Victoria University (VU) is proud to support hundreds of international scholarship recipients and sponsored students.

We have a range of externally-funded and university-funded scholarships to support students. Our courses for international students include vocational education and training (VET) through to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework and higher degrees by research.

A scholarship provides financial assistance during your study. Some scholarships provide a stipend that covers tuition fees and living allowances, while others provide only partial funding.

If you already hold a scholarship, or if you are sponsored, remember to note it when you submit your international online application.

All scholarship applicants must meet VU's academic entry requirements, in addition to any eligibility requirements for their scholarship.

VU International Scholarship

The VU International Scholarship supports new international students who plan to commence their higher education diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) studies in 2023.

Eligibility (2023 commencement): New students commencing a higher education diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) course with VU Melbourne are eligible. English courses, Foundation Studies, VET and Research courses are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to apply: Students will be assessed automatically after submitting their application for an eligible course.

Value (2023 commencement): 10% tuition fee reduction for the entire standard duration of eligible courses (calculated from the date of commencement to the course end date in the letter of offer).

  • The VU International Scholarship is awarded at the sole discretion of the University.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in their full offer letter. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
  • Students who have received a scholarship or sponsorship from another organisation for their VU course are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • Students must pay the required tuition fee deposit to accept their offer and confirm the scholarship. The remaining balance is due before the course start date.
  • The VU International Scholarship is not refundable or convertible to cash.
  • The VU International Scholarship cannot be transferred to another individual, course or commencing study period. 
  • The VU International Scholarship cannot be deferred into commencement in a new study period without reassessment of eligibility.
  • New students receiving advanced standing for previous studies are eligible for the VU International Scholarship for the remaining standard duration of eligible courses.
  • Students with approval to reduce their study load are eligible to receive a reduced scholarship, based on the number of units taken (pro-rata).
  • Students returning from approved Leave of Absence (Intermission) are eligible to continue receiving the scholarship until the course end date in their letter of offer.
  • Students will continue to remain eligible to receive the VU International Scholarship providing they pay all tuition and additional fees/costs in full by census date each study period and meet the conditions of their student visas.
  • Scholarships only apply to eligible students during their period of study at VU and cannot be allocated retrospectively to students who are no longer enrolled.
  • The University’s decision concerning the assessment of eligibility for the scholarship is final, and there is no right of appeal should the student be unsuccessful in securing the scholarship or have the scholarship withdrawn.
  • Victoria University may make changes to these terms and conditions without notice.

Australia Awards scholarships

Australia Awards scholarships are long-term development awards, offered by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's partner countries.

Eligibility: Citizen of a participating country, all study levels. View the Australia Awards scholarships brochure.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover and academic support.

How to apply: Refer to Australia Awards scholarships for application processes and deadlines.

Foreign-government funded

The following are some of the larger scholarship schemes that we have with governments outside of Australia. If you are a national of the country listed, you may be eligible for that scholarship.

The Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait offers a range of scholarships to eligible Kuwaiti nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Kuwaiti Cultural Office in Canberra.

Eligibility: Citizen of Kuwait, various study levels.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please refer to the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education for more information.

How to apply: Apply to VU and liaise with the Kuwaiti Cultural Office regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia offers a range of scholarships to eligible Saudi Arabian nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Canberra.

Eligibility: citizen of Saudi Arabia, various study levels.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Refer to the Ministry of Higher Education for more information.

How to apply: Apply to VU, and, upon receiving an offer, apply to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education. Accept your offer and provide a financial guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

The Ministry of Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman offers a range of scholarships to eligible Omani nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman in Melbourne.

Eligibility: Citizen of the Sultanate of Oman, various study levels.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please refer to the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Higher Education for more information.

How to apply: Apply to VU and liaise with the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

Military Attaché – Ministry of Defence scholarships

The Ministry of Defence in the United Arab Emirates offers a range of scholarships to eligible Emirati nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Military Attaché Office, Canberra.

Eligibility: Citizen of the United Arab Emirates, various study levels.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please refer to the United Arab Emirates for more information.

How to apply: Apply to VU and liaise with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Military Attaché Office regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

Ministry of Interior scholarships

The Ministry of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates offers a range of scholarships to eligible Emirati nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia.

These scholarships are managed in Australia through the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates Police Attaché Office, Melbourne.

Eligibility: Citizen of the United Arab Emirates, various study levels.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please refer to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior for more information.

How to apply: Apply to VU and liaise with the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates Police Attaché Office regarding your application. Accept your offer and provide a Financial Guarantee that includes:

  • name of University (i.e. Victoria University)
  • your name and student number
  • name of course and duration of sponsorship
  • details of scholarships entitlement.

The East-Kalimantan Provincial Government scholarship program (Kaltim cemerlang scholarship) offers scholarships to eligible Indonesian nationals interested in pursuing higher education qualifications at overseas institutions, including Australia. The scholarships are available for postgraduate studies at VU

Eligibility: Citizen of Indonesia, studying a postgraduate qualification.

Value: Tuition fees, living allowance and single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

How to apply: Apply to VU and East Kalimantan Provincial Government, Department of Education and Culture, the Republic of Indonesia.

VU Global Leaders Scholarship

The VU Global Leaders Scholarship ended in 2022 and new applicants are no longer eligible to apply. The terms and conditions below are for the benefit of enrolled VU students currently receiving this scholarship. 

