The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 funds international PhD and research master's students with an AUD 44,293 yearly stipend, full tuition for up to 14 research periods (PhD), and student health cover. The next international deadline is 18 December 2026, for Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027. You must apply for admission and the scholarship together.
18 December 2026 for international applicants starting in Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027. The official page does not publish a closing time or time zone, so submit early.
This guide covers research degrees only. If you want a coursework master's or bachelor's degree at Sydney, read the separate Sydney International Student Award guide, which is a different award with its own rules.
Quick Facts: University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027
The table below gives the facts most applicants search for first. Every row comes from the University of Sydney pages I read on November 1, 2026, listed in the sources box at the end. Check the deadline row first, because the earlier round has already closed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships and equivalent University of Sydney scholarships (official page) |
| Levels | PhD, Master of Philosophy and other higher degrees by research |
| Funding | Stipend, 100% tuition fee offset, Overseas Student Health Cover for the student, relocation and thesis allowances |
| Stipend (2027 rate) | AUD 44,293 per year |
| Deadline | 18 December 2026 for Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027 (closing time and time zone not published) |
| Status | Open for the Research Period 3 and 4 round; the 11 September 2026 round has closed |
| Country | Australia (University of Sydney) |
| Outcomes | Issued from 26 February 2027 |
Numbers at a Glance
Six figures explain most of the scheme: what you receive, how long you receive it, and which limits can end it. All six come from the international RTP page or the linked terms and conditions. Together they set what you can plan on and what can end the award.
AUD 44,293
Per year at the 2027 rate, up from AUD 42,754 in 2026.
14 periods
Maximum tuition cover for a research doctorate. Research master's: 7.
AUD 1,485
Maximum per claim, with two claims allowed.
AUD 840
Maximum thesis allowance for doctoral candidates. Master's: AUD 420.
5 years
Window for counting scholarly publications as research experience.
75%
Other awards or research-related salary must stay below this share of the scholarship.
- Quick Facts
- Numbers at a Glance
- What the Sydney RTP Scholarship Is
- The Four Linked Awards
- Admission and Scholarship in One Process
- Who Can Apply
- Degrees That Qualify
- Eligibility Decision Table
- International Applicant Guidance
- What the Scholarship Covers
- The Stipend
- Tuition and Health Cover
- Relocation and Thesis Allowances
- Costs You Still Pay
- Deadlines and Outcome Dates
- Time Zone Check
- Which Round Is Which
- Required Documents
- How to Apply Step by Step
- How Sydney Selects Recipients
- Research Experience Rules
- Converting an Overseas Degree
- What You Can Control Before the Deadline
- For Pakistani Applicants
- For U.S. Applicants
- Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- After You Receive an Offer
- Verification Note
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
What the Sydney RTP Scholarship Is
The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government scheme, and the University of Sydney uses it to fund research degrees. For international students the university pairs RTP awards with equivalent University scholarships. Selected students receive a stipend, tuition cover and health cover.
The scheme supports only research degrees: a master's by research or a research doctorate. The University of Sydney RTP scholarship 2027 is competitive and merit-based, so treat it as something you apply for and may not receive.
The Four Linked Awards
The international page lists four awards in two pairs. Each stipend award comes with a matching tuition award, so a successful applicant normally receives money for living costs and fees together.
Awards on the international RTP page
| Award | Benefit | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| RTP Stipend Scholarship | AUD 44,293 a year (2027 rate), relocation and thesis allowance | Competitively awarded; open to domestic and international students |
| RTP Fee Offset | 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods, plus Overseas Student Health Cover | Awarded automatically with an RTP Stipend |
| University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS) | AUD 44,293 a year (2027 rate), relocation and thesis allowance | Competitively awarded to international students |
| University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship | 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods | Awarded automatically with a USYDIS |
The official how-to page describes one application route for both the RTP and the equivalent University scholarships. You do not file separate forms for each award, and the pages I read do not say how the university decides which stipend award you receive.
