of pursuing a fully funded PhD or Masters by Research at one of Australia’s top-ranked universities, the Deakin University Research Training Program (RTP) and Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPRS) 2027 could be the opportunity that changes your life.

This is not just any scholarship. It covers your full tuition fees, pays you a generous tax-free living stipend of AUD $37,450 per year, includes health insurance for international students, and even offers a relocation allowance to help you move to Australia. And the best part? It is open to students from every country in the world.

In this complete Gradualin guide, you will learn everything — the benefits, eligibility criteria, available fields, application steps, and the exact deadlines for the February 2027 intake — so you can apply with full confidence.

📋 Quick Summary

Detail	Information
University	Deakin University
Country	Australia 🇦🇺
Degree Level	PhD / Masters by Research
Scholarship Type	Fully Funded (Tuition + Stipend + Health Cover)
Stipend	AUD $37,450/year (tax-free)
Open To	Domestic & International Students (All Countries)
2027 International Deadline	23 August 2026
2027 Domestic Deadline	25 October 2026
Intake	February 2027
Official Website	deakin.edu.au/rtp-and-duprs

🎓 Scholarship Overview — What Are the RTP and DUPRS?

Deakin University, based in Victoria, Australia, is one of the country’s most innovative and research-active universities. It consistently ranks among the top 2% of universities globally and is particularly celebrated for its strengths in health sciences, engineering, education, and business research.

The Research Training Program (RTP) is a prestigious scholarship funded directly by the Australian Government under its national research investment strategy. The Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPRS), on the other hand, is funded by Deakin itself — making both awards a powerful combination of government and university backing.

Here is what makes this particularly exciting for international applicants: both scholarships are open to domestic AND international students from all countries. Only the very top-ranked candidates receive an RTP offer, while DUPRS serves as a strong alternative for outstanding applicants who narrowly miss the RTP threshold. In practice, this means highly competitive applicants have two chances at full funding in a single application.

These are among the most sought-after research scholarships in Australia — and with the 2027 international round opening on 6 July 2026, the window to prepare is right now.

🎓 Scholarship Benefits & Funding — What You Actually Receive

This is where Deakin’s generosity truly stands out. Here is a full breakdown of everything the scholarship covers:

💰 Tax-Free Annual Stipend: AUD $37,450 per year (approximately USD $24,500 / PKR 6.8 million), paid fortnightly directly into your Australian bank account
🎓 Full Tuition Fee Offset: Your entire tuition is covered — no fees to pay throughout the scholarship period
🏠 Relocation Allowance: Between AUD $500 and AUD $1,500 depending on your family size, awarded to candidates relocating from overseas or interstate
🏥 Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Full single-coverage health insurance for international students for the duration of the student visa
📅 Duration (PhD): Stipend for 3 years + tuition fee offset for 4 years
📅 Duration (Masters by Research): Stipend for 2 years + tuition fee offset for 2 years
🔬 Conference Support: Faculties provide approximately AUD $5,000 to support research presentations at national and international conferences
💻 Laptop Provided: All on-campus graduate researchers receive a university-issued laptop
⏱️ Stipend Extension: PhD candidates may receive up to 6 months additional stipend if research is delayed for legitimate reasons

To put this in perspective — the annual stipend alone is equivalent to a comfortable living wage in Australia, covering rent, food, transport, and daily expenses without needing to rely on part-time income.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?

The eligibility requirements are clear and straightforward. Make sure you tick every box before applying:

✅ Must be enrolled (or planning to enrol) in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) course at Deakin University — either a PhD or Masters by Research
✅ Open to all nationalities — there are no country restrictions
✅ Must have completed at least four years of tertiary education with strong academic results
✅ Must have achieved 80% or above (or equivalent) in the research component of previous study, OR demonstrate equivalent academic strength through work experience, publications, or research track record
✅ Must meet all Deakin HDR admission requirements, including a research proposal and an identified supervisor
✅ Must be enrolled full-time and on-campus — distance study is not eligible for these scholarships
✅ Must not be receiving income from another source exceeding 75% of the stipend rate for general living costs
✅ For RTP Fees Offset: must not already be receiving an equivalent Commonwealth tuition award

🌟 Regarding English Language Requirements: Deakin requires English proficiency for admission to HDR programs. However, applicants from English-speaking countries or those who completed prior degrees in English may be exempt from IELTS/TOEFL (verify on official website). Check Deakin’s English language requirements page for your specific situation.

🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not

✅ Apply If You:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours, or a strong Master’s degree with a research component
Have a clear, focused research idea and have already contacted a potential Deakin supervisor
Want to pursue a PhD or Masters by Research in Australia with full financial backing
Come from any country and are ready to relocate to Victoria, Australia for full-time study
Have academic achievements, publications, or relevant research experience that sets you apart

❌ Don’t Apply If You:

Are looking for a coursework-only degree — this scholarship is for research degrees only
Cannot relocate to Australia for full-time, on-campus study
Have not yet identified a Deakin supervisor willing to support your application
Have not met the 80% academic threshold or equivalent research experience

🎓 Available Research Fields & Programs

Deakin accepts HDR candidates across all its faculties and research institutes. You can apply in virtually any academic discipline. The main areas include:

Faculty of Business & Law

Accounting, Finance, Economics
Marketing, Management
Information Systems & Business Analytics
Law

Faculty of Health

Nursing & Midwifery
Medicine, Public Health
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Nutrition & Dietetics

Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment

Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical)
Computer Science & Cybersecurity
Environmental Science
Architecture & Construction

Faculty of Arts & Education

Education, Linguistics
Communication & Media
Psychology, Criminology
Cultural Studies

Alfred Deakin Institute, Centre for Intelligent Systems Research, and other Deakin Research Institutes also accept HDR candidates in interdisciplinary research areas.

If your field is not listed above, visit the official Deakin research degrees page — the university covers an extremely wide range of disciplines.

🎓 Required Documents

Gather these carefully before submitting your application. Missing documents are one of the most common reasons for delays:

Completed HDR Application Form (candidature + scholarship application submitted together)
Academic Transcripts from all previous universities (official copies)
Research Proposal — typically 1,500–3,000 words outlining your proposed PhD or Masters research
Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume) — highlighting academic achievements, publications, and research experience
Evidence of Supervisor Support — a letter or email confirmation from your proposed Deakin supervisor
English Language Proficiency Evidence (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or equivalent exemption documentation)
Two Academic Reference Letters from university professors or research supervisors
Proof of Citizenship/Passport Copy
Any Published Research Papers or Conference Proceedings (if applicable — strongly recommended)

(Verify the exact document checklist on the official Deakin website as requirements may be updated)

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps carefully to submit a competitive application:

Step 1: Identify Your Research Area Explore Deakin’s research strengths and decide on a specific research question or topic you want to investigate during your PhD or Masters.

Step 2: Find and Contact a Supervisor Search Deakin’s supervisor directory and reach out to a faculty member whose research aligns with yours. This is the most critical step — you cannot proceed without supervisor confirmation.

Step 3: Prepare Your Research Proposal Write a detailed, compelling research proposal. It should cover your research question, methodology, significance, and how it fits within Deakin’s research priorities.

Step 4: Gather All Required Documents Collect transcripts, references, publications, and English language test results well in advance of the deadline.

Step 5: Submit Your Application Online Apply through the Deakin University online application portal at deakin.edu.au. You submit your candidature application and scholarship application together in one process.

Step 6: Application Assessment Your application is ranked by the Faculty/Institute based on academic merit, research potential, publications, and supervisor endorsement. Top-ranked candidates receive RTP offers; other strong candidates receive DUPRS offers.

Step 7: Await Offer Successful candidates are contacted with an offer letter. Accept the offer and begin your visa and relocation preparations.