  • The VU Global Leaders Scholarship is awarded at the sole discretion of the University.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in their full offer letter. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
  • Students who have received a scholarship or sponsorship from another organisation for their VU course are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • Students must pay the required tuition fee deposit to accept their offer and confirm the scholarship. The remaining balance is due before the course start date.
  • The VU Global Leaders Scholarship is not refundable or convertible to cash.
  • The VU Global Leaders Scholarship cannot be transferred to another individual, course or commencing study period. 
  • The VU Global Leaders Scholarship cannot be deferred into commencement in a new study period without reassessment of eligibility.
  • New students receiving advanced standing for previous studies are eligible for the VU International Scholarship for the remaining standard duration of eligible courses.
  • Students with approval to reduce their study load are eligible to receive a reduced scholarship, based on the number of units taken (pro-rata).
  • Students returning from approved Leave of Absence (Intermission) are eligible to continue receiving the scholarship until the course end date in their letter of offer.
  • Students will continue to remain eligible to receive the VU Global Leaders Scholarship providing they pay all tuition and additional fees/costs in full by census date each study period and meet the conditions of their student visas.
  • Scholarships only apply to eligible students during their period of study at VU and cannot be allocated retrospectively to students who are no longer enrolled.
  • The University’s decision concerning the assessment of eligibility for the scholarship is final, and there is no right of appeal should the student be unsuccessful in securing the scholarship or have the scholarship withdrawn.
  • Victoria University may make changes to these terms and conditions without notice.

Pathway to Victoria Scholarship

The Pathway to Victoria Scholarship allocation ended in 2022 and new applicants are no longer eligible to apply. The terms and conditions below are for the benefit of enrolled VU students currently receiving this scholarship.

  • A limited number of scholarships will be available and awarded at the sole discretion of the University on a rolling basis.
  • This scholarship can be awarded in conjunction with another VU scholarship.
  • Students who have received a scholarship or sponsorship from another organisation are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • Students must accept their full offer within two weeks of the date on the letter of offer, and before the scholarship allocation has been exhausted.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in their full offer letter. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
  • The scholarship will be released to eligible students after the first census date of the principal course. To remain eligible to receive the scholarship, students must:
    • make satisfactory academic progress and maintain full-time study load in the pathway course to remain eligible.
    • successfully transition to the principal course and have remained enrolled past the first census date of the principal course before the end of 2023 to remain eligible.
  • Students who defer or take intermission during the pathway course will become ineligible.
  • The Pathway to Victoria Scholarship is not refundable or convertible to cash.
  • The Pathway to Victoria Scholarship is not transferable to another individual, course or commencing study period.
  • The Pathway to Victoria Scholarship cannot be deferred into commencement in a new study period without reassessment of eligibility.
  • Students studying at Victoria University Sydney are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • By accepting the Pathway to Victoria Scholarship, students agree to the conditions and requirements of this scholarship.
  • Scholarships only apply to eligible students during their period of study at VU and cannot be allocated retrospectively to students who are no longer enrolled.
  • The University’s decision concerning the assessment of eligibility for the Scholarship is final, and there is no right of appeal should the student be unsuccessful in securing the scholarship or have the scholarship withdrawn.
  • Victoria University may make changes to these terms and conditions without notice

VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International)

The VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) ended in 2021 and new applicants are no longer eligible to apply. The terms and conditions below are for the benefit of enrolled VU students currently receiving this scholarship. 

  • The VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) is awarded at the sole discretion of the University.
  • Students must pay the required tuition fee deposit to accept their offer. The remaining balance is due before the course start date.
  • Students who have received a scholarship or sponsorship from another organisation are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • Current VU students changing from one course to another with advanced standing (credits) are not eligible for this scholarship. Students who have completed a bachelor-level qualification at Victoria University and are applying for a postgraduate qualification are eligible.
  • After two semesters of study, students may be eligible for an extension of this scholarship. The extension is valued at 10% of the semester’s tuition fee for the remainder of their studies. Students must maintain a 60 course Weighted Average Mark (WAM).
  • Students with approval to reduce their study load are eligible to receive a reduced scholarship, based on the number of units taken (pro-rata).
  • New students receiving advanced standing for previous studies are not eligible for the extension of the VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International).
  • The VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) is not refundable or convertible to cash.
  • The VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) is not transferable to another individual, course or commencing study period.
  • The VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) cannot be deferred into commencement in a new study period without reassessment of eligibility.
  • Scholarships only apply to eligible students during their period of study at VU and cannot be allocated retrospectively to students who are no longer enrolled.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in their full offer letter. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
  • Students will continue to remain eligible to receive the VU Future Leaders Scholarship (International) and the extension of the scholarship providing they pay all tuition and additional fees/costs in full by census date each study period and meet the conditions of their student visas.
  • The University’s decision concerning the assessment of eligibility for the Scholarship is final, and there is no right of appeal should the student be unsuccessful in securing the scholarship, or has the scholarship withdrawn.
  • Victoria University may make changes to these terms and conditions without notice.

Contact our international scholarships team

If you have questions or need assistance in applying for a scholarship as an international student please contact us.

Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
Email: vuischolarships@vu.edu.au
Location: Footscray Park Campus, Ballarat Road, Footscray