Admission and Scholarship in One Process
You cannot apply for this scholarship on its own. Sydney assesses scholarship applications together with your higher degree by research admission application, and its FAQ says a scholarship request without an admission application is not possible. Submit both by the same deadline.
Admission application versus scholarship form
| Item | Admission application | Scholarship form |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Sydney Courses | Official RTP form |
| Needs | Complete documents for your research degree | Your Student ID (or the same email you used for admission) |
| Deadline | The round deadline | The same round deadline |
| Result | Admission offer | Scholarship outcome, from 26 February 2027 for this round |
The Student ID is issued after you submit the admission application, so the order matters: admission first, scholarship form second. If you are already enrolled in a research degree at Sydney, you only submit the form.
Who Can Apply
You can apply if you are a commencing or enrolled higher degree by research student and you are international at the time of award. Sydney also expects a strong academic record and research background. Meeting these basics earns you consideration, not an award, because selection is ranked.
You must have "an outstanding record of academic achievement and previous research experience."
Current students can apply too. The FAQ confirms you may submit a scholarship application after you commence, and it will be assessed on the published timeline.
Degrees That Qualify
Research degrees qualify: the PhD, the Master of Philosophy and other higher degrees by research. Coursework master's degrees do not. Tenure is up to 14 research periods for a research doctorate and up to 7 for a research master's, minus any study you completed before the award starts.
The scholarship pages I read do not list eligible subjects. Instead, the terms say selection considers whether a high-quality research environment and supervision are available. In practice, your subject matters through the supervisor and faculty who can host you.
Eligibility Decision Table
Use this table to screen yourself before you invest weeks in a file. It reflects published rules and preferences, not a prediction, because the Scholarships Office says it cannot pre-assess an application. The only way to learn your result is to submit on time.
Who qualifies and who does not
| Your situation | Can you apply? | What the official pages say |
|---|---|---|
| New international PhD applicant | Yes | First-time PhD applicants receive first priority |
| MPhil or research master's applicant | Yes | Any higher degree by research qualifies; tenure is up to 7 research periods |
| Coursework master's applicant | No | Scholarships are only for research master's or research doctorate degrees |
| Scholarship without an admission application | No | Applications are assessed together with admission |
| Applying because of financial need | Not a basis | Awards depend on merit and research potential only |
| Finished a research master's, starting a PhD | Yes | A past scholarship for a completed master's does not bar you |
| Part-time study | Considered | The award is full-time; part-time needs special circumstances and visa permission |
| Holding a scholarship at another Australian university | Reapply | The scholarship does not transfer with you |
| Applied for Australian permanent residency | Yes | The award is adjusted to match your residency status |
The scholarships are "awarded on academic merit and research potential only."
Source: University of Sydney RTP FAQs
International Applicant Guidance
International status is judged at the time of award. The RTP stipend and fee offset both require it, and Sydney runs a separate domestic round with different dates. I found no nationality list or country quota on the international RTP page or its terms, so eligibility turns on status, not passport.
That differs from the coursework award on this site, which limits eligibility to listed citizenships. Do not carry rules across: the Sydney International Student Award has a country list, and this scheme does not appear to.
If your status changes, read the terms closely. The FAQ says an award is adjusted to match your residency status if you apply for permanent residency. The fee offset terms list a change to domestic status as a reason for termination, while another clause lets permanent residents continue with the scholarship. Those two statements are hard to reconcile, so email the Scholarships Office before you rely on either.
What the Scholarship Covers
Selected international recipients receive a stipend of AUD 44,293 a year at the 2027 rate, 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods, and Overseas Student Health Cover for themselves. Relocation and thesis allowances add smaller amounts. I classify this as fully funded for the student, with the limits listed below.
The Stipend
The 2027 stipend is AUD 44,293 a year, up from AUD 42,754 in 2026. That is an increase of AUD 1,539, about 3.6 percent. The university indexes the rate each 1 January, and it pays the stipend fortnightly into an Australian bank account.
As a rough planning figure, 26 equal payments would be about AUD 1,704 a fortnight. That is my own division, not an official amount, and it ignores any tax. The pages I read do not explain tax on a full-time stipend, so ask a registered tax agent. The terms warn that a part-time scholarship may have tax implications.
