Overseas study scholarships

There are many scholarship options available to students undertaking overseas study.

University of Melbourne scholarships

The University of Melbourne offers a wide range of scholarships to students undertaking an overseas study opportunity. Scholarships are awarded based on varying eligibility requirements and criteria, including financial need, academic merit, destination and study discipline.

Melbourne Mobility Awards

Melbourne Mobility Awards (MMA) are a range of scholarships which provide assistance to students undertaking overseas study. MMA includes the below scholarships, but this is not an exhaustive list. Please see the Melbourne Mobility Awards page for information on eligibility, selection credit and how to apply.

Ensure you apply as soon as you have had your exchange destination allocation confirmed in writing by Global Learning so that your application can be assessed in time for you to plan your finances. Please do not apply before this time.

ScholarshipSemester/year-long Open to
Merit Scholarships
Melbourne Global Scholars Award $2500 for overseas study of 12 weeks or more.
$1000 for overseas study of 3-12 weeks. 		All
Access Scholarships
Melbourne Global Financial Assistance Grants Up to $5000 Students experiencing financial hardships.
Lin Martin Global Scholarship Up to $5000 Undergraduate students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) who are experiencing social, medical or financial disadvantage.
University House Travel Scholarship Up to $5000 Students experiencing financial hardships

Other scholarships

In addition to the above, the University of Melbourne offers a wide range of travelling scholarships which may suit your circumstances. The below table is an example of some of these scholarships – please see the University of Melbourne Scholarships page for the full list.

ScholarshipSemester/Year-long Open to
Melbourne Mobility Excellence Awards $2500-$4000 All
Prestigious Travelling Scholarships Up to $90000 per year Domestic graduate students
Faculty of Arts: Melbourne Global Language Scholarships $1500-$7000 Language students
Faculty of Arts: Exchange Enabling Scholarships Up to $5000 Faculty of Arts students

External scholarships

Many organisations outside the University of Melbourne can assist students to study overseas. Visit your host institution's website to find scholarships available to exchange and non-partner students.

High-profile scholarships

There are a number of prestigious scholarship programs available if you are interested in taking an ambassador role on behalf of the University. If you're awarded one of these scholarships, you'll be called on for promotional and reflective activities when required.

  • New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarships

    Applications for the 2021 round of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program have now closed.

    The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative by the Australian Government to provide opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to undertake study, internships or mentorships in one of 40 participating Indo-Pacific locations.

    The NCP Scholarship Program provides Australian undergraduates with comprehensive scholarships to live, work and study in one of these locations.

    Each Australian University can nominate 10 students per year to the Australian Government to receive an NCP Scholarship. Up to 120 scholarships are expected to be awarded across Australia each year.

    The scholarship aims to support Australian students to:

    • Develop an understanding of our neighbouring Indo-Pacific region
    • Become more work ready by enhancing regional experience
    • Expand their breath of education, career and professional development.

    To be eligible to apply, you must be:

    • An Australian citizen
    • Enrolled in a Bachelor or Bachelors (Honours) degree at the University of Melbourne
    • Undertaking overseas study in one of the 40 approved locations, where you do not hold dual citizenship or permanent residency; nor have you previously been a citizen or permanent resident
    • Aged between 18 and 28 (inclusive) on 1 January of the year you intend to go overseas
    • Have a WAM of at least 70% (including results from Semester 1, at the time of application).

    If you wish to apply, you need to submit:

    Please note that details for the 2022 round of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship have not yet been released by DFAT.

    All submitted applications will go through a University of Melbourne selection process. Students selected for nomination to the Australian Government will be required to go through a formal selection process with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in August every year.

    For more information, visit the NCP Scholarship Program website.

  • New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grants

    The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative by the Australian Government to provide opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to undertake study, internships or mentorships in one of 40 participating Indo-Pacific locations.

    The NCP Mobility Grants are awarded to students studying at particular Indo-Pacific institutions, and range from $3,000-$7,000 in value.

    If you apply and are selected for one of the following NCP Mobility Grants, you will represent the University as an ambassador of the overseas study experience, and will be called upon for promotional and reflective activities when required.

    For more information or to apply, contact https://ask.unimelb.edu.au/app/ask.

