Macquarie University offers fully funded research scholarships for international PhD and Master’s students in Australia — stipend, tuition, and OSHC covered. International round closes 31 July 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.

Overview

If you’ve been researching funded postgraduate options in Australia, Macquarie University belongs on your shortlist — and the international scholarship deadline is closer than you might think.

Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, offers a comprehensive suite of graduate research scholarships covering PhD degrees, Master of Research programmes, and Graduate Diplomas of Research. Scholarships can cover tuition fees, living stipends, health insurance, and visa costs — for both domestic and international students.

The International Research Scholarship Round for Session 1 2027 is open now, with applications closing Friday 31 July 2026. There is also a longer-window International Road to Research Scholarship open until 31 October 2026.

If you’re serious about a research degree in Australia, this is the moment to act.

About Macquarie University

Macquarie University is a public research university located in North Ryde, Sydney — one of Australia’s most dynamic and internationally diverse cities. It is ranked among the top 200 universities globally and is known particularly for its strengths in linguistics, cognitive science, finance, medicine, environmental science, and data science.

Its Graduate Research Academy oversees one of the most structured and well-resourced research degree ecosystems in Australia. Macquarie’s research training pathway — which connects the Graduate Diploma of Research, Master of Research, and PhD in a deliberate progression — is genuinely distinctive and designed to develop researchers with both depth and breadth.

Sydney itself offers what most people already know: world-class infrastructure, a warm climate, extraordinary natural environments, and a multicultural, welcoming urban culture. For international students, New South Wales also offers strong post-study work rights through Australia’s Graduate Visa (subclass 485) — up to four years for PhD graduates.

What Scholarships Are Available?

Macquarie University offers several distinct scholarship streams for research students. Understanding which one applies to your situation is the first step.

For International Students

1. International Research Training Program (iRTP)
The Australian Government’s flagship research scholarship for international students, administered through Macquarie. Typically covers tuition fees and provides a living stipend.

2. International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (iMQRES)
Macquarie’s own institutional excellence scholarship for international research students. Covers tuition and stipend, and may include additional top-up funding or OSHC depending on the award.

3. Project-Specific Scholarships
Individual scholarships tied to specific research projects with named supervisors. These are advertised separately and require you to apply to a defined project rather than a general research area.

4. Externally Funded or Co-Funded Scholarships
Scholarships supported wholly or partially by industry, government, or research council partners. Searchable through Macquarie’s scholarship tool.

For Domestic Students

Commonwealth Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset
All domestic students offered entry to an MRes or PhD have their tuition fees covered automatically by the Australian Government through the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship.

Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES)
Domestic equivalent of the iMQRES, covering stipend and additional research support.

MQRES for Indigenous Australians
A dedicated stream for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander domestic students.

What Can Scholarships Cover?

Depending on the specific scholarship awarded, funding may include one or more of the following:

Not every scholarship includes every component — the exact package depends on which award you receive. Use Macquarie’s scholarship search tool to identify which scholarships are currently advertised and what each covers.

Which Degree Levels Are Covered?

Macquarie’s research scholarships are available across the full research training pathway:

The research training pathway — GradDipRes → MRes → PhD — is one of Macquarie’s signature features. Dedicated scholarships exist to support students progressing through each stage, meaning that if you enter at the GradDipRes level, there are specific scholarships designed to carry you forward through the MRes and into the PhD. You’re not starting over at each stage.

Key Scholarship Deadlines — Session 1, 2027

This is the information that matters most right now. The international scholarship rounds are already open.

31 July 2026 is the critical date for international applicants. That is the close of the main International Research Scholarship Round — less than five weeks from publication. If you’re planning to apply for Session 1, 2027 (starting early 2027), your application window is essentially now.

The International Road to Research Scholarship has a longer window to 31 October, which may suit applicants who need more time to prepare materials or secure supervisor confirmation.

How Are Applications Assessed?

Macquarie evaluates scholarship applicants primarily on:

1. Academic merit
Your grades, degree classification, and overall academic trajectory. For international applicants, your institution’s grading scale will be assessed against Macquarie’s equivalency standards.

2. Research experience
Any prior research work — thesis projects, publications, conference presentations, research assistant roles, laboratory experience, or independent research outputs. Even undergraduate dissertation work counts if it demonstrates research capacity.

3. Alignment with Macquarie’s research priorities
Your proposed research area should connect with the university’s active research themes and faculty strengths. This is assessed as part of the application.