Tuition and Health Cover
The fee offset pays 100% of tuition fees set by the University of Sydney, for up to 14 research periods for a doctorate or 7 for a research master's. It also buys a standard single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy for you, organized by the university, for up to 57 months for a PhD or 33 months for a master's.
Three limits apply. OSHC does not cover dependants. OSHC you bought yourself is not reimbursed, and students who already started a degree at Sydney or another university before enrolling are not entitled to it. The terms also say the visa application fee is waived only at the time you apply, and fees you already paid are not refunded. Those terms were last updated in September 2024, so confirm them on the official fee offset terms.
Relocation and Thesis Allowances
Both stipend awards include a relocation allowance and a thesis allowance. Relocation pays up to AUD 1,485 per claim, in two claims: one at the start of your degree and one at the end. The thesis allowance pays up to AUD 840 for doctoral candidates and AUD 420 for master's candidates.
- Relocation covers economy airfare by the most direct route and moving, shipping, excess baggage and temporary storage. It does not cover accommodation or meals.
- You need final receipts or invoices, and you must claim within six months of your scholarship start date or degree completion.
- You are not eligible if you are already in Australia and had commenced your degree, or if you become a permanent resident before you claim the return trip.
- Thesis claims go to the research administration centre within one year of thesis submission, and printing costs are not eligible.
The terms also give 20 working days of recreation leave and 10 days of sick leave each year, and paid parental leave of up to twelve weeks after twelve months, subject to visa conditions.
Costs You Still Pay
The award covers the student, not the household, and it reimburses relocation costs instead of paying them in advance. Dependants' health cover, flights above the cap and the cash you front before your first stipend payment all fall to you. Plan for these before you accept.
Illustrative calculation (assumptions stated)
Assume you spend AUD 2,000 on an economy flight and shipping at the start of your degree. The allowance reimburses at most AUD 1,485 per claim, so you would carry AUD 515 yourself and wait for the reimbursement. Over both claims the most you can recover is AUD 2,970. Your own figures will differ, so use real quotes.
The other limit is income. The terms allow other awards, scholarships or salary only if they provide a benefit below 75 percent of the scholarship, and salary for work unrelated to your research is not counted. If that limit were measured against the stipend alone, 75 percent of AUD 44,293 is about AUD 33,220. The terms do not state the base, so confirm it, and check your visa work conditions separately.
University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 Deadlines and Outcome Dates
International applicants who want the scholarship for Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027 must submit by 18 December 2026. Outcomes are issued from 26 February 2027 and finalized on 18 May 2027 for off-shore applicants. The official page publishes no closing time or time zone.
Official application and award timeline
| Commencing research period | Submission deadline | Outcomes issued from | Outcomes finalized |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Periods 1 and 2, 2027 | 11 September 2026 (closed) | 10 November 2026 | 17 December 2026 |
| Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027 | 18 December 2026 | 26 February 2027 | Off-shore: 18 May 2027. On-shore: 30 June 2027 |
| Research Periods 1 and 2, 2028 | 10 September 2027 | 16 November 2027 | 20 December 2027 |
| Research Periods 3 and 4, 2028 | Mid-December 2027 (estimate) | Mid-February 2028 | Mid-March 2028 |
On-shore means applicants completing a degree in Australia. The last row is the university's own estimate, so do not plan around it. Add your date to the scholarship deadline tracker to get a reminder.
Time Zone Check
The university gives a date but no clock time or zone. Sydney is on daylight saving time in December (UTC+11), so a late-night close in Sydney falls earlier in the day elsewhere. The table assumes a close at 11:59 PM Sydney time as a planning example only.
Assumed close of 18 December 2026, 11:59 PM Sydney time
| Place | Local time on 18 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sydney (UTC+11) | 11:59 PM |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 5:59 PM |
| UK (GMT) | 12:59 PM |
| US Eastern (EST) | 7:59 AM |
| US Pacific (PST) | 4:59 AM |
This is not an official time. Aim to submit by 17 December and keep your confirmation emails.