    NCP Mobility Grants for semester programs

    Destination Host institution(s) Study period(s) Eligible programs Award (AUD) Grants available
    China Tongji University
    Architecture, Building and Planning students only    		 Semester 2, 2021 Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning $7000 4
    China Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Fudan University
    Peking University
    Tsinghua University     		Semester 2, 2021 Semester study in Beijing and Shanghai (all disciplines) $5000 27
    Hong Kong SAR The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    University of Hong Kong     		Semester 2, 2021 Semester study in Hong Kong (all disciplines) $7000 7
    Singapore Nanyang Technological University
    National University of Singapore
    Singapore Management University     		Semester 2, 2021 Semester study in Singapore (all disciplines) $7000 16
    South Korea Seoul National University
    Korea University
    Sungkyunkwan University
    KAIST University
    Pohang University            		Semester 2, 2021 Semester study in Seoul (all disciplines) $7000 32
    JapanTohoku University
    Hokkaido University
    Doshisha University
    Gakushuin Women’s College
    Hitotsubashi University
    Keio University
    Kyoto University
    Ritsumeikan University
    Sophia University
    Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
    University of Tokyo
    Waseda University    		Semester 2, 2021Semester study in Japan (all disciplines)$700045
    TaiwanNational Taiwan UniversitySemester 2, 2021Semester study in Taiwan (all disciplines)$700010

    NCP Mobility Grants for short-term programs

    Country Host institution(s) Study period(s) Eligible programs Award (AUD) Grants available
    Short-term programs are offered in either Summer (December to February) or Winter (June to July) breaks at a host university. Please check Winter school 2021 program updates and availability in March 2021.
    Hong Kong SAR Hong Kong University
    Chinese University of Hong Kong     		  All short-term programs available at this host institution. $3000 13
    ChinaFudan University
    Peking University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Zhejiang University    		 All short-term programs available at this host institution.$300025
    South Korea Korea University   All short-term programs available at this host institution. $3000 24
    South Korea KAIST
    Korea University
    Seoul National University
    Sungkyunkwan University
    Hanyang University     		  All short-term programs available at this host institution. $3000 13
    Japan Waseda University
    Sophia University     		  All short-term programs available at this host institution. $3000 15
    MalaysiaThe Global Student Short-term study (all disciplines)$30006
    SingaporeNanyang Technological University
    National University of Singapore
    Singapore Management University    		 Short-term study (all disciplines)$300030

    NCP Mobility Grants for University of Melbourne Overseas Subjects (UMOS)

    The University has updated its current travel advice to all students due to COVID-19. Overseas study will be not be possible for Semester 1, 2021 as student travel has been suspended until 30 June 2021. Read the latest travel advice or find out more about completing exchange in Semester 2, 2021. Please check with the Faculty for program updates and availability  in 2021.

    CountryUMOS Study period(s)Department Award (AUD) Grants available
    Cook Islands Where the Story Begins: Rarotonga 2021 Study Tour Offered by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music $2800 20
    India Humanitarian Design Internship  Offered by the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning $3000 10
    IndiaTATA Consultancy internship Offered by the Faculty of Science$30004
    IndiaBusiness and Economics in the Context of Developing Nations Offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics$300026
    IndonesiaAnalysing Indonesia Offered by the Faculty of Arts$19257
    ThailandGlobal Management Consulting in Bangkok Offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics$13004
    JapanVariation in the Japanese Language Offered by the Faculty of Arts$300012
    Cambodia, India and IndonesiaCommunity Volunteering Offered by the Faculty of Arts$300066
    TaiwanFirst Nations in Dialogue Offered by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music$300012
    KoreaKorean Politics and Society Offered by the Faculty of Arts$300015
  • Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship

    2022 applications are now open for Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarships.

    Valued at $12,250 each for study at one of Asia’s leading universities, the Westpac Exchange Scholarship is designed to support your development as an Asia-capable leader whilst giving you the flexibility to create an authentic cultural experience. It supports Australian or permanent resident undergraduates with an interest in Asia to spend up to two semesters studying overseas (starting in Semester 2) at one of our exchange partners in the following countries:

    • China
    • Hong Kong
    • Japan
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan

    Westpac Scholars start with a one-week residential program to help prepare you and build connections to make the most of your exchange (travel permitting). You’ll also get opportunities to engage with Australia-Asia leaders to expand your thinking and global networks.

    Westpac will be awarding up to 35 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarships in Semester 2, 2022. Applications are open until 5pm AEDT, 29 November 2021. Visit the brochure page and the  Westpac Scholars Trust website for more information.