Applications are now open for the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027 for international students seeking a Master’s by Research or doctoral degree in Australia.
The Research Training Program (RTP) stipend at Murdoch University is a competitive Australian Government-supported research scholarship. For the 2027 international scholarship round, successful recipients receive a tax-exempt living allowance of AUD 37,000 per year.
The scholarship supports eligible full-time higher-degree-by-research students for up to two years for a Master’s degree or 3.5 years for a doctoral degree. Selection is based on academic merit, previous research experience and research potential.
The international application round opened on 1 July 2026 and closes on:
30 September 2026
International applicants should not wait until the deadline to start. Murdoch requires prospective international research students to first complete an Expression of Interest (EOI), identify an appropriate research area, and normally find a potential supervisor before proceeding with the formal research-degree application.
Students looking for other currently available doctoral opportunities can also browse Scholarships Central’s PhD Scholarships Still Open 2026.
Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Research Training Program Stipend |
| Common name | Murdoch University RTP Scholarship |
| University | Murdoch University |
| Country | Australia |
| Funding provider | Australian Government / Federal Government |
| Study level | Higher Degree by Research |
| Eligible degrees | Research Master’s and Doctoral |
| Eligible applicants | International students |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Annual stipend | AUD 37,000 |
| Tax status | Tax-exempt living allowance |
| Master’s duration | 2 years |
| Doctoral duration | 3.5 years |
| Selection | Academic merit, research experience and/or potential |
| Opening date | 1 July 2026 |
| Deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Application status | Open |
Murdoch University’s official 2027 international RTP page confirms the stipend amount, international eligibility, degree duration and September deadline.
What Is the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship?
The Murdoch University RTP Scholarship forms part of Australia’s Research Training Program, which supports eligible higher-degree-by-research students.
At Murdoch, the international 2027 competition is specifically advertised as a Research Training Program Stipend.
The scholarship is intended for candidates undertaking research degrees rather than ordinary coursework programmes.
Applicants are competitively ranked according to:
- academic merit;
- research experience; and
- research potential.
This means satisfying Murdoch’s minimum admission requirements does not automatically result in a scholarship.
Applicants are competing against other research candidates for a limited number of awards.
For comparison with another major Australian research award, Scholarships Central has a complete University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 guide.
Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Benefits
The principal benefit officially published for the 2027 international competition is the annual living stipend.
AUD 37,000 Annual Stipend
Successful scholarship recipients receive:
AUD 37,000 per year
as a tax-exempt living allowance.
This is the amount currently published specifically for the 2027 international scholarship round.
Unlike some Australian universities that still display a previous year’s indexed stipend, Murdoch’s scholarship listing directly labels the current round as the 2027 scholarship round and lists the scholarship value as AUD 37,000 per year.
Scholarship Duration
Murdoch University lists the funding periods as:
- 2 years for a Master’s degree; and
- 3.5 years for a doctoral degree.
Applicants should remember that scholarship duration and the total time taken to complete a research degree are not necessarily identical.
Is the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Fully Funded?
This question requires careful wording.
Some scholarship websites describe the Murdoch RTP Scholarship as simply “fully funded.”
However, Murdoch University’s official international RTP stipend page specifically confirms:
- a AUD 37,000 annual tax-exempt living allowance;
- two years of stipend support for Master’s students; and
- 3.5 years for doctoral students.
The scholarship listing does not itself state that every international RTP stipend recipient automatically receives airfare, accommodation, relocation costs, family expenses, or every other possible study expense.
Murdoch separately explains that international tuition fees depend on the student’s circumstances and course, while RTP-related fee arrangements need to be confirmed under the applicable award and offer conditions.
Therefore, the safest wording is:
The Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027 officially guarantees a AUD 37,000 annual stipend for successful international recipients. Applicants should check their individual scholarship offer and RTP conditions for any tuition-fee offset or additional benefits.
Do not assume benefits that are not included in the official offer.
Students who specifically want scholarships with broader cost coverage can compare options through Scholarships Central’s Fully Funded Scholarships directory.
Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be full-time students and meet the admission requirements of the relevant Murdoch University Higher Degree by Research.