Which Round Is Which
Two rounds are easy to confuse. The 11 September 2026 round covered Research Periods 1 and 2, 2027, and it has closed. The 18 December 2026 round covers Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027. Check which research period your admission offer targets before you assume a date.
Some third-party pages list 10 November 2026 as a deadline. On the official table that date is when outcomes for the earlier round begin to be issued, not a submission date. Also note that 18 December 2026 is the postgraduate coursework closing date for a different award, covered in the Sydney International Student Award guide. Same date, different scheme.
If you miss the date, a late application is not discarded. Sydney says you are considered in the next round if you are currently enrolled, or if you asked to defer your admission to a relevant research period by that round's deadline. The next listed round after this one closes on 10 September 2027.
Required Documents
Two sets of documents matter: the admission file and the scholarship form. New applicants submit a complete admission application and then give their Student ID. Current students attach transcripts and grading information to the form. Research evidence is optional for everyone but can lift your ranking.
Document checklist
| Document | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complete admission application | New students | Submit by the round deadline through Sydney Courses |
| Student ID, or your admission email | New students | The ID is issued after you submit admission |
| Official transcripts and qualifications | Current students (scholarship form); new students (admission file) | Show your name and marks; combine into one PDF for the form |
| Grading system information | All | Usually on the reverse of a transcript |
| Official English translation | If your transcript is not in English | Include it in the same PDF |
| Research Experience form | Optional | Use the university template, not free text |
| Research proposal, CV, English evidence | Admission file | Faculty requirements vary, so check your course page |
The postgraduate research page says you finalize a proposal of up to 2,000 words with your supervisor. English proof depends on the course, your country and your education, so test your score with the IELTS band score calculator and then read your course page.
How to Apply Step by Step
Apply in this order: choose a course, secure a supervisor, submit the admission file, then submit the scholarship form before 18 December 2026. The order matters because the form needs the Student ID that admission produces. Follow the six steps below.
Check faculty requirements, English rules and supervisor expectations on Sydney Courses.
The university says the proposal should show why the research matters and how it fits your supervisor's work.
Upload every required document through Sydney Courses by the deadline.
If it has not arrived, use the same email address on the scholarship form.
Use the official form and attach the Research Experience form if you have evidence.
Results go by email from 26 February 2027 and are not released early.
How Sydney Selects Recipients
Selection rests on academic merit and research experience. The Scholarships Office assesses applications, faculties review them and an Academic Board sub-committee decides how many offers to make. The terms add availability of a research environment and supervision as criteria. First-time PhD applicants are considered first.
"Applicants who are undertaking their first PhD degree will be the first priority"
What the university assesses, when applicable
| Factor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate WAM | Average mark across your units, weighted by credit value |
| First class honours (H1) | Your honours mark, or an equivalent qualification |
| Research master's | A completed Master of Philosophy or equivalent by thesis |
| Institution ranking | World rankings of the awarding institution (ARWU, THE, QS) |
| Research experience | Publications, creative outputs or professional research experience |
The pages I read do not publish weights for these factors, so no one can tell you your exact score in advance.
Research Experience Rules
Research experience is optional but scored. Sydney counts original, peer-reviewed publications from the last five years, qualifying creative outputs, and at least 1.5 years of relevant research or professional experience after graduation, backed by an employer letter. You must submit it on the official form to be considered.
- Counts: journal articles in ISI, Scopus (verified as refereed) or ERA lists, book chapters, qualifying conference papers and granted patents. Accepted but unpublished work counts with publisher confirmation.
- Does not count: submitted or under-review papers, work older than five years, literature reviews, case studies, newspaper pieces and prizes.
- Timing: if a paper is accepted after you apply, you must resubmit your application. A resubmission after the deadline waits for the next round.
Converting an Overseas Degree
If you do not hold an Australian first class honours degree, Sydney can rank you with an honours-equivalent (H1E) mark. A completed research master's by thesis is scored at 85 unless your thesis mark is higher. A coursework master's can qualify with an average of at least 80 and a research component.
