University of Adelaide
Adelaide Scholarships International 2027
Edit ScholarshipAdelaide Scholarships International cover full tuition plus A$35,000+/year stipend for PhD and Master's research. Open to all international students.
Overview
Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) is the University of Adelaide's flagship award for international research students, providing fully funded support for Master's by Research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a substantial annual living allowance, and health insurance.
ASI is awarded purely on academic merit and research potential. The University of Adelaide's Graduate Scholarships Committee evaluates applicants based on their academic record, research experience, publications, and overall research capability. The university belongs to the Group of Eight (Go8), Australia's leading research-intensive universities, and offers research opportunities across health and medical sciences, engineering, sciences, arts, and humanities.
Adelaide, South Australia, has lower living costs than Sydney or Melbourne, so the scholarship stipend stretches further. International research students get access to strong facilities, experienced supervisors, and a multicultural community. The university's research strengths include wine and food science, mining and resources engineering, health and medical research, and defence and security research.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | University of Adelaide |
| Host Country | Australia |
| Degree Levels | Master's, PhD |
| Value | Full tuition fee waiver (100%), annual living allowance of approximately A$35,000 (indexed annually), and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) |
| Deadline | October 2026 / March 2027 |
| Duration | Up to 2 years for Master's by Research; up to 3 years for PhD (with possible 6-month extension) |
| Eligible Nationalities | International students from all countries (non-Australian citizens or permanent residents) |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.adelaide.edu.au/ |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have a strong academic record, typically equivalent to an Australian First Class Honours degree or above. Successful candidates have usually completed a Master's degree with a significant research component and have publications or clear research experience. Academic merit is the primary selection criterion.
Nationality Requirements
ASI is exclusively for international students. Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens are not eligible. Students of all other nationalities may apply.
Language Requirements
Applicants must meet the University of Adelaide's minimum English language proficiency requirements for direct entry. This means IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 79 iBT. Some programmes have higher requirements.
Work Experience
No formal work experience is required. Relevant research experience, professional experience in the proposed research area, and publications in peer-reviewed journals do strengthen the application.
Other Requirements
Applicants must not already hold a research qualification regarded by the University of Adelaide as equivalent to or higher than the degree for which they are applying. A PhD holder cannot apply for the ASI to fund another PhD.
Scholarship Benefits
- 100% tuition fee waiver for the duration of the research programme
- Annual living allowance of about A$35,000 (indexed annually, tax-exempt for residents)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of the student visa
- Access to the University of Adelaide's Group of Eight research facilities and libraries
- Supervision by experienced researchers in the chosen field
- Possible 6-month funded extension for PhD students (subject to approval)
- Access to additional conference travel grants and research support funding
- International research community in one of Australia's most affordable capital cities
How to Apply
- Identify a Research Area and Contact a Supervisor: Research the University of Adelaide's academic departments and identify potential supervisors whose interests match yours. Contact a potential supervisor before applying. Supervisor support can make or break your application.
- Prepare Your Research Proposal: Write a research proposal outlining your intended topic, methodology, significance, and how it fits the University of Adelaide's research strengths. A clear, well-structured proposal shows research readiness and strengthens your case.
- Submit Your Application Online: Apply for both admission and the scholarship at the same time through the University of Adelaide's online application system. There is no application fee. Submit all required documents by the October 31 deadline (Semester 1) or March 31 deadline (Semester 2).
- Provide Supporting Documents: Upload official academic transcripts, degree certificates, English language proficiency scores, research proposal, CV, and list of publications. All documents must be certified or officially translated if not in English.
- Await Assessment and Ranking: The Graduate Scholarships Committee assesses and ranks all eligible applicants on academic merit and research potential. Scholarship offers go to the highest-ranked candidates. Results come within 8-12 weeks of the deadline.
Required Documents
- Completed University of Adelaide online application for admission and scholarship
- Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions
- Degree certificates (Bachelor's and Master's, where applicable)
- Research proposal outlining the intended research topic and methodology
- Curriculum vitae / resume highlighting research experience and publications
- List of publications in refereed journals (if applicable)
- English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Passport copy (biographical page)
- Two academic referee contact details
- Certified English translations of documents not in English
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Year-round |
| Application Deadline | October 31, 2025 (Semester 1, 2026 start); March 31, 2026 (Semester 2, 2026 start) |
| Results Announced | Within 8-12 weeks of the application deadline |
| Course Start | February 2026 (Semester 1) or July 2026 (Semester 2) |
Tips for a Strong Application
Personal Statement Tips
- Contact a potential supervisor before applying and get their support. Applications with confirmed supervisor interest are far more competitive.
- Emphasise your research track record with specific outputs: publications, conference papers, research projects, awards
- Show clear alignment between your research proposal and the University of Adelaide's strategic research strengths
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without contacting a supervisor first. This is the most common reason strong candidates miss out on scholarships at Australian research universities.
- Submitting a generic research proposal that does not reference the specific research capabilities at the University of Adelaide
- Failing to provide certified translations of non-English documents, which delays assessment
- Underestimating the weight of publications. Competitive ASI applicants have at least one peer-reviewed publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Adelaide Scholarships International stipend?
The annual living allowance is about A$35,000, indexed annually. It is tax-exempt for Australian residents and paid fortnightly. The exact amount for each intake year is confirmed closer to the application deadline.
Does ASI cover full tuition fees for international students?
The Adelaide Scholarships International provides a 100% tuition fee waiver for the entire duration of the research programme, up to 2 years for Master's by Research and up to 3 years for PhD (with a possible 6-month extension).
Can I apply for ASI with only a Bachelor's degree?
You can, but competition is steep. A Bachelor's with First Class Honours or equivalent is the minimum requirement, but most successful ASI applicants have completed a Master's degree with a significant research component. Strong publications and research experience can compensate for not holding a Master's.
Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?
Not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended. Having a confirmed supervisor strengthens your application considerably. Contact potential supervisors by reviewing the University of Adelaide's staff profiles and research group pages.
Is there an application fee for ASI?
There is no application fee. You submit your application for both admission and the scholarship through a single free online application.
Can Australian citizens apply for Adelaide Scholarships International?
ASI is exclusively for international students. Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens should look at the University of Adelaide Research Scholarships (UARS) and the Research Training Program (RTP) instead.
What research areas are covered by ASI?
ASI covers all research areas offered at the University of Adelaide: sciences, engineering, health and medical sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences. The university has particular strengths in wine and food science, mining engineering, health research, and defence technology.
How competitive is the Adelaide Scholarships International?
The majority of successful applicants have strong academic records (equivalent to First Class Honours or above), a Master's degree with research, publications in refereed journals, and relevant research or professional experience.
Does ASI include health insurance?
The scholarship includes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of the student visa, covering medical and hospital expenses in Australia.
Can I extend my ASI scholarship beyond the standard duration?
PhD students may apply for a 6-month funded extension, subject to university approval. Master's students do not have an extension option. Extensions are granted only when the research requires additional time.