💡 Pro Tip: Contact your prospective supervisor 2–3 months before the deadline. Supervisors receive many approaches — a well-crafted, specific email referencing their published work significantly increases your chances of getting a positive response.

🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines — 2027 Intake

Round	Opens	Closes	Intake
2027 International Round	6 July 2026	23 August 2026	February 2027
2027 Domestic Round	6 July 2026	25 October 2026	February 2027

⚠️ The international round closes on 23 August 2026 — that is the date every international applicant must target.

Bookmark this page and check back for any official updates to these dates.

🎓 Why Choose Deakin — and Why Australia?

Studying in Australia is not just about the degree. It is about the lifestyle, the opportunities, and the career transformation that follows.

Deakin University is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide and is part of the prestigious Australian Technology Network. Its Geelong and Melbourne campuses offer world-class research facilities, and the university has produced globally recognized breakthroughs in health, materials science, AI, and sustainability.

Melbourne — where many Deakin researchers are based — is consistently voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. Think stunning coastlines, multicultural food scenes, a vibrant arts culture, and a strong international student community. Australia’s post-study work visa options are also among the most generous in the world, allowing PhD graduates to work for 4–6 years after graduation depending on their study location.

For researchers, Deakin’s collaborative environment, connection to industry partners, and commitment to impactful research means your PhD will open doors not just in Australia, but globally.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I apply for both RTP and DUPRS at the same time? A: Yes. When you submit a single application, you are automatically considered for both the RTP and DUPRS. You do not need to submit separate applications for each.

Q: Is IELTS required for the Deakin RTP/DUPRS scholarship? A: English proficiency is required for admission to Deakin’s HDR programs. However, applicants who completed their previous degree(s) entirely in English may qualify for an exemption. Verify your specific situation on the official Deakin admissions page before applying.

Q: Can I work part-time while holding the scholarship? A: Yes. Scholarship holders are permitted to undertake limited part-time employment, provided the work does not interfere with research progress. The income restriction is that earnings from another source must not exceed 75% of your stipend rate for general living costs.

Q: What is the difference between RTP and DUPRS? A: Both scholarships offer the same financial benefits (stipend, tuition offset, health cover). The key difference is funding source — RTP is funded by the Australian Government and is more competitive (awarded to top-ranked applicants only), while DUPRS is funded directly by Deakin and serves as the strong runner-up award for outstanding candidates.

Q: Do I need a supervisor before applying? A: Yes. Having a supervisor who agrees to support your application is essential. Without supervisor endorsement, your application is unlikely to be ranked competitively.

Q: Can currently enrolled HDR students apply? A: Yes. Currently enrolled HDR students may apply, but they must not have completed more than three years of their doctoral course (or two years of a masters course) at the time of application.

🎓 Official Links & Contact Information

🌐 Official Scholarship Page: www.deakin.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/rtp-and-duprs
📧 HDR Admissions & Scholarships: deakin-hdr-as@deakin.edu.au
📧 Researcher Development Academy: deakin-hdr-cc@deakin.edu.au
🖥️ How to Apply: www.deakin.edu.au/research/why-choose-deakin-for-your-research-degree/how-to-apply-for-a-research-degree

📋 Complete Summary Table

Detail	Information
University	Deakin University
Country	Australia 🇦🇺
Scholarship Name	RTP & DUPRS
Funded By	Australian Government (RTP) + Deakin University (DUPRS)
Degree Level	PhD (Doctoral) & Masters by Research
Annual Stipend	AUD $37,450 (tax-free)
Tuition Coverage	Full offset (4 years PhD / 2 years Masters)
Health Insurance	Yes — OSHC for international students
Relocation Allowance	AUD $500–$1,500
Conference Support	~AUD $5,000
Eligible Countries	All Countries
English Test Required	May be waived (verify officially)
Study Mode	Full-time, on-campus
International Deadline	23 August 2026
Domestic Deadline	25 October 2026
Intake	February 2027