For a coursework master's, the research component must be a dissertation or major report worth at least 12 credit points (where 48 equals one year full time), or a treatise of 25,000 words or more, or a component the faculty verifies as demanding. Overseas qualifications may also be treated as equivalent to honours. Marks are scaled if your pass mark is not 50 or your first class cutoff is not 80.
If numeric marks are unavailable, the university enters fixed values: 57 for Pass, 69.5 for Credit, 78.33 for Distinction and 85 for High Distinction. Always supply real numbers and your grading scale where you can.
What You Can Control Before the Deadline
For the University of Sydney RTP scholarship 2027 you cannot see your ranking, but you control five inputs: a complete admission file, numeric marks with the grading scale, a correctly formatted research experience form, a supervisor and proposal that fit, and an on-time submission. A missed upload can push you to the 10 September 2027 round.
- Submit admission first so your Student ID exists before you file the scholarship form.
- Combine transcripts, grading scales and translations into one PDF, as the FAQ asks.
- Complete the Research Experience form only with items that meet the five-year and indexing rules above.
- Apply for a PhD if you can, since first-time PhD applicants get first priority.
- Do not wait for results to prepare an alternative. Sydney's scholarship search lists other awards for unsuccessful applicants.
For Pakistani Applicants
The official RTP pages I read contain no Pakistan-specific rule, so Pakistani applicants follow the international process. The practical issue is converting your degrees into marks Sydney can rank. Pakistan-specific mark conversions and attestation steps are not officially confirmed on these pages, so ask the university before assuming.
Many Pakistani transcripts show a CGPA, not percentage marks. The university asks for numerical marks wherever possible and for your grading scale. Use the CGPA calculator to know your own figure, then supply the official marks your university records, not an online conversion.
If you completed a research-based MPhil or MS with a thesis, it may fit the "master's by research" route scored at 85, but the faculty decides. If you completed a coursework MS, check the 80 average and research component rules above. The ranking of your awarding institution is also a listed factor, though the weight is not published. In the evening of 18 December Sydney time, Pakistan is already in the afternoon, so convert deadlines using the time zone table.
For U.S. Applicants
U.S. applicants follow the same international process, but their transcripts raise a specific issue: grades often appear as letters and GPA, not marks. The university asks for numerical marks where possible and a grading scale, and it uses fixed fallback values when marks are not available.
Provide your institution's grading scale and any numerical course marks your school records. If your record shows only letters, the fallback values apply: 57 for Pass, 69.5 for Credit, 78.33 for Distinction and 85 for High Distinction. How a U.S. letter maps onto those grades is the university's decision, so I cannot confirm it. Ask the Scholarships Office if your GPA scale is unusual.
A U.S. bachelor's degree without honours can still compete through the H1E routes, such as a completed research master's by thesis or a coursework master's with an average of at least 80 and a research component. Compare coursework-degree funding in the UWA Global Excellence Scholarship guide if you also want another Australian option.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Most failures come from misreading the process, not from weak profiles. The usual errors are applying for scholarship without admission, confusing the two rounds, uploading marks without a grading scale, and assuming a late file is dead. Each is avoidable with the steps above.
- Assuming it is a coursework award. It is only for research degrees.
- Using the wrong date. 11 September has passed, and 10 November is an outcomes date for the earlier round.
- Submitting unpublished work as publications. Submitted or under-review papers do not count.
- Believing a scholarship transfers. It does not move with you between universities.
- Expecting dependants to be covered. OSHC covers the student only.
- Expecting feedback on a rejection. The university gives notification, not detailed ranking feedback.
After You Receive an Offer
A successful University of Sydney RTP scholarship 2027 applicant receives the offer by email with acceptance instructions. Payments start from your scholarship start date, fortnightly into an Australian bank account. You can defer only within the same calendar year as the offer, and a conditional admission offer needs the documents named in your correspondence.
Waitlisted applicants are reconsidered as more scholarships become available, and the final decision usually comes in the next outcome round. Unsuccessful applicants can search other Sydney research scholarships.