The scholarship page identifies the following academic backgrounds as eligible.
First Class Honours
Applicants with a First Class Honours degree can satisfy the academic requirement, subject to the requirements of the proposed research degree.
Upper Second-Class Honours
Murdoch also identifies:
H2A or equivalent
as an eligible academic background.
This is broadly an upper-second-class honours standard.
Master’s by Research
A recognised Master’s degree by research can also provide an eligible pathway.
Master’s With a Significant Thesis
Applicants with a Master’s degree containing a significant thesis component may also meet the scholarship requirement.
Admission eligibility and scholarship competitiveness should not be confused.
A candidate can satisfy the academic threshold but still not rank highly enough to receive an RTP stipend.
Can You Apply Without First Class Honours?
Potentially, yes.
Murdoch University’s broader research admission guidance allows research experience and other academic achievements to help demonstrate research readiness.
Applicants without an Honours degree may be asked to provide evidence such as:
- a substantial thesis;
- previous research experience equivalent to a substantial research project;
- thesis or dissertation examiner reports;
- academic honours;
- professional or fellowship memberships;
- publications;
- relevant professional research experience.
This is particularly important for applicants who completed degrees in countries where the Australian Honours classification system is not normally used.
Murdoch assesses overseas qualifications for equivalence rather than requiring every international degree certificate to literally state “First Class Honours.”
Research Experience and Publications
Research experience can strengthen both admission and scholarship competitiveness.
Murdoch asks applicants using publications as evidence of research capability to provide useful bibliographic information.
For jointly authored publications, candidates should explain their own contribution.
Relevant outputs can include:
- peer-reviewed journal articles;
- conference papers;
- academic publications;
- significant research projects;
- dissertations;
- research reports;
- other discipline-relevant scholarly outputs.
Murdoch’s research application guidance specifically asks candidates to explain how relevant publications contribute to or relate to their proposed research.
This means applicants should not simply attach a long publication list.
They should make the connection between their previous work and future research direction clear.
Eligible Degrees for the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship
The scholarship is for higher degrees by research.
The two main categories are:
Master’s by Research
Eligible research Master’s candidates can receive the stipend for up to:
2 years
Doctoral Degree
Eligible doctoral candidates can receive stipend support for up to:
3.5 years.
Applicants should check the exact entry requirements for their proposed research programme because requirements can differ between disciplines.
Murdoch provides research opportunities across a variety of academic fields rather than limiting the RTP competition to one subject.
Students looking specifically for doctoral funding can also browse Scholarships Central’s PhD Scholarships directory.
Do You Need a Supervisor for the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship?
Finding a suitable potential supervisor is an important part of the Murdoch research application process.
Murdoch states that prospective postgraduate research applicants should find and nominate a potential supervisor before applying.
The university recommends speaking with a potential supervisor in advance because this can help confirm that:
- an appropriate academic is available;
- the academic’s expertise matches the proposed project;
- the research topic is viable; and
- the initial research idea can be developed into a stronger proposal.
How to Find a Murdoch Supervisor
Murdoch provides a searchable research-expert system for prospective students.
Applicants should ideally look for academics whose recent work closely matches:
- the proposed research question;
- methodology;
- discipline;
- technical expertise; or
- intended research environment.
Use Murdoch’s official guidance here:
Murdoch University – Finding a Supervisor
A generic email sent to dozens of academics is unlikely to be as effective as a short, targeted message demonstrating genuine research fit.
Expression of Interest for International Applicants
This is one of the most important requirements that many scholarship summaries fail to explain.
International research applicants must submit an Expression of Interest before formally applying for admission.
Murdoch uses the EOI to assess:
- the applicant’s qualifications;
- suitability for higher-degree research;
- proposed research direction;
- availability of an advisory team;
- research facilities;
- project resources; and
- institutional capacity to support the proposed research.
If the EOI is successful, the applicant may then be invited to submit a formal application.
Is the EOI the Final Application?
No.
The EOI is a preliminary assessment.
Murdoch’s EOI documentation specifically explains that it is not the formal admission application.
International students therefore need to plan for multiple stages rather than assuming the RTP process consists of a single online scholarship form.
