Scholarships recognise academic ability, financial need, or contribution to the community. Some scholarships are awarded to students in specific degrees; or from specific countries or regions, including regional Australia. Other scholarships are open to any student, studying at any university in Victoria.

The majority of our scholarships cover or reduce accommodation fees, but we also offer scholarships to fund travel for volunteering opportunities, and bursary grants which can be used for any purpose.

Scholarships awarded in 2021

Entrance undergraduate accommodation fee scholarships - for students new to International House

Domestic Scholarships (for Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens)

• For Commerce students   
  Commerce at International House: Full fee, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  Domestic student from rural or regional Victoria, studying Commerce at the University of Melbourne. Special Entry Access Scheme, financial disadvantage. Awarded with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics. Two scholarships awarded.

• For Science students (including Science, Agriculture and Biomedicine)  

  Clifford Family Scholarship: $14,000, three-year accommodation fee scholarship
  Domestic student from rural or regional Victoria, studying Science, Biomedicine or Agriculture at the University of Melbourne. Special Entry Access Scheme, financial disadvantage. Two entrant scholarships awarded; three returning scholarships awarded.

• For students of any degree   

  The Rotary Club of Melbourne Robert M Fels Scholarship: $14,400, one-year accommodation fee scholarship.  
  Domestic student from a rural Australian area or refugee background, financial disadvantage.

  Weickhardt Academic Performance: $7000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship  
  Domestic first year entrant to the University of Melbourne with the highest school-leaving results.

International Scholarships

• Accommodation fee scholarships   

  SEAVIC Lodge No 8 Freemasons: $5000, three-year accommodation fee scholarship        
  Entrant, from Malaysia, who demonstrates financial need.

  Richard Cullen and SK Chan: $7500, one-year accommodation fee scholarship
  Entrant, from China, Hong Kong SAR or Taiwan; demonstrates two of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, contribution to the community.

  Mavis Jackson Academic Performance: $5000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship  
  International first year entrant to the University of Melbourne with the highest school-leaving results.

  Vi and Pete Peterson: $5000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  International student, who demonstrates two of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, potential community contribution.

Returners scholarships—for students continuing to study at International House

• Accommodation fee scholarships   

  Andrew Lee: $14,000, two years accommodation fee scholarship        
  International student, preferably from Hong Kong SAR, who demonstrates two of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, contribution to the community. Two scholarships awarded.

  Richard Cullen and SK Chan: $7500, one-year accommodation fee scholarship
  Entrant, from China, Hong Kong SAR or Taiwan; demonstrates two of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, contribution to the community.

  Sundarason: $7000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship
  Domestic or international student studying at the University of Melbourne, who demonstrates academic achievement and financial need.

  Peter Cole: $7000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship  
  Domestic student, who demonstrates academic achievement and financial need.

  Weickhardt Academic Performance: $7000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship              
  Highest academic performance at the University of Melbourne in Semester 1 and 2 (January)

  Mavis Jackson Academic Performance: $5000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  Second highest academic performance at the University of Melbourne in Semester 1 and 2 (January).

  1964 Alumni: $4000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  Domestic student who demonstrates two of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, contribution to the community.

  Donovan-Johnston: $2500, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  International student, who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement. Four scholarships awarded.

  Lyndal Pascoe: $2500, one-year accommodation fee scholarship
  Domestic student studying at the University of Melbourne, who demonstrates financial need.

  Vi Peterson: $2000, one-year accommodation fee scholarship          
  Domestic or international student, who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement.

  Charlie Jong: $2000, one-year accommodation fees scholarship          
  Returning graduate student studying dentistry, possibly medicine, who demonstrates academic achievement.

• Bursary Grant Scholarships    

  Peter Reade: $1000, one-year bursary grant scholarship
  Domestic student, who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement.

  Rotary Club of Malvern: $1000, one-year bursary grant scholarship
  Domestic student, who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement.

Information about Scholarships

• All scholarships are awarded for the full academic year 2021.
• Domestic students include Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens. International students are considered students who pay international fees for the purposes of scholarships.
• Entrance scholarships are only offered to students who have not already commenced university studies in Australia or overseas.
• Students apply for scholarships by submitting a single application form, and will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible.
• Potential community contribution to International House is demonstrated through prior contributions in school, volunteering or community service.
• Scholarships are fee reduction scholarships applied proportionally across the payment schedule.
• All scholarship holders are required to achieve a minimum average of 65% in Semester 1 2021 to retain their scholarship into Semester 2.

For enquiries about scholarships, including questions about eligibility and evidence, please contact the Academic Coordinator - Dr Katherine Firth.

The closing date for entrance scholarship applications is 10 January 2021. Please complete this scholarship application form and submit your application form to ih-academic@lists.unimelb.edu.au.

"International House has been amazing in fostering an incredibly supportive environment for all of us, taking care of us and encouraging us to do things to take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically. I've made friends I know will last a lifetime and I've had experiences I would never have had otherwise. It’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life so far and I wouldn’t change it for the world."

Abbey Milligan (Bendigo, Australia)

Clifford Family Scholarship awardee 2019 - 2021

"I believe diversity and cross-cultural connection is so important for bettering ourselves. Learning and understanding other backgrounds and experiences is so valuable and International House provides that opportunity, for all students across the globe to meet and create a community that supports one another. I am so thankful for the scholarship, which has given me the opportunity to leave my small country town, attend university and the invaluable experience of college life. It has changed my life and given me an opportunity to excel and strive to better myself and build a successful future."

Bryce Owen (Mallacoota, Australia)​

Dawn Wade Scholarship awardee 2019 – 2021​

“The supportive and encouraging atmosphere at International House made me feel like I could find a home away from home and make lots of new friends - which certainly did happen! It really does feel like you're being supported every step of the way through your academic journey. Coming from Sri Lanka, getting a scholarship at International House has enabled me to settle down and find my roots in a place that provides nothing but love and support. Without the scholarship, I probably would not have been so at ease settling down into Australia, and it has helped my family immensely.”​

Pranavie Vijayakumar (Sri Lanka)​ ​

Mavis Jackson Academic Potential Scholarship awardee 2019​

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