Conditions to Keep the Award
The scholarship can end if you break its terms. Read the full documents, and keep these points in mind.
Holders "are expected to enrol in a full-time postgraduate research degree."
The scholarships are "not transferrable to another university."
- Extensions are not possible, and study already completed is deducted from your maximum tenure.
- Tell your supervisor and the research administration office within 10 business days of any planned enrolment change.
- The scholarship ends on thesis submission, withdrawal, failure to enrol, or unsatisfactory progress after an enquiry.
- Any paper about your project must carry the Australian Government RTP acknowledgement statement.
Verification Note
Checked on November 1, 2026. I read the University of Sydney international RTP page (page metadata shows it was modified on 22 September 2026), the RTP overview, the FAQ page (modified 16 October 2026), the HDR selection process PDF, and the stipend and fee offset terms. I compared them against each other and against the postgraduate research application page. I did not apply to the scheme, contact the university or test the form.
Where sources differ. The stipend terms PDF shows the 2026 rate (AUD 42,754), while the international page shows the 2027 rate (AUD 44,293). I used the page as the controlling source. Third-party sites list other dates, such as 10 November 2026; the official timeline controls. No closing time or time zone is published, and the fee offset terms were last updated in September 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Sydney RTP scholarship fully funded for international students?
It covers the student's tuition, health cover and a living stipend, so it is close to fully funded for one person. The 2027 stipend is AUD 44,293 a year, and tuition is covered for up to 14 research periods for a PhD. Dependants' health cover, flights above the allowance cap and early living costs are not covered.
What is the deadline for the University of Sydney RTP scholarship 2027?
International applicants who want to start in Research Period 3 or 4 of 2027 must submit their admission application and scholarship form by 18 December 2026. The 11 September 2026 round for Research Periods 1 and 2 has passed. The official page does not publish a closing time or time zone, so submit early.
Can I apply for the scholarship without applying for admission?
No. Sydney assesses scholarship applications together with your higher degree by research admission application. Submit a complete admission application first, note the Student ID the university issues, then submit the scholarship form by the same deadline. Current students already enrolled can apply with the form alone.
Does the scholarship cover a master's degree?
Only research master's degrees qualify, including the Master of Philosophy. Coursework master's degrees are not eligible. Tenure is up to 7 research periods for a research master's and up to 14 for a research doctorate, minus any study already completed towards the degree before the award begins.
Do I need publications to get the scholarship?
No. Research experience is optional, but it can strengthen your ranking. Qualifying publications must be original, peer-reviewed and published or accepted within the last five years, and you must submit them on the university's Research Experience form. Professional research experience of at least 1.5 years needs an employer letter.
Can I work or hold another scholarship while receiving the RTP stipend?
You can receive another award, scholarship or salary only if its benefit is below 75 percent of the RTP scholarship, or the scholarship will be terminated. Salary for work unrelated to your research is not subject to that limit. The tuition fee offset cannot be combined with another scholarship that supports tuition fees. Check your visa conditions too.
What happens if I miss the 18 December 2026 deadline?
A late application is not discarded outright. Sydney says you will be considered in the next round if you are currently enrolled, or if you asked to defer your admission to a relevant research period by the deadline for that round. The next round listed after 18 December 2026 closes on 10 September 2027.
Can I defer the scholarship or transfer it to another university?
You can defer to a later research period, but only within the same calendar year in which the scholarship was offered, and your admission offer must also be approved for deferral in that year. The scholarship is not transferable. If you move from another Australian university, you must apply through Sydney's own process.
Official Sources
- RTP scholarships: International
- RTP and equivalent University scholarships overview
- RTP frequently asked questions
- HDR scholarship selection process (PDF)
- RTP Stipend (International) terms (PDF)
- RTP Fee Offset (International) terms (PDF)
- Postgraduate research: how to apply
- Official RTP scholarship form
Your next step before 18 December 2026
To pursue the University of Sydney RTP scholarship 2027, confirm your course page, finalize your proposal with a supervisor, then submit admission and the RTP form together.
Open the Official RTP Page Open the RTP Form
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