The University of Melbourne is pleased to offer 2 Human Rights Scholarships* (HRSs) each year. These scholarships provide support for both international and local students who will be undertaking postgraduate studies in the human rights field and who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
1. Benefits
- Living allowance of $22,000 per annum (2007 rate) for those students enrolled full-time in a research higher degree. Students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework degree will be paid pro-rata based on the number of points undertaken each semester
- Relocation Grant of $2,500 to eligible recipients who are moving from interstate or overseas in order to study at the University of Melbourne. HRS recipients may also be eligible to claim (upon application and presentation of receipts) a Relocation Allowance for specific relocation expenses
- Thesis Allowance of up to $420 (2007 rate) for masters by research and up to $840 (2007 rate) for PhD and other doctorate by research candidates.
Please note that the HRS does not cover course/tuition or HECS fees for local or international coursework programs or international research higher degree course fees.
Local research higher degree HRS recipients are not usually charged course fees as they are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. RTS places exempt students from the Higher Education Contribution (HECS) Scheme. Time limits and other conditions apply to RTS places. For further information please contact the School of Graduate Studies (PhD, MSc, MIS and MOptom students) or your faculty office (all other students).
2. Eligibility criteria
2.1 Applicants for the HRS must be able to demonstrate that their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights extends beyond their academic studies (such as voluntary and/or work experience).
2.2 A high H2A (ie 78-79% and above) is the minimum grade average usually required to be competitive for an HRS. 2.3 Applicants must be planning to commence or be currently enrolled in a postgraduate diploma*, masters by coursework, doctorate by coursework or research higher degree in the human rights field at the University of Melbourne.
*HRSs cannot be awarded to support studies toward a graduate diploma or postgraduate certificate. 2.4 International students must have an unconditional course offer at the University of Melbourne for the course for which they seek the support of a HRS. See section 5 below for local and international HRS application procedures.
2.5 Applicants seeking a HRS to undertake a:
- coursework program (eg postgraduate diploma, masters by coursework) must meet the normal academic requirements for the course. Please provide the relevant page from your faculty handbook that outlines the minimum entry requirements for the course for which you are seeking a HRS (this is only required from applicants who have not yet commenced the course for which an HRS is sought).
- research higher degree must normally meet the academic requirements that apply to the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS). Click here for further details about APA/MRS Eligibility.
- cannot provide evidence that their demonstrated commitment to human rights extends beyond their academic studies
- have already completed a course deemed to be at the same, or higher, level for which they are seeking scholarship support
- as a result of previous candidature and/or prior scholarship, have a maximum tenure of less than 12 months;
- have previously received an MRS, FMS or PES
- have already been awarded or later receive another equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the studies for which they seek a HRS. An "equivalent" award is regarded as one greater than 75% of the base HRS rate (75% of the base 2007 HRS rate = $16,500).
Please click on the following links for information about:
- Human Rights Scholarship conditions (including progress requirements). Please note that the conditions for the Fay Marles Scholarship and Human Rights Scholarship are the same except that the FMS provides and living allowance of $19,040 per annum (2007 full-time rate) and the HRS provides a living allowance of $22,000 per annum (2007 full-time rate). 2 HRSs are normally awarded each year.
- duration of awards
- commencement.
To be considered for an HRS all applicants must submit to the Melbourne Scholarships Office three (3) complete sets (one original or certified and two copies) of the documents listed on the document checklist and the following additional documents with their scholarship application.
International students wishing to be considered for an HRS need to attach their documents to the International HRS Application Form (PDF: 50 kb). This form also provides important information about eligibility requirements and the documents required.
4.1. A clear statement (maximum of one page) outlining how your intended studies in relates to the human rights field and will further your understanding of human rights.
4.2. A statement (maximum of one page) that demonstrates (by noting activities you have been engaged in) your commitment, over a period of time, to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
4.3 A reference that comments on your involvement in human rights. Your referee may, for example, work for a human rights organisation. Your referee is asked to provide their contact details.
4.4 Any other letters of recommendation or support you wish to provide that are relevant to your application (optional).
4.5 The relevant page from your faculty handbook that outlines the minimum entry requirements for the course for which you are seeking a HRS (coursework applicants only; this is only required from applicants who have not yet commenced the course for which an HRS is sought).
All applicants must ensure that their application does not contain any chronological gaps. This is particularly relevant if the last qualification was completed some time ago. Applicants in this situation should provide a resume to explain any gaps.
5. Application procedure
International students wishing to apply for the HRS must:
- apply for admission (if not already currently enrolled in the course for which you seek an HRS) and have an unconditional offer of admission for which the scholarship is sought. The Application for Admission as an International Postgraduate Student is available from International Admissions or online at www.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/. This form must be submitted to International Admissions as soon as possible.