Applications are currently open for the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship 2027 international round, offering competitive research funding to international students pursuing a PhD, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), or eligible research-focused professional doctorate in Australia.
The University of Queensland officially lists these awards under the Graduate Research School Scholarships (UQGRSS), which include Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships and UQ research scholarships.
For international applicants, the current scholarship package includes a tax-free living stipend of AUD 39,220 per year at the published 2026 rate, with the amount indexed annually. Eligible international scholarship recipients can also receive tuition-fee support and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
The current international scholarship round opened on 20 August 2026 and closes on 19 October 2026 for applicants intending to commence in Research Quarter 4 of 2027 or early 2028.
Students comparing Australian research opportunities should also review Scholarships Central’s University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 guide and University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 guide.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | UQ Graduate Research School Scholarships including RTP |
| Common search name | University of Queensland RTP Scholarship |
| University | University of Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Degree level | PhD, MPhil, eligible research professional doctorates |
| Eligible students | Domestic and international |
| International round status | Open |
| Current stipend | AUD 39,220/year |
| Stipend rate | Published 2026 rate; indexed annually |
| Tuition fees | Tuition-fee scholarship/offset available for selected recipients |
| Health insurance | Single OSHC for eligible international recipients |
| International round opened | 20 August 2026 |
| International deadline | 19 October 2026 |
| Intended commencement | Research Quarter 4, 2027 or early 2028 |
| Scholarship selection | Competitive |
| Separate scholarship application for new applicants | Generally no |
UQ categorises the scholarship as providing both living-stipend and tuition-fee funding. The university also states that the number of scholarships awarded may vary each round.
What Is the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship?
The University of Queensland RTP Scholarship is part of UQ’s broader Graduate Research School scholarship system for higher degree by research students.
Funding can come through the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) or through UQ’s own research training scholarship funding.
Importantly, UQ states that the Australian Government RTP Scholarship and the UQ Research Training Scholarship use a similar competitive selection process and operate under substantially the same scholarship conditions.
These scholarships support candidates undertaking research degrees including:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- eligible research-focused professional doctorates
The scholarships are available across UQ’s research disciplines rather than being limited to one faculty or subject area.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Benefits
The University of Queensland RTP Scholarship can provide a combination of living-cost support, tuition-fee funding and health insurance for eligible international students.
AUD 39,220 Annual Stipend
The current published UQ Graduate Research School Scholarship stipend is:
AUD 39,220 per year, tax-free
This is the 2026 published rate, not yet a confirmed 2027 amount.
UQ states that the stipend is indexed annually, meaning the rate may change from January 2027.
For accuracy, applicants should therefore avoid assuming that AUD 39,220 will necessarily remain the exact stipend throughout 2027.
Tuition Fee Coverage
UQ’s scholarship framework includes tuition-fee offset scholarships.
For international candidates, the Graduate Research School conducts a competitive process to award both:
- living-allowance stipends; and
- tuition-fee offsets.
A tuition-fee offset removes the recipient’s tuition-fee liability during the approved scholarship period.
Overseas Student Health Cover
International recipients intending to study in Australia on a student visa can receive an allowance for single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
The scholarship policy states that this covers single membership only. Upgrading the scholarship-funded cover to dual-family or multi-family coverage is not included under these provisions.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Duration
Scholarship duration depends on the research degree.
PhD Students
For a Doctor of Philosophy, the standard living stipend duration is:
3.5 years full-time equivalent
The tuition-fee offset also normally covers 3.5 years, with a possible tuition-fee extension of up to six months under the applicable completion rules.
MPhil Students
For a Master of Philosophy, both the standard stipend and tuition-fee offset normally run for:
2 years full-time equivalent.
Professional Doctorates
For eligible research professional doctorates, duration follows the period specified in the relevant programme rules.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy both the scholarship requirements and UQ’s admission requirements for their selected higher degree by research.
At the scholarship level, an applicant must:
- be nominated by an enrolling UQ school or institute; and
- be assessed by the Graduate Research School as meeting the conditions for admission to the relevant higher degree by research.
However, being eligible does not guarantee a scholarship.
The international scholarship round is competitive, and applicants are ranked against other strong research candidates.
PhD Academic Requirements
Applicants targeting a UQ PhD must have an approved qualification relevant to the proposed research area and demonstrate sufficient research preparation.
UQ lists several possible academic routes.
Research Master’s Degree
An applicant may qualify with:
- a Master of Philosophy; or
- another recognised research Master’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree With Honours
Applicants may also qualify with an approved Bachelor’s degree with at least:
Honours Class IIA or equivalent.
Coursework Master’s Degree
Another pathway is an approved coursework Master’s degree with:
GPA 5.65 on UQ’s 7-point scale
combined with relevant research experience.
UQ can also assess some other academic combinations individually where the applicant demonstrates substantial research experience.
For example, a Bachelor’s degree without honours may potentially be considered alongside at least two years of relevant research experience.
What Counts as Research Experience?
