Organizer Information
Monash University, located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is a premier research-intensive institution and a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight (Go8). Recognized globally for academic excellence and innovation, Monash offers a dynamic interdisciplinary learning environment across multiple campuses, including Clayton, Caulfield, and Parkville. Through its Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) and Faculty of Arts, Monash nurtures international talent in visual culture, fine art, media studies, curatorial practice, and creative industries, backed by world-class exhibition spaces like the Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA).
Key Information
- Official Program Title: Monash University International Scholarships (Monash International Leadership Scholarship & Monash International Merit Scholarship)
- Program Type: Fellowship / Grant / Scholarship (Undergraduate & Postgraduate Coursework)
- Institution Name: Monash University
- Country / City: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Academic Field: Fine Art, Art History & Curating, Media & Communication, Film & Screen Studies, Design, Cultural Studies, Architecture, and Humanities
- Language of Degree: English
- Number of Open Study Places: Selective cohort allocations (up to 4 Leadership Scholarships and 31 Merit Scholarships awarded annually; max. 24 new students per faculty award intake)
- Application Period: Multiple intake rounds across the year for Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July) entry
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A (Evaluated via academic records and written ambassadorial statements)
- Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Rolling notifications aligned with major offer rounds (typically 4–6 weeks following round deadlines)
- Application Deadline: Multiple annual deadlines (Major rounds close in late March, June, October, and November depending on intake semester)
- Start of Studies Date: Semester 1 (Late February / March) or Semester 2 (July)
- Tuition: Approx. AUD $35,000 – $48,000 per year (varies by program level and faculty stream)
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Accepted Academic Backgrounds: High school graduates holding recognized international secondary credentials (for undergraduate entry) or accredited bachelor's degree holders (for postgraduate entry) across arts, design, humanities, media, and social sciences.
- Preferred Disciplines: Fine Art, Architectural Design, Art History and Curating, Media Communication, Film & Screen Studies, Cultural Studies, Journalism, Design, and Interdisciplinary Creative Arts.
- Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Interdisciplinary applicants are encouraged. Dual-degree and cross-disciplinary studies across Arts, Design, Business, or IT are fully eligible.
- Portfolio Relevance: Required for practice-based studio programs (Fine Art, Design, Architecture) to satisfy faculty entry requirements and strengthen scholarship assessment.
General Eligibility
- Who Can Apply?: Full-time international students (holding non-Australian citizenship/permanent residency) planning to study on-campus in Australia.
- Age Restrictions: None.
- Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Primary assessment is academic merit-based (GPA/grades), supplemented by creative/professional achievements for portfolio-based programs.
- Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: Applicants applying for studio/creative disciplines must meet standard faculty portfolio benchmarks in addition to academic requirements.
Educational Background
- Required Minimum Degree:
- Undergraduate Entry: Recognized high school diploma, IB Diploma, A-Levels, or equivalent entry qualification.
- Postgraduate Entry: Bachelor’s degree (BA, BFA, or equivalent) from an accredited international institution.
- Accepted Fields of Study: Open to all academic disciplines.
- Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Evaluated on a case-by-case basis by specific faculties (e.g., MADA) for postgraduate entry.
- Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Australian Year 12 completed within Australia, Monash Pathway program graduates (e.g., Monash College diploma/foundation), and students transferring from another Australian university or Monash campus. (Also excludes Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine and MBA programs).
Language Proficiency Requirement
- Required Language(s): English.
- Minimum Test Scores:
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5 (with no individual sub-band below 6.0).
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum total score of 79 (Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18, Writing 21).
- PTE Academic: Minimum overall score of 58.
- Waiver Conditions: Applicants who completed senior secondary or tertiary studies instructed entirely in English in a recognized country may receive language test waivers.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality Restrictions: International students only (Australian/New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents are ineligible).
- Work or Research Experience Requirements: Prior creative output, research experience, or community leadership enhances the mandatory application statement.
- Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Applicants must submit a 500-word Scholarship Application Statement demonstrating academic goals, leadership potential, and commitment to serving as a Monash Ambassador.
- Visa or Institutional Constraints: Recipients must secure an Australian Subclass 500 Student Visa and maintain full-time enrollment status in Australia.
Tuition
| Category | Amount / Details (AUD) |
| Annual Tuition Fee | ~$35,000 – $48,000 AUD per year (varies by faculty and program level) |
| Domestic vs International Fees | Full international tuition rates apply to international visa holders |
| Additional Mandatory Costs | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), student services & amenities fees (SSAF), textbooks, studio materials, and living expenses |
| Scholarship Financial Coverage | Leadership Scholarship: Covers 100% full course tuition. Merit Scholarship: AUD $10,000 per year (up to AUD $50,000 total). |
Funding & Financial Support
- Scholarships (Full / Partial):
- Monash International Leadership Scholarship:100% full tuition fee coverage for the duration of the degree.
- Monash International Merit Scholarship:AUD $10,000 per year (awarded across 48 credit points of study per year, up to $50,000 maximum).
- Grants / Stipends: Faculty specific travel and production grants available during advanced study years.
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Available for qualified postgraduate coursework and research students within respective academic departments.
- Studio / Production Funding: Access to high-end digital labs, media suites, printmaking workshops, and gallery spaces included in tuition.
- Living Cost Support: Scholarship recipients maintain eligibility to apply for external living stipends; leadership cohorts receive automatic entry into the Monash Minds leadership development program.
University Services & Academic Support
- Studio / Lab Access: 24/7 access to MADA studio spaces, fabrication shops, media editing bays, sound suites, and architectural workshops.
- Research Supervision: Academic mentoring and supervision from leading international scholars, curators, and practicing visual artists.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to the Monash Minds leadership program for first-year students and enrollment in the Global Ambassadors Program.
- Career Services: Dedicated career counseling, industry networking events, internship placements, and employment support via Monash Career Connect.
- Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Opportunity to curate and display work through the Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA), faculty galleries, and graduate showcase events.
- Library / Archive Access: Full access to Monash University Library network, digital archives, and special art/design collections.
- International Student Support Services: On-boarding support, visa assistance, academic English writing support, and dedicated international student advisors.
Application Requirements
- Unconditional Full Course Offer: Must hold an active, full offer of admission for an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate program at Monash University.
- Scholarship Application Form: Submitted online via the Monash Scholarship portal.
- 500-Word Application Statement: Highlighting academic performance, motivation, career ambitions, and potential as a Monash University Global Ambassador.
- Academic Transcripts: Complete high school or university transcripts demonstrating high academic achievement (typically minimum GPA equivalent to 85%+ or WAM 70%+).
- Proof of English Proficiency: Official IELTS/TOEFL/PTE score reports.
- Art/Design Portfolio: Required for specialized programs in Fine Art, Design, and Architecture.
How to Apply?
- Apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree at Monash University via the official admissions portal or an authorized agent.
- Upon receiving a full offer of admission, complete the separate online scholarship application form on the Monash University Scholarships Portal.
- Submit the required 500-word ambassadorial statement and student ID details before the applicable round deadline.
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Deadlines (Multiple Annual Rounds):
- Round 1 (Semester 1 entry): Mid-October
- Round 2 (Semester 1 entry): Late November
- Round 3 (Semester 2 entry): Mid-March
- Round 4 (Semester 2 entry): Late June
- Notification Date: 4–6 weeks after the closing date of each application round.
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A.
- Start of Studies Date: Semester 1 (February/March) or Semester 2 (July).
Location
In-Person: Monash University Campuses (Clayton, Caulfield, Parkville), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Additional Details
Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% in each semester to maintain funding. Scholarship holders are also expected to participate in up to three marketing or promotional activities per year as Monash Global Ambassadors.