4. Supervisory team strength
Having identified a strong, willing supervisor in your area before applying significantly strengthens your application. A supervisor who has confirmed interest in your project is not always required but is consistently an advantage.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Review Macquarie’s minimum entry criteria for the degree you’re targeting — PhD, MRes, or GradDipRes. Your academic qualifications must meet those thresholds before scholarship consideration begins.

Also check the scholarship rating criteria on Macquarie’s website to understand exactly how applications are scored.

Step 2: Find the Right Scholarship

Use the Macquarie University scholarship search tool to browse all currently available research scholarships — including project-specific awards and externally funded opportunities. Only scholarships listed on official Macquarie University web pages are legitimate Macquarie awards.

Step 3: Identify a Supervisor (Strongly Recommended)

Before submitting your application, reach out to potential supervisors in your research area. A supervisor who is aware of your application and supportive of your proposed project is one of the strongest signals you can send to the selection committee.

Browse Macquarie’s academic staff profiles by faculty to find researchers whose work aligns with your interests. Send a targeted email — not a generic one — explaining who you are, what you want to research, and why their work is relevant to your project.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application

If you are a new applicant to Macquarie:
Follow the standard steps on Macquarie’s How to Apply page. You’ll apply for admission and scholarship consideration simultaneously.

If you are already enrolled or have received a valid letter of offer within the last 6 months:
You must submit a Scholarship Only application:

• Download the Scholarship Only application guidelines from the Graduate Research Academy website
• Submit the online Graduate Research Scholarship Only application form with supporting documents
• Include the scholarship reference number for your target award in the form

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

For the International Research Scholarship Round: 31 July 2026.
Do not leave preparation to the final week. International applications frequently require certified document translations, English proficiency test results, and supervisor confirmation — all of which take time to arrange.

English Language Requirements

International applicants must meet Macquarie University’s English language proficiency requirements for admission to graduate research programmes. Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL, and other recognised proficiency certifications. Check Macquarie’s English language requirements page for current minimum scores by programme level.

If your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English at a recognised English-medium institution, you may be eligible for an exemption — confirm this with the Graduate Research Academy.

Practical Information for International Students

Contact the Graduate Research Academy:

• Address: Level 2, 16 Wally’s Walk, Macquarie University NSW 2109
• Phone: +61 (2) 9850 4741
• Email: gr.applications@mq.edu.au

Health cover: International scholarship recipients typically receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as part of their award — this is a mandatory requirement for international student visas in Australia and having it covered saves a significant upfront cost.

Taxability: Check whether your stipend is taxable under Australian tax law. The Macquarie website links to government services where you can verify your scholarship’s tax status — most research stipends in Australia are tax-exempt, but this should be confirmed for your specific award.

Income support: The Macquarie website also links to government services where you can check eligibility for any additional income support available to research scholarship holders.

Why This Matters — The Real-World Value of a Macquarie Research Degree

A research degree from Macquarie University opens doors that coursework degrees don’t. The combination of a publication record, a supervised thesis, and the institutional weight of a Macquarie PhD or MRes creates a profile that is recognised across academia, government, industry, and international organisations.

For African and Nigerian students specifically, an Australian research degree carries particular strategic value:

• Australia’s post-study work rights allow PhD graduates to remain and work for up to four years after graduation — one of the most generous schemes globally
• Clear skilled migration pathways for graduates in research and technical fields
• A Sydney-based professional network in one of the world’s most globally connected cities
• Research outputs (publications, data, collaborations) that travel with you regardless of where your career takes you

And for students from the UK, US, Canada, or elsewhere researching funded international options: Australia’s research scholarships are consistently among the most comprehensive in the world. The combination of stipend, tuition offset, and health coverage at Macquarie makes the effective cost of a research degree here remarkably low.

Quick Summary Table

Apply Now

The International Research Scholarship Round closes 31 July 2026. That is your primary window if you’re targeting Session 1, 2027.

Start here:

• Browse scholarships: Visit the Macquarie University scholarship search tool at mq.edu.au
• Contact the Graduate Research Academy: gr.applications@mq.edu.au
• Review admission requirements and begin your application through the How to Apply page

If this isn’t your stage yet — if you’re mid-degree or still building your research profile — bookmark this post. The Road to Research window stays open until 31 October, and Macquarie’s domestic rounds will open later this year.

And if you know someone with a strong academic record who’s been weighing up research degrees in Australia, share this with them. A funded PhD in Sydney, with tuition covered and health insurance included, is exactly the kind of opportunity that deserves more attention than it gets.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Macquarie University Research Scholarships 2026