Research Proposal Requirement
Applicants need a clear research topic and a research proposal.
Murdoch states that prospective research candidates should choose their proposed research topic and prepare a proposal before submitting their research application.
The proposal should demonstrate that the applicant understands:
- the research problem;
- why the problem matters;
- the existing academic context;
- the proposed research objectives;
- the research methods that may be used;
- the feasibility of the project; and
- how the research fits Murdoch’s expertise and facilities.
A strong research proposal is particularly important in a competitive scholarship because it gives reviewers evidence of the applicant’s research maturity and potential.
Documents Required for Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027
There are two related document sets applicants need to understand:
- documents required specifically for the RTP scholarship competition; and
- documents required for admission to a Murdoch higher degree by research.
Scholarship Documents
The official RTP scholarship page specifically lists:
- completed online application form;
- completed referee report.
However, this should not be mistaken for the complete research admission document list.
Research Degree Application Documents
Murdoch’s research application guidance requires broader supporting documentation.
International applicants may need:
- academic transcripts;
- degree certificates;
- grading-system explanations/keys for overseas qualifications;
- certified English translations where documents are not already in English;
- passport or birth certificate;
- English-language test results where applicable;
- current CV;
- research proposal;
- referee reports;
- other programme-specific supporting documents.
Applicants should therefore prepare the complete research application rather than relying only on the short two-item checklist shown on the scholarship listing.
Academic Transcripts and Grading System
International applicants whose qualifications were completed outside Australia should provide their official academic records.
Murdoch specifically asks for:
- transcripts;
- certificates; and
- the key to the grading system used for overseas qualifications.
The grading key helps Murdoch interpret marks from international universities whose grading structures differ from Australian classifications.
Applicants should therefore avoid submitting only a transcript without the grading explanation where the grading scale is not obvious.
Certified English Translations
Documents not issued in English must be accompanied by the required certified English translation.
Applicants should retain the original-language document as well as the translation.
CV Requirements
Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae.
For a research scholarship, the CV should emphasise academically relevant information such as:
- university education;
- thesis title;
- research experience;
- laboratory or field experience;
- publications;
- conference presentations;
- research employment;
- awards;
- scholarships;
- technical skills;
- relevant professional experience.
Murdoch specifically uses the CV as part of its broader assessment of an applicant’s research experience.
Murdoch RTP Referee Report
Referee reports are important for both research admission and scholarship assessment.
Murdoch recommends selecting referees who know the applicant’s recent academic work and can meaningfully assess future research potential.
Senior academics are preferred where appropriate.
Who Should Be Your Referee?
An ideal academic referee could be:
- thesis supervisor;
- research project supervisor;
- university professor;
- senior academic familiar with your research;
- another qualified person able to evaluate your research ability.
The referee should be able to comment on more than simply the applicant’s classroom grades.
How Is the Referee Report Submitted?
Murdoch states that referee reports are confidential and should be sent directly by the referee to the Graduate Research Office.
They must arrive before the relevant application deadline.
Applicants should therefore contact referees well before September 30.
Waiting until the final days creates the risk that an otherwise complete application could be delayed by a missing referee report.
What Does the Murdoch RTP Referee Assess?
The Murdoch research referee process evaluates qualities relevant to postgraduate research.
These can include an applicant’s:
- research potential;
- intellectual ability;
- analytical skills;
- written communication;
- oral communication;
- initiative;
- interpersonal skills;
- previous research experience.
This is why applicants should select someone who has genuinely supervised or observed their academic/research work rather than simply choosing the most senior person they know.
Is IELTS Required for Murdoch University RTP Scholarship?
There is no separate IELTS requirement created specifically by the RTP stipend.
Instead, applicants must satisfy Murdoch University’s English-language requirements for the research programme.
Murdoch accepts several ways of demonstrating English proficiency, depending on the course and applicant’s academic background.
For a number of Murdoch higher-degree-by-research programmes, the published requirement is equivalent to:
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0.
However, some programmes can have higher English requirements.
Therefore, applicants should check their specific research degree before booking IELTS or another language test.