Research experience can include evidence such as:
- a supervised research project;
- substantial research coursework;
- peer-reviewed publications;
- academic or technical research reports;
- relevant creative research outputs; or
- significant industry research/project experience demonstrating independent planning and execution.
This matters because the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship is not based on GPA alone.
Research capability is explicitly part of scholarship selection.
Do You Need a Supervisor for the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship?
Yes, supervisor support is an important part of UQ’s research-degree application process.
Before applying, candidates should identify a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with their proposed research project.
The application begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI).
If the nominated supervisor supports the EOI, the applicant can then be invited to submit the final research-degree application.
Applicants should therefore start contacting or researching suitable supervisors well before the October deadline rather than treating October 19 as the date to begin preparing.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Application Process
New international applicants do not normally submit a separate RTP scholarship form.
Instead, scholarship consideration is integrated into the research-degree application process.
Step 1: Check Your PhD or MPhil Eligibility
Confirm that your qualifications meet UQ’s academic and English-language requirements.
Step 2: Identify a Suitable Supervisor
Find a UQ researcher whose expertise aligns with your proposed research area.
A relevant supervisory match is important because UQ evaluates not only the applicant but also the quality of the proposed research environment and advisory team.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents
Prepare the academic and research documents required for the Expression of Interest.
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest
Submit the EOI for the preferred higher degree by research programme.
In the scholarship/sponsorship section, applicants seeking this UQ scholarship route follow the scholarship instructions given in the application.
UQ states that a separate scholarship application is not required for new applicants.
Step 5: Supervisor Reviews the EOI
The proposed supervisor and relevant academic area assess whether they are willing and able to support the proposed project.
Step 6: Submit the Final Application
Applicants whose EOI is supported will be invited to submit the full application.
The full application and required documents must be completed within the relevant scholarship round deadline.
Documents Required for the UQ RTP Application
The initial Expression of Interest requires several important pieces of information.
Applicants must provide details including:
- proposed supervisor;
- scholarship information;
- previous academic qualifications;
- referees; and
- English-language proficiency.
They must also upload documents including:
- academic CV/résumé;
- English-language evidence where required;
- academic transcripts; and
- degree certificates.
Additional requirements can vary by faculty or research programme.
Some schools may also request a research proposal or further evidence related to the proposed project.
Students preparing for competitive Australian research applications may also find Scholarships Central’s University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 guide useful for comparing research-degree application expectations.
Academic CV Requirements
UQ provides unusually detailed guidance about the academic CV.
The CV should be current and should focus on information relevant to research-degree admission and scholarship competitiveness.
Applicants should include items such as:
- academic qualifications;
- GPA;
- academic awards;
- relevant employment;
- research experience;
- publications;
- research outputs; and
- relevant skills.
UQ specifically advises applicants not to include unnecessary personal information such as:
- a photograph;
- marital status;
- driver’s licence;
- date of birth;
- hobbies and interests.
Is IELTS Required for the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship?
The scholarship itself does not impose a separate standalone IELTS requirement.
Applicants must instead satisfy the English-language requirements of their research degree.
UQ states that there are several ways to meet its English-language requirements.
For applicants using IELTS for most PhD disciplines, the published minimum is:
- IELTS 6.5 overall
- minimum 6.0 in each sub-band
For clinical research projects, the listed requirement is:
- IELTS 7.0 overall
- 7.0 in every sub-band
Therefore, it would be misleading to market the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship as universally “without IELTS.”
Applicants may qualify through other accepted English-language evidence depending on UQ’s rules and their previous education.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Selection Criteria
Meeting admission requirements only makes an applicant eligible for consideration.
The scholarship itself is competitive.
UQ currently identifies the following major selection areas:
Academic Performance
Strong previous academic results are important.
Research Capability
The selection process considers evidence that the applicant can undertake high-quality independent research.
Quality of the Research Project
The proposed research topic and project quality are assessed.
Research Environment
UQ considers the quality and resources of the environment in which the research would be conducted.
Advisory Team
The proposed supervisors are also considered, including:
- supervision record;
- advisory workload;
- relevant expertise; and
- complementary expertise within the advisory team.
This makes the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship different from a simple grade-based award.
The quality of the student + research proposal + supervisor + research environment matters.
University of Queensland RTP Scholarship 2027 Deadline
For international applicants intending to commence in Research Quarter 4 of 2027 or early 2028, the current schedule is:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Scholarship consideration begins | 20 August 2026 |
| Full application deadline | 19 October 2026 |
| School/institute shortlisting begins | 27 October 2026 |
| Shortlisting outcomes | 18 November 2026 |
| Final scholarship assessment | 18 November 2026 – 19 February 2027 |
| Scholarship outcomes begin | 22 February 2027 |
| Offer acceptance deadline | 31 March 2027 |
The most important date for current international applicants is:
19 October 2026
Applicants should not wait until that date to start looking for a supervisor or preparing an EOI.
Can You Apply With Pending Master’s or Honours Results?
Yes.
UQ specifically states that applicants with pending Honours or Master’s results can still submit an application.
They should upload their current transcript during the EOI stage and provide the completed transcript as soon as it becomes available.
