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Scholarships and fees for research degrees

The main type of financial support available to graduate research candidates is in the form of scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded pursuant to the eligibility and selection criteria specified in the relevant conditions of the award and any specific project or scholarship advertisement. They are allocated competitively based on academic merit, experience, prior learning and other relevant attainments. Priority is given to new candidates in strategic research areas.

An offer of a scholarship to a candidate will be made and accepted in accordance with the HDR Admissions, Selection and Enrolment Procedure.

There are scholarships available to cover some or all the following:

  • living allowance
  • tuition fees
  • relocation allowance

Major scholarships

The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships and the Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) are awarded throughout the year to high quality international and domestic candidates. The RTP scholarship and TGRS rate for 2025 is $33,511pa.

If you are considering applying for a scholarship please review the college specific scholarship closing dates for each round, noting whether the round is open to domestic and/or international applications.

Prestigious domestic scholarships

Externally funded scholarships

Current donor funded scholarships

Upcoming donor funded scholarships

Key dates

If you are applying for a project with an available scholarship, please check the closing and outcome dates for each round below and ensure you have submitted your completed application on time. Please allow enough time to contact the proposed supervisor and collect all relevant documentation prior to submitting.

Applications close at 11.59pm AEST.

Scholarship rounds 2025

Round StatusDiscipline Open to*Commencing Application closing date Outcomes Provided
OPENSee individual project advertisementDomestic applicants ONLY20251st  Feb 202513th Apr 2025
OPENSee individual project advertisementInternational & Domestic applicants20251st  Feb 202513th Apr 2025
Available soonAll disciplines Domestic applicants ONLY20251st June 20254th Aug 2025

*Where a round specifies a specific citizenship type (Domestic AND/OR International), only those with that type of citizenship will be eligible to apply. Please select the appropriate round and project to suit your citizenship.

Applications received after the closing date of a round will ONLY be considered (at the next available round) if a suitable applicant is not found by the round outcome date.

Please note, projects with a guaranteed scholarship may have a different closing date to those listed above. Please check each project advertisement carefully.

Fees

Domestic candidates

Domestic candidates do not pay fees for a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). The Australian Government currently provides funding to all Australian universities to cover the cost of research degree places through the Research Training Program.

Domestic candidates undertaking Graduate Certificate in Research (X5A) or Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science (S6O) must complete an eCAF form via eStudent (eCAF Information). This is for Government reporting purposes, there are no tuition fees or a HECS-HELP debt incurred by the candidate for X5A or S6O.

Other applicable fees, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) will be the responsibility of the candidate.

International candidates

International candidates pay a flat annual fee, please see the tuition fee rates (per annum) for 2024 (PDF 152.3 KB) for 2024 rates, and the  tuition fee rates (per annum) for 2025 for 2025 rates.

The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence that applicants for a student visa have sufficient funds to complete their studies.

You need to consider the following expenses:

  • HDR tuition fees
  • Visa and medical (pre-departure) fees
  • General living expenses
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Return airfares

Please also review Department of Home Affairs Student Visa Living Costs and evidence of funds.

International candidates may request the University of Tasmania provide a quote for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as part of the application process. The standard costs for the different levels of cover are:

Course type Single cover Couples/Single Parent cover Family cover
PhD course AUD $4,254 AUD $17,310 AUD $27,300
Masters by Research AUD $1,714 AUD $6,965 AUD $10,958

Find out more about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Research costs

The School/Institute you enrol through at the University of Tasmania is responsible for meeting all 'direct research costs' that are necessary to undertake your HDR project. This includes:

  • Access to resources or facilities at the University of Tasmania or other organisations in Australia or overseas
  • Travel to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
  • Training in techniques

External Candidates: As per the HDR Admissions and Enrolment Policy, your College acknowledged that by supporting external candidates, all additional costs related to external candidature can be met by the Candidate, the research project or the academic unit of enrolment.

Funding may be available for supplementary research that is not essential to your project, but will enhance your research experience at the University of Tasmania.

Student Services and Amenities Fee

All candidates must pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which we use to improve student services. This cost is included in international tuition fees, however domestic candidates are charged separately.

How to apply

Applicants should complete an application in conjunction with their supervisory team. Please indicate on the application if you wish to be considered for a scholarship.

Future candidates should review the scholarship information above and then visit our Apply Now page for further instructions. Applications for scholarships will be reviewed and ranked on a competitive basis.

More information