It would be inaccurate to advertise the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship universally as a “scholarship without IELTS.”
How to Apply for Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027
International applicants should treat the process as a combination of research preparation, admission and scholarship application.
Step 1: Check Research Degree Eligibility
First confirm that your academic qualifications meet the admission requirements for your intended research degree.
Applicants will generally need a strong Honours qualification, research Master’s degree, or equivalent research preparation.
Step 2: Choose a Research Topic
Identify a research problem that matches:
- your previous academic background;
- your research skills;
- Murdoch University’s research strengths; and
- available supervision.
Step 3: Find a Potential Supervisor
Use Murdoch’s researcher/supervisor resources to identify an academic whose expertise fits your project.
Murdoch recommends discussing the proposed research with a potential supervisor before submitting the application.
Step 4: Prepare Your Research Proposal
Develop the proposed project into a clear research proposal.
Murdoch expects applicants to have a research topic and proposal before proceeding with the formal research application.
Step 5: Submit the International Expression of Interest
International students must complete Murdoch’s EOI process.
A successful EOI can lead to an invitation to make the formal research-degree application.
Step 6: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare:
- CV;
- transcripts;
- degree certificates;
- grading-system key;
- certified translations if needed;
- identity document;
- English-language evidence if applicable;
- research proposal;
- referee arrangements;
- scholarship documents.
Step 7: Complete the Formal Research Application
Once invited to proceed, submit the formal application with the required supporting documentation.
Murdoch processes research applications through its admissions system.
Step 8: Submit the RTP Scholarship Application
Follow the online scholarship application instructions provided on Murdoch’s official international RTP scholarship page.
Make sure the correct 2027 international RTP competition is selected.
Step 9: Ensure the Referee Report Arrives
Do not assume that submitting your own documents completes the application.
Your referee should submit the required confidential report in accordance with Murdoch’s instructions before the deadline.
Step 10: Submit Before September 30, 2026
The international RTP deadline is:
30 September 2026.
Because the process includes supervisor identification, an EOI, a research proposal, admission documentation and referee involvement, applicants should begin substantially earlier.
Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Selection Criteria
The official scholarship page identifies three major factors:
Academic Merit
Strong previous academic performance remains important.
Applicants with First Class Honours, H2A-equivalent qualifications or strong research Master’s degrees are particularly well aligned with the stated academic requirements.
Research Experience
Previous evidence of genuine research can strengthen the application.
Examples may include:
- thesis research;
- publications;
- research employment;
- research projects;
- conference work;
- laboratory or field research.
Research Potential
Murdoch also evaluates the applicant’s capacity to successfully undertake advanced research.
Research potential can be demonstrated through the proposal, previous research outputs, referee reports and the overall academic record.
Applicants should therefore view the competition as more than a GPA-based scholarship.
Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Deadline 2027
The official international schedule is:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 July 2026 |
| International application deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
International vs Domestic Deadline
The international and domestic RTP competitions are different.
The current scholarship directory lists:
- International RTP deadline: September 30, 2026
- Domestic RTP deadline: October 31, 2026
International applicants should therefore not use October 31 as their deadline.
When Can Research Students Start at Murdoch?
Murdoch explains that research degrees based on a standalone research project, such as many PhDs, may generally commence at different points throughout the year.
Research programmes containing coursework may instead require students to begin at the start of an academic semester.
The exact commencement date should ultimately be confirmed in the applicant’s admission and scholarship offer.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes.
The current 2027 competition is specifically listed for:
International students.
No nationality list is published on the main scholarship page.
Applicants must nevertheless meet Australian visa requirements and Murdoch’s research-degree admission criteria.
Can Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian or Other International Students Apply?
The official scholarship page categorises eligibility by international student status, rather than restricting the competition to a short list of nationalities.
Therefore, qualified applicants from countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal and other international locations can potentially apply if they satisfy the academic, research and admission requirements.
Applicants should always confirm their individual eligibility through Murdoch’s official application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. Murdoch states that its 2027 international RTP scholarship round is open.
Applications opened on July 1, 2026 and close September 30, 2026.
What is the Murdoch University RTP Scholarship stipend?