This is a useful option for students who are finishing their current degree during the scholarship round.
Can Current UQ Students Apply?
Yes.
Currently enrolled HDR candidates can also apply during the relevant scholarship rounds.
Current onshore international students may be eligible for the domestic/onshore rounds under the conditions published by UQ.
The procedure for currently enrolled candidates differs from the new-applicant EOI pathway.
Is the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Fully Funded?
For an international candidate who receives the relevant stipend and tuition-fee offset package, the scholarship can provide:
- an annual living stipend;
- full tuition-fee offset during the funded period; and
- single OSHC.
That represents a substantial research-funding package.
However, applicants should not assume that every personal expense, family expense, airfare or other cost is automatically covered unless specifically included in their individual scholarship offer.
Students searching for similar opportunities can browse Scholarships Central’s Fully Funded Scholarships collection and PhD Scholarships directory.
UQ RTP vs University of Sydney RTP
Applicants considering Australia may reasonably apply to more than one university.
The University of Queensland RTP Scholarship and University of Sydney RTP Scholarship both support higher degrees by research, but the application processes, stipend rates, supervisor requirements, deadlines and scholarship rounds differ.
At UQ, the current international round closes 19 October 2026 and the published living stipend is AUD 39,220 at the 2026 rate.
Scholarships Central also has a dedicated University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 guide for applicants comparing the two opportunities.
UQ RTP vs University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship
The University of Melbourne is another major Australian research-scholarship option.
Its Graduate Research Scholarship system includes both Melbourne Research Scholarships and RTP funding.
Applicants interested in Australia should compare:
- stipend value;
- supervisor availability;
- research strengths;
- application deadlines;
- tuition funding;
- OSHC;
- and faculty-specific requirements.
See Scholarships Central’s University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 guide for the current Melbourne funding details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. The current international UQ Graduate Research School Scholarship round began on 20 August 2026.
What is the UQ RTP Scholarship deadline?
The current international application deadline is 19 October 2026 for commencement in Research Quarter 4 of 2027 or early 2028.
How much is the University of Queensland RTP stipend?
UQ currently publishes a tax-free living stipend of AUD 39,220 per year at the 2026 rate. The stipend is indexed annually, so the 2027 amount may change.
Does UQ RTP cover tuition fees?
UQ’s research scholarship framework includes tuition-fee offset scholarships for selected international candidates.
Does the scholarship include health insurance?
Eligible international Graduate Research School Scholarship recipients intending to study on an Australian student visa can receive single OSHC.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The current round is specifically for international applicants.
Can Master’s students apply?
Yes. Eligible Master of Philosophy (MPhil) students can be considered in addition to PhD and certain research professional doctorate candidates.
Do I need a separate RTP scholarship application?
For a new applicant, generally no. UQ states that applicants submit an Expression of Interest for the research programme and are considered through the relevant scholarship round.
Do I need a supervisor?
Applicants need to identify a suitable proposed supervisor as part of the EOI process.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not necessarily IELTS specifically. Applicants must meet UQ’s English-language requirements through an accepted pathway. If using IELTS for most PhD disciplines, the published requirement is 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.
Is there an age limit?
UQ’s central Graduate Research School Scholarship page does not publish a general age limit.
Can I apply if my Master’s results are pending?
Yes. UQ allows applicants with pending Master’s or Honours results to submit their current transcript and provide final results later.
When will scholarship results be announced?
For the current international round, scholarship outcomes are scheduled to begin being issued from 22 February 2027.
How to Apply for the University of Queensland RTP Scholarship 2027
Applicants should follow this sequence:
- Confirm eligibility for a UQ PhD, MPhil or eligible research doctorate.
- Identify a suitable research project and supervisor.
- Prepare the academic CV, transcripts, certificates and English-language evidence.
- Submit the UQ Expression of Interest.
- Wait for supervisor and academic-unit review.
- If invited, submit the full research-degree application.
- Ensure the final application and all required documents are complete by 19 October 2026.
- Monitor email for shortlisting and scholarship updates.
- If selected, review and accept the scholarship offer by the stated deadline.
Applicants should start early because obtaining supervisor support and preparing a competitive research application can take considerably longer than completing an ordinary scholarship form.
Official University of Queensland RTP Scholarship Links
- Main UQGRSS / RTP Scholarship page — funding, eligibility, application method, 2027 international deadline and selection criteria:
UQ Graduate Research School Scholarships – including RTP
This is the most important external link. It currently confirms AUD 39,220/year (2026 rate), single OSHC, international eligibility, and the 19 October 2026 deadline. - Before applying for a UQ research degree — supervisor, eligibility and preparation guidance:
UQ PhD and MPhil – Before You Apply
UQ confirms applicants first submit an EOI and need a suitable supervisor/project. - Expression of Interest instructions — exact documents and EOI process:
Submit a UQ Expression of Interest
This verifies the CV, transcripts, degree certificates, English evidence, referee information and proposed-supervisor details. - Research degree application dates:
UQ Research Degree Application Dates
Useful for readers checking EOI/final application timing.
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