The official 2027 scholarship value is:
AUD 37,000 per year as a tax-exempt living allowance.
What is the Murdoch RTP Scholarship deadline?
International applications close on:
30 September 2026.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The current competition is specifically designated for international students.
Can Master’s students apply?
Yes. Eligible research Master’s students can receive stipend support for up to two years.
Can PhD students apply?
Yes. Doctoral students are eligible, with the stipend duration listed as 3.5 years.
Does Murdoch RTP cover tuition?
The official international stipend page directly guarantees the AUD 37,000 living allowance but does not state on that page that every recipient automatically receives all tuition and other costs.
International applicants should verify any RTP fee-offset support in their formal scholarship offer and applicable conditions.
Is Murdoch RTP fully funded?
It provides substantial research funding through the AUD 37,000 annual stipend. However, applicants should not assume airfare, accommodation, family support, relocation and every tuition expense are automatically covered unless stated in their individual award.
Do I need a supervisor?
Murdoch recommends identifying and speaking to an appropriate potential supervisor before applying for a research degree.
Do international applicants need an EOI?
Yes. International research applicants must submit an Expression of Interest and be invited to proceed with the formal application.
Do I need a research proposal?
Yes. Murdoch’s research application guidance requires applicants to have a research topic and prepare a research proposal.
Is IELTS required?
Applicants must satisfy the English-language requirement of their specific research programme. Several research programmes list IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0, although programme-specific requirements may differ.
Is there an age limit?
The official international RTP scholarship page does not publish a general age restriction.
Can I apply without publications?
The official scholarship criteria do not state that publications are mandatory.
Publications can, however, strengthen evidence of research experience and potential.
Can I apply without First Class Honours?
Applicants with H2A-equivalent qualifications, research Master’s degrees or a Master’s containing a substantial thesis may satisfy the published academic requirements. Other research experience may also be relevant to research-degree admission.
Murdoch RTP vs University of Sydney RTP
International applicants interested in Australia may consider applying to multiple research universities.
The University of Sydney’s RTP programme currently offers a different funding package and application timetable, including a higher published 2026 stipend rate and explicit tuition and OSHC provisions for qualifying international recipients.
Read the complete comparison opportunity through Scholarships Central’s University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 guide.
Murdoch RTP vs University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
The University of Melbourne is another major Australian research-scholarship destination.
Its Graduate Research Scholarships include both RTP and Melbourne Research Scholarship funding, with eligible awards providing tuition offsets and living allowances.
Applicants can compare the funding and application structure in Scholarships Central’s University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 guide.
Official Murdoch University RTP Scholarship Links
Applicants should always verify the scholarship immediately before submission because requirements and forms can change.
Official Scholarship Page
Use Murdoch University’s official 2027 international RTP page for the scholarship value, deadline, eligibility and current application instructions:
Murdoch University Research Training Program Stipends – International Students
Research Degree Application Guide
For research proposal, documents, referees and international research admission:
Murdoch University – Apply for a Research Degree
Research Entry Requirements
For international EOI and research admission information:
Murdoch University Research Entry Requirements
Find a Supervisor
Murdoch University – Finding a Supervisor
Research Project and Proposal Guidance
Murdoch University – Your Research Project
Murdoch Application Portal
Murdoch University MyAdmission Portal
Related Scholarships on Scholarships Central
Applicants looking for additional research funding can also explore:
- University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027
- PhD Scholarships
- PhD Scholarships Still Open 2026
- Scholarships Still Open 2026
Final Thoughts
The Murdoch University RTP Scholarship 2027 is a strong option for international students with substantial previous research preparation who want to pursue a Master’s by Research or PhD in Australia.
The confirmed AUD 37,000 tax-exempt annual stipend is attractive, but prospective applicants should focus just as much on the research application process as on the funding.
International applicants need to think about their:
- research topic;
- supervisor fit;
- Expression of Interest;
- research proposal;
- academic record;
- research experience;
- referee report; and
- English-language requirements.
The official international deadline is 30 September 2026. Because an international research application can involve several stages before formal submission, candidates should begin the EOI, supervisor search and research-proposal preparation as early as possible.